Suspension Pieces

 
   I am teaming up with YawSport to help with the suspension fabrication and setup.  Front Bilstein struts, originally designed for a Civic SI will have the steering arm reworked to accommodate the RSX tie-rod taper and stock oem spring perches will be cut off and replaced with threaded coilover sleeves.  The strut inserts will be sent to Bilstein for revalving.  11.20 lbs each as pictured.

Here is what Todd's camber / caster plates look like.  These are daVinci Designs Version 1. Allows maximum 7* caster without slotting or cutting the strut tower.  Each plate weighs 3.25 lbs.

Version 2 is a much more simple design with fixed maximum caster, but I got these V1 plates used for a good price.  The upper spring perches are for 2.5" springs.  The shoulder nuts pictured are sized for the 14mm PSS9 shaft instead of the 12x1.25mm shaft on my B8 Bilstein struts and new replacement parts are not available at this time.  We may need to custom machine new parts.  Also need to sleeve the upper  perches to precisely fit the strut shaft.


Keeping an eye on the classified section at ClubRSX and I scored a used Hotchkis rear swaybar.  No longer in production and originally priced at a whopping $400, this one is 27mm diameter hollow with two adjustment holes on each arm and room to drill another stiffer hole if required. Weight 7 lbs with brackets and urethane bushings.

Offset

18Racing via Ebay delivered my new wheels yesterday.  15x7.5" 5x114.3 Rota Slipstream.  Advertised and sold as a +40 offset but they are actually boxed, stamped, and stickered as a +35 offset. Backspace measures 5 5/8" or 34.9mm.  Weight 13.45 lbs.

This could be a good thing because front brake caliper clearance is a concern. And depending on ride height, camber, and tire size, the lower offset could also cause problems with outer fender clearance.

Test fit without tires or any suspension modifications and all is good with plenty of clearance everywhere.  Just about a quarter inch clearance at the front brake caliper.  Due to the curve of the spokes it is difficult to tell if the +40 offset wheel would hit the caliper or not.  With a planned moderate drop in ride height and a much shorter tire than stock I do not anticipate any tire to fender rubbing with the +35 offset, although if needed fender lip rolling is allowed.

Fix It

I took the RSX to Rocky at Miatomotive to see what the exhaust leak was all about.  Only happened under load so I assumed it was the 'donut' between the oem header and cat midpipe.  Correct diagnosis and the car is now quiet again.

Here are some random pictures while the car was on the lift.  California car, one-owner, unmolested.

And while I was putzing around I changed out the stock wheels for some Kosei K1-TS 17x7 +50 wheels form my MX5.  The 16x6.5 OEM Acura wheels look fine and the tires are decent, but I will not deal with Honda's stupid convex or ball lug seat and required lug nuts.  With the amount of wheel changes I will be doing I need to stick with one design.

And a couple more pictures of the stock suspension.