I’ve been reading the suspension upgrades for the past couple of months. I have a 2004 EXL manual that I enjoy driving more than my wife’s TLS thanks to the XM radio, manual transmission and reduced road noise. I drive just under 85 miles a day on Houston freeways and have been averaging 31.80Mpg with just less than 5000 miles on the clock. The car is all stock and used as a safe reliable commuter car. I run 34/32Psi air pressure in the stock tires. Here are the ‘performance’ upgrades I’m thinking of:


Rear swaybar (Acura)
52300-SEP-A03 - 17mm Bar @ $31.85
52306-SEP-A02 - Bushing 2@ $1.44
52308-S3M-A00 - Clamp 2@ $0.84

Front Strut Tower Bar (Honda)
74180-SDP-A00 - Front Strut Tower Bar @ $79.90

Short shift kit (Neuspeed)
66.20.86 Short Shift Kit @$49.95

These all seem like simple installs that can be accomplished in an afternoon. Are they really worth it?

Only you can decide if they are worth it


the sway bar (acura) will reduce the body roll on lane changes, twisty roads, etc

the strut tower bar... for the most part... will keep the front unde control under harder cornering (sometimes the front dops low when turning)


Above... somewhat noticeable when first installed, but you forget how it used to be after a while


the SSK... makes driving a stick a little more fun... improves times (a little :thmsup: ) and you will notice another stick car that has a long throw


for teh 150.00 spent... I would say YES

Welcome to the forum, JBrian!!:D

That strut tower bar seems kind of pricey, I'd look around and see what kind of aftermarket brands I could find for a similar price. It'd look nicer too, even if it did have a slightly higher price.

I've done #2 and #3 - I consider it the best money I've spent on this car. If you go for it I'll bet that you'll be as pleased as I am.

Hi, Princess

Am very confuse with the POWER WIRE FOR LIGHT green with brown strip shown on diffrent slot on step 6th and 7th also you state that ((pulled two pins from the wires ))
could you pls explain.

Thanks,

The power wire goes in the second hole from the right on the top row (looking at the connector from the wire side withe the lock tab up) I I removed with the old switches



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Here's an alternative to Honda's tower strut/firewall brace:

http://store.yahoo.com/spideraccessories/hociacsttobr.html

neuspeed makes one too

http://neuspeed.com/products/product_details.asp?app=52|AC&type=12&ltype=ns_import&p_id=1708

edit: fixed the link ^^

Originally posted by BenjiBoy650
That strut tower bar seems kind of pricey, I'd look around and see what kind of aftermarket brands I could find for a similar price. It'd look nicer too, even if it did have a slightly higher price.

Actually they are about twice the price. I would assume that they work as well or better than the OEM and they do look A LOT better.

One thing is for sure - they will be a snap to install as compared to the one from the V-6 6 speed sedan.

Originally posted by RTexasF
Actually they are about twice the price. I would assume that they work as well or better than the OEM and they do look A LOT better.

One thing is for sure - they will be a snap to install as compared to the one from the V-6 6 speed sedan.

I bet the stock bar will do a better job with the additional mounting points. I don't care what it looks like, it's just a daily driver!

I bet the stock bar will do a better job with the additional mounting points. I don't care what it looks like, it's just a daily driver!

Exactly how I felt about it! Some double offset wrenches (that I DON'T have) will make it a much easier proposition to acces the firewall bolts/nuts.

I plan on ordering the factory V6 bar over the aftermarket ones because it looks like it should be there. someone won't open the hood and see "NEUSPEED" and wonder how modified the car is...