Fixing/reprogramming the shocks with DSC, perhaps email them

[yargk]

The shocks are too stiff on the FL5. Just look at all the fast laps set with drivers bouncing around or that Car and Driver said they did their timed lap in comfort because any other setting left them bouncing in the braking zones to the point where the car wouldn't slow down.

Ride can be a subjective thing and I'm sure some people will defend the current settings. They can keep their settings, but for the rest of us who realize the car could be faster and more comfortable at the same time, what to do?

Well DSC sport has been making devices that take over the control of active dampers, like those in the CTR, for lots of cars including Porsche GT3s and GT4s. They seem to work really well for those cars and some even claim lap time benefits because on those cars the DSC controller can tighten up the dampers based on its own accelerometer data to help keep the car stable and find more grip. (Some of the fastest GT4 people in the Bay Area, doing like 1:47s at Sonoma, are using DSC controllers, for example and noticed a benefit)

I e-mailed DSC and they have no current plans for a CTR controller, but I reckon if a few more people say hi to the company or post on their facebook/instagram, they may change their tune. There are a lot more CTRs sold than GT4s and while the damping on GT4s is great stock, the CTR could be much improved. Just a heads up for the FL5 folks.

Sponsored

 

[Icehawk]

It would be nice to have manual control of the settings, preferably front & rear independently too. I wonder if Scheihing Electronic Solutions would be able to do something with this idea? Seems like they are the CTR electronics folks? We had a guy like that on the MIata forums who came up with all kinds of neat arduino modules and such.

 

[invalidsalad]

I e-mailed DSC and they have no current plans for a CTR controller,

Looks like they are working on it: https://www.dscsport.com/product/civic-type-r-integra-type-r/

 

[Two Step Performance]

Here is the currently available option - launched at the last SEMA show

https://www.twostepperformance.com/products/e-clik-active-pro-for-2022-honda-civic-type-r-fl5

 

[optronix]

Looks like they are working on it: https://www.dscsport.com/product/civic-type-r-integra-type-r/

This is fantastic news. I had a DSC controller on my 991.2 with SPASM (for those not familiar with Porsche parlance, Sports PASM, a more aggressive option of the standard PASM electronically controlled dampers) and the difference was almost night and day. Better ride AND more performant. I am VERY excited about this, and if it's as expected and delivers the same as it does for other marques, it will become a mandatory modification.

However, I just noticed their plug for their custom coilover/damper kits. Fuck.

 

[Icehawk]

Here is the currently available option - launched at the last SEMA show

https://www.twostepperformance.com/products/e-clik-active-pro-for-2022-honda-civic-type-r-fl5

Interesting, but an ITS module is <$300, at $1,800 you are at quality entry level coilovers. Sucks that our platform is relatively small as it makes it hard for products like this to be priced where they'll get traction.

 

[Two Step Performance]

Interesting, but an ITS module is <$300, at $1,800 you are at quality entry level coilovers. Sucks that our platform is relatively small as it makes it hard for products like this to be priced where they'll get traction.

I cannot disagree that it has a significant price tag. If you really want to drain the bank account you can use this kit in combination with the RS-R Best Active coilover which maintains the electronic dampening controls.

 

[Rhorn]

So this is basically just the ITS damper module switch? Do you have anymore adjustability?

 

[optronix]

So this is basically just the ITS damper module switch? Do you have anymore adjustability?

I can't speak too much to the E-clik unit, I still have yet to do due diligence in researching that piece.

But I did do a bit of research for the DSC controller. In a nutshell, it is a completely programmable/adjustable controller to allow similar tuning functionality you'd get out of a standalone ECU management a la Hondata, just for the suspension. It comes with a "basemap" similar to engine tunes, but for those who know what they're doing there are infinite amounts of adjustability.

Here are some additional resources.



FAQ: https://www.dscsport.com/frequently-asked-questions/

 

[Rhorn]

I can't speak too much to the E-clik unit, I still have yet to do due diligence in researching that piece.

But I did do a bit of research for the DSC controller. In a nutshell, it is a completely programmable/adjustable controller to allow similar tuning functionality you'd get out of a standalone ECU management a la Hondata, just for the suspension. It comes with a "basemap" similar to engine tunes, but for those who know what they're doing there are infinite amounts of adjustability.

Here are some additional resources.



FAQ: https://www.dscsport.com/frequently-asked-questions/

This seems good. I wonder how quickly you can adjust the settings. The biggest problem is that +R mode is the only mode where you can turn off VSA, so even if comfort mode is good for a track you can't use it because you can't turn off VSA.

Regardless at least they are making this for the vehicle as I would rather keep the stock suspension and not use coilovers.

 

[optronix]

This seems good. I wonder how quickly you can adjust the settings. The biggest problem is that +R mode is the only mode where you can turn off VSA, so even if comfort mode is good for a track you can't use it because you can't turn off VSA.

Regardless at least they are making this for the vehicle as I would rather keep the stock suspension and not use coilovers.

I'm sure more details will be made available on release time, and even if not you can pick up the phone and call these guys and they'll answer whatever questions you have. But ultimately it's an "active" controller. Which means it dynamically adjusts on the fly; so technically there are an infinite variety of settings!

The DSC controller is very versatile for any driving condition or style based on the inputs it sees from the driver and samples data at 200x per second(200Hz) . The reaction time of the stock shocks is 100 milliseconds.

But if I recall correctly on the Porsche, there were different maps that you could choose from, basically just "stiffness settings", and it used the factory "sport mode" button on the PASM-equipped cars... so probably something similar for the FL5/DE5 where it activates just the same as factory with the switch or +R button- so probably also would come with 3 "stiffness" maps OOTB. You really only need 2 with this thing... similar to the FL5, the 991.2 SPASM was pretty punishingly stiff in Sport mode. I almost never put it in Sport on the street... but with the DSC controller, that went away and it was the opposite; I pretty much never turned it off! One of the best mods I've ever done on any car.

You can also do a custom tune for specific scenarios, but if it's anything like what I had in my 911, the base map is plenty good enough and makes a HUGE difference.

I'm guessing I'll probably want a custom tune though to compensate for the spring and ball joints I have installed, among other suspension mods. Probably, but whatever these folks are actually local to me so I'll just have them tune it directly!

Anyway, take a good look through the FAQ I posted in my last response. Lots of good info there, assuming they won't deviate from that functionality with this platform.

Another example:

"Does the DSC Sport allow softness and stiffness settings beyond those of stock? "
Yes. Stock Normal mode is 20% stiffness. Stock Sport mode is 80% stiffness. DSC Normal mode is a range of 5% to 100% stiffness. DSC Sport mode is a range of 20% to 100%. DSC is active so it uses those ranges in each mode to the level of load to command individual shocks.
Some advantages of our standard map are:
1) during cornering the front inside damper is always softer to allow climbing up to inside track curbing without upsetting the chassis.
2) during hard braking the front damper compression and rear damper rebound increase to help reduce dive to improve front and rear tire grip.
3) during initial cornering the damping starts out soft and then stiffen up relative to the amount of g-force to load the tires more progressively.

Sponsored