Project FR-S: More Rear Suspension with Cusco and Whiteline

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The air chisel was essential for getting these bushings apart.  Without an air chisel it is possible to saw the rubber out then carefully split the metal shell with a hacksaw but the air chisel was faster.
The air chisel was used to get the differential nose bushings out. This was also pretty hard work.
To get a lot of the performance of the solid bushings but with a much easier installation, Whiteline makes insert bushings for the differential (part number KDT925) which fill the gaps in the rubber bushings with hard urethane and use lock rings to limit the differential's movement.  These give about 80% of the performance with a 4X easier install.
For the subframe, Whiteline has insert type bushings.  We were running these previously.  Like the diff bushings these give about 80% of the performance with a lot easier install.  With our greatly increased power and much bigger tires, we wanted all of the performance possible.
The stock diff nose bushing on the left has huge slots in it that allow a lot of movement.  This can allow for wheel hop that reduces traction and puts a lot more stress on the drivetrain.  The Whiteline part on the upper right has some small holes to allow some compliance which is good as this cushions the drivetrain.
The stock rear diff bushing on the right also has huge gaps to allow a lot of flex.  The Whiteline inserts fill these.  The Whiteline replacement bushing on the left has a hard aluminum inner part which really stiffens things up.  This has a urethane ring around it to allow for some movement.  The holes in the urethane allow a little movement for cushioning.

3 comments

  1. Hi Mike
    Have you done any projects on the 06-11 Civic FG chassis ?
    Would like to know what’s best for a better (already good stock)
    road response for not too much outlay

    Thanks much.
    Hewy
    Ottawa, Canada

    1. I did the Spoon FT2 which is like the FG. What is not a lot of outlay, that’s a very general impossible to answer question.

  2. What are your thoughts on the combination of the 22mm and 18mm swaybars? I noticed that whiteline is packaging the 22mm front with the 16mm rear. Do you have any insight as to why they may be doing this?

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