Suspension Upgrade Ladder

I've got a Civic Si that I want to make more fun to drive. I thought I would do suspension stuff first. from what I've read you start with tires, but after that I don't know what else. Also how do you verify the change performance wise and not just trust the uncalibrated butt dyno?

Next thing I would do would be to replace all the bushings/end links/tie rods in the suspension, along with fresh brake lines and fluid flush.

That will get all the slop out of the suspension, and get you back to a point where you can evaluate other changes made.

What year Civic? How many miles? Is everything in good shape now, or in need of replacing? Need to know these things before suggesting anything.

z31maniac its a 2011 model.

Jason, (name fopar edit)

I would seek advice from the suspension gurus for this model, poly is not always better, coilovers usually are but which ones, sway bars its a long list but definitely the way to start out.

Budget bro, what is the $ amount

A 2011 Civic SI should be pretty fun to drive out of the box.

Figure springs/struts (or coilovers), uprated bushings, strut mounts, etc., etc. probably adds up to $2-3K when all is said and done. If it were me, I'd keep it stock, buy a NASA membership and do 10 HPDEs and see how much more fun I was having driving at the end of the season.

Good shocks/struts are the most overlooked item. Particularly on a high mileage car. Of course this shouldn't be an item on a 2011 car. On a FWD car a bigger rear sway bar is an improvement Or add one if one is not there.

What are the goals for the car? Do you plan on any competitive competition (if so, you may want to get a rule book first)?

I wouldn't bother with bushings right out of the box.

• Brake fluid flush and pads, upgraded hoses if allowed by class.

• Tires with LIGHT wheels (I can not explain how important a light set of wheels and tires impact feel)

• Add any bracing that is allowed by class (front strut, rear strut, crossmember, "butterfly")

• Adjustable end links or bars as allowed by class

• Adjustable strut mount plates or alignment parts as allowed by class (plates, control arms, et al.)

• Proper performance alignment with the understanding that you will be doing 5 or 6 to get the alignment correct for YOUR car, Weight, Driving style, and combination.

• Shocks, struts, spring packageproperly engineered for your combination as allowed by class (see a specialist, there is SO much bad information out there it isn't funny)

2011 civic.. I would start with tyres, shocks/springs, sway/strut bars, and then worry about bushings

No competition goals as I make the most money on weekends at work. It doesn't quite feel sure footed in curves, as it doesn't quite take a set. My Corolla I could put in the same curve and not think about it.

I am cool with getting coil-overs when the rest of the small things are done. I'm thinking KW Variant 3s when the time comes. I am pretty sure they are the icing on the cake.

I've heard a lot about bushings that squeak or crumble. Then I've heard about heim joints or rod bearings that bang and/or fail. Some guidance is in order here.

Jason

I will retract my previous suggestions, I wrongly assumed this question on GRM pertaining to a Civic Si, would not be for a fresh off the lot car.

So with that in mind, I'd put good tires on it and leave it alone.

Take some time to get used to the car before deciding it needs changing. I daily drive a '03 VW and auto-x a MINI once in a blue moon. Sometimes I'd swear I'd be faster in the VW simply because after 8 years and 249K miles I know instinctively what the car can do and where its limits are. It usually takes me awhile (days...) to get used to driving the MINI.

Sounds like the verdict is tires and call it a day. I already have some braided lines on order. Some Hawk pads will gone on at the same time, and then I'll try an HPDE.

Thanks, guys.

Good tires need good alignment, just letting you know.

jrg77 wrote: Sounds like the verdict is tires and call it a day. I already have some braided lines on order. Some Hawk pads will gone on at the same time, and then I'll try an HPDE. Thanks, guys.

You're on the right track!

You also might want to consider a tire/wheel tire package for HPDE's; that way you'll always have the OEM's for the daily grind and a back-up if something goes bad at a track day event.

I'm not so convinced that tires are all it could use right now...

He said earlier that the chassis was reluctant to take a set in a corner, and that's been my experience driving these things. I'd say some sway bars at least could be in order.

After the 99-00 Si, all Si models past that have felt scary to me once pushed. Interestingly enough, the 99-00 was the last one that used wishbones in the rear i think.

sounds like greasy OEM tyres that are set up for Fuel Consumption, not corner consumption

The most recent example i've driven didn't feel any better with RS2s... you could go FASTER, but it still felt awful.

I plan on some Enkei RPF01s in 17x8 with Bridgestone Potenza RE011 if they'll fit. Supposedly they stick well enough and wear slowly. Then I can keep the Michelin All-seasons for the 45 mile commute.

John Brown wrote: Good tires need good alignment, just letting you know.

^ This. Dd, autox, track days? Get on a 2011 Civic specific forum for the finite details.