TinkySD

Pretty excited i'm going to get it so fast. Springs are sitting in a box in my room. My question for you all is if there is anything specific you would like me to note as far as driving impressions. I'm planning on probably installing the swaybar myself on saturday and then getting the springs done next monday. I'll make sure to note my driving impressions...any othe requests?

accsuperstar

well you are in california after all

drive over some bumps with stock then try the same ones after you drop it. post any differences you notice.

fdl

Really push the car hard before and after sway bar. Get up to 8-9/10ths if possible. Then let us know if their is less body roll, and less understeer. See if you can kick that tail out too!


Thanks

AKay

ALSO PICS!!!!
And just a very detailed impressions on both.
Im ordering my swaybar tomorow when i get paid .
And springs im holdin off till an aftermarket shock application is out.
AKay

dabuda

yeah i would like to see pix of the swaybar installation or just steps for the installation...kinda like the acura installation pdfs

TinkySD

i'll see what I can do. I'll probably be doing it my apartment complex garage so I'm not sure how easy it's going to be to get pix...i'll try though

dom

Pics, Pics, Pics.....especially of the car after its lowered. You'll be the first lowered on Comptech's. See if you can snap some pics of the spring install too, if they let you.

How about some pics of those springs you have sitting in the box? Just for the hell of it.

Oh ya, do you think you could measure the wheel gap after the spring installation? and report on the difference.

TinkySD

yeah i'll definitely do the measurements of wheel gap. There is someone that already has their car dropped on comptechs..pictures should be up this weekend which is before mine will get installed. I'll make sure and do all the little things you guys want for before/after comparison though.

accsuperstar

what kind of drop are you plannin on getting to need aftermarket shocks?

dom

Tinky, don't forget to check out Comptech's "installation" section on the webpage. Nothing for the TSX yet, but I'm sure using RSX instructions may help.

AKay

Well i love the look of the eibach pro kit but in my 03 accord i had a 2.25 inch drop and i loved the look but did not like the way it hit hard especially over the smallest bumps or potholes.
When i do the drop i wanna be sure to get some high quality shocks this time around with the TSX the one thing i do not wanna compromise for looks is the ride quality.
AKay

w_piti

hmmmm. I know I am a dumb to ask this question.. But what does sway bar and struts do to the car? Will Air intake, header and exhaust really increase the horsepower? I am pretty new to all these aftermarkets product. hmmmm....thanks anway.

dabuda

sway bar and struts improve the handling of the car, basically less body roll. intake, header, and exhaust will definitely increase HP...each manufacturer usuallly runs their own tests and claim 5-15HP+ increase...i haven't done anything to my tsx yet but on my old lude i had aem intake, d&c sports header, and tananbe exhaust combo, definitely felt more low end power as well as torque with these add-ons. the techies on this board will give you better technical answers but hopefully this answers your basic ?s...

Bear Trap

You forgot about the Comptech stickers!!! I got two with my sway bar and they would add at least 10-15 HP if I'd put them on. lol...

Lung Fu Mo Shi

I've got 4 for my intake. W00t! An extra 50 hp!

AZTSX

i wanna use the eibach spotlines for my drop and i was wondering if i would ruin my car if i didnt get shocks immediately...say for about 3 months plus i was wondering how do shocks actually work?

TinkySD

sway bar is here. My cursory measurements show 22mm. Planning on putting it on tonight whemn my buddy gets off work.

duugk

Cool, thanks for documenting this Tinky, this is great info.

TinkySD

My install plans got ruined for the night..gonna wait till i have assistance tomorrow. I have some pics of my springs and the sway i'll put up later.

accsuperstar

shocks absorb bumps and holes you encounter. with springs that give you a bigger drop, there is more pressure on your shocks when you hit bumps, holes, etc. the stock shocks are designed for comfort and are not too stiff. therefore they would probably run a greater chance of blowing with the sportlines if you hit a pothole or something like that. aftermarket shocks are stiff and made for use with any springs. the ride will be somewhat harder and stiffer if you use lowering springs. if you use better shocks your car wont bounce around as much and will be alot harder to blow.

AZTSX

Thx alot for the info accsueprstar

Iceman

So Tinky, did I miss something? Tell us about your swaybar!

TinkySD

it's not in yet It's a two person job to get the end links off and I haven't been able to get with anyone during the day to work on it. Bastards!

JTso

iTrader: (2)

If you look closely at the end-link, you will see a hex shape hole which you can insert a hex key to hold it in place. You then remove the end-link nut with a box-end wrench. It's quite easy actually. I did my Comptech sway bar in about .5 hour.

Edit: here are some pictures.

This is what the end link looks like with the hex hole.


The end link takes a 5mm hex wrench, and the end link nut takes a 14mm.


The Comptech swaybar bracket has a much wider slot for the mounting bolts, which requires additional washers. Otherwise, the stock bolt will go right through. The mounting bolts are 12mm.

accsuperstar

thats the same way to remove the shock mounts

AKay

Can you just roll under your car and do it or do you need some lift?
I have had mine for almost 2 weeks now and havent installed it yet cause of no time and being told i would need a lift. Which means a performance shop which means $$$.
AKay

JTso

iTrader: (2)

You do need to jack the car up slightly until both rear wheels are off the ground evenly about 2", unless you are very skinny.
I also found it much easier to remove the left rear wheel so you can snake the swaybar in from the side. Just make sure to match the orientation of the oem swaybar during installation.

Bear Trap

I installed mine with the car on the ground - you don't need a lift or another person. It is a one person job for 1/2 hour and no lift required (a lift makes it easier, but it is not required).

AKay

ok i will attempt on my own this weekend.
Im buying a tool kit from Sears is there any specific kit i should get? And is there any specialty tool i need?
I figure my investments in a helm manual and a good tool kit will do me wonders over paying people to install my mods.
AKay

Bear Trap

Make sure it has metric and SAE sizes and get some allen wrenches if they are not part of the kit. See the previous posts about what tools are needed for the sway bar install. I've found that deep well sockets come in real handy also (not for the sway bar install - just in general).

TinkySD

grrrr...I didn't realize you could put a hex in the bolt. Grrrr. Maybe i'll put it in tomorrow then before the meet. How easy is it to remove and reinstall the swaybar once disconnected? Can you do it without removing any of the wheels?

Bear Trap

I did it w/o removing the wheels. It may take a few minutes to figure out how to snake it out and snake the new one in. The exhaust keeps it from dropping and the bends in the sway makes it harder, but it's not that difficult. I wish I had seen a hex socket on the bolt - sure would have made my install easier.

TinkySD

Sway bar is in! Instead of really working with the sway bar i just unbolted the two bolts on the diffuser, let it hang down and slid the puppy right in easy. Havne't had a chance to really push it but it feels good so far.

One thing I noticed and it might be imagination is that the steering feels heavier. Turn in is better I think but the wheels feels like it takes a bit more push to turn. Like i said i could be imagning this, anyone else notice anything like this?

accsuperstar

just put mine in. dont notice any heavier steering. feels great though

TinkySD

Yah i'm pretty sure I was imagining it. I love the feeling though. So much that I haven't put those springs in yet. It feels so much more settled in hard turns. No idea why it didn't come like this stock.