Handling for your civic

Thought I might post this here for those who are interested.

Whiteline have a good handling kit for EG-EK civics (integras also) and having got the handling kit myself, I was quite impressed with it. Easily the best $500 spent on my car.

The handling kit I got included a 21mm adjustable rear sway bar, upgraded front bar (19/20mm I think it was) Increased Caster at the front and a brace with the rear bar (to reduce sub-fram tear out). The increased caster significantly improved turn in, and this combined with the bigger rear bar has eliminated understeer to almost zero.

The only tradeoff with the increased caster is slightly stiffer steering, but given how soft the steering is on the civic out of the factory, this isn't soo bad.

I've got a print out of the alignment settings at home so I'll post that once I get a chance.

THe next step up is the sports pack, which I was going to go for, but looks like thats going to have to wait. This consists of a whiteline springs for a lower ride height (you only have to lower it around 45mm for good results) and fully adjustable (ride and rebound) Konis.





Anyway, here's a couple of good reads thanks to the whiteline site..

Real handling for your Honda Civic

All motor Monster-Handling

Heres some pics of my setup:

http://www.ozhonda.com/gallery/water...3rearbar03.jpg

http://www.ozhonda.com/gallery/water...3rearbar04.jpg

Did u install it urlsef? Complecated?
What effect do strut braces have on Civics?

I got mine isntalled at whiteline because I don't have access to an alignment machine!

If you are only going for the rear bar, then you could probably do it yourself. But if you want the caster kit and the full alignment too (which I definitely recommend) then you should goto whiteline. Woijtek (sp?) knows his stuff and you won't make full use of the kit unless you get a full alignment.

Their alignment machine is top class too.

So it was $500 including install?

http://www.whiteline.com.au/docs/fac...K_Civic_EG.PDF

$415 (Yup thats including labour)


They did a bit of R&D on the car when it was there so I managed to get a camber kit and the front bar for cheaper.

how much was the camber kit?
so front and rear sway bar fitted drive away $415? is it the same for an EG CRX?

Camber kit was thrown in as part of the deal.

Call them up or email Woijtek. I don't imagine the price will be much different (see the site for prices).

i would have to say that my suspension is the best money i have thrown at my honda ever!

well worth a look guys!

Yeahh same........untill i got my new tyres.........

im savin up for new suspension :D
it will come in time my friends :P

Hmm....i am veerryy interestd in this hadnling pack - for my lil EG5 Si civic.

I am getting a mates "bilstein shox+apexi springs" in 2 weeks- i think this setup with the whiteline pack would do wonders...



So , drive in , drvie away = $420 odd dollars ?

I am very keen to try it out - let us all know how the pack is going !
Ben
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...a/fb4ca4d3.jpg


my EG5 needs TLC ! [/img]

That looks like a 4dr si Ben!

The handling kit is a must I'd say. The best $500 I spent on the car. It made a big differnece to the car, especially at improving turn in and reducing body roll/understeer.......untill I got new tyres (but thats another story).

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...3/fb3d4f02.jpg
As u can see, its a 3dr !

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...3/fb3d4efa.jpg
I have falken azeni's semi slicks on the front while yokohama grand prix's on the back....im running totally stock suspension - only a front upper strut bar.

Soon to replace is the bilstein setup i said before...and hopefully a rear upper Carbing strut brace.


What affect does " new tyres" have upon ur setup ???Too grippy ? Puts it off balance ?

Let us know...Ben

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bennjamin

As u can see, its a 3dr !

What affect does " new tyres" have upon ur setup ???Too grippy ? Puts it off balance ?

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I mixed up your front bar for the sedan front bar......anyway.

I used to have the Yokohama A539s, but then had to 4 new tyres in a hurry (damn rego) and because of a lack of $$$ had to get some el cheapo silverstone tyres (dont ask). After that the handling is very poor. They are a very hard compound, much noisier and are meant to be a budget tyre. Ever since then body roll has also increase which I don't understand (given the tyre profile is the the same).

Anyway enough on that. How are the Azenis? how many ks have you got out of them?

the azenis on the front have about 1000ks on them....Azenis are just amazing but...with a stiffer suspension setup, and azenis all around - any car will grip like crazy ! ! ! superb driving tyres, but OK in the wet ( they r semi slick!) And they need a good thrash or burnout to warm up...but after are very sticky and handle amazing! I suggest falken azenis to anyone - just dont drive too fast in the wet LOL.

$170 each corner at Tempe tyres is well worth it ( 15 inch x 7 inch)
Falken azenis are good for 20 000kms hard driving, with a few track days in between!



Hmm. scrap the silverstones...get sum azenis. Soft is good :P

Hope to see sum more pix of ur car

Ben

Hey Ben, Put your Azenis on the rears and that will allow you a quicker entry speed into the corners and stop the tail sliding out. Good for the track days.

I have their rear swaybar on my GF's coupe and it's pretty good.

Has anyone bought Whitelines Camber/caster kits?

Yes i'm running the castor kit.

A nice touch for 4th Gen owners is to swap the front wishbones for EG ones. It gives you a slightly wider diameter strut, but it all bolts up using EG shocks.

Whiteline have a great article on their site about the package used by Gary Cook on his EG Si - the thing was a demon in the handling stakes.

Got a link to that?

Or is that the red si hatch thats featured?

You can find the article here:

http://www.whiteline.com.au/articles/RH_Civic95a.htm

May be the featured Civic - Red EG with white Enkei wheels.

Cheers

Cool thanks, i've read that a couple of times.

I thought there was another :)

hey guys

would i be better off grabbing a 2nd hand ITR front strut bar for my 95 gsi, or saving up for the Whiteline handling kit? (it comes with just two sway bars and bushes and alignment right?)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wynode

Cool thanks, i've read that a couple of times.

I thought there was another :)

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My bad - I didn't notice it in the original post :? I must be going senile in my old age ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by joneblaze

hey guys

would i be better off grabbing a 2nd hand ITR front strut bar for my 95 gsi, or saving up for the Whiteline handling kit? (it comes with just two sway bars and bushes and alignment right?)

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Yes, the whilteline kit will give you a better result than just a strut brace.

have another look at those links i posted as the kit only includes ONE (1) swaybar.......the rear bar. To upgrade the front is extra.

wynode, do you have the camber kit as well???

Yeah. But only because the rear left was running way too much negative camber.

If you guys are interested I can scan and post my alignment sheet.

What's your opinion on the camber kit?

I want to get the AEM camber kit, but will cost $400.00 shipped from the states, so i'm looking for a kit here in Aus.

I'm not running much negative camber at all to be quite honest. I only got it because the rear left was a bit fubarred.

What have you done in terms of handling? I found the caster kit made a good improvement to turn in.

I have everything except for the camber.

Has any fitted the kmac camber/caster kit to their car? Looks very good, thou expensive.

Sorry i'm not much help here, but try speaking to Woijtek (SP?) at whiteline.

Maybe even post a Q on their newsgroup here.


The R&D car at whiteline is a vti-r hatch (which i believe now is running coilovers with a 27mm rear bar)......which funny enough belongs to Woijtek).

Hope that helps.

Thanks, looks like I'm going to states for this one and get the Skunk2 camber kit.

Ive got the Skunk2 catalogue here next to me, and well unless your planning a flight to america then its not worth the cost, no dealers in australia, i looked into becoming the australian dealer for skunk2 products, they want a minimum of a $5000 order everytime you order somthing from them. thats $5000 american dollars mind you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by aZZ

Ive got the Skunk2 catalogue here next to me, and well unless your planning a flight to america then its not worth the cost, no dealers in australia, i looked into becoming the australian dealer for skunk2 products, they want a minimum of a $5000 order everytime you order somthing from them. thats $5000 american dollars mind you.

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theres already a skunk2 dealer in NZ who will ship products to OZ at very low rates,,,but a oz dealer would be cool too...

So how does the car ride now?

LatinoHatchCrap, who's the dealer in NZ? Do you have their details?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wynode

That looks like a 4dr si Ben!

The handling kit is a must I'd say. The best $500 I spent on the car. It made a big differnece to the car, especially at improving turn in and reducing body roll/understeer.......untill I got new tyres (but thats another story).

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What happened when you got new tyres?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vince

What happened when you got new tyres?

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No grip. Just bad tyres thats all.

Sorry i should have finished reading the post before asking. I need to change my tires too real soon cuz right now in the wet my wheels spin and sometimes i can feel the car sliding....it's fun for awhile but after a few close calls it can be a bit scarey....hehe

What tyres do you recommend? Currently i'm on low profile falkens.

Depends what you budget is. For around $190 you could go the Yokohama A539s which are an excellant tyre.

Your pictures are a life saver man.
I just got the rear 22mm kit and was pondering on how the hell they fitted it given that they forgot to include fitting instructions with the kit!

Thanks!

so the kit all up is $420?? dats for EK as well??

this thread is so old(2003) i think you should call whiteline to find out if thier prices have changed.

or pm egSi

on ek4, is just upgrading the rear sway bar to whiteline enough!?

The whiteline sway bar I have is really thick. So i think in terms of stiffness that whould be good enuf. But you'll still need a rear top strut bar to get better traction in the turns.

lmao, 2003!
hahah but anyway, i got shocks springs is this camber kit worth it?

wat do u's find the thicker Rear sway bar's actually improve. How different does it feel over the stock item? i only askin cause never driven car with aftermarket swaybar.

would rear way bar upgrade be enough?

how much 4 whiteline coilovers?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BoNZeL

how much 4 whiteline coilovers?

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Give whiteline a call

wat about you give me the price if you know!? Coz im asking just the price not to call them!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by alphabeatsco

would rear way bar upgrade be enough?

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sway bar s nice,.... but not sure abt way bar

how come on the website it says its cheapest pack is $736?

pack i think comes with springs, sway bar, tie bar and mounts..

Give EGSI aka Trav a call and he can hook u up with whiteline sway bar, remember to get tie bar alone with ur sway bar.

ok i have a 2000 cxi i have already lowered it with whiteline spring 1.5 inches all round. what pack do i ask for? like what exactly does it include? whos trav?
(im new to this forum)

just get wat u need, for start, a sway bar is defintly a good investment. also when asking for quote, tell dem that it's going to be fitted on a CxI, i think the mounts they give u is different.

pm EGsi

Handling Packs. These kits deliver the best value "bang-for-the-buck" handling improvement & provide a dramatic handling improvement over standard without affecting ride height or comfort. Kits typically include heavy-duty sway bars ("Blade" adjustable in some cases); critical alignment or chassis products along with performance rated polyurethane suspension bushes. An ideal first step for greatly improved handling without compromise

basiclly it includes sway bar and bushes

how much different does it make when you get the kit.
i wanna upgrade mine to whiteline.pretty good price

ok ive been reading through this whole thread and , dam it i still dont under stand

ok now , i drive a stock as rock CXI EK , face lift last of the 2000 june or july not sure ,

ok now im wanting to get my first mod , im thinking of getting a rear strut bar not sure what its called , it goes under neath the car

my question is , does my civic already have one from factory

no i am not meaning strut brace , im meaning the one under neath the car

you refer to "sway bar" or "anti-roll bar"

your cxi , does NOT have a rear one. Its a fantastic mod to install a rear swaybar...save up and get a WHITELINE kit or a ASR brace plus ctr rearswaybar.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rice_banger

ok ive been reading through this whole thread and , dam it i still dont under stand

ok now , i drive a stock as rock CXI EK , face lift last of the 2000 june or july not sure ,

ok now im wanting to get my first mod , im thinking of getting a rear strut bar not sure what its called , it goes under neath the car

my question is , does my civic already have one from factory

no i am not meaning strut brace , im meaning the one under neath the car

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i think you mean the rear sway bar but there many many braces that go under the car.

i dont think the EK came with one from factory but dont quote me on that, even if it did its best to upgrade, as OEM braces a thin and flimsy..

whats the least intrusive, legal way to improve handling on a '90 GL Civic HB?

ok thanks guys

i understand now , but what is the benefit of the sub frame kit ,

ive been reading and reading and i keep getting scared due to end links etc not fitting

i thought the last of the EK's there its straight bolt in

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Demanufacturer

whats the least intrusive, legal way to improve handling on a '90 GL Civic HB?

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install a (larger) rear swaybar

Quote:

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ok thanks guys

so now im cheap , im wondering would rear sway bar out of a VTI-R make any improvement by the way im not sure if the VTi-r came with rear sway bars so ya

plus i cant afford the front only 1 sway bar at a time

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yes you can just install a EK4 or EM1 rear swaybar. Quite easy to do. IT will slightly improve handling. But save up for the ultimate combo.
You only need the REAR to improve handling

Rear swaybar plus ASR or BEAKS reinforcement.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wynode

I got mine isntalled at whiteline because I don't have access to an alignment machine!

If you are only going for the rear bar, then you could probably do it yourself. But if you want the caster kit and the full alignment too (which I definitely recommend) then you should goto whiteline. Woijtek (sp?) knows his stuff and you won't make full use of the kit unless you get a full alignment.

Their alignment machine is top class too.

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did you have to change your LCA's for the caster kit

Sticky?

already is a sticky hehehehe

ok i understand now a white line kit includes the bushes etc to install

now i just got to wait for one for sale for cheap