help with dampening
Thread Starter
98 A Chord Coupe
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR; USA
help with dampening
newbie...could someone please explain why i would like to have "hard" dampening vs "soft"? I would like my ride quality to be as smooth as possible, like that of a luxury car. I also want to be able to corner at least as well as I can currently (with stock suspension) thanks in advance for everyone's help/input!
ps--anybody know if the 6gen v6 DC Sports front upper strut bar will fit my 6gen i4? They have different part #'s but todate nobody (including DC sports) has been able to tell me the difference...thanks again!
ps--anybody know if the 6gen v6 DC Sports front upper strut bar will fit my 6gen i4? They have different part #'s but todate nobody (including DC sports) has been able to tell me the difference...thanks again!
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,049
Likes: 0
From: OH
Well in general, you gotta decide what you want...great handling, or cushy ride. There is going to be some compromise in one direction or the other. You say that you want it to corner as good as it does now...so does that mean you want it to ride softer than it currently does?
Dampening is all in the shocks. Some car manufacters get a damn good compromise between good handling and decent ride comfort...BMW is one that's known for pulling it off.
The best thing you can do is have quality shocks, this will keep the suspension under control, it'll keep the car from bouncing around, hence dampening.
But if you really want to corner well, you will need stiffer springs as well.
If you are stock and are looking to increase the handling while maintaining a civil ride, then look at progressive rate sport springs matched with high performance shocks. Adjustable dampening is nice because you can dial it in to what you like.
Thicker aftermarket sway bars can increase your handling in turns without much of a decrease in ride quality. Which sounds like it may be a good option for you.
Strut bar will help keep the body rigid, but with a stock suspension set up, it's unlikely you'll get to the level that it'll make a difference, but it won't hurt.
But if you want your car to ride "like a luxury car" like you said, then leave it stock.
And the V6 bar should fit I would guess. Because I have the TL-S strut bar, and that engine bay is pretty much like the Accord V6 engine bay.
Dampening is all in the shocks. Some car manufacters get a damn good compromise between good handling and decent ride comfort...BMW is one that's known for pulling it off.
The best thing you can do is have quality shocks, this will keep the suspension under control, it'll keep the car from bouncing around, hence dampening.
But if you really want to corner well, you will need stiffer springs as well.
If you are stock and are looking to increase the handling while maintaining a civil ride, then look at progressive rate sport springs matched with high performance shocks. Adjustable dampening is nice because you can dial it in to what you like.
Thicker aftermarket sway bars can increase your handling in turns without much of a decrease in ride quality. Which sounds like it may be a good option for you.
Strut bar will help keep the body rigid, but with a stock suspension set up, it's unlikely you'll get to the level that it'll make a difference, but it won't hurt.
But if you want your car to ride "like a luxury car" like you said, then leave it stock.
And the V6 bar should fit I would guess. Because I have the TL-S strut bar, and that engine bay is pretty much like the Accord V6 engine bay.
Thread Starter
98 A Chord Coupe
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR; USA
thanks...
i just picked up my tein ss coilover system today...and i will have them installed in about a week. also a buddy of mine got me the DC sports strut bar for xmas...i will have that installed at the same time. as you probably know, ths SS system is an adjustable dampening system. if anyone out there knows a good [relative] setting to start at for the dampening, that would be super helpful. thanks jschmid for your help...btw-where did you get the aluminum plate that sits under your head unit...did you make it? looks tight!
i just picked up my tein ss coilover system today...and i will have them installed in about a week. also a buddy of mine got me the DC sports strut bar for xmas...i will have that installed at the same time. as you probably know, ths SS system is an adjustable dampening system. if anyone out there knows a good [relative] setting to start at for the dampening, that would be super helpful. thanks jschmid for your help...btw-where did you get the aluminum plate that sits under your head unit...did you make it? looks tight!
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,049
Likes: 0
From: OH
Cool, I think you'll be happy with the SS system. All the guys I know that have it seem to like it.
Yeah, my bro in law actually cut that brushed aluminum piece for me, I just drilled and screwed it in, and slapped the Accord bagde on. Cost me all of $12 for the badge.
Yeah, my bro in law actually cut that brushed aluminum piece for me, I just drilled and screwed it in, and slapped the Accord bagde on. Cost me all of $12 for the badge.