I hate cars

I was thinking of going with something like a 20% stiffer spring but I refuse to lower the car since it already has very little ground clearance and suspension travel.

Is there a stiffer spring made for our cars that retains the factory ride height?

ssmtl2nv

iTrader: (2)

I believe comptech is the closest... lowers it barely an inch. or you coul go wiith aspec....

MrHeeltoe

iTrader: (1)

Just a thought, you might be able to get a minimal net change in height getting some Tein Htechs, and koni yellows with the perches maxed out. Or even just get the shocks and toss them on the stock springs to firm the dampening up, reduce float, etc. You'd be increasing travel as well since these shocks delete the huge stock bump stop.

Although I need to disagree that the car has little ground clearance...relative to a lot of cars I have dealt with the TL has quite a bit of clearance even when lowered. 1-2 inches.

mowbro

Or, how about a used TL type S strut set?

Those are notably stiffer than non-type S. You'd never confuse the two. And the spring/shock combo is pretty well matched.

the Bro.

I hate cars

Type S or A spec springs sound like a good idea. I have the Koni Yellow already.

I know the Type S springs are stock height. Does the A-spec get it's lowering from the spring perch or the springs themselves? If it's the spring, I can always set the perch on the Konis back to stock height.

Last, is there any place I can order just the springs without getting the whole damper assembly?

I don't mind experimenting with differerent springs, it took me less than and hour to install the Konis.

As for lowering, it is lowered 3/4" in the front from the Konis. Rear is stock height but with the subs it's about 1/2" lower. It's a daily driver so I don't want it any lower. With 3 co-workers in it going to lunch I can't make it over even the smallest speed bumps without bottoming. I also want real life good handling which means retaining all suspension travel to take up bumps when cornering. Hitting bumpstops mid corner is a very bad thing.

I realize removing/installing shorter bumpstops will give it more travel but then you get into camber change and bump steer issues.

I hate cars

So far, here's what I found.

Sport (I'm assuming a-spec??)

F- 51401 SEP A15
R- 52441 SEP A12

TYPE S

F- SEP A22, A31, A41
R- SEP A13

BASE

F- SEP A06
R- SEP A02

Anyone know why there are 3 different front springs listed for the type S?

Also, I think it goes in this order of stiffness, A-spec>Type S> Base. Correct?

I really wish I would've taken it out to Buttonwillow to get some times before the RSB install. Hopefully I will have the time to get before/after times with the new setup.

My biggest concern is if I get the A-spec I need to know if the springs alone will lower the car.

I hate cars

I should add that at roughly $160 for a set of springs and only a couple hours installation, I don't mind experimenting a little.

ssmtl2nv

iTrader: (2)

go with the aspecs, they would def be my second choice over the tein ss

MichaelBenz

iTrader: (2)

Dude....A-Specs FTW. I won street mod class on A-Spec's this past year my friend...tried and true. High recommends.

I hate cars

I was about to PM you on this subject....

I've been reading up for the last hour on stock vs aspec vs typeS vs aftermarket and I've definately made my mind up on the A-spec.

The only problem I have is I already have the Konis and it sits .5" to .75" lower in the front. I absolutely will not go any lower. I have the option to move the perch to the stock setting which is what I think I'll do and then order the slightly stiffer auto a-spec kit for my 5AT.

Are you running the auto or manual kit and about how much did it drop the car? Is the rear lower also?

TIA. This is info I could not get elsewhere.

Bearcat94

"Sport" = MT on the '04 - '06.


Yes, word on the street is stiffness is A-Spec > TL-S > Base.

I hate cars

Where could I find the a-spec springs on Acuraoemparts? Maybe $160 for the set is too good to be true?

Bearcat94

They don't show them as a separate part. Only as an "assembly".

MrHeeltoe

iTrader: (1)

If this is the case I bout a-spec or type-s sus will lower any more, ut you again may need to preload the perch on the koni shock. Or just swap it all out altogether (I'd have a hard time giving up the yellows tho).

JD TL-S

iTrader: (1)

A-Specs should do a great job and barely lowers the car from what I have read. 1/2-3/4" max. If I was U thats what I would do. Personally TEIN SS in in my near future, I want about 1.25" lower F&R.

I hate cars

This sucks that I may have to buy the a-spec spring and shock combo and sell the shocks to recover some of my cost.

Anyone know the spring rate difference between the type-s and a-spec? I really want the a-spec springs but don't need the shocks.

MrHeeltoe

iTrader: (1)

Yeah but you can sell the shocks no problem I bet. Someone looking for better shocks but don't need springs is in the same situation as you!

I hate cars

Anyone want a set of NIB a-spec shocks?

firstacuratl

iTrader: (2)

I thought A-Spec shocks were the same as base? Hard telling if the valving is different or not unless you have a part # of the A-Spec kit shocks to compare to base shocks? I know it's a hassle since A-Spec suspension is sold in "kit" form Interesting reading though and props for experimenting

I hate cars

Could be. That would kind of suck to buy the $550 kit when I only need the $160 springs and then sell the shocks for only $100.

I absolutely don't want to go aftermarket because I feel that the a-spec is a very balanced kit in more ways than one. Especially after Michael Benz too 1st place over the course of a year with only a-spec and a RSB.

If I could find the spring rates of the a-spec kit I could compare to what aftermarket offerings are closest. But I've been looking for a-spec spring rates for two days and can't find them.

mowbro

Educated guess: The A-Spec shocks are not the same as base. Also, not the same as type S. I just converted my 2007 TL type S to A-Spec. The springs are incrementally stiffer than type S. If the shocks were the same, they wouldn't work right with the stiffer springs. As to base (I go to lunch with a friend who has one) the springs and shocks are more than a little softer than the type S. Initially, it didn't seem that the A-Spec suspension was tuned right. Too much jounce resistance and not enough rebound resistance. After about two weeks and 500+ miles, that changed. I'm a happy camper now. (Happy enough that I'm ready to sell the type S strut assemblies).

So based on admittedly only two cars and three suspensions (all 2007) I say we've got three notably different spring rates and more-or-less tuned shocks to match.

the Bro.

mowbro

Forgot to mention: The type S rear springs are linear; i.e. all the coils are evenly spaced. The A-Spec are progressive rate. Front springs for both are linear wound.

Go figure.

the Bro.

Anarchy919

iTrader: (4)

I have the A-Spec's on KYB GR2's and the springs are over powering the GR2's I'm about to try the Koni's It's just that I just bought the Shocks.

wasupdog

iTrader: (2)

yea i'm also gonna guess that the a-spec shocks aren't the same as stock. the a-spec suspension was supposedly tuned as a sport suspension design so i wouldn't think the designer just threw different springs on the stock shocks.

does anyone know if other car manufacturers like bmw that offer an oem sport suspension package have different shocks? acura isn't the only one that does this as an oem package.

I hate cars

Ended up going with the a-spec springs with Konis and I'm very happy with it. The car lost some of it's rake and it seems to understeer a bit more now.

I'm going to put one endlink in the firm position on the rsb and leave the other in the soft position to see if I can't get the balance back to how it was without going to full firm on the bar.

MrHeeltoe

iTrader: (1)

I have a set of A-spec springs here now from the weekend install we did if anyone is interested. Have the shocks too but there is a lot of miles on them, the rears are leaky.