Will the Mugen Suspension for the CRZ work for the I2?

WFalicoff · 04-04-2011, 09:09 PM

I have posted that it is claimed that the CRZ and I2 suspension are sufficiently compatible to use the same springs and struts. It appears that Tanabe will release shortly coilovers for the CRZ (see my post today on the Tanabe springs thread) which supposedly was tested on the I2. I also see that Mugen has a 5 way adjustable suspension for the CRZ (see King Motorsports Unlimited, Inc. - Mugen 5-Way Adjustable Suspension Kit for CR-Z). A look at the photo of the Mugen kit looks very similar to the components for the I2. But the CRZ kit is adjustable. Does anyone have any info on this?

2010 Insight Silver EX
Nokian WRG2 Tires
ProgressTech 19mm rear sway bar

ski1297 · 04-04-2011, 10:18 PM

Thats hard to say. Best way to find out is call King tomorrow.

Cobb · 04-04-2011, 11:52 PM

My main concern would be the weight difference. I cant see both cars weighting the same. If the crz is lighter it will give a softer ride for the insight, but it may bottom out. Then you got the ratio of weight for the front vs rear, so if the springs are more or less different in tension it can cause a handling issue.

I wouldnt mind softer shocks, but my Insight is low enough, not sure I could craw under it to make any height adjustments that the coil overs allow.

WFalicoff · 04-05-2011, 01:20 PM

Cobb,

The wieght of the two cars is nearly the same (I2 is 2727 vs CR-Z 2670 lbs). The weight distribution is nearly the same I2 is 58/42 vs 59/41 for the CR-Z. However, the I2 is designed to hold more load and passengers. So there is probably a difference. However, if the mugen suspension can be adjusted there is probably a setting that would work for the I2, assuming it is compatible.

Cobb · 04-06-2011, 12:23 AM

Wow..... I test drove a CRZ and I found the ride very mushy. Id be more incline to buy the oem suspension from someone who put an aftermarket one on the CRZ for the Insight, vs the "upgrade".

WFalicoff · 04-06-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobb

Wow..... I test drove a CRZ and I found the ride very mushy. Id be more incline to buy the oem suspension from someone who put an aftermarket one on the CRZ for the Insight, vs the "upgrade".

You will get your chance as it appears Tanabe is about to release a suspension upgrade for the CRZ. As I mentioned this supposedly will also be compatible with the I2.

Cobb · 04-07-2011, 12:27 AM

Although some days I would love the mushy ride of the CRZ, I also would like to be able to plant my Insight on a ramp and drift it sideways as I merge onto the next highway or interstate. My scion XA was locked down and had no sway at all to it. I would frequently 3 wheel it taking steep driveways sideways to avoid bottoming our or scraping. I also took ramps at highway speeds sideways too.

Then I broke a front end link that I had upgraded to a grade 8 bolt with urthene squeakers.

I think upgrading the front sway to the fit sport would make a world of difference.

WFalicoff · 04-07-2011, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobb

I think upgrading the front sway to the fit sport would make a world of difference.

I asked the parts department at Honda to compare the FIT front sway bar (claimed to be 22mm) with the Insight sway bar (claimed to be 18mm). However, when we looked at the parts it appears they are not likely to be compatible. The 2010 FIT sway bar goes from one side of the car to the other. The Insight "sway bar" does not run the width of the car but what appears to me to have two shorter bars which connect to a nearby rubber mounting bracket on a transverse body panel. There appears to be a third central bar that attaches the 2 via the same bracket. This is at least what shows up on the Honda parts screen. The only other picture I have seen is on the "suspension walkaround" for the I2 from Edmonds. Now a 22mm bar is approximately twice as stiff as an 18mm bar (it is proportional to the 4th power of the diameter). However, as the I2 is supported at intermediary points this will stiffen the bar. If the effective length is half that of the FIt sway bar the stiffness will be the same. That being said the I2 is described in several reviews as already having oversteer whereas I believe the Fit has understeer. If this is true then perhaps the front sway bar in the FIT is stiffer than the I2. Also the Fit has more weight on the front end (62/3

versus the I2 (58/42) giving it more of a tendency to understeer. The Progress sway bar would make the car have more oversteer. This is probably why you like it so much. i have never really pushed our I2 since we installed the sway bar with the electronic stability turned off. Did you ever test the car this way before you installed the Tanabe springs? I would be interested to know your opinion on how much the rear sway bar helps the handling and its characteristics when the car is really pushed hard on turns.

Cobb · 04-10-2011, 01:18 AM

Thanks. Havent had the chance to look at it. I had one shop offer to make me one from a local metal store, another offered to install a universal one. I like bolt ones from other models myself.

I am confortable doing 45 on ramps, maybe 50, but its a bit mroe sway for my tastes and I am worried I may over correct and wreck vs drift it. Second, last time I drifted my car had no trac or skid control.