DSC Sport Controller Suspension Module

[Unity Performance]

There's speculation whether our factory ADS is active, and I don't think it is. With either the SDI or DSC you feel in real-time how the car tenses or softens up, especially when you have the reactivity set higher in any of the modes.

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[optronix]

Even if it the FL5/DE5 suspension is active, the DSC is more active.

Active suspension is another one of those areas that you can really fall down the Marianas trench of ratholes. I've watched videos on this topic and thought I understood it but my smooth brain can't seem to recall most of the details so I'm not going to claim I'm an expert here so definitely someone chime in if I'm going down the wrong path- but to my knowledge the OEM Porsche units are indeed active, but the DSC controller's primary benefit is basically taking the OEM sensors output and is capable of analyzing it an order of magnitude faster and in more depth, and then commanding the dampers to adjust to conditions based on that output in real-time.

Here, knock yourselves out:

edit, start here:

TL;DR, I've had it in a Porsche and it made a distinct difference. For me it was mostly noticeable on the street; I had a 991.2 Carrera S with SPASM ("sports" version of the active suspension, which is lower and firmer than the "normie" version...), and I couldn't stand the way the car rode in the firmest setting. With the DSC controller it was immediately noticeably improved from a tolerability perspective, but also the chassis felt sharper but that's one of those things that could have just been my imagination.

In practice I didn't record the same amount of autocross/track reps as I do in my current car to be able to speak to much about the performance benefits, but there are plenty of other testimonials available for that. I wouldn't say I'd disagree with any of them.

It's worth the $1400.

 

[Zeke01]

I like the dsc product as I also had one on my Porsche and loved it.

That said, I’ve got to say that for an extra $300+ dollars having a live interface and adjustment with the e click vs a static, remove panels, plug in to adjust system of the dsc appears to be a worthy increase. The only thing that sways it the other way might be that the adjustability and programming are better for the dsc. At the end of the day, once you find settings you like, you generally leave it alone.

My Porsche also had the Sport PASM suspension which I recall gave me static sport and comfort mode suspension settings to choose from but the dsc controller programming was so good at making the suspension a live system that I left it in sport mode all the time because it was both more comfortable than comfort mode and sportier than sport because it changed depending on how I was driving. All the telemetry inputs would constantly adapt the suspension for what was needed. I explain this magic as the DSc programmers knowing their stuff.

I’ll be interested to hear Humza’s opinion who will have used both systems.

 

[JBO]

Purchased. Eagerly awaiting delivery!

 

[Unity Performance]

Conveniently both SDI and DSC were at SEMA, which gave me the opportunity to provide SDI with feedback, and to meet with DSC and introduce myself/Unity.

SDI confirmed that I can unplug the harness to their module and plug in the factory ADS in any time, which also means I can just switch back and forth with DSC’s module as that goes in place of the factory ADS.

DSC gave me a breakdown of their product, answered some questions, and Tom (in the video linked above) looks forward to my feedback on both systems as well.

Both SDI and DSC use the same inputs to alter the damper calibration in real-time. DSC claims their Canbus integration is a little more thorough. How much I’ll be able to feel that is tbd.

 

[JBO]

Hopefully they can deliver production units before xmas as promised...

 

[TW00Si]

Conveniently both SDI and DSC were at SEMA, which gave me the opportunity to provide SDI with feedback, and to meet with DSC and introduce myself/Unity.

SDI confirmed that I can unplug the harness to their module and plug in the factory ADS in any time, which also means I can just switch back and forth with DSC’s module as that goes in place of the factory ADS.

DSC gave me a breakdown of their product, answered some questions, and Tom (in the video linked above) looks forward to my feedback on both systems as well.

Both SDI and DSC use the same inputs to alter the damper calibration in real-time. DSC claims their Canbus integration is a little more thorough. How much I’ll be able to feel that is tbd.

Are we sure the OEM ADS does not actively calibrate? There are articles written as FL5 pre/re-view that says it is active.

Will you be able to run a group buy for either?

 

[optronix]

Are we sure the OEM ADS does not actively calibrate? There are articles written as FL5 pre/re-view that says it is active.

Will you be able to run a group buy for either?

I haven't come across a definitive source for this beyond reviewer "vibes" or casual statements. If you find one please share.

 

[TW00Si]

I haven't come across a definitive source for this beyond reviewer "vibes" or casual statements. If you find one please share.

Theirs is this one that a friend recently brought up in regards to ADS.
https://www.motor1.com/features/711587/type-r-engineering-deep-dive/

 

[Rhorn]

Conveniently both SDI and DSC were at SEMA, which gave me the opportunity to provide SDI with feedback, and to meet with DSC and introduce myself/Unity.

SDI confirmed that I can unplug the harness to their module and plug in the factory ADS in any time, which also means I can just switch back and forth with DSC’s module as that goes in place of the factory ADS.

DSC gave me a breakdown of their product, answered some questions, and Tom (in the video linked above) looks forward to my feedback on both systems as well.

Both SDI and DSC use the same inputs to alter the damper calibration in real-time. DSC claims their Canbus integration is a little more thorough. How much I’ll be able to feel that is tbd.

So how does this differ from the Integra ADS module swap again?

Not really understanding what 'damper calibration in real-time' means. Is the stock setup not like that? It is active and changes based on driving behavior

 

[JBO]

So how does this differ from the Integra ADS module swap again?

Not really understanding what 'damper calibration in real-time' means. Is the stock setup not like that? It is active and changes based on driving behavior

Our Dynamic Suspension Controller replaces your factory suspension control module to gain full control of your factory shocks. The DSC uses an advanced active control strategy that responds to conditions to command stiffness of the shocks in real time. Additionally, the DSC uses the full operating range of the shocks where the factory controller uses only a fraction.

 

[Clark_Kent]

Are we sure the OEM ADS does not actively calibrate? There are articles written as FL5 pre/re-view that says it is active.

Will you be able to run a group buy for either?

Based on all of the sources I've reviewed over the years, the OEM FL5 ADS does actively calibrate. The system consists of:

1. Electronically controlled dampers at each corner (front/rear).

2. A central control unit, or Active Damper System module, that computes damper commands.

3. Sensor suite feeding data continuously: steering angle sensor, yaw rate sensor, lateral and longitudinal G sensors, wheel-speed sensors, suspension stroke sensors (damper position), throttle position, brake pressure, and drive mode input.

All these inputs allow the ADS to compute the optimal damping force for each wheel individually and adjust it in real-time (milliseconds).

The DSC Controller is being marketed as "superior" to the factory system, but I think it's use case dependant and you may experience diminishing returns. Unless you spend a substantial amount of time on track and are looking to eek out that last 4/10th of a second, this may get you there. If you're carving b-roads and canyons, and largely daily driving on standard roads, doubtful there will be a perceptible difference over stock and definitely not relative to the $1k asking price. I have a lot of questions about this product and there are little to no answers. If I were intrigued by this (I'm not btw), I'd want to know the following with respect to the performance envelope of this offering:

1. Does the DSC expand the damper current range (i.e., can it drive the solenoids to higher or lower current than OEM)?

2. If not, what does it mean by “uses the full range of the shocks”?

3. What testing has DSC done on the FL5 specifically? Track validation? Slalom/lap times? Ride quality testing on standardized surfaces?

4. Are there published damping-force vs. valve-current graphs comparing OEM vs. DSC control in identical shocks?

5. Have you done instrumented comparisons (accelerometers, roll/pitch/yaw rates) showing reduced body motion, improved contact patch load consistency, etc.?

I didn't see any of this information on the one page of their website, and candidly, there's nothing there that serves as validation or makes this an über compelling value proposition. Anyhow, these are my two pennies.

Sources:

1. Adaptive Damper System- Honda Global
2. Adaptive Damper System- Honda Information Center
3. 2023 Honda Civic Type R Press Release

 

[Higgs Boson]

Based on all of the sources I've reviewed over the years, the OEM FL5 ADS does actively calibrate. The system consists of:

1. Electronically controlled dampers at each corner (front/rear).

2. A central control unit, or Active Damper System module, that computes damper commands.

3. Sensor suite feeding data continuously: steering angle sensor, yaw rate sensor, lateral and longitudinal G sensors, wheel-speed sensors, suspension stroke sensors (damper position), throttle position, brake pressure, and drive mode input.

All these inputs allow the ADS to compute the optimal damping force for each wheel individually and adjust it in real-time (milliseconds).

The DSC Controller is being marketed as "superior" to the factory system, but I think it's use case dependant and you may experience diminishing returns. Unless you spend a substantial amount of time on track and are looking to eek out that last 4/10th of a second, this may get you there. If you're carving b-roads and canyons, and largely daily driving on standard roads, doubtful there will be a perceptible difference over stock and definitely not relative to the $1k asking price. I have a lot of questions about this product and there are little to no answers. If I were intrigued by this offer (I'm not btw), I'd want to know the following with respect to the performance envelope of this offering:

1. Does the DSC expand the damper current range (i.e., can it drive the solenoids to higher or lower current than OEM)?

2. If not, what does it mean by “uses the full range of the shocks”?

3. What testing has DSC done on the FL5 specifically? Track validation? Slalom/lap times? Ride quality testing on standardized surfaces?

4. Are there published damping-force vs. valve-current graphs comparing OEM vs. DSC control in identical shocks?

5. Have you done instrumented comparisons (accelerometers, roll/pitch/yaw rates) showing reduced body motion, improved contact patch load consistency, etc.?

I didn't see any of this information on the one page of their website, and candidly, there's nothing there that serves as validation or makes this an über compelling value proposition. Anyhow, these are my two pennies.

Sources:

1. Adaptive Damper System- Honda Global
2. Adaptive Damper System- Honda Information Center
3. 2023 Honda Civic Type R Press Release

You should download the software and a calibration file from the DSC website or watch their YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@DSCSport One doesn't have to edit anything unless they want to but its extremely adjustable through a laptop, but at the least, it allows you to see how it works.

The DSC can run your shocks softer, firmer, or anything in between vs what the factory module does. High speed damping, low speed damping are adjustable and based on inputs from all over the car, etc. It's really cool.

Of course the Honda system takes data from all the different sensors, that is what makes the car an option for DSC to make a module for, no different than all the other cars they serve.

And most importantly, you don't have a gauge or tuning device stuck to your windshield or dash like it's 1998.

 

[Hailw00d]

Installed my DSC controller yesteday. Took about 30 minutes, most of which was going slowly and getting the back seat out. I got one of the 3D printed pre-production units that uses the factory braket for installation (not sure if the production units will be the same). Good quality and no issues with fitment. There is plenty of space to keep the USB cable connected full time, so I routed it into the hatch and tied it off on one of the seat brackets to have easy access for tuning.

Initial impressions are really positive. Comfort mode is a strong balance of composure but with very rounded inputs just driving around - our roads here in Nashville are terrible so this made surface roads more managable. Sport mode is closer to where comfort is stock from a ride standpoint. TypeR mode is still needlessly harsh, so I'll be looking to see how to tune this and/or try it on track to see if it works better. Obviously this is all tunable, these are just out of the box impressions.

I didn't have a chance to push the car on the streets, but I did get it loaded up a few times and noticed two major things - first, the active anti-dive under harder braking was noticeable, as was the anti-squat during hard 2nd gear acceleration. I think for autox/track driving these will be cool to play with, especially having the car transition from anti-dive to softer to help entry rotation. The second was that the car still loads up with a tendency to understeer while cornering, but less than OEM, with a tendency to rotate really nicely mid-corner - reminds me of when I dialed out the mid-corner push on the last car I had with adjustable shocks. Overall, initial impressions are positive.

I'll be at Road Atlanta in 2 weeks and really looking forward to seeing what the car can do on track. I'll be taking the OEM module with me and may do a back-to-back, but my main goal will be to learn enough about the software to make some adjustments and see what they can do to the balance of the car.

One thing to note is that the software has not been updated to include the FL5 so I'm not 100% positive the vehicle dependent settings are correct - I'll be curious if this makes a difference, and when we can expect a software update. On a positive note, the DSC youtube tutorials are great and I think will be simple enough to learn to make the adjustments I want.

I'll keep everyone updated with additional impressions, especially after some track time.

 

[JBO]

Excellent thank you. Annoyed I have to wait until 12 December for mine to ship to Australia. Pre-xmas is my hope... But by then we should have more feedback from you which will be interesting. Further calibration is almost infinite with these things so I am sure you'll get value out of it.

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