Hondata Airbox Mod for EP3 Honda CTR

[JohnH79]

After reading a thread online about the Hondata Airbox mod, I have convinced the Misses it is ok to do it on her EP3 Premier Civic Type R!! I like the fact it looks pretty much standard from the outside if you open the bonnet but gives a better intake noise. I think the Intake sound is quited 'muted' as standard. I appreciate that it probably wont gain any power. As long as it doesn't lose any, that's all that matters! I know what a lot of these 'induction kits' available are like on the V Tec engines. They normally make lots of noise but actually rob the engine of power. A lot of people think they have gained power through the 'Placebo effect' when in fact they have less than standard! All show and no go!

What I want to know is if anyone on here has already done this mod on your CTR and what your thoughts are? I am hoping that it doesn't make too much noise; well out of V Tec anyway. As I can see the Misses telling me to take it off if it does! She doesn't use V Tec that often, so this mod is more for me when I drive the car!

http://www.hondata.com/techkseriesairboxmod.html

Edited by JohnH79 on Thursday 6th February 09:38

[billy939]

I did this to my old Ep3, with a standard filter it made slightly more induction noise but nothing too noticeable, only really could hear the difference on vtec and even then nothing too dramatic.
I think replacing the filter for an aftermarket drop in one will make more of a difference.

I found throttle response seemed slightly improved but it could have been just me imagining it, tbh it probably was just me.

Overall it's free if you have the tools to cut the plastic out (sanding the edges takes forever) then why not. It won't have any negative effects at all so I'd go for it, I just bought another Ep3 and it's on my jobs list next weekend!

[JohnH79]

billy939 said:

I did this to my old Ep3, with a standard filter it made slightly more induction noise but nothing too noticeable, only really could hear the difference on vtec and even then nothing too dramatic.
I think replacing the filter for an aftermarket drop in one will make more of a difference.

I found throttle response seemed slightly improved but it could have been just me imagining it, tbh it probably was just me.

Overall it's free if you have the tools to cut the plastic out (sanding the edges takes forever) then why not. It won't have any negative effects at all so I'd go for it, I just bought another Ep3 and it's on my jobs list next weekend!

Thanks Billy for your reply. Useful info there. We test drove another EP3 at a Dealers before buying hers and it defnitely had more of a growl when it hit V-tec so I wonder now if it had the Airbox mod done.

I bought a second hand airbox to modify in case the Misses really didn't like it. Luckily for me it came with a K&N filter too!

The car is going in for a full service in two weeks time. It's having new plugs and valve clearances checked too. I am planning on getting it on the Dyno afterwards. I am going to get it Dyno'd post-service with standard Airbox, then fit the modified Airbox and Dyno'd again, then swap the standard filter for the K&N and re-Dyno. I know on the Hondata site it shows you can gain a few BHP. I'm not really holding out for any gain at all, but I just want to make sure it hasn't actually lost power and I'm intrigued as to how much power it currently has.

[billy939]

Sounds good, I'd love to see what the results are from this. I don't fancy a loud induction kit and potential heatsoak so this mod appeals to me lot and would even more if I knew that it would help me gain a few horses!

[JohnH79]

billy939 said:

Sounds good, I'd love to see what the results are from this. I don't fancy a loud induction kit and potential heatsoak so this mod appeals to me lot and would even more if I knew that it would help me gain a few horses!

Same reason it appealed to me (and the same reason I got the Misses to go for it)! I'll let you know the outcome when it gets Dyno'd

[Matt_N]

Looking at the Hondata page, I did a very similar mod to my ATR airbox.

The ATR airbox is different though as it has a vacuum operated flap at the front which opens under WOT.

I tried a few different evolutions, smoothed airbox with flapper in place and without. Throttle response actually felt worse with the flapper removed so I kept it in in the end, it did sound pretty mean under load though!

The smoothed box did increase induction growl though.

[JohnH79]

Matt_N said:

The smoothed box did increase induction growl though.

This is what I am looking for! I know it wont compare to the Intake noise I get on my CSL Airbox fitted to my M3, but it has got to make more noise than it does at the moment!