OVERVIEW
The Integra continues in the enviable tradition of providing a fully
independent, 4-wheel double-wishbone suspension 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.
For 1998, upgraded wheel designs and fitments provide a fresh look and enhance performance.
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
the GS and the GS-R, 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. All models of the Integra share the same rear
suspension componentry and calibrations.
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 4-wheel disc brakes, with ventilated
rotors at the front and solid rotors at the rear. For maximum
rigidity of the braking system 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 LS, GS and GS-R use the latest-generation Acura ABS system. This lightweight system functions with minimal pedal kickback during ABS operation in situations such as hard braking.
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 with
regard to lateral loads encountered while cornering.
WHEELS AND TIRES
The Integra RS Coupe is equipped with P195/60 R14 85H
all-season
tires. The LS is equipped with Michelin XGT-H4 P195/60 R14
85H
all-season tires which are now mounted on machine-finish alloy
wheels. The GS features Michelin XGT-V4 195/55 R15 84V
all-season
tires mounted on lightweight machine-finished aluminum-alloy
wheels,
while the GS-R feature a new sporty wheel design. The tires for
all
models have been specifically developed to work in concert with
the
suspension calibrations, to provide excellent traction, stability,
controllability and predictable handling behavior.