02+ Type-S Suspension

[NSX_n00b]

Since this came up today I figured I'd go ahead and break this down so the information is at least out there. For my Type-S build I went back and forth on what suspension to go with. I am currently on Tein coilovers and I'm not exactly in love with the ride they provide, although the stance of the car is damn near perfect for my taste. I know how much everybody loves the KWV3 and the BC Coilovers with Swift spring upgrades get a lot of love as well. After a lengthy discussion with [MENTION=18194]Honcho[/MENTION] one day I was convinced that I had to at least try the Type-S suspension. It is regarded as one of the best (if not the best) factory suspension Honda made for the NSX to the point where it was decided it could not be tweaked to make it any better as it was that good from the factory. I concluded that if I got it and hated it I would be able to easily sell it and go a different route.

There is also a lot of confusion and debate if the Type-S suspension was ever changed. There is a Best Motoring vehicle where the voice track says it was changed between the '97-'99 variant and the '02 variant, but there is a note at the bottom that says according to Honda there were no changes. But when you check the P/N's they are different so that would lead us to believe something did change. The only thing I have been able to find is that the springs were changed from linear to progressive and as a result the dampers had to be tweaked so that is why there are different P/N's but I am not 100% sure of this, so make of it what you will.

So the search began for a used one, either '97-'99 or '02+. I know of 2 that are sitting in garages but the owners are saving them for a rainy day. After a couple of months I just decided I'd buy it new. Well there is the first challenge. You can still buy either variant from TheNSXShop, A.S, or Amayama but you cannot buy the suspension completely assembled. Believe me, I tried. It still shows up as available through Amayama but after two weeks you get the dreaded "Production Stopped" message. So I spent a few hours cross checking the parts catalogs to make sure I had all of the P/N's correct and then I ordered every piece I needed to DIY the suspension myself.

Here is the Parts list for the 02+ Type-S suspension:

Front Damper (QTY 2): 06511-SL0-J02
Rear Damper (QTY 2): 06521-SL0-J01

Front Spring (QTY 2): 51401-SL0-J04

Rear Spring (QTY 2): 52441-SL0-J02

Damper mounting Nut (QTY 4): 90364-SG0-004

Rear Damper Cap (QTY 2): 52623-SL0-003

Top Hat Rubber Bushing (QTY 8): 51631-SL0-901

Damper Mounting Sleeve (QTY 4): 51728-SB0-004

Suspension Mounting Nut (QTY 12): 90182-SL0-004

Top Hats (QTY 4): 51675-SL0-013

Top Hat Rubber Spring Seat (QTY 4): 51686-SL0-003

Dust Cover Cap (QTY 4): 51689-SL0-003

Front Dust Cover Boot (QTY 2): 51688-SL0-004

Rear Dust Cover Boot (QTY 2): 52688-SL0-003

Dust Cover Bottom Plate (QTY 4): 51689-SH3-004

Front Bump Stop (QTY 2): 51722-SL0-901

Rear Bump Stop (QTY 2): 52722-SL0-901

Front Right Brake Line Bracket (QTY 1): 51691-SL0-013
Front Left Brake Line Bracket (QTY 1): 51692-SL0-013

Brake Line Bracket Bolt (QTY 2): 95801-08060-05
Brake Line Bracket Nut (QTY 2): 94050-08050

*Front Bolt (QTY 2): 90215-SL0-000
*Front Nut (QTY 2): 90173-SL0-004

Rear Sway Bar (QTY 1): 52300-SL0-J01
Rear Sway Bar Bushing (QTY 2): 52316-SL0-010

*Right Rear Sway Bar End Link (QTY 1): 52330-SL0-013
*Left Rear Sway Bar End Link (QTY 1): 52320-SL0-013
^Front Sway Bar (QTY 1): 51300-SL0-003
^Front Sway Bar Bushing (QTY 2): 51316-SL0-010
*Right Front Sway Bar End Link (QTY 1): 51320-SL0-003
*Left Front Sway Bar End Link (QTY 1): 51330-SL0-003
*Originals can be reused if you want
^Only needed if car is a coupe prior to ‘97

I haven't purchased the front sway bar/bushings yet, need to save a bit of money first. I haven't bought the end links either because they are pretty pricey and my car only has 52k mi on it so I'm hoping they are still in good shape and don't need to be replaced.

It should be noted that this is NOT a cheap endeavor by any means. The other hurdle I have since run into is there is a very specific angle that the top hat mounting bolts need to make to the brake line brakes on the front suspension. This requires a commercial strut spring compressor and a jig that I'm not sure I could make correctly. So unfortunately as much as I would love to DIY this I will most likely turn it over to a shop to assemble and install with the rear sway bar and then align. Oh well live and learn.

Hopefully some of you find this information useful. If it's too hard to follow the parts list let me know and I'll PM you the shopping list.

 

[docjohn]

Ha Ha Noob and Honcho are a match made in jdm heaven!!!!!

 

[Honcho]

Ha Ha Noob and Honcho are a match made in jdm heaven!!!!!

Colorado will soon become the only place in the US where you can see two US-spec, LHD Type-S cars in real Type-S colors (Paul Ricard Blue and Imola Orange) tearing up the touge.

 

[docjohn]

HaHa the I-70 touge......

 

[watchdogd]

Thanks for posting this. As mentioned in another thread I didn't realize this wasn't "plug-n-play" with regards to purchasing the springs and dampers. Just to confirm things like the top hats still need to be purchased even is if the car is already an 02+ ? Or are those parts that only need to be purchased if the car is older than 02 ?

 

[NSX_n00b]

Thanks for posting this. As mentioned in another thread I didn't realize this wasn't "plug-n-play" with regards to purchasing the springs and dampers. Just to confirm things like the top hats still need to be purchased even is if the car is already an 02+ ? Or are those parts that only need to be purchased if the car is older than 02 ?

So if you have OEM top hats already you can reuse them but that will require taking apart your current suspension (the top hats are identical from '91-'05). The nut for mounting the damper to the top hat "could" be reused, the nuts mounting the top hat to the car "could" be reused. If you have OEM suspension currently I think you can reuse your brake line brackets and you can reuse the nut and bolt for those. You can also reuse the nut and bolt for attaching the suspension to the front control arms. Everything else you would need for sure as they are different parts between the Type-S and OEM, also there are different parts if you go '97-'99 Type-S/Zanardi vs '02+ Type-S.

I personally would NOT reuse the nuts for mounting the damper to the top hat and the top hat to the car.

 

[Y707]

would you recommend this suspension for the nsx T as well?

 

[NSX_n00b]

would you recommend this suspension for the nsx T as well?

I would not. The T weighs more and the suspension was designed for a coupe. That’s my own personal opinion though.

 

[bruckner]

For the record: rear bushings for the 19.1mm bar is 52316-SL0-J01, rather than 52316-SL0-010 which is for the 17.5mm bar.

 

[NZNick]

Which set-up did the 00-01 Type S use? I haven’t been able to decipher the subtle nuances of the parts system - all I can conclude is that it works very well on my car to my driving ability.