Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: Best and most inexpensive way to improve cornering...

  1. #1
    LX User
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Posts
    216

    Best and most inexpensive way to improve cornering...

    What is the most inexpensive, yet good way, to improve cornering in my car? (88 lxi 2 dr). I'm not really interested in appearance, but if rims will help cornering, then hook it up. Should I get new shocks and struts? If so , which kind and from where, for how much?

    Thanks in advance for the help



  2. #2

    Mike's89AccordLX's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Vehicle
    1989/Honda/Accord LX/5-spd, 1994 Prelude Si/5-spd, 2004 Honda 1300 VTX
    Location
    Mankato, Minnesota
    Posts
    9,851
    Tires, lowering the car helps, sway bars, learning to drive

  3. #3
    LXi User
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Vehicle
    '88 Accord Lx-i
    Location
    Tigard, OR
    Posts
    963
    Lowering the car and getting stiff springs and struts... for example I have eibach springs and koni struts, and a front strut tower bar, and my car doesn't lean period... It just stays flat no matter what, but thats also with low profile tires, so they don't give at all like stock tires do...
    - 01 Ford Ranger 4x4
    Flip down LCD screen and DVD player, 8000k HID's, Westin light bar w/ PIAA 520's, Custom Flowmaster cat-back.

  4. #4

    goldyaccord's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Vehicle
    Ford work Van
    Location
    Tigard, Oregon
    Posts
    2,994
    I would say either lowering the car or getting some rims along with ZR rated tires.
    sorry guys v8's rule

  5. #5

    AZmike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Vehicle
    Previous: '89 Accord LXi hatch, '89 Accord LXi hatch, '86 Prelude Si
    Location
    Tucson, Arizona
    Posts
    2,453
    I'd start with shocks and springs. While not cheap, at about $600 for Konis and decent springs, it will make the biggest difference. Increasing the rear spring rate more than the front will also help to reduce the car's tendency to understeer.

    With everything aligned properly with your stock 14s you won't be replacing tires every 15-20k like you probably will if you spent that money on a wheel-tire package with low-profile tires. Of course for maximum grip you'll need to get them anyway. I decided to do the suspension first and was really impressed by the huge improvement.
    Mike

  6. #6

    shepherd79's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2002
    Vehicle
    01 Civic lx auto; 03 Accord EX
    Location
    Falling Waters, WV USA
    Posts
    9,466
    i am gonna say springs. i just installed Intrax springs and i love they way my car handles. i can take 30mph turns at 40mph.
    Alex.

  7. #7
    3Geez Veteran Mike89Accordcom's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2000
    Vehicle
    89 Accord LXI - sold, 1996 TL - sold, now I have a 2003 Acura CL Type S
    Location
    WA State
    Posts
    7,589
    Front strut tower bar baby.....

    Started with a 89 Accord LXI - 96 Acura TL - 2003 Acura CL Type S..

    my other site, www.brandonlee.com!

  8. #8
    3Geez Veteran ACCORD EX's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2001
    Vehicle
    87 Accord EX , 5spd , Manual
    Posts
    5,963
    isn't teh strut bar or a sway bar the most thing responsible for corenering ?

    MIKE
    3geez member since October 4th 2001

  9. #9
    LX User
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Posts
    216
    I think I'm gonna get a strut tower bar first, as they are relatively cheap and easy to install, then I'll go from there.
    1988 Accord LXI: Catco Hi-flo cat, 2.25" Stainless piping, stainless n1-style muffler, SR intake, NGK plugs and wires.

  10. #10

    NXRacer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Vehicle
    86 LXi Hatch
    Location
    Tri-Cities, WA
    Posts
    6,557
    Originally posted by shepherd79
    i am gonna say springs. i just installed Intrax springs and i love they way my car handles. i can take 30mph turns at 40mph.
    30's at 40? hell i can do that in my 79 toyota corona wagon. I hope you can do a lot better then that!! My 3g can take 15's at ~35mph and all i have are heat-shrunk springs!! And those handle like s**t.

    Anybody know what rear tower-strut bars will fit on the 3g's?? I know 92 civic front tower bars will fit with a little modification, but does anybody know of any rears that will fit??
    Nothin' 2 Old Racing

  11. #11


    Join Date
    Nov 2000
    Posts
    3,179

    Re: Best and most inexpensive way to improve cornering...

    I'm going to be a little different here and say "practice and training." Most people I see have no idea what the handling limits of their cars are. They slow down to ridiculously low speeds for any cornering. The way to get better is to find an area where you don't have to worry about crashing into anyone and practice, practice, practice. I have driven this car for 23 years. I know how hard I can push it on dry and wet roads. I have learned the signals it gives me when the handling limits are reached. Fortunately, these cars tend to break loose in the front and plow before they fishtail so reaching those handling limits is less risky. Before you try bettering the car, try bettering the driver.

  12. #12
    2.0Si User ShyBoyCA6's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Vehicle
    89 Honda Accord Coupe
    Location
    Pacoima, California, United States
    Posts
    3,034

    Re: Best and most inexpensive way to improve cornering...

    ^^^ That is true!

    Its better if you as the driver gets to know the car's limitations Before adding lowering springs and small stuff. the driver does not have limitations like the car does so overall you will improve your cornering. I practice at corner every time i pass by it when there is no cars around me to do it. I say from moving from a stocked sedan to a coupe lowered 2" inches im impressed how much better my cornering got. i use to take the right turn at 30mph in the sedan had alot of body roll on the rear but now i go 40-45 mph on the turn with the coupe. any faster i can feel my front tires losing grip cause i have 185/60/14 and those tires are shit and on my rear i have Falkens 205/60/14's. But yeah first you must have confidence in yourself as some tend to slow down.

  13. #13


    Join Date
    Nov 2000
    Posts
    3,179

    Re: Best and most inexpensive way to improve cornering...

    I'm not saying there aren't mechanical things people can do to improve a car's handling. I was just being a bit flippant about the "cheapest" way to improve handling.

  14. #14
    3Geez Veteran
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    WA
    Posts
    4,320

    Re: Best and most inexpensive way to improve cornering...

    Quote Originally Posted by ShyBoyCA6 View Post
    the driver does not have limitations like the car does
    no

Similar Threads

  1. What happened to the Inexpensive Ebay Coilovers?
    By SharkyX in forum Classic Honda Community Chat
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 01-03-2013, 10:57 AM
  2. Are there any inexpensive flywheel options for us?
    By deevergote in forum Classic Honda Community Chat
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 05-21-2008, 07:38 PM
  3. Want to improve gas mileage
    By conozo in forum Classic Honda Community Chat
    Replies: 27
    Last Post: 01-11-2008, 01:59 PM
  4. How do I improve Gas mileage?
    By Canadian67 in forum Classic Honda Community Chat
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 03-16-2006, 12:14 AM
  5. looking for inexpensive transportation
    By Vanilla Sky in forum Trading Post
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 06-12-2003, 07:48 AM

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
This website uses cookies
We use cookies to store session information to facilitate remembering your login information, to allow you to save website preferences, to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners.
     
Links monetized by VigLink