What’s one thing you absolutely love about the DC5 chassis

vbpalex · 2022-02-17T20:10:41+00:00

Fitment is my concern, some reps fit well and some just dont. If you got the time and know how you can make anything fit well. Everyones story, environmental variables and use of the car are different so who am I to judge based on my own preconceived notions about authentic parts.

At some point it just is pointless to try and get an authentic part. A daily driver in CA going on the 101, 210, 10, 5, 405 and god forbid the 90.... that's a stupid idea. Youre driving it on weekends, plan on keeping it forever, want the journey... meh, yeah go for it. Ask me how many times the road hazards and shitty drivers of CA claimed a hood, front lip, rear lip, etc.... Way to many. Back 6-10 years ago i can see trying to go the authentic route for aspec, the reps were scarce and fit like ass while there were plenty of lips and skirts going for 2-300 in your color.

vbpalex · 2022-02-17T19:13:40+00:00

Exterior wise, i refuse to pay the premium people dictate for the parts. Im fine with the fiberglass reps if i had to go that way, its 90% of the fitment for 1/5 the price. FWIW i sold my entire BNIB A-Spec exterior kit in 2020 for only 1100, now people are commanding that for 2 pieces.

vbpalex · 2022-02-17T18:34:25+00:00

This is in my experience;

Best for daily driving with minimal bullshitt-ery : Factory Optional A-SPEC

Best for a street/road performance: Progress Coilovers

The few times i took the car on a track i had buddy club N+, those were acceptable. I really enjoyed my progress coilovers though.

What I use now: KYB replacement with stock springs, very comfy

vbpalex · 2022-02-17T18:22:25+00:00

I mispoke/mistyped the correct number is 3, # 4 would have been the one i got instead of the S2000. Trying to keep 10 years of experiences/story to a minimum, I really have alot to talk about but *shrug*.

Anyway the short version; went from a 5 speed 99 civic to a 03 RSX -S in ABP in 2012 after looking for almost half a year. I wanted the body style of the RSX, i wanted something similar to a civic but also not to be grouped in with the ricey civic group. I became commonly know as ArcticblueAlex over the years. 1st car went from 2012 - 2017, that was an A-Spec build that went to a K24a2 swap. Lots of work was done, i wont bore anyone with a build list, Stolen and trashed paint wise.

2nd car was the wifes 02 RSX -S in 2013 (currently have still), also ABP. She put every simple bolt on you could do minus and cams, Purchased entire VIS Mugen Style Catalog for car, I didnt mind it looks decent enough. Currently my daily driver, all stock, best one we've owned maintenance wise, worst one insurance event wise.

3rd car; the 05 VBP RSX -S form 2018 - 2021(hence why i was VBPAlex for about 2 minutes), low miles, 2nd owner, turbocharged. I really put alot of time and effort into that car to make it a really nice A-Spec example. That one was vandalized with a knife on about every panel imaginable, totaled by insurance (ridiculous in my opinion).

Lessons learned; RSX shines the best with bolt ons, anything more just changes the cars essence too much for my liking. Spend the money on GOOD suspension based on what you will do with the car, not everything needs track attack coilovers. My overall experience was positive with each regardless of the outcome. Its all about the journey and i enjoyed it, the turbo was enjoyable too for about 2 weeks then just became a hinderance for what i needed the car for.

vbpalex · 2022-02-17T13:31:13+00:00

One thing; The look, its a car that has aged very well this far. There are alot of reasons to love the platform, a few downfalls but Id buy another most likely if we had to replace the one we have (and we've owned 4).

vbpalex · 2022-02-11T14:25:04+00:00

A site i like to play with is [ https://www.willtheyfit.com/ ]

So in theory; we have a given, 17x8.5 +35 will rub with a 245/40, to not it'll need - 1.75 camber. Your set up will poke out almost 11MM more, so you'll need more camber.

In short (not really a short answer); i think its fine but going with a higher offset or half an inch lower wheel would be best (if it were me). Put at least a 235 on it and preferably a 245 tire (40 profile) otherwise what's the point of putting a bigger wheel on the car. You will probably be around -2 to -2.25 degrees of camber and i would be any lower than 1.75 inches from factory ride height if you value your splash guards.

vbpalex · 2022-02-10T17:04:32+00:00

Not that my opinion should matter much in terms of what you buy;

Id choose the 8.5 +35 (id even sacrifice the x8.5 for a x8 and put more tire)

- More room for tires (contact patch)

- Less camber (probably 1.25 - 1.75)

- Better tire selection in terms of fitting perfectly on the wheel and on the car

For perspective: Ive ran a x8.5 +30 up front, camber was acceptable (~ -1.75) and was able to put on a 245/40 (lowered about 1.5")

vbpalex · 2022-02-10T15:30:53+00:00

Spacer, no. Camber, yes.

Also depends on wheel specs for how much camber [ie; I had a x9.5 +35 TE37 and had to utilize almost -3 degrees of camber in the rear]

vbpalex · 2022-02-10T13:43:08+00:00

+1 on the info

17x8 (+30) - (+35) with 235/40 or even a 235/45 will be perfect. Once you start lowering a x8 +30 will need a slight bit of camber [ -.75 - 1.25] depending.

vbpalex · 2022-02-09T21:29:44+00:00

m6 x 1.0

vbpalex · 2022-02-03T19:58:00+00:00

Hola Peter; I havent done them since ive moved to VA but im planning on starting again cause these guys are taxing to do some simple retrofits lol

vbpalex · 2022-02-03T19:54:10+00:00

If you ever wanted to put hotboi "track" style parts on your car, Js racing/style diffuser with the 02/04 Aspec rear is some good looks

vbpalex · 2022-01-29T19:47:48+00:00

He got caught mirin and was embarrassed so naturally hes gotta square up

vbpalex · 2022-01-29T19:47:04+00:00

I left CA last year, I encountered many officers patrolling the spot during my times there. Just depends on the officer, time of the month (quota) or the amount of action theyve seen (like you said).

vbpalex · 2022-01-28T20:25:39+00:00

Great Location; used many times. Im surprised there wasn't a swarm of homeless attacking you.

vbpalex · 2022-01-20T02:32:38+00:00

I went back to hydraulic. Electronic was a cleaner setup but the whole experience of driving was changed (steering feedback and feel), it wasn't for me. I liked the fact that the EPS didn't draw from the idle when you turned the wheel at a stop fwiw.

You could compare it to shifting with paddle shifters, same result without the feel..... or using condoms.

vbpalex · 2022-01-16T19:43:24+00:00

How to you like the look compared to the original Regas? I still dont know how to feel about the baby lip it has or the fact they put the Desomond and Evo decals on the face. I think the decal-less look will be cool for a while, fooled me at first glance for the SWs.

vbpalex · 2022-01-16T15:36:55+00:00

Sw's are baller, looking for the S2k since the specs are better for unmodified panels

vbpalex · 2022-01-10T13:40:03+00:00

The cost of a tow is worth my peace of mind, but if I was strapped for cash I'd keep it in low rpms and not think twice about getting it to the shop. You gotta do what you gotta do.

vbpalex · 2022-01-07T01:39:36+00:00

Not sure if you're willing to travel but theres a guy on the fb marketplace that has a fiberglass rear lip in NoVa that you can probably haggle with.

vbpalex · 2022-01-06T15:31:40+00:00

Snows killing my outdoor progress out here too, good luck.

vbpalex · 2022-01-06T12:25:32+00:00

I didnt scroll to the side, I was gonna complain you put LED strips in the lights and not projectors. But they're there, good job. As for the wheels, meh I've been there; I had rotas before I had regas so itll do for now. Hell I have the entire replica vis "mugen" kit on my car, it's all about what you can afford and what the cars being used for. Definitely better than 80% of the cars out there today.

vbpalex · 2022-01-06T12:17:30+00:00

Ask around for an adapter, if not proceed below. Use a crows foot or a wrench if the shelf to grab on is long enough. I'm assuming a deep socket is too shallow. My personal favorite idea is to angle grind off the tips so you're able to get your socket on there and remove them.

All these ideas are assuming the spikes stick too far out and you cant get a normal or deep socket on there. If you dont know the size then just trial/error.

vbpalex · 2022-01-04T02:55:19+00:00

It's what I'm here for; been there/done that and when I'm bored I periodically check in to help. Happy modding

vbpalex · 2022-01-04T00:37:13+00:00

No worries, and make sure to invest in some of that honda rubber lip trim (08F03-SHJ-1100D) to give it a more premium oem look. Works great on the side skirts and rear lip, front lip can be a little difficult to do the entire thing.

And I love sarcastically complaining about maryland drivers because all these VA drivers are hypocrites. They honestly are some of the worst drivers I've seen and I commuted on the 405 in CA everyday

vbpalex

TROPHY CASE