DSC Sport Suspension Module for our cars!

[wontondon]

Wanted to pop in with a quick update, now that the engineering team is back from SEMA and has been working steadily on fine tuning. If you've kept up with posts on Civic forums, you might see that we've been working with a few customers to improve comfort of the tune. We learned that while our tune improved comfort from stock, it was harsher than the Integra module (which is especially important info for your batch!). Rather than sending you all units that would require an immediate update, we worked with this customer over the last week to craft an even better tune that we will pre-load to your controllers before we ship them by the end of this week.

TLDR: We sent units to Civic beta testers, received immediate feedback, worked to solve the problem so now you all are "phase 2"of sorts and will receive tracking by the end of the week.

Does this imply that the civic/Integra will have the same tuning profile?

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[ashmostro]

If anyone thinks they might know someone local to our shop (Jessup, MD) who would be interested in contributing to the ongoing tuning, please reach out! (You can tag me here or shoot us a message through our website). While we have done local work on the ITS tune, we have also done a lot of remote tuning. If you (or anyone you know) might be interested, we are always looking to improve!

I'm in Northern VA @Maya@DSC
I'm lowered on H&R springs if that's a consideration.

 

[Maya@DSC]

Does this imply that the civic/Integra will have the same tuning profile?

During testing we identified a firmware bug, the firmware being largely the same between the two models (as you all probably know, since people swap them). While a firmware self-update isn't particularly difficult, it's easier for us to do it here.

 

[PrecordFK7]

So I want to chime in with some extra info on the DSC, but want to state I received a discounted product in exchange for my honest review as well as being a Beta tester.

Initially the DSC was pretty firm/harsh, but like Maya said a new firmware update and base file was sent out to me last Wednesday. The updates were a night and day difference.

Comfort mode is definitely more comfortable now and perfect when I have my wife and kid in the car. I've been on H&R previously and currently Spoon springs and felt the OEM comfort mode was under dampened and was really not comfortable at all, so I always drove in Sport and found that more comfortable. But with the updated DSC, comfort is very comfortable and plush.

I've still done the majority of my daily driving in Sport and it's been a nice middle ground of comfort and sportiness for cruising and cornering aggressively.

You can really tell an obvious difference in all 3 driving modes, there's no mistaking the change in each mode as they are now distinct.

With the H&R springs I never drove in Sport+ but with the stiffer Spoon springs I found Sport+ was more comfortable and bearable daily with the OEM ADS. Now Sport+ is slightly stiffer to the point I'm hesitant to daily the car in Sport+.

I took the car to Streets of Willow at Willow Springs this past Sunday to really test out the DSC and forgot to try using Sport mode in any of my sessions. I left the car in Sport+ and didn't feel the need to use any other mode. The car performed so well on track with the DSC and I can't think of any negatives regarding bound/rebound or handling in general. Unfortunately I don't have a reference at Streets of Willow to compare to but I was thinking with my novice skills I would be extremely content with a 1:30 lap time in the CW configuration. To my surprise I was able to pull a 1:27:04 in the afternoon and got held up through the last section by a BRZ and my optimal time showed a 1:25:88 which all came in the section I got held up by the BRZ.

I will be heading back to Buttonwillow in about 3 weeks and in the CW13 configuration I have some solid reference times to be able to compare as that's where all my track driving has been with this car this year, so I'll be looking forward to see how the DSC does there. I will try and remember to try Sport mode to compare with Sport+. I tend to hit the curbing there more aggressively so I'll be curious to see how the drive modes compare. Previously with the OEM ADS, I was a hair quicker in Sport vs Sport+ mode.

After the firmware update and base file update last week, the DSC really seems like what everyone with prior experience in Porsches have described it to be. More comfortable on the street and well defined drive modes with better track performance. I am extremely happy with this purchase as I've been ramping up my track events in the 2nd half of this year and plan to try and go to 1 track day/event a month next year.

 

[bisquick]

…

Comfort mode is definitely more comfortable now and perfect when I have my wife and kid in the car. I've been on H&R previously and currently Spoon springs and felt the OEM comfort mode was under dampened and was really not comfortable at all, so I always drove in Sport and found that more comfortable. But with the updated DSC, comfort is very comfortable and plush.

…

First and foremost, appreciate you taking the time to write a first-hand review following your testing.

The excerpt above confirms my hopes that DSC will fill the “gaps” that are present with the OEM ADS. I’ve always felt comfort was under damped resulting in a bouncy ride although, at speed it was less noticeable. I typically drove in sport to circumvent this.

I’m eager to see how my daily commute differs, and more importantly, how the module keeps my car flat and under control next track season.

 

[optronix]

I'm tracking this direction too. I was strongly leaning coils, but waiting to see what HRC would bring- as it turns out just white label KWs. I spent whatever money I would have put to coils on wheels, so now will likely pick up a DSC controller in short order, especially if these positive sentiment impressions keep coming.

You California guys continually remind me why I'm always in the back of my head wondering how I could realistically find a reason to move out there. I still have at least 4 months before I can even think about doing track stuff again...

 

[porkster]

Thanks for the thoughts on the DSC. Curious how the impressions will be for us with the stock suspension. Can't wait to get mine.

 

[alSpeed2k]

So I want to chime in with some extra info on the DSC, but want to state I received a discounted product in exchange for my honest review as well as being a Beta tester.

Initially the DSC was pretty firm/harsh, but like Maya said a new firmware update and base file was sent out to me last Wednesday. The updates were a night and day difference.

Comfort mode is definitely more comfortable now and perfect when I have my wife and kid in the car. I've been on H&R previously and currently Spoon springs and felt the OEM comfort mode was under dampened and was really not comfortable at all, so I always drove in Sport and found that more comfortable. But with the updated DSC, comfort is very comfortable and plush.

I've still done the majority of my daily driving in Sport and it's been a nice middle ground of comfort and sportiness for cruising and cornering aggressively.

You can really tell an obvious difference in all 3 driving modes, there's no mistaking the change in each mode as they are now distinct.

With the H&R springs I never drove in Sport+ but with the stiffer Spoon springs I found Sport+ was more comfortable and bearable daily with the OEM ADS. Now Sport+ is slightly stiffer to the point I'm hesitant to daily the car in Sport+.

I took the car to Streets of Willow at Willow Springs this past Sunday to really test out the DSC and forgot to try using Sport mode in any of my sessions. I left the car in Sport+ and didn't feel the need to use any other mode. The car performed so well on track with the DSC and I can't think of any negatives regarding bound/rebound or handling in general. Unfortunately I don't have a reference at Streets of Willow to compare to but I was thinking with my novice skills I would be extremely content with a 1:30 lap time in the CW configuration. To my surprise I was able to pull a 1:27:04 in the afternoon and got held up through the last section by a BRZ and my optimal time showed a 1:25:88 which all came in the section I got held up by the BRZ.

I will be heading back to Buttonwillow in about 3 weeks and in the CW13 configuration I have some solid reference times to be able to compare as that's where all my track driving has been with this car this year, so I'll be looking forward to see how the DSC does there. I will try and remember to try Sport mode to compare with Sport+. I tend to hit the curbing there more aggressively so I'll be curious to see how the drive modes compare. Previously with the OEM ADS, I was a hair quicker in Sport vs Sport+ mode.

After the firmware update and base file update last week, the DSC really seems like what everyone with prior experience in Porsches have described it to be. More comfortable on the street and well defined drive modes with better track performance. I am extremely happy with this purchase as I've been ramping up my track events in the 2nd half of this year and plan to try and go to 1 track day/event a month next year.

Nice! What was your previous PB?

 

[PrecordFK7]

Nice! What was your previous PB?

That was my PB, didn't have a previous to judge off of unfortunately.

 

[APBonABP]

This sounds pretty cool, although I have a couple of (probably dumb) questions: does this just retune the static dampening "curves", or does it introduce a semi-active system that responds to changes in the road (e.g. bumpiness versus a tight turn)? Admittedly this one's more because I'm curious than anything.

And how difficult is it to install/remove for the Integra (let's say for somebody who does their own maintenance and most of their own repairs for their vehicles)? I watched the install for Audi/VW and it seemed pretty easy. I've still got a decent bit of warranty left, so being able to return to stock easily is somewhat of a consideration for me.

 

[ashmostro]

It's semi active.

 

[UWU-mancer]

This sounds pretty cool, although I have a couple of (probably dumb) questions: does this just retune the static dampening "curves", or does it introduce a semi-active system that responds to changes in the road (e.g. bumpiness versus a tight turn)? Admittedly this one's more because I'm curious than anything.

And how difficult is it to install/remove for the Integra (let's say for somebody who does their own maintenance and most of their own repairs for their vehicles)? I watched the install for Audi/VW and it seemed pretty easy. I've still got a decent bit of warranty left, so being able to return to stock easily is somewhat of a consideration for me.

The stock system is semi active but lazy. This set up brings it in closer to what VW and Audi run with their dcc in terms of functionality

hell. Maybe it surpasses VW and Audi’s implementation? Not sure

 

[Victorofhavoc]

The stock system is semi active but lazy. This set up brings it in closer to what VW and Audi run with their dcc in terms of functionality

hell. Maybe it surpasses VW and Audi’s implementation? Not sure

It's not "semi active" in the sense it doesn't just change a valving property based on minor input changes like the mk7 gti. It's fully adaptive, but not fully active, meaning that it reacts to vehicle data, but not GPS and road scanning type data... I know stupid terminology stuff... Not trying to be pedantic but just clarify because all these terms get confusing .

The Mk8 gti is also fully adaptive, but it also integrates with the electronic diff which takes things up a notch. It has more range in adjustment, but overall valving changes are within a similar range, at least from what I've felt. The more advanced audi systems, like those in some rs cars, actually use proportioning valves for hydraulic or electric motors to push and pull the suspension arms. The lower spec stuff from them is similar to the mk7 system.

Out of curiosity, why do you consider the type s/r system "lazy"?

Unless the dsc system is adding GPS or some other method of predetermining what the road conditions ahead of the car are, it won't make it a "fully active" system. My understanding is the ecu data feed is at 500hz, so unless you swap the ecu too, I don't believe it would increase data rate either.

I do see a lot of value in the dsc system if you lower your car... The factory ads assumes a known starting height value and adapts the dampening based on many factors, including the position sensors on the LCA which determine how much /where the suspension is compressed. The dsc system would allow you to fine tune the setup from a lower starting height, but just like tuning a 3way coil, it takes dedicated time and repetition at the limit to improve handling over stock. Hopefully they can find common spring rates and drop heights to determine optimal damping rate as a starting point for different setups, though.

I may have posted this somewhere here before, but here's the Honda details page,
https://global.honda/en/tech/Adaptive_Damper_System_ADS/

 

[wontondon]

It's not "semi active" in the sense it doesn't just change a valving property based on minor input changes like the mk7 gti. It's fully adaptive, but not fully active, meaning that it reacts to vehicle data, but not GPS and road scanning type data... I know stupid terminology stuff... Not trying to be pedantic but just clarify because all these terms get confusing .

The Mk8 gti is also fully adaptive, but it also integrates with the electronic diff which takes things up a notch. It has more range in adjustment, but overall valving changes are within a similar range, at least from what I've felt. The more advanced audi systems, like those in some rs cars, actually use proportioning valves for hydraulic or electric motors to push and pull the suspension arms. The lower spec stuff from them is similar to the mk7 system.

Out of curiosity, why do you consider the type s/r system "lazy"?

Unless the dsc system is adding GPS or some other method of predetermining what the road conditions ahead of the car are, it won't make it a "fully active" system. My understanding is the ecu data feed is at 500hz, so unless you swap the ecu too, I don't believe it would increase data rate either.

I do see a lot of value in the dsc system if you lower your car... The factory ads assumes a known starting height value and adapts the dampening based on many factors, including the position sensors on the LCA which determine how much /where the suspension is compressed. The dsc system would allow you to fine tune the setup from a lower starting height, but just like tuning a 3way coil, it takes dedicated time and repetition at the limit to improve handling over stock. Hopefully they can find common spring rates and drop heights to determine optimal damping rate as a starting point for different setups, though.

I may have posted this somewhere here before, but here's the Honda details page,
https://global.honda/en/tech/Adaptive_Damper_System_ADS/

How do you think DSC + lowering springs would compare to a coilover system in both daily driving and track use?

 

[UWU-mancer]

It's not "semi active" in the sense it doesn't just change a valving property based on minor input changes like the mk7 gti. It's fully adaptive, but not fully active, meaning that it reacts to vehicle data, but not GPS and road scanning type data... I know stupid terminology stuff... Not trying to be pedantic but just clarify because all these terms get confusing .

The Mk8 gti is also fully adaptive, but it also integrates with the electronic diff which takes things up a notch. It has more range in adjustment, but overall valving changes are within a similar range, at least from what I've felt. The more advanced audi systems, like those in some rs cars, actually use proportioning valves for hydraulic or electric motors to push and pull the suspension arms. The lower spec stuff from them is similar to the mk7 system.

Out of curiosity, why do you consider the type s/r system "lazy"?

Unless the dsc system is adding GPS or some other method of predetermining what the road conditions ahead of the car are, it won't make it a "fully active" system. My understanding is the ecu data feed is at 500hz, so unless you swap the ecu too, I don't believe it would increase data rate either.

I do see a lot of value in the dsc system if you lower your car... The factory ads assumes a known starting height value and adapts the dampening based on many factors, including the position sensors on the LCA which determine how much /where the suspension is compressed. The dsc system would allow you to fine tune the setup from a lower starting height, but just like tuning a 3way coil, it takes dedicated time and repetition at the limit to improve handling over stock. Hopefully they can find common spring rates and drop heights to determine optimal damping rate as a starting point for different setups, though.

I may have posted this somewhere here before, but here's the Honda details page,
https://global.honda/en/tech/Adaptive_Damper_System_ADS/

I owned a mk7.5 autobahn GTI before the type s

when braking hard. The front two shocks stiffen up on the s to reduce that dive. But it doesn’t kick in as fast as the GTI’s when I braked hard

however. When taking a hard left. I feel like both vehicles tighten up both left shocks perfectly. When accelerating hard and suddenly. The GTI rear shocks tighten up instantly and almost telepathically to prevent too much weight from shifting from front to rear. The type s does it too but there’s this delay. Like a tenth of a second slower but I can feel it

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