The extended EP3 shx top ur talkin about are for more shx travel.
The extended Wgn top we'r talkin about are to raise the spring height though a side benefit is more shx travel too.
I knew my joining would be timely, and allow be to give back to the wonderful, friendly forum that is hondacivicwagon.com.
I took the plunge after much research and deliberation, and installed Skunk2 lowing springs with KYB GR-2 dampers. And it is a HUGE improvement compared to the Ksports! Like night and day. (seriously)
Coming from a LS400 with Tanabe DF210/KYB GR-2, and having the GR-2's on our MPV, I knew they would be great. (I've had Illuminas and Blues...both bad experiences). I choose the Skunk2 because it had the best compromise between comfort and high spring rate that would prevent the wagon from bottoming out. F257/559 R112/485. This is close to the stock rates of F285 R163. (the stocks are estimates of from a coil calculator I used, but seem to be close as they are slightly higher than the EF HB).
Took it for a ride on some of the worst roads around, and it literally soaked up the bumps. No more bouncy-bouncey or sore butt. Just smooth controlled driving pleasure. Also, I didn't bottom out AT ALL. After using Ksports, (high valved, high rate spring) compared to the Skunk2/GR-2 setup, (soft valved/progressive spring) I will NEVER use linear rate springs again on a daily. This feels too good. Yes you give up some of the "racecar" feel, but I had to be honest with myself, and come to terms with the fact that I commute in this thing and spend more time going 45mph in a straight line than taking on-ramps as fast as possible.
The bad: Yes, it is a little higher in the back...but not so much different from stock. I'm going to let it settle a little, get an alignment, then I may implement either a front suspension raise (think reverse fork trick...making the fork LOWER on the shock) or a rear lowering (cut some coils...not my favorite, but it may be required), or a little of both. I would also like to get extended top hats so when I pack my drums (and the hardware is heavy) I won't bottom out.
Looking at 2.75" in front, 1.60" in the rear (before settling).
Here is how I would measure the suspension:
In terms of ride QUALITY, and if we say the STOCK setup is a "10,"
Stock = 10/10
Ksport= 4/10
Skunk2 = 9/10 (yes, it is that good...)
Please ask questions or offer suggestions. This is a great place with great members!
Sorry for the wordiness. Here are pics
New setup
New vs. old
Smooth ridin' Wagon!
BTW: Ksports 4 Sale! Less than a year old. Perfect working order with all of the pieces = $400obo!
Looks like it stands about the same as mine. Looks great, as do your wheels. Good deal on the ksports too. Looks like B18 should have his question answered by now.
Well, I don't see how it works due to the top coils being completely compressed from the weight of the car.
I'm feeling Kahuna now. My ride has about a 1.5 - 2in. difference with the rear high in the air. I agree with the softer rate of the dual rate (a.k.a. progressive rate springs) being compressed meaning they aren't doing anything. This is due to the heavier nature of the wagon compared to the hatch. With the top, soft springs (only 112lbs.) completely compressed, they are, in fact, dead on this application.
In doing some research, I discovered that the spring rate INCREASES when you cut coils off. I beginning to think that maybe one or two coils off of the rear would reduce the rake and at the same time improve the ride by increasing the rate of the soft coils so they aren't binding anymore, but being used before the stiffer rate (485lbs.)
This is in theory, of course, but something needs to be done to take the "hot rod" out of the wagon. I'm loading my drums in tonight for practice and I'll see where that puts me.
Comments
The extended Wgn top we'r talkin about are to raise the spring height though a side benefit is more shx travel too.
Just curious if anyone knew any specs on the EP3 top hats...
Shx tube O.D.=2 7/16''
Bolt circle=looks to be the same as the Wgn or 1/8''(3mm) less.
Rats...just checked and the hole is too small in our wagons....I'm sure I wasn't the first to figure this out...oh well, need to learn how to weld.
Sweet wagon BTW...
I took the plunge after much research and deliberation, and installed Skunk2 lowing springs with KYB GR-2 dampers. And it is a HUGE improvement compared to the Ksports! Like night and day. (seriously)
Coming from a LS400 with Tanabe DF210/KYB GR-2, and having the GR-2's on our MPV, I knew they would be great. (I've had Illuminas and Blues...both bad experiences). I choose the Skunk2 because it had the best compromise between comfort and high spring rate that would prevent the wagon from bottoming out. F257/559 R112/485. This is close to the stock rates of F285 R163. (the stocks are estimates of from a coil calculator I used, but seem to be close as they are slightly higher than the EF HB).
Took it for a ride on some of the worst roads around, and it literally soaked up the bumps. No more bouncy-bouncey or sore butt. Just smooth controlled driving pleasure. Also, I didn't bottom out AT ALL. After using Ksports, (high valved, high rate spring) compared to the Skunk2/GR-2 setup, (soft valved/progressive spring) I will NEVER use linear rate springs again on a daily. This feels too good. Yes you give up some of the "racecar" feel, but I had to be honest with myself, and come to terms with the fact that I commute in this thing and spend more time going 45mph in a straight line than taking on-ramps as fast as possible.
The bad: Yes, it is a little higher in the back...but not so much different from stock. I'm going to let it settle a little, get an alignment, then I may implement either a front suspension raise (think reverse fork trick...making the fork LOWER on the shock) or a rear lowering (cut some coils...not my favorite, but it may be required), or a little of both. I would also like to get extended top hats so when I pack my drums (and the hardware is heavy) I won't bottom out.
Looking at 2.75" in front, 1.60" in the rear (before settling).
Here is how I would measure the suspension:
In terms of ride QUALITY, and if we say the STOCK setup is a "10,"
Stock = 10/10
Ksport= 4/10
Skunk2 = 9/10 (yes, it is that good...)
Please ask questions or offer suggestions. This is a great place with great members!
Sorry for the wordiness. Here are pics
New setup
New vs. old
Smooth ridin' Wagon!
BTW: Ksports 4 Sale! Less than a year old. Perfect working order with all of the pieces = $400obo!
Cheers!
before I had someone saw off the the rear spring perches (kyb agx's) to allow the megan co's to adjust lower; another 4-5 full turns...
It gave me < of a Hot Rod stance....
I'm feeling Kahuna now. My ride has about a 1.5 - 2in. difference with the rear high in the air. I agree with the softer rate of the dual rate (a.k.a. progressive rate springs) being compressed meaning they aren't doing anything. This is due to the heavier nature of the wagon compared to the hatch. With the top, soft springs (only 112lbs.) completely compressed, they are, in fact, dead on this application.
In doing some research, I discovered that the spring rate INCREASES when you cut coils off. I beginning to think that maybe one or two coils off of the rear would reduce the rake and at the same time improve the ride by increasing the rate of the soft coils so they aren't binding anymore, but being used before the stiffer rate (485lbs.)
This is in theory, of course, but something needs to be done to take the "hot rod" out of the wagon. I'm loading my drums in tonight for practice and I'll see where that puts me.
I'll keep everyone updated!
Cheers!
My wagon used to bounce a lot in the rear before I cut one coil off, now it has no bounce to it and rides extremely close to stock..
I just went for it, and cut two coils off. It sits perfectly now and the ride has IMPROVED!
Recommended set up. Listen to the Big Kahuna, he speaketh the truth!
Pics to come....