Thread: ITR DC2 vs DC5 impressions

Had a JDM DC5 offered to me today at very good price. 2001 33000kms.

Took it for a drive.

Very different car to my DC2. Altogether a much "nicer" car.

Allowing for the fact that there seemed to be a problem with the VTEC transition, it certainly felt very strong and responsive. But assessment of performance not possible due to this problem. On specs they are very similar I believe.

Great gear shift with very tall 6th - would help cruising economy.
Refinement on a different planet to the DC2.
Engine muted though and nowhere as intoxicating sound as DC2.
Steering numb in comparison - while the DC2 is too light and lacks feel on straight ahead, it livens up dramatically on lock and over road surface changes. The DC5 doesn't do this to anywhere near the same extent.
Creature comforts galore compared to DC2.

If what I was looking for was a car for everyday use to use at the track occasionally I'd probably jump at it.

But as a track tool it doesn't come close to the brutally honest and intoxicating DC2 which has a grin factor several times bigger than that of the DC5.

If you like your driving raw, direct and close to the action the DC2 wins hands down.

And long term I think we all know which is destined to be the collectable one.

Cheers

From what ive seen and herd the DC2 is a bit more raw especailly with the engine note and more noticeable VTEC switch over point.

They have packed alot more weight and creature comforts into the DC5 compared to the DC2 and especailly with the NZDM model :wink: .

I dont like the new Macpharson strut suspesion but thats just me.

Overall two very cool cars, but in some terms very different cars.

Seems to be the same comments from everyone who compares the DC5 and DC2. DC2 is more track spec/raw and the DC5 is more prelude like but still allot of fun.

IMO I do prefer the performance of the K20A but if I was building a track car I would stick with a DC2, great fun to thrash around tight corners and if you crash its only half the cost of a decent DC5

The VTEC cross over point in the DC5R is damn loud and distinctive. Get a pod filter and a full Kakimoto exhaust. Best sounding Honda I have heard for a stock car with just the I/E done.

And if you know how to drive, they are quicker on the track than the DC2Rs.

Can't compare a modded DC2 to a stock standard, low km DC5.

I'll still take the DC2R though. :wink: What were Honda thinking when they changed to McPherson struts up front in the newer Rs...

agreed on what terrence mentioned...

i drove a DC5R with Kakimoto exhaust. and apexi pod... was quite until you hit that 6k RPM mark, then holy shit does it bark,

stock standard though, she's quite, and just purrs...

still cant compare to the "rawness" of a modded B Motor... its rough and tough,...

Combining everyones great opinions that i fully agree with, we have a DC2R with a K20A in it :thumbsup: .

Its the way to go people, the DC or an EK9 but im baised. The DC is a great handling car and is well balanced so why not put the K20A in it. I feel that the Double Wish bone suspension is alot better then the Macpherson strut as Honda has oddles of experience with it same as alot of the aftermarket Honda Specific companies (Mugen Showa and Spoon etc), but put some good suspension in the DC5R's and they have proven to go alright, e.g. Drummond out of Australia :thumbsup:.

yea im also wondering why the move to mcferson struts was done? I mean it would only be done to improve the car rite? surely honda didnt just randomly go "hey lets do one of each suspension...."

A JDM K20A with a 4-1 header, 2.5in exhaust and straight muffler is without a doubt the sexiest sounding VTEC engine ever, bar none. Chuck that in a DC2R and you'll have yourself a dead-set track weapon. 8)

just watched a best motoring video now with the new 2004 dc5 vs dc5 '01 vs dc2.

the DC5 was easily faster. all were stock.

so what a the draw backs of the new suspension setup? just seems to be a few urban legends so far, just tuners saying that they prefer the old setup, still not sure why? subaru have been using this setup for years, aswell as other companies, adn they have great suspension.

Well, you do have to remember that stock for stock, the DC5R has 20HP more.

The DC5R is built with the goal of being a quick FWD race car.

The DC2R is 'modded' to become what it is. Honda had no intention of it being a race car prepped for the street and track. It's basically an old chassis strengthened and tweeked. "Less is more".

Honda changed to McPherson struts up front cause they wanted to have more legroom for the driver and the passenger. And not to mention its cheaper to produce as well. I recall tuners in Japan having a tough time setting up the suspension for the DC5Rs and EP3s when they first came out.

The DC5 VTI only has 160hp out of the 2L. Nice car to drive for sure. Very quiet and comfy. Torque is good down low.

Originally Posted by Grin-T

Well, you do have to remember that stock for stock, the DC5R has 20HP more.

The DC5R is built with the goal of being a quick FWD race car.

The DC2R is 'modded' to become what it is. Honda had no intention of it being a race car prepped for the street and track. It's basically an old chassis strengthened and tweeked. "Less is more".

Honda changed to McPherson struts up front cause they wanted to have more legroom for the driver and the passenger. And not to mention its cheaper to produce as well. I recall tuners in Japan having a tough time setting up the suspension for the DC5Rs and EP3s when they first came out.

yea in saying that, stock for stock the dc5 is a better car all round, and modified i would think the dc5 would still be a better car.

anyone got any articles on the mcpherson strut vs the double wishbone?

oh and for the best motoring episode, im not sure what its called, i downloaded the vid ops:

the file was called BestMotoring_2004_12.mpg

so i guess its the 12th ep of 2004

Originally Posted by wikipedia

Prior to the dominance of front wheel drive in the 1980s, many everyday cars used double-wishbone front suspension systems, or a variation on it. Since that time, the Macpherson strut has become almost ubiquitous, as it is simpler and cheaper to manufacture. Double-wishbones are usually considered to have superior dynamic characteristics, and are still found on higher performance vehicles.

http://www.answers.com/topic/double-wishbone-suspension

This might explain.. basically cost

Originally Posted by adeRino4

Originally Posted by wikipedia

Prior to the dominance of front wheel drive in the 1980s, many everyday cars used double-wishbone front suspension systems, or a variation on it. Since that time, the Macpherson strut has become almost ubiquitous, as it is simpler and cheaper to manufacture. Double-wishbones are usually considered to have superior dynamic characteristics, and are still found on higher performance vehicles.

http://www.answers.com/topic/double-wishbone-suspension

This might explain.. basically cost

yea seems like it

but why skimp on there top models?, how hard is it to tune the suspension compared to the double wishbone setup?

been reading up on EP3 owners stuff, how there all going for the mugen SS setup, just a set height, damper etc. so this means that getting hight adjustable suspension would be a mission to setup rite?

Ignore the fact that I have a DC5, but a DC5 is pretty much a refined DC2 with new things developed by honda put into it over the years since the DC2. Yeah i agree the DC5R is actually REALLY comfy to drive, it listens and talks to you constantly with the steering and refined gearbox. I dont agree that the 6th gear saves petrol as it goes alone the motorway at 3100rpm's even just doing 100kmph. Yes its much quieter, and the backseats are very roomy, the boot will shock you even more, its freakin HUGE. It's quiet, but comes alive at high rev's cause of the Varible muffler, the engine is 60KG lighter then a B18C, and the body is more rigid. Many will say its fatter or too tall, it is cause the the ceiling has been raised by 60cm due to the fact that many race drivers with helmets hit their heads on the DC2. No one's mentioned the Brake cooling ducts connected to the front bumper the directs air thru a duct on each side to the brake disc, the difference is 100degrees cooler on a 180kmph - 50kmph. end of the day its down to preference, it wont win everyone's heart, but overall it is and should be a better car. the 98spec DC2R is still very bling in my opinion. 8)

yea isnt it like 20kg lighter?

Originally Posted by Kelsonmassif

yea isnt it like 20kg lighter?

There's actually quite a bit of debate about this fact. I think someone in the USA, , after hearing all these "internet rumours" about the K, actually weighed a K20A block + box, and compared it with the B18, and it ended up being heavier than the B18, which was unexpected. Others say it's about 20 lbs lighter.

Originally Posted by F1ERCE

Originally Posted by Kelsonmassif

yea isnt it like 20kg lighter?

There's actually quite a bit of debate about this fact. I think someone in the USA, , after hearing all these "internet rumours" about the K, actually weighed a K20A block + box, and compared it with the B18, and it ended up being heavier than the B18, which was unexpected. Others say it's about 20 lbs lighter.

Intresting. I also heard rumours that the K20A and box were lighter. Why dont we get Strongs to weigh up a B18C and a K20A including the box.

Does anyone know if the new NSX went to Macpherson strut? cause if they didnt then it would be a sign that Honda was strangly trying to cut manufactering costs. Seems silly to me if they were trying to save money in building these cars, i know we'd all pay a little extra to have a better handling car with easier to use aftermarket parts.