Suspension

[gabby1]

Hi guys,
Tried a search on here but couldn't find a topic on it. I want to give my NSX a face lift. It seems to be sagging a bit as the last year I could just barely get my floor jack under it to take off my wheels for cleaning and this year the jack wont go under it . So I figure the springs are getting tired being original for a 1991. Any suggestions on shocks and springs would be appreciated. I talk the the Acura dealer in town and OEM is not an option I guess. Thanks.

 

[pgilliam1]

Gabby - This is one of the most discussed issues here on Prime. You need to refine your search techniques or risk getting somewhat ridiculed. Try other forums here for suspension advice. I'm just sayin try again.

You can find good used OEM parts in the Parts For Sale forum.

As far as your springs compressing from one year to the next - forget it, just doesn't happen. Maybe check your tire pressures. Keep your springs and change your shocks.

Good Luck and don't be thin skinned on your responses to this well discussed topic.

 

[shawn110975]

yeah they are gonna kill you with this question so be prepared.

but keep your springs, and only change your
dampers ( also know as shocks )

I noticed my car jack would not fit under my car, and I swapped them out with 2003 springs and dampers, now the car feels tighter and the steering is so snug and perfect now. but the car is higher in the front now. lol

I just havent had time to put the rears on,
once thats done my car will be higher than stock. I dont like this, so I need to take my OLD 1992 springs
and put them on my 2003 dampers to bring the car back to original ride height.

I suggest get new dampers and keep your old springs, your gonna need some spring compressors I would get 2 pair. for the swap, makes it faster.


good luck

and put your flame suit on. cuz its coming

 

[Hapa88]

Replace the stock struts (people also seem to call them "shocks" or "dampers" here on Prime) with the Bilstein HD (Heavy Duty) ones for the NSX.

Don't get the newer OEM springs and struts, as shawn110975 pointed out. They will make the car higher and they are softer than the original ones you're replacing (they're designed for the Targa roof, not the coupe).

 

[shawn110975]

Happa88 in the Service manual they call them dampers, but I to call them shocks and struts, its an american thing, musclecars etc.

but you are def 100% right.
about the best thing to do

get new dampers/shocks and use your old springs. should bring the car back to OEM performance

 

[Hapa88]

Thanks shawn

From what I was tought here's the difference between a shock and a strut

Strut on left, shock on right.

Here's a Bilstein (strut?) for the NSX. I say "strut" because the shock body holds the the spring perch. Without the perch it would be just a "shock". But I don't know, it's a little gray to me.

I agree with the term "damper" though. I think both "shocks" and "struts" are "dampers".

 

[gabby1]

Thanks guys and no frying either, ha ha. I appreciate the input. I did search but just put suspension and not the word advice. But you have been a great help with your replies and saved me a lot of money by not buying springs.
So I take it Bilstein HD shocks are all I need?
Thanks again for being so kind. Haven't been on here very long.

 

[Stevon]

Thanks guys and no frying either, ha ha. I appreciate the input. I did search but just put suspension and not the word advice. But you have been a great help with your replies and saved me a lot of money by not buying springs.
So I take it Bilstein HD shocks are all I need?
Thanks again for being so kind. Haven't been on here very long.

Gabby,
Can't recommend using the old springs, they are tired and won't match the new struts. For a cheap solution on the family Civic, high pressure gas struts will compensate for worn out springs but you have a NSX! Strut and spring combination are carefully calibrated to work together as a team to control your car.
Suspension choice success is first to decide what you'll be using the car for, then research in that direction. Race track only, Autocross only, Autocross and street use, street use only. I live in a city and decided Autocross/street was best choice for me. Asked Prime members and others what the best setup would be at a low/medium price range. The answer for my Autocross/street use was Megan Racing Coilovers. They are extremely adjustable with 4" of height adj, varialble spring preload and damper settings. They took care of old springs and struts in one swap. Tire and wheel discussion was another topic covered and also influenced suspension choices. To see what my two month research and hard work came to check out: http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=139625 . I am extremely happy with both ride confort and improved handling! It's almost impossible to drift now with the correct rubber, alignment and suspension dialed in. Have fun with your setup!
Stephen

 

[gabby1]

Thanks Stevon for taking the time to write and share your valuable research with me. Much appreciated. My car will only be for street use, but do like to push it in the twistys the odd time. Thanks again.

 

[Stevon]

Thanks Stevon for taking the time to write and share your valuable research with me. Much appreciated. My car will only be for street use, but do like to push it in the twistys the odd time. Thanks again.

My use is strictly street also on city roads so an all out race suspension didn't make sense nor was it affordable in my situation. There seems to be no limit on what you can spend on a suspension but that doesn't gaurantee the perfect ride. Don't forget the tires! they need to be sticky like the original OEM ones. The NSX design started from the tire choice and built up from tire's capabilities. This car is not a copy of someone elses design, it's all Honda engineering literally from the ground up! Bad tire choice = unpredictable results = wrecked NSX!

Stephen