Ride height adjustment for CS2/3 Coil-overs

Setting up your vehicle with the correct ride heights is part of tuning your vehicle and getting the most from your suspension upgrades. When the heights correct, it'll look right, it will ride well, and most of all it will handle it's best. And after a proper alignment, the driveability will be excellent and the tire wear should be very acceptable. Here are a few how-to tips from our shop to your garage.

 The tool list is pretty straightforward, nothing special here. Floor jack, jack stand, wheel socket and 1/2" breaker bar, tape measure, coil-over spanners and the 3/16" allen key. Add a 1/2" torque wrench for tightening the lug nuts when the work is complete. Make notes on scratch paper or use your phone note pad.







 First measure from center of wheel hub up to the fender lip, straight up as shown. Measure and write down all four corner measurments. Why from the center of the wheel? That's the way we do it, so the wheel/tire selection is not an issue, and we can use those dimensions to measure suspension travel witth the springs out of the vehicle. Determine what corners need to go up or down. Our front measured 11.75" and we want 12.25" so we need to raise the front .50".

Loosen the lugs slightly and jack up the first corner that needs adjustment. Put the jack stand in place for safety. Loosen the perch nut using the 3/16" Allen key. There's no need to remove the 1/4" socket head. To raise the corner, raise the perch nut, pressing the spring upward.  How much do I need to adjust? Each full turn is 1/16" movement at the coil-over, but the change in vehicle height will differ with the platform, because the motion ratio of the suspension varies. So 3/8" change at the coil-over is 6/16" so that is six full turns of the perch nut.

After cleaning off the dirt & grime, loosen the small Allen. You can spray the threads with some WD-40 or Boeshield T-9 spray lube as required. Use the two Progess spanner wrenches as shown. The smaller one holds the threaded sleeve, and the larger one turns the perch nut. See the pic (left) for an example. These spanners are set to raise the car. Make the change, lock the Allen down, and reinstall the wheel/tire on the car. Tighten the lugs and roll the car forward and back to settle the suspension at the new ride height.

Re-measure and record the new height. Large changes in ride height may effect other corners, so re-measure as needed after rolling out and settling the suspension. Adjust the four corners as needed and record the height data and number of turns on the perch nuts for future reference. When you are satified with the results, confirm the Allen bolts are snug to lock down the perch nuts. Torque all the wheel lugs just to make sure all the wheels are tight and nothing was overlooked. Torque M12-1.5 lugs to 80ft/lbs. (per Honda shop manual). Check your individual application. It's also a good time to check your tire pressures before your test drive.

Now for the fun part. It's time for a road test! Tip: drive a regular route that you know, the route to work, school or home, so you can compare the change in ride quality and handling before and after the ride height changes. Note that after height changes greater than 10-12mm, the wheel alignment should be checked. The toe-in/out will be the most significant change on most FWD platforms. Proper ride height settings are a huge step toward a solid set-up and maximizing ride and handling. 

Free Speed

Wouldn’t you like to go faster for free?

We have spent a lot of time over the last twenty years developing handling products and making suspension recommendations. Most of our suggestions and modifications require some sort of expense, some modest, some more substantial. Here are some often-overlooked and simple suggestions for some free speed...

Inspect it.

Check your engine oil and coolant levels.
Torque the lug nuts. Add a tiny bit if anti-seize compound to the wheel studs before cross-torquing them. Check your tire pressures and while you are airing up, take a look at the tread and inside shoulder of the tires for excessive wear. Rotate your tires and put the best tread on the front axle. Rotate the tires front-to-rear only, and don’t switch sides.

Secure it.

Secure loose items and cargo. It’s no fun to turn into a quick corner to find loose stuff and baggage (your laptop!) zinging across the cabin.  Then you hit the brakes and your lunch or phone slides off the seat into the footwell. Take a few minutes and secure your baggage and loose items in the cabin, console, and trunk or cargo area. Use a box or grocery bin. And remember flip-flops are not racing shoes!

Practice daily.

We all think we’re pretty good drivers because we are enthusiasts. But most of us make a lot of mistakes. Most of us commute and drive daily, so this is our ‘first’ chance to get some driving practice. Set the seat position for alert and safe driving. Adjust the mirrors. Be aware of your hand position on the wheel (both hands!). Be aware of your surroundings by staying alert and scanning around. Avoid distractions, and be ready for the unexpected.

Feel the set.

When you turn into a long sweeping corner, feel the car roll a bit and ‘take a set’ during corner entry. The 'set' is that 'steady state' of traction that is established on initial 'turn-in'. If you hold a steady line, the car stays 'set' and planted. If you over-drive and correct too much, the car needs to re-set and this compromises the grip or traction because it redirects a lot of mass (you entire car). This takes time and ruins your steady line. Learn to hold a steady line through the corner, and then make a 'precise' transition from one corner to the next. Do your braking before corner entry, and accelerate after the ‘apex’ or middle of the corner. If you feel for the 'set' then 'transition' to the next corner, you will quickly learn why 'the line' through the corners is so important.

Be smooth.

It’s a great help to practice being ‘smooth’ with all the driver inputs; steering, throttle, brakes and shifting. Consider that ‘smooth’ driver inputs mean less vehicle speed is ‘wasted’ redirecting the car over and over. Smooth is fast. The best drivers are always smooth and make it look so easy!

Easy Spring Rate Conversion

We frequently convert spring rates from US to metric units, or metric to US. Here is a quick conversion chart and some easy math to do the job for you.

• To convert lbs/in to kg/mm, divide by 56.
• To convert kg/mm to lbs/inch, multiply by 56.
• It’s quick and easy to remember!

Lbs/ inch              Kg/mm

200                         3.6

250                         4.5

300                         5.4

350                         6.3

400                         7.2

450                         8.1

500                         9.0

550                         9.8
600                         10.7

650                         11.6

700                         12.5

750                         13.4

800                         14.3

850                         15.2

900                         16.1

950                         17.0

1000                       17.9

1050                       18.8

1100                       19.7

1150                       20.6

1200                       21.5

New Products and Project Vehicles, Fall 2019

Fall 2019 Update

We’ve been busy this year working on a number of new projects. We have upgraded our website with a clean and capable mobile-friendly homepage, improved product pages, updated listings and Instagram feed. We are currently working on numerous SEO enhancements. We have updated our B2B product matrix with complete product information. On the manufacturing side, we are in the process of expanding our manufacturing capability with additional machinery, machine controls, and hard tooling. 

Project Vehicles

The Team Honda R&D Civic Type-Rs are getting ready for the grueling 25 Hours of Thunder Hill Endurance event. For the third year running, Progress has equipped the Honda R&D team with sway bars for their two-car team. These race-prepped Type-Rs are rolling on adjustable Progress Sway bars and our new HD zero-deflection end links. The race weekend is Dec 7-8 so stay tuned. These vehicles are in the Honda booth @ SEMA 2019.

Dennis Trevino’s 2019 Civic Type-R SCCA Solo D-Street, a new regional champion. He's a seasoned Solo competitor and has been very hands-on with the development of this new sway bar project. 

Dennis reported "The rotation was just right and I didn't have to try and make it rotate, it just rotated where I needed it too unprompted... With my champ tires it felt amazing! I took first by quite a wide margin." 

John Burrows’ 2007 Civic Si 8^th Gen 

SCCA Solo STX. He is a three-time regional champion, all Progress-equipped. John is running our "street" CS coil-over system and 24mm rear  adjustable sway bar. Add JB's exceptional talent behind the wheel and a set of autocross tires for a winning STX setup!

Toyota 2020 TRD Avalon Pro Concept
(Toyota booth @ SEMA)

New Products

CS3/RA adjustable Coil-over Systems are now in stock.  All the great features of our ultra-reliable CS2 system, now upgraded to REBOUND adjustable! Our engineering team has added 24 levels of adjustment and more spring rate selections up to 650#/800# (11.6/14.3 kg/mm).  The CS3 system is ideal for a sweet daily, a weekend fun car, or track-day setup.

#75.0102.4285
New High-rate CS system for RSX/Civic with 425#/850# Race springs

#62.0107
Rear Sway bar system for Honda Accord, tubular 25mm, adjustable

#62.1027
Rear Sway bar system for 10^th Gen Civic FC/FK 20.6mm non-adjustable

#62.1018
Rear Sway bar system for Accord/10^th Gen Civic 22.2mm non-adjustable

#62.1028
Rear Sway bar system for
10^th Gen CTR/FK8 22.2mm adjustable w- HD end links (see right)

#62.2152
Rear Sway bar system for Corolla/C-HR (E210) 27mm adjustable

And in development now...

Corvette C7 Sway bar system

Additional Light Truck Sway Bars

Bisimoto teams with Progress for SEMA 2017.

Bisimoto Engineering has created another amazing Hyundai vehicle.

It’s been dubbed the ‘Hyper Econiq’ Ioniq hybrid. Many systematic engine, drivetrain, aero and suspension modifications has placed this vehicle into the ‘Over 80 mpg’ eco-stratosphere category of specialty development vehicles. This innovative concept integrates the best hyper-miling, economy and friction technologies to amplify the outstanding Ioniq platform beyond the OEM limitations for outstanding efficiency and drivability.

 

Bisi has requested from The Progress Group suitable suspension modifications for the project, and we responded with a lower ride height, additional damping and increased roll stiffness. The suspension upgrades will help boost the incredible mpg figures by reducing frontal area and allowing less turbulent air under the car, therefore reducing aerodynamic drag. Also, notable improvements in overall handling potential will be readily noticable during aggressive driving. Progress engineers have provided a complete suspension system for the Econiq build, including a race-inspired CS Coil-over system, Race springs, and an upgraded Rear Sway bar, all scratch-built for debut at the SEMA Show 2017.

Bisi states "The HyperEconiq Ioniq takes the Ioniq where we always knew it could go, without sacrificing drivability," said Bisi Ezerioha, president, Bisimoto Engineering. "Leveraging the outstanding Ioniq electrified platform and powertrain, we’ve focused on a variety of technical elements to bring efficiency, aero and design to the highest level."

HYPERECONIQ IONIQ CONCEPT MODIFICATIONS

·   Bisimoto pulse-chamber exhaust system for enhanced volumetric efficiency

·   Racepak OBD-monitoring electronics with interactive OBD cluster

·   Bespoke eco low-friction PurOl Elite Synthetic Oil (0W20)

·   Low-rolling resistance, high-silica tires

·   ARP wheel studs

·   Buddy Club aluminum brake calipers

·   Recaro Pole Position racing seats

·   Carbon Revolution 19" x 5.0" CR-9 one-piece carbon-fiber wheels

o First one-piece OEM application

·   Bisimoto Dream Aero kit (front splitter, TA wing, side splitters, rear wheel covers)

·   Progress Performance coilover suspension

o Minimized ground clearance

o Optimized alignment settings

·   Progress Rear Sway Bar

o Minimized ‘body roll’

o Improved handling characteristics

·   Enhanced e-generators

·   NGK spark plugs

·   Optimized inertial supercharging during valvetrain overlap

·   Combined fuel economy well over 80 mpg (83 mpg in current Bisimoto-testing) 

·   Concept initial render by Matko Graphics

Progress contributes their skills to the Bisimoto Econiq project.

8/9th Gen Accords are going tubular!

New 25mm Tubular Rear Sway bar for 8/9th Gen Honda Accord!

Progress Tech has developed a new tubular Rear Sway bar kit for 8/9th Gen Accords. Now 2008-2017 Accord owners have a choice. Our 'standard' 22.2mm upgrade sway bar or a more aggressive tubular 25.4mm option.

Progress Sway bar #62.0107

Tubular bars provide the necessary rate with less mass than a equivalent solid bar. The new bar is a two-hole adjustable design with lateral stop rings for instant bar response. The larger diameter bar works well with wider wheels & UHP tires, as more grip requires more roll control. This larger option will suit more aggressive drivers looking for flat and balanced and 'closer to neutral' cornering.

Includes our beefy reinforced bushing brackets.

• Progress 25.4mm diameter precision-bent tubular alloy sway bar.
• Low-deflection poly bushings and lateral location rings for instant roll response.
• New bushing brackets with TIG-welded gussets for maximum durability.
• Powder-coated sway bar and brackets for superior appearance.
• Complete hardware kit includes bushings, brackets and synthetic chassis lube.
• Designed for use with OEM end links.
• Developed specifically for the Accord platform.
• NOT a Acura cross-over design.
• Made in the USA.

Sway bar comparision:

OEM               16.0mm solid              Rate = 41 lbs/inch                           

62.0105           22.2mm solid             Rate = 138/153 lbs/inch

62.0107           25.4 tubular                Rate = 200/220 lbs./inch

25mm, 22mm and 16mm (OEM) sways shown above

So which sway bar should I choose? 
The 22m solid or the 25mm tubular sway for my Accord?

If your Accord has original or a mild wheel/tire upgrade, you are a moderate-driving commuter or you drive in a lot of bad weather, the 22.2mm sway bar is a best option for you. If you are an aggressive sporty driver running sticky tires and looking for max cornering power, the 25.4mm bar should be on your shopping list.

Available now!

Tenth Gen Civic Rear Sway Bar goes to Thunderhill

We recently had the opportunity to put some miles on a Tenth Gen Civic sedan. It’s a really nice car. First I noticed the good ergonomics, quiet cabin and excellent ride quality; very refined and Honda-like in stock trim. Then I took note of the good dampers, not under-damped like so many compact cars that we often experience.

Then we pressed it a little harder, driving it more like we prefer to drive. More aggressive entry speeds, and holding a better line. The front tires complain and understeer some, then the body roll starts to creep in. And faster turn-in results in more body roll. With today’s FWD strut front suspension, any body roll means less front camber, and front grip is lost that cannot be recovered. So, one simple way to increase grip and make sport driving more comfortable is to limit body roll and improve the chassis balance. Less body roll & better balance is always more fun. It’s just that simple. But how do we limit body roll and help the balance without a complete new suspension?

If we replace the rear sway bar with a larger diameter version, the sway bar will develop more resistance to the dynamic forces that induce the body roll, so less body roll is the result. How do we help the chassis balance? If we increase the rear roll stiffness (larger diameter sway bar) and leave the front sway as is, the vehicle will have less understeer. So we did it, and it works well on this platform. It’s rare to make a chassis modification for better handling, and not have an obvious down-side show up somewhere. This mod just works! It’s not too much of a good thing, it’s just enough to polish the gem that Honda has crafted.

Although the sway bars look very similar, they perform very differently. The PROGRESS bar is 3.6mm larger in diameter, but increases the sway bar spring rate 96%. This big bump in sway bar rate is very noticeable, even within a few minutes of driving. You will feel it right away, even on moderate lane changes and highway sweepers during commuting. Of course it shines when you hammer it a bit harder on a good stretch of road. As you continue to ‘press’ the chassis harder, the body roll will initiate at first, then the chassis will ‘load up’ the sway bar, and you can feel the sway bar working to limit the roll. Cornering will be much flatter and steering inputs will be less as there is less overall understeer.

This rear sway bar installs quick and easy, just six fasteners hold it all in place. It may take longer to safely jack up the car and position the jack stands! You will need a torque wrench to tighten the fasteners and end links properly. Watch the install video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLxPLg81-3VDOpy9ngeT7pLHns98rjMxZ5&v=7zbTFViecKM

Product link:

http://progressauto.com/products/sfID1/12/sfID2/34/sfID3/35/productID/841

We were pleased with the rate and stress calculations and ride evaluation results, so we found a production slot here and built a first run of parts. Before we finished the installation instructions and got the new kits packaged up, we got an email from one of our contacts at Honda Research West looking for an upgraded rear sway for a two-car motorsports project. 

We discussed rates and bar diameters, and the feedback was ‘that’s just what we are looking for. How soon can you ship us two units?’ Why? It turns out that HRW was race-prepping two Tenth Gen race cars for the '25 Hours of Thunderhill', an epic NASA endurance race, and PROGRESS was able to support their suspension requirement in a very  timely manner. 

So enjoy the same sway bar that Honda Research chose for their race cars, and we can say: 

“Team Honda Research West uses Progress product for 25 hour endurance racing.”

If you've been involved in any club or pro level endurance racing, you understand what it takes to race hard for 25 hours. The race cars require a high level of preparation and as many development miles as time and the budget will allow for. The crew needs to be sharp and to stay in the groove for hours on end. Problems come up on the track in seconds, and the crew needs to be ready for whatever comes their way. Drivers need stamina, patience and excellent concentration to stay on the edge and alert for the long stints through the event. Racing all night with limited vision and tired drivers is another challenge. It's rewarding and draining at the same time. Any racer that completes one of these all-night enduros has some stories to tell!