Active Dampers too stiff on FL5. Disabled with Damping Cancellation Kit

[Clark_Kent]

Well, shit.
Hold up, this is the exact same part number for the kit for the FK8. I thought that it didn’t quite fit right with height adjustments?

I checked that before posting. The part numbers are different.

FL5 = HOS MT00S1
FK8 = HOS MT00

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[urbo73]

That's great news about the Ohlins!

I ordered a Type S ADS module and it's on backorder. In the meantime I've been trying to imagine what it might be like based on others feedback. I've been forcing myself to drive a bit more in +R than I normally do and since going to 18" wheels it's definitely not as harsh as I remember it being. This will be the mode that I will be losing when swapping the ADS so I'm trying to decide if it's that bad on the softer sidewalls. I normally drive in Sport mode all of the time.

I'm a little concerned that moving to the ITS ADS module on 18" wheels could be softer than expected and not ideal.

I do plan on installing Spoon springs which could stiffen things up a little bit and hit a sweet spot. Who knows but I plan on reporting back regardless!

It will be softer, but fine. I've been running 265/35R19 tires lately, mainly to protect the rims from damage, and the comfort increase over the 265/30R19s is minimal IMO. 265/35R18s will have the exact same sidewall height as my 265/35R19s and should feel similar (less weight of course, but I'm talking compliance). One bonus of the 265/35R19s is that you gain about 1/2" of ground clearance and at the same time the tire fills up and around 1/2", looking like it's been dropped 1/2".

 

[Rhorn]

Yeah, it will be different. Even if the dampers and springs are the exact same on the CTR as on the ITS, the chassis is different, and so the ADS tuning will work well sometimes and not-so-well the other times. I got my part on backorder, and will be curious to try, but ultimately, I'll go back to the stock ADS and later on to OHLINS.

Whats the reason for going to Ohlins? Won't switching to coilovers actually make the car ride quality even worse?

 

[Noize]

I checked that before posting. The part numbers are different.

FL5 = HOS MT00S1
FK8 = HOS MT00

Here’s my confusion.
https://www.ohlinsusa.com/parts/2017-2021-honda-civic-type-r-fk8-auto-rt-hos-mt00s1

if you Google that with S1, it’s the PN I’ve always seen for the FK8 ones.

 

[Clark_Kent]

Here’s my confusion.
https://www.ohlinsusa.com/parts/2017-2021-honda-civic-type-r-fk8-auto-rt-hos-mt00s1

if you Google that with S1, it’s the PN I’ve always seen for the FK8 ones.

I see. They need to clear this up.

 

[Kfo_cpa]

It will be softer, but fine. I've been running 265/35R19 tires lately, mainly to protect the rims from damage, and the comfort increase over the 265/30R19s is minimal IMO. 265/35R18s will have the exact same sidewall height as my 265/35R19s and should feel similar (less weight of course, but I'm talking compliance). One bonus of the 265/35R19s is that you gain about 1/2" of ground clearance and at the same time the tire fills up and around 1/2", looking like it's been dropped 1/2".

What tires did you go with? I was thinking about doing 265/35/19 as well for a softer ride. Did the ride quality get a little better or not that noticeable?

 

[urbo73]

Whats the reason for going to Ohlins? Won't switching to coilovers actually make the car ride quality even worse?

The reason is that the OEM damping is badly done IMHO. Ohlins, installed and set up correctly, will offer a better ride on and off track.

 

[urbo73]

What tires did you go with? I was thinking about doing 265/35/19 as well for a softer ride. Did the ride quality get a little better or not that noticeable?

PS4s. Marginally softer, but a whole lot more rim protection.

 

[DKwen]

Not adding new info, just put all PN toghther, if anything wrong just point it out.
2023 FL5: 39381-T60-G01
2024 Type S DE5: 39381-31M-A03
2017 - 2019 FK8: 39381-TGH-A01
2020 - 2021 FK8 [non-LE] : 39381-TGH-A11
2020 - 2021 LE: 39381-TGH-A21

 

[Kfo_cpa]

A few more comments below after more driving. I switched between both units and did the same drive - a mix of city and highway.

The steering is not as sharp with the ITS unit. It feels like it takes a second delay when you turn in for the springs to load up. It felt like this in all modes. When I put the stock unit in the steering was noticeably more razor sharp. ITS is still good, but toned down and more softer. I noticed the ITS coming out of fast corners would absorb uneven pavement vs stock the car seemed to skip over the bumps. Wish my route had more faster turns.

The ITS unit does not jolt you out of the seat when you hit those big bumps, dips, and overpasses on the highway. I put the stock unit in and omg your butt will pop out of the seat lol. There is so much more drama with the stock unit, but I can appreciate some like that rawness of the car.

The ITS unit in comfort mode on the highway is really good. Man I wish the stock car came with this extra comfort mode! For those drives your going in a straight line and don’t need to feel every bump in the road.

Someone asked about track - my opinion- if you’re serious and want to break times keep the car 100% stock. There are some smart engineers that built the car how it is for a reason. I can’t see the ITS unit making lap times faster. It will be more comfortable lol, but doubt faster. Just my thoughts with no experience on this.

Overall, there are pros and cons to both setups. Right now I feel like it’s a tie in my mind and I would have to give the tie to the stock setup. But at the same time I wish I had that extra comfort mode so still not sure what I’ll end up settling with.

Looking forward to hearing feedback from others.

 

[Estoril4]

A few more comments below after more driving. I switched between both units and did the same drive - a mix of city and highway.

The steering is not as sharp with the ITS unit. It feels like it takes a second delay when you turn in for the springs to load up. It felt like this in all modes. When I put the stock unit in the steering was noticeably more razor sharp. ITS is still good, but toned down and more softer. I noticed the ITS coming out of fast corners would absorb uneven pavement vs stock the car seemed to skip over the bumps. Wish my route had more faster turns.

The ITS unit does not jolt you out of the seat when you hit those big bumps, dips, and overpasses on the highway. I put the stock unit in and omg your butt will pop out of the seat lol. There is so much more drama with the stock unit, but I can appreciate some like that rawness of the car.

The ITS unit in comfort mode on the highway is really good. Man I wish the stock car came with this extra comfort mode! For those drives your going in a straight line and don’t need to feel every bump in the road.

Someone asked about track - my opinion- if you’re serious and want to break times keep the car 100% stock. There are some smart engineers that built the car how it is for a reason. I can’t see the ITS unit making lap times faster. It will be more comfortable lol, but doubt faster. Just my thoughts with no experience on this.

Overall, there are pros and cons to both setups. Right now I feel like it’s a tie in my mind and I would have to give the tie to the stock setup. But at the same time I wish I had that extra comfort mode so still not sure what I’ll end up settling with.

Looking forward to hearing feedback from others.

Solid unbiased input, thanks for this

 

[Noize]

I feel zero difference in turn-in with the ADS swap, and believe that to be placebo. Increased negative camber is going to effect turn-in more than stiffened dampening.

Adjustability is key. Every track is different.

My previous Golf R had a race mode and a Nurburgring mode that was faster on most tracks with the suspension turned down to a softer setup. But you could customize everything.

Lots of tracks are rough. This car is faster in comfort suspension a lot of the time. Sebring, for example, would be hilariously pointless in +R. The ideal setup on this car would be individual mode being able to turn traction and stability fully off. Locking that feature into +R only feels like a disservice.

To that end, I still prefer the ITS ADS in +R with everything off.

 

[SteelCavalry]

ADS swap complete, less than 10 min of effort for a such a measurable change.

I come from the classic muscle car world (coilovers and loud V8s) and felt the stock FL5 ride in comfort very livable, even here in Miami with all the construction everywhere.

The ITS ADS is noticeably smoother in comfort mode, and what I thought was a pleasurable driving experience got even better. If you haul kids around like I do, they love the handling, and now the ride quality.

If you are on the fence, do it. The swap is so easy, you can put it down to a quick track day prep if you need the +R.

 

[jdOTFL5]

just placed an order for my ohlins can anyone confirm that the Ohlins EDC works with the fl5? or does it need to be the KW one

 

[Icehawk]

ADS swap complete, less than 10 min of effort for a such a measurable change.

I come from the classic muscle car world (coilovers and loud V8s) and felt the stock FL5 ride in comfort very livable, even here in Miami with all the construction everywhere.

The ITS ADS is noticeably smoother in comfort mode, and what I thought was a pleasurable driving experience got even better. If you haul kids around like I do, they love the handling, and now the ride quality.

If you are on the fence, do it. The swap is so easy, you can put it down to a quick track day prep if you need the +R.

Do you go to any of the local car show events? I'd love to check out the difference.

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