Most noticeable suspension upgrades (in order)

[93AccordLXwhite]

I'm thinking about buying some suspension components for my car but am wondering which pieces make the most drastic change? My car is in good condition, and I don't need to worry too much about replacing broken components). I'd rather buy quality parts and do it right the first time so here's my mental list:

Neuspeed front 4-point strut bar
Progressive/Suspension Technique rear anti-sway bar
Function and Form Autolife Type II Coilovers
Graphite Bushing Kit
Explicit Speed Performance 4 point rear cross brace(?)
Explicit Speed Performance Traction Bar System
Tires
Wheels

How would you arrange this list from most noticeable improvement to least? And the most bang-for-the-buck? (Say, if a 4 point bar would be slightly less of an improvement than a traction system, but cost $250 less)

I don't know too much about Explicit Speed Performance. Is their 3-point front strut bar better than the 4 point Neuspeed? (I believe the ESP bar also bolts to the firewall?)

What items on the list aren't necessary? (I know I don't need a front swaybar or rear lower tie bar)

Will it be alright to slap sticky tires on OEM Alloys or would it be worth it to upgrade to lighter 16" or 15" rims?

And finally, is there a big difference between rear discs and rear drums? Because I'm considering a rear drum -> disc swap. Maybe a big brake upgrade, or at least Endless pads or something.

Thanks for the input.

[NorcoAccord]

I would go for
Graphite Bushing Kit
Function and Form Autolife Type II Coilovers
Neuspeed front 4-point strut bar()
Progressive/Suspension Technique rear anti-sway bar
Explicit Speed Performance 4 point rear cross brace()
Explicit Speed Performance Traction Bar System(OP)
Tires
Wheels

I would consider just leaving the rear drums in the back and just upgrading the front to a big break kit, only because Rears breaks do little to stop a car.

[Chrisisiced]

Of course making sure all suspension components are in good condition before doing any upgrades is number 1.
Then I would say:
Tires
Rear Sway bar (probably most noticeable upgrade)
Bushing Kit
Coilovers
Each bar and brace by itself wont provide a crazy upgrade but having a combination of or all of the bars installed at once then you'll feel a difference.

[CustomLowz]

My super-secret method for making your Accord handle like a BMW!!!

[Tnwagn]

Tires are going to make the biggest difference. If your car is stock and you get new tires, you know how good it rides and handles for those first few weeks. Same thing if the car is upgraded. However, it is kind of stupid to dump money into tires that you can't put to their full potential. In other words, while tires will make the biggest difference, you should upgrade other areas first to avoid wasting good, expensive tires.

As to the first thing, I would say that a quality Rear Sway bar is going to be the most noticeable upgrade. That would be closely followed by a nice set of coilovers. Strut Bars and braces are going to make a big difference, yes, but if you are riding on stock shocks and springs you won't be able to put them to good use.

All new bushings all around is also going to make a HUGE difference. The performance gains aren't going to be huge, but the car overall will ride so much better than it will now. And bushings can be changed whenever you want, as they aren't really going to be sacrificed with a lack of other suspension upgrades.

Upgrading your wheels is a very expensive way to see some gains. For this, you just want to lighten up the wheels. You will feel a difference, but nothing compared to the other upgrades (Unless you go from 20" dubs to Gram Lights)

So it's important to look at how each piece works before buying something just because it is great. Here the order I would suggest.

1. Progressive/Suspension Technique rear anti-sway bar
2. Function and Form Autolife Type II Coilovers
3. Tires
4. Explicit Speed Performance 4 point rear cross brace(?)
5. Neuspeed front 4-point strut bar
6. Explicit Speed Performance Traction Bar System

-Wheels: I don't want to put this on the list because it is really up to you when you want to get new wheels. Don't dump a lot of money into tires if you are thinking about buying new wheels. By the same token though, don't let your current wheels prevent you from getting nice tires.

-Graphite Bushing Kit: Like I said before, this will help out all across the board. If you are going to lower your car you want to wait to get bushings until you've installed all your camber kits and everything. That way you don't end up buying nice bushings that you would never use. For this reason, I'd put the bushing kit up there around 3-4.


So all in all, it's more about the order that you do things that will let you feel the differences piece by piece. Of course this isn't something to live by, rather, it's just what I feel is the correct route to go. It's all up to you and your budget. Doing it little by little is a good way because you can really get a feel for how each thing does it's little part.

[HondaFan81]

I have extensive first-hand experience on this with our cb7s, as I've restored 2 of them and personally compared them to other Accords in reconditioned stock form and to one that was simply lowered.

1. Wider rims & good tires
2. Front end-links in good condition (stock rubber or poly)
3. Replace any other bushings with new stock or poly that need them
4. Performance shocks & performance lowering springs or full coil-over system
5. Larger rear sway bar (Progress or Suspension Techniques)
6. Front upper chassis brace
7. If you haven't already, full poly bushing kit, durability is better and quicker handling/response

[Tnwagn]

I have extensive first-hand experience on this with our cb7s, as I've restored 2 of them and personally compared them to other Accords in reconditioned stock form and to one that was simply lowered.

1. Wider rims & good tires
2. Front end-links in good condition (stock rubber or poly)
3. Replace any other bushings with new stock or poly that need them
4. Performance shocks & performance lowering springs or full coil-over system
5. Larger rear sway bar (Progress or Suspension Techniques)
6. Front upper chassis brace
7. If you haven't already, full poly bushing kit, durability is better and quicker handling/response

To the OP: I'd take HondaFan's words to heart. He definitely knows his stuff.

To you HondaFan: You listed wider rims as first on your list. In your experience, what size (width and depth) wheels are the best in terms of performance for CB's?

[alb_accord]

i have the esp 2 point rear upper strut bar. it makes a big difference.....wi
i am lowered on neuspeed sport springs and konis. i have the front upper esp two point strut bar but i haven't installed it yet. hopefully it can have twice the effect of the rear strut bar. lol

as of 3 point and and 4 point strut bar, i think they are kind of a over kill.

as of what makes the biggest difference my list would be...

suspension springs/shocks or coilover
rear sway bar
front/rear one piece strut tower braces
widder rims/tires
polyutherae bushings..

[lokuputha]

Wheels and tires will have the biggest effect on your suspension.

Make sure you get higher rated shock absorbers once you have low profile tires, you will have to compensate for the increase in suspension spring rate caused by the harder tire side wall. Koni Yellows are good, or my favorite, custom valved Bilstein HD dampers.

[jhoff]

replacing all your ball joints and tie rods...everything up front
new bushings
coil overs/camber kit
tires/wheels
bars

[Mayhem Tripp Robinson]

i say
tires
sway bar
coilolivers
bushings
braces

[REVLIMIT]

i say
tires
sway bar
coilolivers
bushings
braces

I agree cause a great suspension ain't shit without good tires. Braces IMO won't really help you all that much unless it's some REAL braces. Ones similar to the Password JDM that are solid. Though I don't know if anyone makes solid bars for our cars.

[owequitit]

I agree cause a great suspension ain't shit without good tires. Braces IMO won't really help you all that much unless it's some REAL braces. Ones similar to the Password JDM that are solid. Though I don't know if anyone makes solid bars for our cars.

Neuspeed

ESP.net

And yes, solid bars make a big difference.

I pretty much agree with Hondafan for the record, as I have had the same experience modifying my own car.

[REVLIMIT]

Didn't even know Neuspeed still made the bars for our cars.

[owequitit]

Didn't even know Neuspeed still made the bars for our cars.

Yes, I think only in polished aluminum though.