When we first started researching this story to see if it was possible to swap out a GS-R suspension with a Type R's, we were thinking that the parts bolt right on--which, as it turns out, is true. It just requires more parts than we originally thought. So here's the deal: the front springs and shocks from a Type R bolt right on to a GS-R. The rear is where we ran into a bit of a challenge. If you want to make the rear a true Type R conversion, you are going to have to swap out more than just the springs and shocks.
The Type R shocks use a different lower mount than the GS-R's, so if you want to use a Type R shock, you must also change the lower arms. And if you switch to the Type R lower arms, you have to get the R's corresponding ABS sensor lines because the mounting points on the arms are different. The ABS lines took the longest to order (since there is rarely any call for them, they had to come from Japan), so be prepared to be patient. Would it be easier just to grab the Type R springs and run high-performance aftermarket shocks? Undoubtedly. But this story is about building a Type R using Honda parts.
Luckily for us, the folks at Sierra Acura in Alhambra, California, were very tolerant and helped us figure out how to make the transformation work. All the parts are available from your Acura dealer, and if your dealer is as cool as Sierra, it'll even install them for you. So give the Sierra folks a call. They can order the parts you need and ship them directly to you.
