Type-S MT Suspention VS. A-Spec Suspension
 

Hello all:

I've searched a couple of times with a couple of different key words but there hasn't been much discussion (that I could find) on a comparison of the Type-S suspension vs. A-Spec.

If it has, I'm really sorry!

Moving on:

Is there even any difference? I though I read somewhere that there is an A-Spec suspension different from the stock Type-S, and that the ride is a little firmer but helps with roll dramatically. Is this correct?

the aspec suspension drops the car about an inch.

i believe that 04-06 6MT and the 07-08 TYPE-S have the same shock, or should I say the same amount of firmness.

I know for a fact that my 06 6mt is stiffer than an automatic.

what exactly is a-spec...is it a aftermarket thing or can you buy a aspec tl from acura?

aspec = ACURA SPECIFICATION

Acura made it.
there were aspec TL's sold new.

just today i saw an aspec TL in the parking lot in my school. its the 04-06 TL with full a-spec lip kit, a-spec rims, and wing spoiler, and has the rare a-spec badge on the trunk. 6mt too

im gonna have to look up the part numbers to double check that

^if you looked inside, the steering wheel would be an apec'd wheel

i will check for the a-spec wheel if its still in the parking lot later. what does the a-spec steering wheel look like?

the part numbers are different.
but my 6mt def feels stiff, almost comparable to a type-s

the steering wheel is thicker, and has blue stitching and two tone thumb inserts

http://zwww.acurazine.com/forums/pic...ictureid=34523

The A-spec suspension is firmer than the TL-S one and the firmness is about the same for the 04-06 one and the TL-S Aspec ones.

The difference is that the 04-06 6MT have different front shock/springs because of less weight (MT is around 150 pounds lighter) from the AT A-Spec Kit. Most people go with the MT kit anyway for a lower drop.

So then another question is raised - and I think I'm answering this in my head...but there's no separate TL-S ASpec and TL Aspec SUSPENSION correct?

i know the 5at, 6mt, and T-S, all have differant size sway bar also.

I wounder if they also upgrade the sway bars for a-spec on the 6mt..?

yes there are separate aspec suspension kits for the TL-S and the base models due to the weight differences of the engine (3.5L vs the 3.2L) and the transmissions.

both will improve handling and drop the car about an inch at most. though you can install them in any 3G TL, but your desired effect maybe off if the kit is not spec'd for your car (base 6MT, base AT, and type S).

i don't believe they did. aspec was the steering wheel, aero kit, suspension, lip spoiler or wing spoiler and wheels (there might be something i'm missing that is also part of the aspec pkg, but i think that's what came with it) for the bargain basement price of $5K at time of purchase for new TL way back when.

Also- for AT cars there were ASPEC brake pads as well.

Thank you everyone for their responses. Its clear to me now.

Mod you may close the thread if you wish!

Looks like everything has already been answered.

If you want the best that each model TL offered, it would be TL-S swaybars with a-spec springs and shocks, TL-S top hats, and the '04-06 compliance bushings.

Thanks IHC. I read in some of your posts through my searches that upgrading (my) TL-S 6MT rear sway to something like a progress rear sway 24mm would provide even better handling characteristics by reducing roll. So to upgrade the TL-S rear sway to a progress 24mm would be even better....right?

^you read it. do you comprehend it?

Yes.

What conclusion have you came to about the P RSB?

apparently he has come up with none

Georgieboy, did you buy the P RSB yet!??!?!?!?

I don't. At least not the part about '04 - '06 compliance bushings.

What's the advantage/difference '04-'06 vs TL-S?

And which part is this exactly? 51394-SEP-A11? Is there an equivelant for the rear?

'04-'06 use a stiffer compliance bushing than all '07-'08 cars including the TL-S.

IIRC it was a dealer upgrade kit. Sure you could buy it installed, but you could also take in any TL and have them stick the a-spec kit on.

Progress RSB on soft feels perfect on the TL-S.

you wont "feel" the sway bar until ur car is uneven. for example going over a speed bump with one side of ur car like some idiots do thinking it "better for your car." you want to adjust it to balance firmness. if you have a solid sway bar (type s or H&R i think) then you would want to put it on the firmer setting. but only do so if you have a firm shocks and springs too or else the swaybar can rip out of its bolts (i prolly just terrified 8 noobs) shit here comes more questions

This might sound weird but is there someone that lives in the SF area with a aspec suspension that is willing to let me ride in their car so I can get a better feel, I have a Aspec set up in the garage to be installed. But if there isn't really a difference. I rather sell it.

Thx

It's a nice difference. The ride is still good but more sporty. Roll is reduced, dive is reduced as well as squat. But the best thing about a-spec is unlike some aftermarket sets, it improves the handling balance. Similar to adding a larger rsb, it stiffens the rear more than the front so you have less understeer. When it comes to absolute cornering speed, and you had to choose between one of the two, having the better balance will get you around a track quicker than having less roll.

It's one of those things you don't notice until you hit the limits of cornering. While a stiffer aftermarket set will feel like it corners better, push it to the limit and the front end is going to plow in a straight line instead of turning. Push the a-spec to it's limit and both ends are going to be more balanced and the limit is going to be higher before either end gives way.

Keep in mind, better tires will make more of a difference in handling than any suspension mods. I would put a bone stock TL on R compounds up against a modded TL with any suspension mods you choose on average tires any day.

there is definitely a difference. night and day. add the RSB....and life gets a little more fun around corners. just as IHC said...tires can make or break what you can do with the a suspension.

i added aspec...wow. then added a rsb a few months later...holy crap! WOW! you really can't fault the aspec suspension. acura spent time and money to get this suspension tuned for the TL. its worth it. just keep in mind if you're looking for more drop over performance...go aftermarket for your more drop needs. aspec will give you your performance needs with a subtle drop.

whats the cost of the aspec package?

It definitely feels more confident through turns. I can't comment on the firm setting because I'm quite happy with the soft setting. If anything, it feels like the front needs a firmer setup now.

2004-2006 bushing 51394-SEP-A01 $26.18 firmer
2007-2008 bushing 51394-SEP-A11 $13.86 softer for ride-comfort

Take a look at this thread for more details:
04' to 08' front lower control arm bushing failure - please read and look

I'm wondering this as well. Also, I can't seem to figure out what suspensions parts would be swapped out to go from stock suspension to aspec suspension.

aspec suspension comes as a kit for the full damper assembly at all four corners. its a complete swap out for the stock shocks to the aspec shocks. you cannot get the shock and springs separate. the whole suspension kit can be had for $600-$650 off flea bay (usually they are being sold by acura dealers through internet parts dept sales).

sometimes you can find them on BM...there are differences in the kit depending on the year and transmission of your car as well as type s.

there are a number threads here that discuss the finer details of the aspec suspension.

Okay, I choose jan 15, nome, Alaska. I think I'll go for suspension mods that give me a lift. ;)

Wow, someone on an Internet forum who actually understands the critical importance of TIRES in the overall handling equation! :thumbsup:

You don't need to go all the way to R-comps; today's current crop of 140-treadwear ST-class autocross street tires (e.g., Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec, Hankook Ventus R-S3, Toyo R1R, Bridgestone RE-11, Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08) will provide 85% of the grip of R-comps and be perfectly suitable for summer-season daily driving as well.

A question: from a subjective, ride-comfort perspective, is this A-Spec suspension kit (part #08W60-SEP-202A):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/350499016367

- firmer than the OEM suspension on the '07 Type S (5-speed automatic)?

I'd be surprised if it wasn't, seeing as how the A-Spec suspension gives up 1/2"? 3/4"? of travel to the Type S. But then maybe Makoto Tamamura's A-Spec suspension has that elusive combination of spring rate and damping that improves handling AND retains optimal ride quality.

I'm also wondering what the "202" part of the part # for the A-Spec suspension kit being sold on eBay signifies, as that doesn't match what's posted here:

http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/showp...63&postcount=6

Thanks in advance for the help!

Aspec is the firmest of the OEM suspensions. then type-s, base 6MT, base 04-06, base 07-08 (being the softest).

the 202 part of the parnt # is the latest part number for essentially the same part. it supercedes 201 and 200. this is what the dealer told me.

I think they went to a common Aspec suspension kit for both Type-S and non-S. I'm unsure on this, but I believe that's what the 202 part numbers are for.

I got the 08W60-SEP-202A recently for my 04 AT. Even though I have an AT, I was looking for the MT suspension because I had heard the AT A-Spec still has the front of the car sitting a bit higher than the rear.) The description on the receipt (this was ordered through eBay, but came from an Acura dealer), was "MT KIT SPTS SUSPNION"

Handles well, sits pretty even , lowered the car by roughly 0.5". (I have not checked to see if it settled any further.)