Roacho

does anyone else have a car that is mostly stock and think the braking/handling suck on the car?

i'm thinking of getting rimms to support wider tires.. i don't feel it's safe driving the car like an idiot with bad stopping/turning power.

will the tires make any difference?

imported_BoOsTd

forsure, so will springs shocks, and new brake parts

imported_kane2k

I'm not sure what the difference is between a 98 Si and a 2000 Si, but the handling and braking on my 00 were fine to start with. The most obvious thing to check for is your tires. You don't need to get rims to improve them. All you have to do is buy a set of performance tires, and maybe upgrade to 15" steel wheels. Of course it would look much better if you had rims, but you didn't mention looks.

Stock Si springs and shocks are really good. I've upgraded mine but even before I put on my suspension pieces the car could handle. The trick with that much suspension travel and body roll is weight transfer. If you drive smoothly with the stock setup it can corner like mad. If you load and unload the springs by not cornering smoothly the car will move around and won't be as stable.

As far as braking I'm still on factory brakes, right down to the pads. Springs and shocks definitely help this out as the car doesn't transfer as much weight to the front under braking but brake upgrades should be for the track. If you have to brake hard enough to regularly max out the stock specs of the car on the street then you are driving poorly. Try looking ahead more than one car and then you can drive without having to hit the brakes.

imported_gatherer

tires will make a difference, size and compound make a huge difference.. so do williams brake pads from williams performance friction...

seriously though, I autocross a stock civic. I love the setup I have neutral handling oversteers when I want it too. very predictable... and now with the brakes finally figured out (with help from TNA performance on the install my newest sponsor rocks!) the setup is sweet.

basically Tokico Illumina shocks (4 in the front 5 in the rear for settings)
rear strut tower brace (my roll bar)
new stock springs (since I drive a 93)
front brembo blanks and the Solo 2 pads from williams performance friction
rear drums (generic) and Monroe Premium shoes in the back (a williams performance friction formula sold to the company that makes monroe shoes)
and for competition only Kumho Escta V700 205/50/15 (pressure is 40 in the front and 38 in the rear)

for the street just some all seasons... (I don't drive hard on the street)

anyways I hope that helps detail a great handling setup thats tons of fun. any other questions on alignment and such PM me I won't discuss those setting publically

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

maybe you shouldn't drive like an idiot to begin with? just a thought

stock Civics handle fine with decent tires on them. My stock brakes were just fine before... then my SiR upgrade on all 4 corners made the stopping power exceptional! now, the Wilwood brakes make the stopping power unreal... beyond anything you'd ever need on the street.

electronblue

iTrader: (1)

What kind of car did you drive before?? This makes a difference on what you are used to vs. the handling and braking of your current car.

Roacho

I'm used to rear wheel drive.. i consider accelration and handling the most important for fun factor....

when i turn, i also feel the tires slipping on the pavement...

steel rimms are fine. i might get 16" rimms off a buddy of mine.. otherwise steel is just as good if the price difference is a lot.

my friend's girlfriend has an automatic 2000si, hers are crap as well... i'm comparing it to a 240sx, thunderbird coupe, mx6, and a 626 LX (or whatever - the touring one)

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

all the cars you've listed, I've driven... granted, there are some cars that have better feeling brakes than that of a stock Civic, there is no WAY I'd ever even remotely compare their handling to that of a Civic. Those are all boats AFAIC. I think you bought some bunk tires or something... or maybe if you're still running stockers, they are due for a replacement (they're nothing to brag about to begin with).

DumbasSi

My 98SI handled like crap before I upgraded the tires. You can get Kumho tires from Proparts for around $400 installed. It would probably be a wise investment.

Roacho

what the bloodclot is AFAIC?

michael, they go on the stock steel rimms?

imported_gatherer

As Far As I Care

imported_zc_hatch

jus get reiimmss!!!

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

as far as I'm concerned

or

as far as I see

ONESIX_EL

why dont you get a strut bar for the front and rear lower tie bar..
this will help your handling drastically..(cheapest and quickest way to get results..)IMO

00project

im feeling the same thing. my accordv6 was sluggish but the civic dx may be even less responsive...get brakepads, rotors, and lines...