Honda and Acura Technical Forums

tecnic1 · 01-15-2007, 09:18 AM

All of the pics in the archived threads are dead. I am planning to extend my top hats, but would like to see some pics to clear a few things up.

thanks.

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chrisdavis6 · 01-15-2007, 10:16 AM

Very Interested too.

I found this pic in a 12 page thread on this topic
http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=469485
However, all of the other pics that go along with the DIY seem to be broken links.

Maybe if someone PM's K. BENEN or 2.0L EK they will hook us up and we
can host the pics in this thread, or just fix the links in the original DIY thread.
EDIT: I just contacted one of the members who created the DIY and he said he no longer has the photos.

There is another mod that im very interested in doing as well, Move you rear shock down
so that your springs dont see full extension, this will insure that your rear springs
constantly have load on them and you dont have to worry about you rear springs coming unseated.
EDIT: Without the pics this doesnt make sense. If you move the shock down, wouldnt that create more space for the springs to come unseated??

Modified by chrisdavis6 at 1:30 PM 1/15/2007

Modified by chrisdavis6 at 2:01 PM 1/15/2007

Tyson · 01-15-2007, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisdavis6

EDIT: Without the pics this doesnt make sense. If you move the shock down, wouldnt that create more space for the springs to come unseated??

btw, youre talking about a separate mod than the top hats. its cutting off the brake bracket to get more shock travel on the front shocks.

and the springs becoming unseated shouldnt be a concern. the shock wont fully extend while driving, unless you totally jump off a cliff.... especially if you have a swaybar holding the inside suspension up.

adding an extended top hat actually does the opposite effect. which can lead to coil bind or too much preload if the spring length is too long.

chrisdavis6 · 01-15-2007, 11:04 AM

Yup, I was actually interested in both mods, Top hat extesion for front and
the Full Droop Mod for the rear.
If you read my post it says there is another mod i would like to do as well.

So you are saying in addition to the Top Hat extension for more shock travel, you
can ALSO cut off the brake bracket to get more shock travel on the front?
This would let the shock sit lower in the fork right?

Tyson · 01-15-2007, 12:41 PM

yeah, but doing both is redundant. its "either/or" in my opinion.

tecnic1 · 01-15-2007, 01:13 PM

That pic more or less answered my questions. I was not sure where to cut the stock tophat..
I read that people are using 2 inch OD tubing, but the 2 inch I have looks like it would be a really tight squeeze into the chassis...

chrisdavis6 · 01-15-2007, 01:17 PM

I totally understand that, I would like to do the Top Hat extension in the front, but the
Brake line bracket mod seems like it would be easier.

Is there any advantage to the top hat extension over the brake line bracket mod
to increase shock travel in the front?

Tyson · 01-15-2007, 01:22 PM

extending the top hat brings it closer to adding preload and may require a shorter spring. if you use a shorter spring, its not an issue.

this actually may be of benefit in the rear where i used a shorter spring anyway.

in the front, i found it sufficient to do the brake collar mod to get more travel and set a lower ride height. i did find it limited how high i could go tho. like i tried to raise it up and found the spring too preloaded and hard to adjust any further.

Big Teggie · 01-15-2007, 03:35 PM

Here are some pictures of the ones I did for myself...

kcjohnnyboy · 01-15-2007, 04:49 PM

what size piping did you use? ID and OD measurements please if you remember?

i'm working on doing this mod myself but cant figure what size piping

Big Teggie · 01-15-2007, 05:41 PM

I used 2" but the fit was really tight. I needed to grind some of the paint off the stock top hat openings.

I made a few other sets with some sch 10 pipe which has an OD of 1.9" and they fit well.

tecnic1 · 01-15-2007, 05:46 PM

2 inch is really tight...

I test fitted it over the top of the top hat, and it seems barely too big. I guess we'll see.

kcjohnnyboy · 01-15-2007, 07:30 PM

where do you go out to buy sch 10 pipe which has an OD of 1.9"?

Big Teggie · 01-15-2007, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tecnic1

2 inch is really tight...
I test fitted it over the top of the top hat, and it seems barely too big. I guess we'll see.

You can make it fit, just do some grinding to the top hat mount.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcjohnnyboy

where do you go out to buy sch 10 pipe which has an OD of 1.9"?

Local metal supply warehouse.

happyabortion · 01-16-2007, 05:27 PM

does anyone have any pix of the other mod about cutting off the brake bracket??

TEGNO1 · 01-18-2007, 10:46 PM

Hi i tried putting a 50mm pipe through the hole and it wouldnt go through, a 48mm pipe goes through but still touches the sides, it would be good to go 50mm wide if someone knows how, cause my shocks are 45mm, so 48mm substract 2mm thick piping that doesnt leave much room for the shock to slide in if needed, i also measured around 50mm high before contact to my hood, and that doesnt include the thread and adjuster, so im gonna drill my bonnet out to get some clearance for the thread part and give me some extra height, later.

Audi RS4 · 01-20-2007, 05:55 PM

when did you learn how to weld?

tecnic1 · 01-20-2007, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audi RS4

when did you learn how to weld?

Last summer. My boss sent me to school and bought me a mig welder..

I used the 2" tube, but I ended up having to grind on the inside of the shock tower a little. Not a lot, but basicly remove the paint and maybe increase the diameter by 1/32.

Of course I didn't take pics. i suck.

VRD^don · 01-20-2007, 10:04 PM

i did some awhile back...using exhuast tubing..i know..its not safe..but so far its held up for 3 years now..some hard auto-x..daily driven on some harsh roads...its held quite good...dont worry...the supsension setup going to be changed over the winter...

gabebauman · 01-21-2007, 09:33 AM

I gave my dad, (who has been a welder for 35 years) a spare set of oem upper mounts to make some extended ones...I don't think he's started yet...but I'm sure he'll let me know what size material he uses. However...I will only need t use the rears, (if they work), because I just bought some GC mounts for the front.

Slystone · 05-22-2007, 09:20 PM

un local friend here did a one piece one inch top hats at a good price!!
nice crafmanship

defythemall · 05-23-2007, 07:08 PM

more info on these please

Liquidgsr · 05-24-2007, 08:40 AM

can you friend make me a 4 of those?

blaak-crx · 05-26-2007, 06:59 AM

This was a group buy thread in Canada: it is in french but you can contact the fabricator for more info. I will let him know about potentiel US buyers.

http://forum.clubcivicquebec.c...75795

Formisfunc · 07-08-2007, 02:01 PM

any for a 1990-1993 accord?

01-15-2007, 10:16 AM	#2
chrisdavis6 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Amsterdam, NY Posts: 427	Re: pic request: diy extended top hats. (tecnic1) Very Interested too. I found this pic in a 12 page thread on this topic http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=469485 However, all of the other pics that go along with the DIY seem to be broken links. Maybe if someone PM's K. BENEN or 2.0L EK they will hook us up and we can host the pics in this thread, or just fix the links in the original DIY thread. EDIT: I just contacted one of the members who created the DIY and he said he no longer has the photos. There is another mod that im very interested in doing as well, Move you rear shock down so that your springs dont see full extension, this will insure that your rear springs constantly have load on them and you dont have to worry about you rear springs coming unseated. EDIT: Without the pics this doesnt make sense. If you move the shock down, wouldnt that create more space for the springs to come unseated?? Modified by chrisdavis6 at 1:30 PM 1/15/2007 Modified by chrisdavis6 at 2:01 PM 1/15/2007

01-15-2007, 11:04 AM	#4
chrisdavis6 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Amsterdam, NY Posts: 427	Re: pic request: diy extended top hats. (Tyson) Yup, I was actually interested in both mods, Top hat extesion for front and the Full Droop Mod for the rear. If you read my post it says there is another mod i would like to do as well. So you are saying in addition to the Top Hat extension for more shock travel, you can ALSO cut off the brake bracket to get more shock travel on the front? This would let the shock sit lower in the fork right?

01-15-2007, 12:41 PM	#5
Tyson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: I am, Tyson, in 90504 Posts: 15,295	Re: pic request: diy extended top hats. (chrisdavis6) yeah, but doing both is redundant. its "either/or" in my opinion. __________________ Don't IM me your TECHNICAL question. Start a thread, I'll answer there. FS: Mugen CF-48 13x5.5 -38 Wheels NIB FS: 4040 Brake Proportioning Valves

01-15-2007, 01:13 PM	#6
tecnic1 Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: portsmouth, va Posts: 1,200	Re: pic request: diy extended top hats. (Tyson) That pic more or less answered my questions. I was not sure where to cut the stock tophat.. I read that people are using 2 inch OD tubing, but the 2 inch I have looks like it would be a really tight squeeze into the chassis... __________________ -<FONT COLOR="red">brandon...</FONT>

01-15-2007, 01:17 PM	#7
chrisdavis6 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Amsterdam, NY Posts: 427	Re: pic request: diy extended top hats. (Tyson) I totally understand that, I would like to do the Top Hat extension in the front, but the Brake line bracket mod seems like it would be easier. Is there any advantage to the top hat extension over the brake line bracket mod to increase shock travel in the front?

01-15-2007, 01:22 PM	#8
Tyson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: I am, Tyson, in 90504 Posts: 15,295	Re: pic request: diy extended top hats. (chrisdavis6) extending the top hat brings it closer to adding preload and may require a shorter spring. if you use a shorter spring, its not an issue. this actually may be of benefit in the rear where i used a shorter spring anyway. in the front, i found it sufficient to do the brake collar mod to get more travel and set a lower ride height. i did find it limited how high i could go tho. like i tried to raise it up and found the spring too preloaded and hard to adjust any further. __________________ Don't IM me your TECHNICAL question. Start a thread, I'll answer there. FS: Mugen CF-48 13x5.5 -38 Wheels NIB FS: 4040 Brake Proportioning Valves

01-15-2007, 03:35 PM	#9
Big Teggie Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Umm..., NJ Posts: 4,186	Re: pic request: diy extended top hats. (tecnic1) Here are some pictures of the ones I did for myself... __________________ FS: K-Series, Civic and Drag Parts, Weld Magnums, DTR Header, Always Updated!

01-15-2007, 04:49 PM	#10
kcjohnnyboy Member 1999 Acura Integra Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: KS, United States Posts: 1,317	Re: pic request: diy extended top hats. (Big Teggie) what size piping did you use? ID and OD measurements please if you remember? i'm working on doing this mod myself but cant figure what size piping __________________ My vouch thread: http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1774613 The Daily Driver: http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread/2339681

01-15-2007, 05:41 PM	#11
Big Teggie Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Umm..., NJ Posts: 4,186	Re: pic request: diy extended top hats. (kcjohnnyboy) I used 2" but the fit was really tight. I needed to grind some of the paint off the stock top hat openings. I made a few other sets with some sch 10 pipe which has an OD of 1.9" and they fit well. __________________ FS: K-Series, Civic and Drag Parts, Weld Magnums, DTR Header, Always Updated!

01-15-2007, 05:46 PM	#12
tecnic1 Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: portsmouth, va Posts: 1,200	2 inch is really tight... I test fitted it over the top of the top hat, and it seems barely too big. I guess we'll see. __________________ -<FONT COLOR="red">brandon...</FONT>

01-15-2007, 07:30 PM	#13
kcjohnnyboy Member 1999 Acura Integra Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: KS, United States Posts: 1,317	where do you go out to buy sch 10 pipe which has an OD of 1.9"? __________________ My vouch thread: http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1774613 The Daily Driver: http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread/2339681

01-16-2007, 05:27 PM	#15
happyabortion Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: port arthur, texas, us Posts: 636	Re: (Big Teggie) does anyone have any pix of the other mod about cutting off the brake bracket?? __________________ WTB a PAIR of RC Starks! Fully built b16a block for sale!! http://www.hondamarketplace.com/show....php?t=2615375 98-01 INtegra DB8 rear valances http://hondamarketplace.com/showthread.php?t=2623415

01-18-2007, 10:46 PM	#16
TEGNO1 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 138	Hi i tried putting a 50mm pipe through the hole and it wouldnt go through, a 48mm pipe goes through but still touches the sides, it would be good to go 50mm wide if someone knows how, cause my shocks are 45mm, so 48mm substract 2mm thick piping that doesnt leave much room for the shock to slide in if needed, i also measured around 50mm high before contact to my hood, and that doesnt include the thread and adjuster, so im gonna drill my bonnet out to get some clearance for the thread part and give me some extra height, later.

01-20-2007, 05:55 PM	#17
Audi RS4 Lover Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL, United States Posts: 1,776	Re: pic request: diy extended top hats. (tecnic1) when did you learn how to weld? __________________ Glock 9X19..... http://images.honda-tech.com/set1/smile/emwink.gif 06' CBR600RR 03' Audi A4 1.8T Quattro (BEAST) Jack "YACK" Harris & P1 Auto http://images.honda-tech.com/set1/smile/emthup.gif PLEASE HELP ME! Taking $1 to $5 donations. Paypal 03Audi@comcast.net Any help is appreciated.

01-20-2007, 10:04 PM	#19
VRD^don Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: VRD_garage, mn, us Posts: 4,502	Re: pic request: diy extended top hats. (tecnic1) i did some awhile back...using exhuast tubing..i know..its not safe..but so far its held up for 3 years now..some hard auto-x..daily driven on some harsh roads...its held quite good...dont worry...the supsension setup going to be changed over the winter... __________________ OLD^skool

01-21-2007, 09:33 AM	#20
gabebauman Senior Member 1993 Honda Civic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: DSM, IA Posts: 11,766	Re: pic request: diy extended top hats. (k_motor) I gave my dad, (who has been a welder for 35 years) a spare set of oem upper mounts to make some extended ones...I don't think he's started yet...but I'm sure he'll let me know what size material he uses. However...I will only need t use the rears, (if they work), because I just bought some GC mounts for the front. __________________ MY EIGHT YEAR PROJECT...now I drive a 5th gen hatch.

05-22-2007, 09:20 PM	#21
Slystone Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Montreal, QC, Canada Posts: 432	Re: pic request: diy extended top hats. (gabebauman) un local friend here did a one piece one inch top hats at a good price!! nice crafmanship __________________ tpisly@hotmail.com

05-23-2007, 07:08 PM	#22
defythemall Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: chula vista, ca, usa Posts: 157	Re: pic request: diy extended top hats. (Slystone) more info on these please

05-24-2007, 08:40 AM	#23
Liquidgsr Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Nova, VA, USA Posts: 3,107	Re: pic request: diy extended top hats. (Slystone) can you friend make me a 4 of those? __________________ Muslim...and proud of it - DB SQUAD #29 94 DB8 aka POT HOLE with 174k making 160whp/118tq w/I/H/E. Darkside - 2/10/08 178K 300whp/223tq 15psi boost Stolen, stripped, and gone 4/19/08 RIP

05-26-2007, 06:59 AM	#24
blaak-crx Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: montreal, Quebec, Canada Posts: 273	Re: pic request: diy extended top hats. (Liquidgsr) This was a group buy thread in Canada: it is in french but you can contact the fabricator for more info. I will let him know about potentiel US buyers. http://forum.clubcivicquebec.c...75795 __________________ ASE Lapping Club instructor (Montreal) 1991 Crx Si Special Edition, track use!

07-08-2007, 02:01 PM	#25
Formisfunc Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fairfield, Ca, USA Posts: 186	any for a 1990-1993 accord? __________________ Function=<U>Form.</U> http://images.honda-tech.com/set1/smile/emthup.gif

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