OVERVIEW
The Integra continues in the enviable tradition of providing a
fully independent, four-wheel double-wishbone suspension system for a
superb combination of sporty handling and excellent ride quality.
The objective was to provide the Integra driver with a vehicle that is responsive and comfortable in daily driving, yet with excellent cornering stability, good traction and stable behavior.
FRONT SUSPENSION
The components of the front suspension are an L-shaped lower
control arm, an upper control arm, a coil-over shock absorber, a
stabilizer bar and a performance rod. For the GS-R front suspension,
the engineering team also specified the use of a shock tower bar and
on all Integras, a stabilizer bar equipped with ball joints instead
of rubber bushings. The tower bar ties together the tops of the front
spring/damper assemblies. The performance rod is designed to act as
an A-arm cross brace to enhance handling and precision and stiffen
the front lower subframe. The tower bar and performance rod are
designed to enhance rigidity and contribute to suspension
precision.
In order to enhance stability under braking in both a straight line and while cornering, the L-shaped lower control arm has been equipped with specially tuned compliance bushings. These bushings allow the lower control arm to impart a toe-out condition on the front wheels. Allowing the wheels to toe out while braking in a corner enhances stability and allows the vehicle to track more precisely.
The engineering team has tailored the suspension to take the full benefit of negative scrub geometry, especially when braking on a split-friction surface. Under this condition, the suspension tends to maintain greater directional stability by countering the forces that would normally tend to steer the vehicle in the direction of the side with the lower traction coefficient. By balancing these forces, the Integra tends to brake with maximum stability.
REAR SUSPENSION
The rear double-wishbone suspension components consist of upper
and lower control arms, a trailing arm, a coil-over shock absorber
and a stabilizer bar.
SUSPENSION TUNING
The engineering team designed the Integra suspension to deliver
neutral handling characteristics and provide the driver with
high-quality feedback and excellent traction. The spring/shock
combination offers both a resilient ride and precise handling. Each
shock absorber uses a 30 mm cylinder and is equipped with an
exclusive progressive valve unit, which opens progressively in
response to wheel loads. Most shock valves are designed to either
open completely or close completely in response to vertical wheel
loads. This system provides better ride quality along with excellent
handling.
HIGH-RIGIDITY BRAKE CALIPERS AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
All Integra models feature four-wheel disc brakes, with ventilated
rotors at the front and solid rotors at the rear. For better brake
pedal feel and braking control and to provide a short pedal stroke,
the front brake calipers are large, stout units that have a higher
resistance to flexing and "spread" under severe braking
conditions.
The Integra uses a state-of-the-art ABS system to help the driver maintain steering control during hard braking. This lightweight system also functions with minimal pedal kickback during ABS operation.
TORQUE-SENSING ROTARY VALVE STEERING GEAR
The Integra features an innovative, power-assisted steering gear
design that is lighter and more compact than conventional power
steering systems. Instead of modulating power assistance to the
steering rack in accordance with road speed, this system varies power
assist by a combination of engine rpm and the amount of torque
generated between the pavement and the tire. The advantage of this
system is that it exercises more precise control over the amount of
power assist provided. It also provides more linear steering effort
with regard to lateral loads encountered while cornering.
WHEELS AND TIRES
All models feature 195/55R15 84V Michelin XGT-V4 all-season
performance radial tires mounted on lightweight 6.0 JJx15
machine-finished aluminum-alloy wheels. The tires have been
specifically developed to work in concert with the suspension
calibrations, to provide excellent traction, stability,
controllability and predictable handling behavior.