stan_t

So, after running the KONIs with stock springs for 6-7K, I settled on betting an Eibach ProKit. Need was for a stiffer spring that would retain daily driving comfort without much lowering, so it seemed to fit the bill.

I received the ProKit yesterday, and installed it right away. I took some measurements prior to install with the car still on stock springs and perches on lowest setting.

Front:







Rear:





ProKit:



Front stock spring vs. ProKit:



Rear stock spring vs. ProKit:



Stan

SinCityTLX

UM, did you install them. Are those after pics? Your car doesn't look much lower than stock.

stan_t

Those are the pictures before the install. I don't have the after install pictures yet but can post some today -- car is kind of dirty and has different wheels on it now, though tires are still the same size, 225/50/17.

I'd say, the car is 1/2" lower so far. I moved the perches to the higher setting (15mm higher than it was with stock springs), so it seems about right.

Stan

bagwell

iTrader: (1)

so its an ADDITIONAL 1/2" lower than you had before with the Koni's on the lower perch?

received my Eibach PK as well yesterday BTW

stan_t

Exactly, 1/2" lower than in the pictures above. I'll get the car washed at lunch and snap a few quick pics, but I have black wheels and they really don't show well in pictures.

I have to say, suspension install is a bitch on this car. As much as I love doing this stuff myself, I would almost suggest paying someone to do it if it's $300 or so. But, once it's done it's all good, and I don't do this often.

So far, impressions with these springs is they are nice. Wife and kid are very unlikely to notice the difference, though I haven't done any driving on the shittiest roads we have here yet. Springs feel a bit firmer but that is actually good IMO and adds to the comfort (though everyone's view on ride quality is different). Will have more info once I put some miles on the setup.

Stan

bagwell

iTrader: (1)

great info Stan, thanks!

btw -- just put the paper on top of the tire like you did in some pics, it will help show the gap.

I found a place that will install the springs for $180-$200, so I'm going that route.

stan_t

That's a freakin' bargain. It too me most of the day yesterday and my back isn't as strong as it used to be. And, I have tools.

I'll do the paper thing once I get the car into the garage, that way it'll be an equal comparison. I swear, only way to find level ground to take a picture of the car around here is to drive onto a basketball court.

Stan

stan_t

These wheels don't show too well in pictures, but you get the basic idea.













Stan

iSeeYouTwo

Looks awesome, Stan! Some spacers would really complete the look, imo. I love how dark wheels look on silver cars. Just right!

stan_t

Thank you. I would have gone for a lighter color, like gunmetal, but these came to me powdercoated black, and since they are in good shape I'm leaving them as-is. I could consider small'ish spacers, but I'd need to press studs in/out, and I don't want to mess with that.

I actually chose to run offset close to stock. I did try 20mm adapter spacers with the stock wheels and didn't like it -- car didn't turn in as well, didn't feel as tight, felt more numb, soft and wobbly to me. If anything, wider tires, less sidewall, stiffer springs and 1/2" lower, but I have to compromise -- I don't do track days or autox, though do love to blast through twisties whenever I can.

Stan

mellostack

your car just reminds me of the detective cars that they use around my way

bagwell

iTrader: (1)

looks great Stan!

keep us updated....like if the springs settle.

tsxoniner

Stan: That drop looks much better than what you had originally IMO. If you had left the Koni's on their lower perches for an additional 1/2 inch drop, would there be clearance problems with the tires you're running?

stan_t

Most likely not. Reason I didn't do it is spring was barely preloaded. I decided to stick with how it was designed to be used since install is a PITA. Another 1/2" would make it look better -- agreed.

Stan

Puppetmaster

Looks great Stan. Those BBS go pretty well with the lines of the TSX.

Puppetmaster

Btw, Stan, since you have experience with Koni products, what's your take on the Koni FSD dampers? Looks like an intriguing concept, but in my search the feedback was less than favorable for the majority who tried them with stiffer than OE springs. Of course, I think expectations were slightly too high, but it sounded like they were too unpredictable all round.

stan_t

I haven't used FSDs, but I think they are designed with stock springs in mind and aren't meant to be used with lower, stiffer spring.

Stan

Puppetmaster

Thanks. That seems to be the general confirmation from the people who have tried them with stiffer springs, haha. Basically, don't do it. The tech seems very interesting though, esp for street driving.

bagwell

iTrader: (1)

hummmm check this link....

http://www.koni-na.com/fsdeibach.cfm



FSD / EIBACH KITS
KONl's latest technology accomplishes the task that has eluded most shock makers until now - great handling + excellent ride quality:

Excellent ride quality on all road surfaces
Available for most newer cars - more coming
Pair with Eibach springs for 1"-1.5" lowering
Gold metallic finish shocks
Dark metallic gray springs in kits
Less expensive than electronic systems
Lifetime Warranty
Drive the car you love every day.

bagwell

iTrader: (1)

oh also....

stan_t

They do show FSDs being available for 2010 TSX -- $855.00 is the sale price. It'd be interesting to try them. For the yellows, their sale price is $405 for front and $405 for rear -- you could do better.

Stan

stan_t

Not sure how relevant this would be to our car, but here is a link from an Audi site discussing the Sports vs. FSDs with Eibach springs:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ch-Pro-Springs

Stan

stan_t

To those who think the ProKit drop isn't enough -- I agree, a bit lower would look great, but consider these pictures. This is with a full tank of gas and no people in the car.

Rear:



Front:



I'd say it's a pretty fair drop for a street car. And, my favorite angle:



Stan

bagwell

iTrader: (1)

Thanks!!!

Looks perfect to me!


is rear camber that bad? or barely off? I can see it a little bit with my 18s on stock suspension.

stan_t

I think even stock these cars have a fair amount of rear camber with the front being basically 0. The rear could probably stand to be dialed closer to -1 with front ideally being in the -1.5 range.. but I don't think I'll stress over it too much at the moment. If anything, I'd get some new tires first.

I'll probably have it in for an alignment some time soon. My guess on camber as it sits now is around -0.6 front / -1.5 rear, but that's just a guess -- anyone with Eibachs have actual alignment printout?

Stan

Honda_boy83

Stan, it looks great! I think I'm going to go with the pro kit on stock struts. Keep us updated on how you like them and if there are in camber issues in the future! Again it looks great!

Puppetmaster

It's actually a lot less, TireRack has them for $625 under their current Koni sale.

Puppetmaster

Thanks, I was reading through that thread myself. Looks like some are happy with them, some aren't. Most prefer the Yellows.

Puppetmaster

It's a nice drop for a street driven car, likely with a significant improvement in handling without huge loss in ride quality. I'd also be interested to hear what the rear camber turns out to be if you do get an alignment.

Any additional feedback after you've had a few more days to drive it around on the new set up?

stan_t

Some impressions after spending almost a tank of gas with the setup.

On rough roads the stiffer springs are noticeable, there is no way around that. It isn't bad, but if someone says it's same as stock either their roads are perfect, or they are kidding themselves. Keep in mind, my attention to ride quality is high, I tweak over these things. I backed off the rebound to 1/2 turn from soft on the front (I think it helped), rears are still at 1 1/4 turn from soft.

Height is great, no bottoming out, scrapings isn't much different. I still clear my driveway using ramps I made, and I still scrape my buddy's driveway as I did being 1/2" higher.

I was able to do a twisties run last night (for locals -- Hwy 35 to 4 corners, 84 west to Woodside, then 84 back to 280). Car is freakin brilliant, that's all I can say. It's butter. My tires aren't perfect which is what's holding back the car now, but it feels very balanced and chassis/steering setup is much more apparent with the new suspension -- no flaws show up, only positives.

Stan

bagwell

iTrader: (1)

Stan, I wonder if dropping the front a little more by putting the Koni's on the lower perch is something do-able or a no-no. or.... I was thinking of having all 4 corners on the lower perch.

stan_t

You could try it. It'll be pretty slammed. I decided against it because I need the suspension travel. You will be pretty close to the bumpstops. I think the Eibach springs documentation called for trimming the bumpstops down 15mm (mine were already cut, so I just quickly looked over the instructions without reading them too much), and you'd be 15mm lower on top of that.

Stan

5thTo2nd

thanks for the writeup. I'm waiting for my shocks to go so I can get the yellows too.

So if I'm understanding correctly, the koni yellows + prokits will give about 1.5" drop? Cause I'm on prokits and stock shocks and the drop is 1"

stan_t

Drop will be identical to using the stock shocks. KONIs do have removable spring perches that can be lowered 15mm, so you could get a bit lower, but I decided against going that route. So, if you are running the ProKit now, our cars should be at the same height.

Stan

Puppetmaster

Hey Stan, used your info to add to this reference thread, please feel free to supplement or correct where necessary, thanks.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...3&postcount=62

08r3308

Great read Stan , car looks good.
Makes me wonder about my tein as coilovers :-) hallways lowed eibachs.

bagwell

iTrader: (1)

question about moving the spring perches...

1. how tough is it to move them (off the car)?

2. is it possible to move them while installed on a car, like from the upper perch to the lower perch? (I know, probably a stupid question with the spring tension and all but....)

stan_t

Off the car with the spring removed, it's easy to move the circlips up/down. It helps having a circlip tool (like needle-nose pliers, but the tops expand when you press the handles). With the spring in place, I would not do it. I suppose, theoretically it is possible, but you would have to compress the springs with shocks installed on the car, align it properly -- seems like it would be very difficult to get it right, even if it was possible. There just isn't much clearance.

Stan

Excelerate

iTrader: (1)

We have them for $600 for the set on our website.

FL:

http://store.excelerateperformance.c.../i-498523.aspx

FR:

http://store.excelerateperformance.c.../i-498524.aspx

Rear (qty of 2 needed):

http://store.excelerateperformance.c.../i-498522.aspx

Puppetmaster

Even better! Thanks for chiming in here.