Dutch

When I bought my car from the dealer I ordered the OEM Honda sports suspension (A-spec). After driving it for a while I noticed that my springs were red in stead of black. So I called the dealer to ask what had happened. He told me that they had installed a set of lowering spring made by Merwede Racing. As this was not what I had ordered I asked him to install the OEM set. After a few agree e-mails the dealer agreed to install the OEM sports suspension.

So this morning I went back to have the set installed. Because I didn't trust him anymore I asked to see the springs and dampers they were going to install. By that time he told me that the springs were exactly the same as the ones he had installed, he claimed that Honda used a black version of de Merdewe springs for their OEM set. He also claimed that the dampers were identical to the stock dampers.

So here is my first question:

Did anybody have a chance to compare the stock dampers to the A-spec dampers and are they different or not.

My second question:

After installation the car is about a quarter inch higher in the front. Which might indicate that there is a difference between the Merwede springs and the A-spec springs. Does it get a little bit lower when the new springs have settled?

Dan Martin

A-Spec dampers are valved differently than the stock units but I'm not sure if they look any different from the outside. It sounds like your dealer is trying to pull a fast one on you. The dampers and springs come preassembled if it really is the A-Spec kit.

ClutchPerformer

This A-Spec business is REALLY shady....

dom

That dealer sounds really shady.

fdl

Your car is now higher?? That doesnt sound right to me.

ClutchPerformer

I just mean how each person comes to the board with a different story about A-Spec. It seems the dealers are taking advantage of how little official information there is availible.

dom

True. Remember that guy who's dealer tried to sell him an A-Spec TSX about 4 months before there was any info on it.

ClutchPerformer

Yeah. And remember the pic we saw of the black TSX w/ "A-Spec package" that had stock tires?

And I still haven't seen their "optional decklid spoiler" yet!

Dutch

After installation of the A-spec suspension the front of my car is about a quarter inch higher than with the stock dampers and the Merwede springs. I think during the next few weeks the car will settle and get a little lower. Im I right?

This dealer is realy shady, he put a put a set of Merwede lowering springs on the car which cost only 130 Euro's, While I paid for the A-spec suspension which costs 886 euro's. He only agreed to replace the cheapo suspension after I told him I would go the Honda Netherlands and that I would post this story on every Dutch Honda forum.

xizor

He is in the Netherlands which could lead to differences and confusion. I don't know much about this high performance package.

fdl

just noticed that. So who knows whats going on over there.

ianS

I think in Europe, they call it HFP(Honda Factory Performance) for A-spec. At least the part # of the shocks is different than the stock shocks so I assume they are different and I can tell from the ride that it is a big different!

Deelover

I installed my A spec suspension kit myself and bought the kit from acrua in california. The suspension is black not red and they look almost Identical to the stock suspension. Once installed the drop is minimal and the front is not higher the drop is even front and back. The ride is tighter and it now handles corners much better. You can feel the difference. As a matter of fact, my Aspec shocks have Honda motor stamped into the metal.

LannyM

I measured exactly 1.25" drop with my A-Spec struts/springs. The Merwede springs are rated at a 1.5" drop, so it makes perfect sense that your car would be 1/4" higher.

My car has 1000 or so hard miles on it since I did the kit; it has not gotten any lower. I hope that lowering was not your goal with this setup, because the car starts so high up to begin with that 1.25" does not slam it.

I have no doubt that the struts are valved differently, because I have experienced what lowering springs on the factory struts feels like, and it's not good. That's why so many people are buying Koni's these days......

jiggaman

gavinn58

I "third" that as well. I was one of those people that went with just drop springs on my accord. The ride was so bad I installed some cheap tokico blues which helped a bit, but were still crap. When I got rid of the car and bought the tsx, I said to myself that if I decided to lower this car, it would be done properly with decent equipment.

I am currently loving my a-spec suspension.

Belzebutt

How do you feel about the drop on your suspension, looks-wise? Do you think it's noticable? I'm looking for a drop, but not too much, kind of like what the sports package does for a 330i.

gavinn58

If you want the drop for the "look", this is not the setup to get. Honestly, it looks stock but when you get into the corners there is a definite difference. Ride quality is nearly the same as the stock setup, however noticeably a bit stiffer.

LannyM

From a wheel gap standpoint, sport pack 330is or any 3 series coupe looks lower than an A-Spec TSX, but it's really not. The 3 series fender flares way out, and the wheel, even with the 8" width, is pretty far inside the wheelwell. Although the gap is a couple of inches, it gives the appearance of being slammed/tucked.

The TSX wheel is right out even with the fender, and it makes the gap more noticeable. If you want to truly eliminate the gap on a TSX, you need to actually slam the car, elimanating all your suspension travel. Personally, I drive my 9 month old daughter around a lot, so I am not interested in any kind of bone-jarring ride.........

The gap is improved over stock- it no longer looks like a 4x4 .......





The best thing to me is improved handling without any real penalty in comfort.