Suspension/handling assistance

[JohnCRX]

My gen2 CRX has just had the B16 treatment with SiR brakes. Now it has great performance plus stops equally as impressive, only trouble it wallows all over the place when cornering. Hoping to hit the track soon but need to get things handling first.
Shocks are stock with 1" shortened springs, plus 2mm thicker front SiR sway bar. Camber about -1 degree F&R.
QUESTION: Now what else do I need in spring/shock combo, plus what rear sway bar?

Before you ask, I have been circuit racing for about 7 years.....always rear wheel driven cars. Finally saw the greatness of the vtec. (a REAL engine)

[McChook]

If you have shortened the springs - don't, thats bad news. Buy a decent set of springs (no, not Kings - Whiteline springs will be good), and shocks (your current ones are prolly the standard ones and are as old as the car). Buy a set of Koni Yellows.

I don't know the size of the SiR rear stab bar is, but you'll prolly need more.

Since you own an EF CRX, you should also look at winding on a few degrees of Castor.

Also - Tyres.

[SiR JDM]

Yea, the shortened stock springs will reduce the life of your stock shocks.
IMO, grab some eibach springs with some koni yellows... or some gab shocks...

Unless ur budget allows you to get some coilovers, TEIN are very very good, can pick some up for about 2k ?

[JohnCRX]

Just measured the sway bars....std front is 18mm, the SiR on now is 19mm.
rear std is piddly 15mm.
What would be OK and still streetable? 20 front, 18 rear?
being on a very tight budget, where do you guys buy the Koni yellows? I was quoted $520 for just the front pair in Koni reds!!!!

[tinkerbell]

try mercurymotorsports in brissy,

just been quoted 190ea for fronts and 205ea for rears for yellows (yes - for 90 CRX)

King springs are also a cheaper option than eibachs

[J_Mech]

Because the front is now being driven (as well as steered as usual), much more grip is required from the front, especially if the engine power has been increased.

This would become very apparent during corner exit power on conditions, you will most probably find a fair amount of understeer there. If this is really bad and nothing below helps try playing around with the anti-dive properties in the front suspension.

The basic idea will be to increase the rear roll resistance much more than normal. Normally the handling characteristics will be tending to go the understeer way and because of higher power from the engine. Increasing the rear roll stiffness will allow more even front tyre distribution, hence increasing grip there.

In terms of overall vehicle stiffness it will need to be much higher, basically due to the much higher cornering forces seen on the track, the increase in rear roll stiffness will help this, you may need to go a bit higher in the front in case the added rear is not enough. Generally I'd say you would want just enough roll resistance for such things as body roll not to interfere with the tyre to road contact (camber). Front castor increase would help out here, there are a number of kits available for the CRX, this will allow the front to be a little more imune to the roll.

I agree with the other guys, reduced spring free hieghts arnt a good idea, if the spring is uncompressed and looses contact with the seats it isnt too good, both handling and safety. Damping levels from the dampers will need to be increased to match the stiffer settings and also for track levels.

For the CRX to be streetable I would play with the anti-roll bars (larger rear), least impact on ride quality, adjustable ones would be great for fine tuning.

J_Mech

[JohnCRX]

Thanks guys, managed to get a set of front Koni yellows for $200 ea - that will tie down the front and reduce the wallowing.
Then I'm going to replace the rear 15mm bar with a 17mm one (65% stiffer), and with the rear springs cut to about 40% stiffer there should be some improvement in the rear end here.
Also going to add some castor with the shortening (redrilling) of the front castor rods.
That should be noticeable and acceptable handling with the Azenis RT215 tyres.
After that, probably consider 21mm front bar (19mm now) and potentially harder front springs as a last resort.