ITS ADS Module vs Coil Overs?

[DastardlyDave]

My '23 CTR is not my daily driver, but I do find the stock suspension a bit stiff. It also does not see track time (yet). I have seen people use the ADS module from the ITS to soften it somewhat. Would I better serve by installing coil-overs in place of the stock struts or using the ITS module?

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[Brittania]

Try the module first. Cheap and 10 minutes to install. If you don't like it you can sell for a small loss and try coilovers.

 

[optronix]

I don't think coilovers would really do what you expect to resolve comfort issues. The ITS module absolutely will.

You'll find people's reports of how their car rides vary wildly. Personally, I think people routinely exhibit strong indications of confirmation bias for their purchases and will claim that the ride is great, but it's actually worse than stock. I've been guilty of that to some degree myself. When I first installed springs I swore I preferred the ride. Almost a year later I can admit to myself now that it rode better stock. The same goes just for the OEM ride on the Civic; some swear they prefer it over the ITS, but most neutral observers say the car is overdamped from the factory. My point is that unless you're driving the car yourself, you can't really go off other people's subjective reports- and that goes double if they spent their own money on the car/parts.

What's not up for debate is that the DE5 module is coded to reduce the stiffness of the adjustable dampers vs the FL5. That is objective fact. So that clearly is a good first start for your use case.

As for coilovers, again you'll be reduced to what people say on the Internet. But taking subjectivity away, if you can find objective metrics like spring rate for example, you'll most likely find that coilovers are not necessarily engineered to reduce stiffness, so that will likely exacerbate your problem. Regardless if some dude on a forum says "it rides better than stock"... which I'm sure you'll find if you look hard enough.

And since you don't seem intent on using the car on the track much- which is what coilovers intended use case would be- I don't think it makes much sense to consider them.

I am just a guy on the Internet though.

 

[PNEUMA]

I don't think coilovers would really do what you expect to resolve comfort issues. The ITS module absolutely will.

You'll find people's reports of how their car rides vary wildly. Personally, I think people routinely exhibit strong indications of confirmation bias for their purchases and will claim that the ride is great, but it's actually worse than stock. I've been guilty of that to some degree myself. When I first installed springs I swore I preferred the ride. Almost a year later I can admit to myself now that it rode better stock. The same goes just for the OEM ride on the Civic; some swear they prefer it over the ITS, but most neutral observers say the car is overdamped from the factory. My point is that unless you're driving the car yourself, you can't really go off other people's subjective reports- and that goes double if they spent their own money on the car/parts.

What's not up for debate is that the DE5 module is coded to reduce the stiffness of the adjustable dampers vs the FL5. That is objective fact. So that clearly is a good first start for your use case.

As for coilovers, again you'll be reduced to what people say on the Internet. But taking subjectivity away, if you can find objective metrics like spring rate for example, you'll most likely find that coilovers are not necessarily engineered to reduce stiffness, so that will likely exacerbate your problem. Regardless if some dude on a forum says "it rides better than stock"... which I'm sure you'll find if you look hard enough.

And since you don't seem intent on using the car on the track much- which is what coilovers intended use case would be- I don't think it makes much sense to consider them.

I am just a guy on the Internet though.

Finally, a guy on the internet who speaks the truth.

to DastardlyDave, buy the DE5 module, install it in 15 minutes (so simple), and never look back!!
If you like looking at your car w/ stock ride height, the module is the way to a more comfortable ride.

 

[Tougefl5]

Talk to people who have coilovers and get there experience.
I've built a touge car and absolutely needed them. OEM was erratic and bounced me over the road. Comfort wasn't really a thought. However my coilovers are absolutely more comfortable than OEM in every sense of the way. If they went better then I'd be switching back.

 

[zumbooruk]

I have the ITS module. indeed easy install, even easier without having to remove the back seat cushion.

https://www.civicxi.com/forum/threads/type-s-ads-install-the-easy-way.57183/

definitely softer more comfortable ride. I find that that +R is still a bit too stiff for daily driving, I have individual set to ride comfort, steering to sport, and everything else to +R

 

[Cueyo]

I've thought of switching over, but I don't want to lose the +R damping setting, I wish it would just add the new modes on top of the pre existing ones (since sport+ on the ITS is sport on the type R, and so forth, being one level lower)

 

[zumbooruk]

I've thought of switching over, but I don't want to lose the +R damping setting, I wish it would just add the new modes on top of the pre existing ones (since sport+ on the ITS is sport on the type R, and so forth, being one level lower)

As far as I (my teeth) can tell it is not one level lower, just slightly softer in +R and Sport

The ITS +R is still fairly harsh, definitely harsher than CTR Sport, so not a full level lower.

Yet definitely softer in Comfort

Maybe 1/2 step down in +R and Sport, and a full (or more) step down in Comfort.

For me it was a no brainer, since I never intend to track it (and if I ever do, I can swap back to the CTR ADS in 10-15 minutes)

 

[Chilly613]

I've thought of switching over, but I don't want to lose the +R damping setting, I wish it would just add the new modes on top of the pre existing ones (since sport+ on the ITS is sport on the type R, and so forth, being one level lower)

If you change to coilovers, the RS-R coilovers use the FL5's active dampening system.

 

[optronix]

I've thought of switching over, but I don't want to lose the +R damping setting, I wish it would just add the new modes on top of the pre existing ones (since sport+ on the ITS is sport on the type R, and so forth, being one level lower)

When the engineers described the ITS suspension tuning programming, he interlocked his fingers to suggest that the modes are indeed a "half step" lower in each regard. So Sport+ on the DE5 is in between Sport and +R on the FL5.

If you change to coilovers, the RS-R coilovers use the FL5's active dampening system.

Not really a coilover IMO, more an adjustable spring. It's definitely an option for those who just want more control over the aesthetics of a drop, but if you're after performance I'd stay away. Springs might actually be a better option but I don't have any data to back that up.

I originally had the thought that I'd stick with springs to maintain the factory adjustable dampers. I think that's a mistake and will very likely switch to a coilover setup in the future (waiting to see what's up with the HRC parts...). The dampers are engineered to work with the OEM spring rate and travel, I just don't think changing the physics arbitrarily with aftermarket springs will yield a net positive result. Just a hunch.

For those interested, DSC Sport is currently developing a module for our cars. I had one on a 911 with SPASM, which is another widely recognized scenario where the ride is pretty compromised on the street. The DSC controller was a must-have upgrade. Basically it takes the factory adjustable dampening and upgrades it exponentially with far better real-time adjustment capabilities based on road conditions, driver inputs, etc. Watch this space for more info; I'd imagine it will become the new de facto standard for those looking to upgrade their suspension comprehensively, from both a ride quality and performance perspective:

https://www.dscsport.com/product/civic-type-r-integra-type-r/

Also for those with deep pockets, if you like the idea of retaining adjustable dampers AND switching to coilovers, DSC Sport can help you there too. But it will cost.

 

[Chilly613]

When the engineers described the ITS suspension tuning programming, he interlocked his fingers to suggest that the modes are indeed a "half step" lower in each regard. So Sport+ on the DE5 is in between Sport and +R on the FL5.



Not really a coilover IMO, more an adjustable spring. It's definitely an option for those who just want more control over the aesthetics of a drop, but if you're after performance I'd stay away. Springs might actually be a better option but I don't have any data to back that up.

I originally had the thought that I'd stick with springs to maintain the factory adjustable dampers. I think that's a mistake and will very likely switch to a coilover setup in the future (waiting to see what's up with the HRC parts...). The dampers are engineered to work with the OEM spring rate and travel, I just don't think changing the physics arbitrarily with aftermarket springs will yield a net positive result. Just a hunch.

For those interested, DSC Sport is currently developing a module for our cars. I had one on a 911 with SPASM, which is another widely recognized scenario where the ride is pretty compromised on the street. The DSC controller was a must-have upgrade. Basically it takes the factory adjustable dampening and upgrades it exponentially with far better real-time adjustment capabilities based on road conditions, driver inputs, etc. Watch this space for more info; I'd imagine it will become the new de facto standard for those looking to upgrade their suspension comprehensively, from both a ride quality and performance perspective:

https://www.dscsport.com/product/civic-type-r-integra-type-r/

Also for those with deep pockets, if you like the idea of retaining adjustable dampers AND switching to coilovers, DSC Sport can help you there too. But it will cost.

I mean, I guess that can make sense for the rear since its still a divorced setup.
https://www.rs-r.com/product/honda-civic-type-r-2023-best-i-active-coilover

 

[optronix]

I mean, I guess that can make sense for the rear since its still a divorced setup.
https://www.rs-r.com/product/honda-civic-type-r-2023-best-i-active-coilover

No I was dead wrong. I was thinking of Fortune Auto... belay my last.

https://shop-fortune-auto.com/colle...e-r-fl5-2023-variable-height-lowering-springs

I'll shut up now.

 

[Shingo Shoji]

Finally, a guy on the internet who speaks the truth.

to DastardlyDave, buy the DE5 module, install it in 15 minutes (so simple), and never look back!!
If you like looking at your car w/ stock ride height, the module is the way to a more comfortable ride.

I wholeheartedly agree. It gives you a street setup for the car which I would argue would also make you faster on some tracks. The stiffness wasn’t a huge issue for me it was more the bounce that really could throw the car off if you get a mid corner bump. My theory is they were going so hard for the FWD record at the ring that the car is tuned specifically for that.

I thank everyone that recommended the ADS module. It was life changing.

 

[CG13]

I’ve been happy with the DE5 ADS module. It makes +R usable, which is what I wanted from it. I don’t see a need for coil overs with this car for ride quality. I previously owned a Focus RS that absolutely required coil overs, but I don’t see that with this car unless you want the performance benefits.

 

[AZCWTypeR]

I installed the DE5 module and agree it's the way to go.

Plus R is still very stiff. Sport feels good on smooth roads and would be my 1st choice at an autocross, but I use comfort 95% of the time.

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