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).

 

[bullithollywood]

Left is the front spring for the 95-2001 -T the right is the front spring for the 02-2005 -T. The 95-01 is 179 lbs/in and the 02-05 is 196 lbs/in. Dampers are the same for all targas years 95-2001.

 

[socalx]

I would run your stock springs with bilstein dampners.

 

[watchdogd]

Left is the front spring for the 95-2001 -T the right is the front spring for the 02-2005 -T. The 95-01 is 179 lbs/in and the 02-05 is 194 lbs/in. Dampers are the same for all targas years 95-2001.

Thank you for providing this. Since mine is 05 I want the 02-05 since its slightly stiffer and shorter 02-05 spring.

Looks like ill be immediately selling the springs and struts once they arrive.

So frustrating that Mita would not even let me do an exchange. The product was and is still in Japan when I caught my own mistake it was still at the first FedEx facility. And then they tell me the Coupe vs Targa will not matter which I figured was BS.

Let my mistake be a lesson to anyone buying from Mita double check your purchases. I realize it was my mistake but I figured they could be a bit considerate for a decent size purchase and returning customer.

Anyone want to buy some new OEM coupe springs and struts

 

[bullithollywood]

Thank you for providing this. Since mine is 05 I want the 02-05 since its slightly stiffer and shorter 02-05 spring.

Looks like ill be immediately selling the springs and struts once they arrive.

So frustrating that Mita would not even let me do an exchange. The product was and is still in Japan when I caught my own mistake it was still at the first FedEx facility. And then they tell me the Coupe vs Targa will not matter which I figured was BS.

Let my mistake be a lesson to anyone buying from Mita double check your purchases. I realize it was my mistake but I figured they could be a bit considerate for a decent size purchase and returning customer.

Anyone want to buy some new OEM coupe springs and struts

Bear in mind the softer spring will compress more when weight is on it so I think the height difference will be pretty minimal.

 

[watchdogd]

Bear in mind the softer spring will compress more when weight is on it so I think the height difference will be pretty

Good point. In your photo, you are comparing targa to targa. Can we assume coupe also has taller front spring than 02-05 model ?

 

[bullithollywood]

I dont know but I suspect If your ordered coupe springs are pre-95 -950 PNs then yes, if theyre the later model coupe springs -961 PNs then they’ll be the shorter stiffer spring. l think as been said the actual ride height should have been taken into account by Honda for all years suspensions to keep the ground clearance and rake the same. Remember early NA1 coupes have the appearance of more wheel clearance because they had smaller wheels. The 05 has 17/18s which will show less wheel arch anyway. Likewise you dont want a softer suspension with that tighter fit having less head room under heavy braking.

 

[mwagner10702]

The 05 has 17/18s which will show less wheel arch anyway.

Incorrect. The 2005 came with 17" wheels front and rear. 17x7 front and 17x9 rear.

Diameter wise an 18" rear tire will have approximately the same diameter as a 17" rear tire, just a lower aspect ratio (on the 18"). The wheel gap will be the same although optically it may look different.

 

[watchdogd]

I dont know but I suspect If your ordered coupe springs are pre-95 -950 PNs then yes, if theyre the later model coupe springs -961 PNs then they’ll be the shorter stiffer spring. l think as been said the actual ride height should have been taken into account by Honda for all years suspensions to keep the ground clearance and rake the same. Remember early NA1 coupes have the appearance of more wheel clearance because they had smaller wheels. The 05 has 17/18s which will show less wheel arch anyway. Likewise you dont want a softer suspension with that tighter fit having less head room under heavy braking.

Now that I better understand the differences it seems Mita should have listed the OEM suspension based on year and model as opposed just Coupe vs Targa.

 

[bullithollywood]

Yes, as you can see there are multiple combinations and springs from year to year, including coupes.

 

[watchdogd]

View attachment 196529
Yes, as you can see there are multiple combinations and springs from year to year, including coupes.

Thanks for posting this chart.