So... what should I do?

I can either get the more streetable Tein SS system (8/6 spring rates, adjustable dampeners) for $950 shipped (optional pillowball set for like an additional $280 shipped, or something like that...)

Or get the rather bizarrely spring-rated '99 spec Apex'i N1 (11/5 or something odd like that... no one seems to really know, and Apex'is site doesn't list it's rate) with pillowball upper mounts AND rear ITR LCAs for $1300 shipped.

Now, the Apex'i setup is a killer deal, but I don't think it would be very streetable... and the Tein system would be very livable, and the spring rates are rather dealable for what I want...

I'm also toying around with GCs and Koni Yellows... I need to make a decision in the next week, so opinions?

 

Tein SS. - Decent price, good performance.

 

The operative question is, what exact features do you want?

At the very least I'd want some kind of shock adjustability, a threaded spring perch, and a shortened shock case.

Other features which provide some benefit are threaded lower shock mounts and pillow ball upper mounts. The lower mounts allow you to tailor the length of the shock case for the ride height, which preserves suspension travel. Pillow ball upper mounts provide a more solid mounting at the top of the shock and also help to gain back some suspension travel from lowering. Suspension travel is a good thing, since it allows the shock more of an opportunity to do its job.

If you want a better price on Teins check out tmengineering.net; a few Miata guys have bought Tein Flexes from them for real cheap. Before shipping they charge $840 for the SS for the Integra, and $1200 for the Flex.

Tein Flex, BTW, add the threaded lower mounts and pillow ball upper mounts. I'd probably get the Tein Flex for $1200 before I'd go for those N1's.

 

I looked at the FLEX system, and while the Tein people assure me they have better shocks than the SS systems (which I'm sure they do), they have the wonderfully practical springrate of 9/4 :eh:. I want to keep my suspension as unbiased in it's turning as possible, and judging by the rates, both those and the N1's would give me more oversteer than what I'm looking for.

But I'm looking to foster an extremely neutral and predictable road habit, lots of cornering stability, and a rather streetable drive that wouldn't make my car a chore to do errands and road trips in. I'm looking to keep the springrates around 6-10 kg/mm with adjustable shocks, and I think that with those rates, the installation of pillowballs wouldn't make it too difficult to live with.

My ideal system would be if JIC would make the damn FLTA-1s (5 step adjustable shocks with pillowballs) for the DC2. They only make the FLT-1s (non-adjustable version without pillowballs) for just about every honda except the 97+ prelude, and if I could get the FLTA-1s with a 7/5 spring rate, that would fit my needs rather nicely.

The Tein SS system doesn't have threaded lower mounts?

 

The 9/4 spring rates of the Flex would give you less oversteer than the 8/6 rates of the SS. Combine em with a stiff rear sway bar and you've got a pretty good setup.

Ya know it's funny to be thinking about Honda setups since I've got my Miata. Stock sways with the sport package are 22 mm F and 12 mm R, and the Flex for my car has 7/6 rates and most people go up to a 25 mm front bar with those rates.

As for the SS, they have fixed lower mounts but the cases are shortened.

 

When did everybody start talking in kg/mm instead of pounds, for goodness sake?

Geez.

A celebrated combination for a DC2 is Ground Control with 400# F and 500# R, together with Bilsteins. Don't drop the ride height too much. Just bring it down to ITR level or maybe 1/2 inch lower...that's all.

If you want something longer term or you think you're going to end up racing, then go with Koni Yellow but know that you'll have to revalve them at some point in the future if your spring rates go up.

The suspension dynamics of the DC2, IMHO, require the heavy springs in the rear unless you are prepared to go the JDM route with camber kits and a heavy bar in the rear. IMHO, it's just cheaper to put the heavy springs in the rear to start with.

What's this car going to be used for?

 

"Loose is fast."

 

Japanese companies, like the rest of the world, use this little thing called the metric system.

If you want to talk lb/in, the Tein SS are 448/336 and the Flex are 504/224.

 

I mainly was responding to his concern that the Flex would be more inclined towards oversteer as opposed to the SS, when in fact they would be less inclined.

 

Well, all I can say is welcome to the United Kingdom. Err.... States.

The Flex sounds way, way off. The SS sounds backwards.

You'd need a 26mm rear bar and about 3.5 degrees negative camber on the front for the Flex to work right, IMHO.

If this is the kind of thing he's really thinking about, he might as well save money and go w/Spoon Progressive springs and Bilsteins.

If he's serious, though, the GC and Koni Yellow setup allows a lot of flexibility after the initial purchase. The GC springs are easily bought off the shelf when you want to change rates.

Has anybody in this part of the world tried the Omnipower setup on a DC2?