Enkei RPF1 18x8.5 +40mm - Lunar Silver ASPEC

[lnf]

The factory Continentals finally bite the bullet after 33k miles and 3 years of being abused on backroads. Hadn't seen any of these on RPF1s and decided to upgrade to dedicated summers.

After a month of deliberation between RPF1 SBCs or Bright Silver and offset, I decided to go with Bright Silver in 18x8.5+40mm paired with a 245/40/18 GMAX RS setup. More than plenty of grip for the ASPEC without breaking the bank or being too soft IMO.

I told myself I wouldn't mod it and I'd upgrade to a Type S or R eventually but... man would it look good paired with the Genesis Brembos upgrade .

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[slowcountry]

Love that fitment - planning on going to 8.5in wide as well, and was looking for the sweet spot on offset.

I still need to install them, but I went with the PRL front calipers.. I had looked at the 27WON BBK, but didn't want to have to use spacers with the OEM wheels.

...That garage/shed also looks awesome Lol

 

[lnf]

Love that fitment - planning on going to 8.5in wide as well, and was looking for the sweet spot on offset.

I still need to install them, but I went with the PRL front calipers.. I had looked at the 27WON BBK, but didn't want to have to use spacers with the OEM wheels.

...That garage/shed also looks awesome Lol

Thanks!! The garage was just put up a few weekends ago and still need to get doors on it lol.

 

[CyberCT]

Did you notice any difference in handling or braking going from the stock heavy wheels to the light RPF1s?

 

[lnf]

Did you notice any difference in handling or braking going from the stock heavy wheels to the light RPF1s?

Yep, a pretty decent difference! The RPF1s are a lot lighter and the GMAX RS are a lot more grippy.
Braking not so much, it needs some brembos or better pads.

 

[CyberCT]

On my 2018 Civic SI that I'm about to sell (The Integra is the replacement), I don't know if it's the full combination or which components skew the results ... but the combination of the Civic's strut tower brace, upgraded rear motor mount, camber ball joints (-0.9 fronts, -0.7 rears), and ultralight lightweight wheels (Wedsport TC105Ns) with all season tires, the car turns on a dime and corners like it's on rails. Such a drastic difference driving that car back to back with the stock Integra. I'm gonna have to do the same mods to the Integra with hopes it will handle just as well ... but wow ... I can take the same turns over 10mph in the civic (and even higher speeds but I'm afraid to push it) that the Integra will start understeering into (even in sport mode).

 

[lnf]

On my 2018 Civic SI that I'm about to sell (The Integra is the replacement), I don't know if it's the full combination or which components skew the results ... but the combination of the Civic's strut tower brace, upgraded rear motor mount, camber ball joints (-0.9 fronts, -0.7 rears), and ultralight lightweight wheels (Wedsport TC105Ns) with all season tires, the car turns on a dime and corners like it's on rails. Such a drastic difference driving that car back to back with the stock Integra. I'm gonna have to do the same mods to the Integra with hopes it will handle just as well ... but wow ... I can take the same turns over 10mph in the civic (and even higher speeds but I'm afraid to push it) that the Integra will start understeering into (even in sport mode).

Yeah, the rear suspension of the ASPEC is a little too soft. An RV6 rear sway bar should fix the issues that you have. Also, comfort mode for the suspension to me allows the Integra to handle the best.

 

[slowcountry]

Comfort mode too soft for me even on daily driving. There's a 20mph curved offramp that I can take at 50 in sport, but maybe 30 in comfort mode. Another 35mph one that I can do at 65 in sport, but maybe 45 in comfort.

The front and rear tower struts did the most for cornering for me. I think body roll is the main issue. I did add the rv6 rear sway after and it does keep it planted, but that has been the most problematic part I've ever installed Lol. Could be user error

 

[CyberCT]

Comfort mode too soft for me even on daily driving. There's a 20mph curved offramp that I can take at 50 in sport, but maybe 30 in comfort mode. Another 35mph one that I can do at 65 in sport, but maybe 45 in comfort.

The front and rear tower struts did the most for cornering for me. I think body roll is the main issue. I did add the rv6 rear sway after and it does keep it planted, but that has been the most problematic part I've ever installed Lol. Could be user error

I agree. Comfort Mode (or Comfort Mode suspension in Independent Mode) would be perfect for highway cruising in a long straight line. But yes, the handling characteristics are noticeably worst with Comfort Mode suspension.

When you say "The front and rear tower struts did the most for cornering for me" I'm assuming you mean the front upper strut bar and trunk "PRL "Throwback" Rear Strut Bar" ? What front front upper strut bar are you running? What issues did you have with the RV6 rear sway bar?

The 2018 civic did understeer fairly terribly from the factory IMO. The camber adjustment made the biggest difference. Looking forward to seeing how the Integra responds to these handling mods.

 

[slowcountry]

Yep - have the prl throwback strut bars front & rear. Think it should come from the factory with those or similar installed. I'd note that the 27won front strut bar is the only one with an integrated brake master cylinder brace, though.

With the rear sway - definitely some user error, but:

• Had issues aligning it on initial install because I had the suspension fully suspended. Overall install was difficult.
• I had a rear endlink bolt snap twice - likely due to over-torquing (by hand) that caused a stress fracture. I feel like the bolts shouldn't shear with hand torque.
• The rear endlinks are heavily corroded and therefore clunky in movement - you need to grease them regularly.
• The sway bar bracket bushings need healthy grease as well or they'll bind and chirp.
• Swaybar bracket bolts came loose twice before I started using blue loctite.
• Overall have had to come back to this install 6 or 8 times.

 

[CyberCT]

Thanks!! The garage was just put up a few weekends ago and still need to get doors on it lol.

With that slightly larger +40 offset (factory is +50 on the 18 x 8s) vs even 18 x 8.5 +45 (offset I'm looking at for a different set of wheels), do you have any issues with rubbing or wear?

 

[lnf]

With that slightly larger +40 offset (factory is +50 on the 18 x 8s) vs even 18 x 8.5 +45 (offset I'm looking at for a different set of wheels), do you have any issues with rubbing or wear?

Nope no rubbing or excess wear. Only issues I’ve found is they decrease the gas mileage a few mpgs lol.

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