Suspension Tuning - Project DC2 Acura Integra

Sometimes you need a little persuasion to help make something fit. A metal bar worked wonders for rolling and pulling the fenders out to fit the wheels and tires.

Sometimes you need a little persuasion to help make something fit. A metal bar worked wond

Using S2’s Pro Series front camber arms, we were able to bring the wheels in just enough to have them clear the fenders. It required 2.75 degrees of negative camber, but with the toe set to zero we shouldn’t eat the inner tires at all. Inner tire wear is often a result of improper toe settings. As an added bonus, the negative camber will be awesome for the track. The rear of the DC2 got the same treatment with a set of S2 rear camber arms, lower control arms and a lower arm bar. The advantage of the lower control arms over stock is that they provide stiffer polyurethane bushings, resulting in less deflection in the suspension geometry and more precise response on the track. Combine that with the lower arm bar and the rear end is well equipped for the rigors of racing.

The fitment looks great, but driving around being this low is questionable.

I quickly found out that even with the rear camber arms installed and maxed out, the tires still managed to rub the fenders. This is where having a crappy paint job comes in handy. Since I didn’t have a proper fender roller handy, a big bar did the trick. With some minor massaging and minimal paint cracks, I was able to flare the fenders out enough to accommodate the wheels.

After some more aligning and tweaking, the aggressive stance and wheel fitment that I had been after was achieved. My only problem was, at the time of performing these modifications, winter was well on its way and I’d be a fool to drive the car around this low. Much like most enthusiasts who slam their car too low, I quickly came to my senses and adjusted the ride height back to something more livable and practical. I’m currently not satisfied with how the car sits, but it will have to do. As I write this, warm weather is on its way and I’ll soon address the stance and dial it in to where I’m happy with the look, all the while considering that you cant go fast around a track with suspension that’s bottoming out.

I will also follow up with a full report at how the car does on the track with the KW V3 coilovers. The sappy B-series has to go before I tear up any asphalt, though. A full K-swap will be coming soon as well as a how-to on installing a JDM front end.

Paint Job?
Who Needs A Paint Job!
As many of the photos tell, Project DC2 Integra has less-than-stellar paint and while I contemplate a paint job, the folks at Meguiar’s were able to provide me with some worthwhile products to bring back what little shine is left in the paint. This car is an extreme example of faded and worn paint and nothing short of a full respray will make it look new. However, on cars with paint that is just starting to fade or getting a little cloudy, the three-step process of Meguiar’s Deep Crystal System will bring them back to like-new status.

By Peter Tarach

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