2023 Honda Civic Type R - Fixing the Annoyingly Stiff Ride

First road trip in the Type R & discussing my solution to the stiff suspension. More details here: https://www.civicxi.com/forum/threads/active-dampers-too-stiff-disabled-them-with-cancellation-kit-very-happy.51831/

2023 Honda Civic Type R:
Wheels: BRAID Fullrace FF. 18x9.5 5x120 +50mm offset, 64.1mm Center Bore https://braidusa.com/
Tires: 265/40R18 Continental DWS 06 Plus
Disabled adaptive dampers (full soft)
Disabled active sound control
Pulled exhaust valve fuse (always open)
315 horsepower @ 6500 rpm, 310 lb-ft of torque from 2600 to 4000 rpm
6-Speed Manual Transmission
Curb weight: 3188 lbs
MPG: 22 City / 28 Highway
MSRP: $44,390

I've been busy unplugging things in the Type R all week. First it was the exhaust valve fuse, then active sound control, and my favorite thus far, the ridiculously stiff active dampers. I thought the stock FK8 suspension was pretty good, but Honda really dropped the ball on the adaptive suspension programming in the FL5 imo. Even in comfort mode, I think it's too bouncy when pushing the car around corners.

My solution: unplug the adaptive dampers and install a damper cancellation kit. Most would already do this when installing coilovers, I just did it with the stock FL5 suspension. I used this kit from KW for the FK8 https://throtl.com/products/kw-elect-damping-cancellation-kw68511079 (~$450 shipped) and the results are fantastic. No error lights, all drive modes are functional, though with passive dampers.

Note: if you just unplug the dampers (or the control module in the rear seatbelt area, driver's side), you'll get a suspension error on the dash and be locked out of your drive modes. It's a quick/free way to see if you like the car without active dampers, but everything in the car (minus suspension) will be stuck in sport mode, ie. gauge cluster, steering weight, engine sound.

So how does it feel? It rides about like the FK8 did in comfort mode, maybe softer. Handling balance is unchanged, albeit with more compliance and no more annoying bounce! The rear end still kicks out with aggressive turn-in, there's more compliance around a corner but once it sets in it just grips, especially on bumpier roads. Smooth suspension control up to and beyond the limit. I love it. I'm still on the 265/40R18 DWS 06 Plus tires here in 50ºF Michigan, so can't comment yet on how it feels on the 19" PS4S or in warmer temps.

When unplugging the dampers they will go to full soft.

The KW kit comes with pretty good installation instructions, though they're in German. I had no issues attaching them to the stock dampers f/r. Jack up car, remove wheel, clean mounting surface with alcohol, apply sticky tape, zip tie canceller to bracket, zip tie bracket to damper, then zip tie cable so it doesn't rub on anything.

It's good to know that the damper cancellation kits for the FK8 work on the FL5, especially if you want to do this or install coilovers. I don't know if the HKS Suspension Error Canceler will plug into the FL5 control unit, but did confirm that this KW worked before I bought it. https://www.hksusa.com/news/new-suspension-error-canceler-civic-type-r-si


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