Question on coupe vs targa suspension

[watchdogd]

I purchased the OEM suspension from Mita and accidentally selected Coupe instead of Targa. I asked them if there was a difference and their response was that even though the part numbers are different they should be compatible and not any difference.

I read elsewhere on this site that the spring rates are different.

If I install the suspension, will the car sit higher than if I had a Targa suspension ? I asked if I could exchange if I sent them back and they said based on policy no ugh.

Any thoughts on how a 2005 will sit and ride with a coupe suspension. I am not concerned about if the car is slightly firmer or less firm as long as its ride height is not higher.

 

[Honcho]

I purchased the OEM suspension from Mita and accidentally selected Coupe instead of Targa. I asked them if there was a difference and their response was that even though the part numbers are different they should be compatible and not any difference.

I read elsewhere on this site that the spring rates are different.

If I install the suspension, will the car sit higher than if I had a Targa suspension ? I asked if I could exchange if I sent them back and they said based on policy no ugh.

Any thoughts on how a 2005 will sit and ride with a coupe suspension. I am not concerned about if the car is slightly firmer or less firm as long as its ride hight is not higher.

The coupe suspension uses slightly more rear-biased spring rate with about 10% firmer shock valving. Some people have said that the car sits differently when you mix the suspensions, but I've never personally seen it in actual NSXs. Ride height should be identical between the suspensions and the service manual specifies the same ride height for both versions.

 

[watchdogd]

The coupe suspension uses slightly more rear-biased spring rate with about 10% firmer shock valving. Some people have said that the car sits differently when you mix the suspensions, but I've never personally seen it in actual NSXs. Ride height should be identical between the suspensions and the service manual specifies the same ride height for both versions.

So to clarify, I might have a slightly more firm suspension if anything which I do not mind. I was more concerned that the car would have a larger gap in wheel space.

 

[Honcho]

So to clarify, I might have a slightly more firm suspension if anything which I do not mind. I was more concerned that the car would have a larger gap in wheel space.

Correct- the ride height should not change.

 

[watchdogd]

Correct- the ride height should not change.

My Friend showed me the following from acurapartswarehouse.com site:

1991-1996 06521-SL0-950 Rear Shock Absorber Kit.
28.4 x 5.6 x 5.4 inches

1995-2005 06521-SL0-601 Rear Shock Absorber Kit
27.9 x 5.9 x 5.8 inches

1999 Zanardi 06521-SL0-J00 Rear Shock Absorber Kit
27.6 x 6.1 x 5.6 inches

That makes it look like the Targas are 1/2 inch lower than Coupe which would be surprising. Or is it just because the parts are different lengths doesnt necessarily mean the car stands 1/2 inch different ?

 

[fastfwd]

That makes it look like the Targas are 1/2 inch lower than Coupe which would be surprising. Or is it just because the parts are different lengths doesnt necessarily mean the car stands 1/2 inch different ?

Those dimensions are approximate, and I wouldn't be surprised if in some cases they were just the dimensions of the shipping box.

But that's doesn't really matter, because ride height is set by the length and stiffness of the springs and by the spring perch position. It may be that the various models have different ride heights, but damper length has little to do with that (except that obviously the wheels can't droop beyond the shock's fully extended length, and they can't compress beyond the shock's fully compressed length).