10th gen Rear trailing arm FK8 bushing swap

[Hondanickx]

Recently i bought some used Type-R RTA's and a swap set from a euro spec 1.0T 10th gen.These are the same as the usdm Civic coupe LX 2.0L arms.I swapped over the type-r bushings ,they where a straight fit.
I bought the 1.0t arms cause they where cheap (cheaper then the 1.5T arms ) and they have the same dimensions as all other 1.5t arms.The only difference is the bushing.I also tried using the complete Type R RTA ,the arm is shaped different but the bushings would come into the same place .( As far as i could see) The only thing that stopped me from using the Typ R arms are the 3 holes for the bolts of the arm.1Hole of the Type R arm is in a different position.
Another difference between the bushings is that the Type R bushing uses a solid bar in them and the LX uses a tube which has been flattend.This can be seen at the seem in the pictures and can be felt by the weight of the bushing.

The LX Coupe or euro spec 1.0T bushings are very weak and i could easly make the arm move with 1 finger.The Type -R bushing is much stiffer and also much longer . Type-R FK8 bushing is 64mm (2.5") long the Coupe LX bushing is only 45mm long (1 3/4" ) ,Type-r bushings also has more rubber in them .Most of the oem 1.5T bushings are fluid filled and are also 64mm long.Only the Si RTA already has the type-r bushings in them.So for most of the american users a Civic SI RTA swap would be the easiest.Specially for the Coupe LX users this would be a night and day difference.

I also looked into importing some SI rear trailing arms but the cost after importing and tax would be much higher then buying these cheap used arms.BTW Hardrace also sells upgraded RTA bushings http://www.hardrace.com/Product_detail.asp?id=4230

I also have a Durometer meter which can measure the hardness of rubber .I sliced a piece of rubber out the LX bushing and measured that which came out to be 65-70 Shore A .The Type R rubber looked to be of the same hardness,i couldn't really measure that properly.

Civic Coupe LX RTA ,part nr 52360-TBA-A01
Civic Type R RTA ,part nr 52360-TGH-A00
Type R on the left , Coupe LX on the right

 

[derbo904]

Thanks for showing us your findings!

 

[Hondanickx]

Just sharing my findings , i used to do this with my old 6th gen hatch too .Made a big difference in handling ,and stability.I used a shop press to press the bushings out and in.I also still had the RTA Tool from my old 6th gen civic ,but that didn't fit.These new bushings are also easier to press in cause they have a smaller diameter on both sides that taper out to bigger diameter.

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