Sometimes one little piece of equipment can make a world of difference, and for several years now we have been fans of Comptech’s rear anti-roll bars. Combined with their CNC-machined anti-roll bar/tie bar, the setup is effective and just so cool looking. One of the tie-bar’s purposes, by the way, is to distribute the anti-roll bar’s load and prevent the subframe from tearing.
We have visited Comptech’s facility, and they have enough CNC machines in-house to build a fleet of Terminators. It’s an impressive operation. If only they allowed us to take some photos of the place.
While they don’t list an application for the 1992-‘95 Civic, don’t forget that the 1994-2001 Acura Integra is nearly identical under the skin. The Comptech setup for the Integra comes with a three-position 23mm anti-roll bar, the clear anodized lower tie-bar and a bunch of clamps and bushings. The tie-bar itself bolts to the Civic, although a few minor modifications are needed since most EG-chassis Civics didn’t come with a factory rear bar. (Off the the top our head, we believe only the EX sedans fitted with ABS came with the rear bar.)
Even though the Civic has the necessary holes needed to mount the anti-roll bar brackets, these holes aren’t threaded. Therefore, you’ll need to pick up some large washers and four M8-1.25 nuts. The nuts and washers go on the backside of the subframe. Once you’re down there, it should all make sense. Getting your fingers around the lower control arms is nearly a test in patience, but it can be done.
You’ll also need to devise a way to link the end links to the lower control arms. Here you have a few choices: Find some EX sedan arms; grab some DC2 Integra arms; go with aftermarket arms; or fabricate some adaptors.
In our reading of the SCCA Street Touring rules, going with the adaptors seemed to be most-legal route. These adaptors came from a Whiteline rear anti-roll bar kit; we just flipped them around to accept the Comptech end links.
The whole process wasn’t too hard, although looking back, taking Comptech’s advice and removing the muffler would have made things easier. Still, the job was possible with the muffler in place.
Just after installing the bar, we ran a local Solo II event. It was a wet, rainy day, and since the course was a little on the fast side we played it safe with our tire pressures and ran 35 psi at all four corners.
Guess what? The car felt awesome—better than ever. We took the class win and after only one event are currently sitting third in our points race.
However, there’s only one small kicker regarding the Comptech bar: Under the latest interpretation of the SCCA STS rules, it’s not legal. Or at least that’s the current interpretation.
So, what to do? Well, we’re weighing our options.
View all comments on the GRM forums
You'll need to log in to post.
