Swift Spec-R Sport Springs Civic SI Install Review

[ko2performance]

Received my 17+ Honda Civic SI Swift Spec-R Sport Springs today.

Part number:4H918R
4kg Front spring
5.7kg Rear spring
1.1" drop all the way around

Here's what you get.

The installation process is fairly easy.
The rear is quick and simple.
These took me around 20 mins, first time with observing and documenting.
With the rear of the car supported and wheels removed,
Remove the rear sway bar link 12mm.
Remove the lower control arm bolt 17mm.
Push springs bucket down.
Remove spring, transfer spring seat/ insulator.
Reassemble.

The front is a little more challenging.
This took me around an hour and a half.
With the front of the car supported and wheels removed,
Remove both sides sway bar link from strut assembly 14mm nut.
Remove the brake line brackets and electrical connectors 12mm bolts+pliers
Remove the 3x 17mm nuts that secure the lower ball joint to lower control arm.
Remove 17mm bolt holding strut to spindle hub assembly.
Support spindle hub assembly.
Remove 3 14mm strut mount nuts.
Place a shop towel/rag/old shirt between the cv axle boot and lower control arm.
Push down on lower control arm removing ball joint.
Push down on spindle hub assembly. You may need to tap on it with a soft dead blow.
Remove strut assembly from vehicle and support spindle hub assembly.
Use spring compressor to compress spring.
Swap springs, no bump stop trimming required.
Reassemble.

There are a few DIYs on here and youtube that should be able to help with the spring installation.
I can upload more photos of install if requested.

 

[ko2performance]

Before and after installation photos.

 

[ko2performance]

Initial impressions:
You can immediately notice the car feels a touch stiffer for normal day to day street driving.
In my mind it is completely tolerable and not to harsh.
After taking the car for a short canyon drive the most noticeable improvement is in side to side body roll.

The drop appears to be around 1".
This drop works well for me, I do not scrap on anything.
I am not worried about running larger tire/offset wheel in the future.

I do plan to include post install alignment specs.
I did perform a good baseline on stock springs last weekend at buttonwillow.
I plan to post my thoughts after my next buttonwillow trip.

If you are near central California and want to feel the springs out, send me a pm.
If you are looking to have springs installed/alignment, send me a pm.

 

[ko2performance]

Updated

 

[Hondanickx]

Would it be possible to measure The height from center of the wheel up to the Fender? So i can compare how much it lowers on a base sedan.

 

[BoostedDreams]

Would you say that under regular dampening vs oem springs in sport mode is the stiffness similar on the si? And how much stiffer are swift springs in sport mode ?

 

[ko2performance]

Would it be possible to measure The height from center of the wheel up to the Fender? So i can compacte how much it lowers on a base sedan.

Hope this helps

Front

Rear

 

[ko2performance]

Would you say that under regular dampening vs oem springs in sport mode is the stiffness similar on the si? And how much stiffer are swift springs in sport mode ?

Ahh, I knew this question was coming , so I will try to explain it.

In regular mode.
I would say small bumps (little compression) are slightly softer then stock springs in sport mode.
However, big bumps, lots of weight transfer (lots of compression) will be stiffer then stock springs in sport mode.

The wife has a type R if anyone wants a comparison to it's suspension.

Hope that helps.

 

[JT Si]

Ahh, I knew this question was coming , so I will try to explain it.

In regular mode.
I would say small bumps (little compression) are slightly softer then stock springs in sport mode.
However, big bumps, lots of weight transfer (lots of compression) will be stiffer then stock springs in sport mode.

The wife has a type R if anyone wants a comparison to it's suspension.

Hope that helps.

I'm interested in that comparison.

I'm really wondering how much more improved ride and handling would be if the swift spec-R sport springs were paired with the improved HFP adaptive dampers. Maybe a good combination, or if someone like Bilstein releases a sport oriented adaptive damper kit for the Si.

 

[Lunarsilver17]

looking forward to your alignment specs. installing my springs this weekend. Ill probably let the springs settle a bit before i have an alignment shop install my camber arms.

 

[BoostedDreams]

looking forward to your alignment specs. installing my springs this weekend. Ill probably let the springs settle a bit before i have an alignment shop install my camber arms.

Dropped my car off this morning to have them installed. Should alignment specs be any different than a stock si?

 

[ko2performance]

Late to reply. So far the car still handles and feels great. Autox next weekend running the same configuration as when I base lined the car stock.

Here's how the alignment looked after install and settling.

 

[Hondanickx]

Did you had The front subframe loose?Or installed a Caster kit? You're The first Si i've seen here that has 6,5 and 6,8 degrees of Caster .
That's 1degree more then stock.Others all are around 5,6- 5,8 degrees.

 

[immajackuup]

Did you had The front subframe loose?Or installed a Caster kit? You're The first Si i've seen here that has 6,5 and 6,8 degrees of Caster .
That's 1degree more then stock.Others all are around 5,6- 5,8 degrees.

he's not the only one

 

[Lunarsilver17]

he's not the only one

same here, mine was about 6.25 & 5.75 before, and just barely lower after. The technician said there could be small variances in the alignment machine from before/after. Set my rear camber to about 0.9, It looks better now, not a big gap between top of tire and fender.

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