Back in a Honda, EP3 Civic Type R
Discussion
Oulton Park was rather eventful, I arrived early to find the car park filling nicely and feeling apprehensive about what lied in store. I decided a few weeks back to hire a garage which I would advise to anybody who's considering a track day as a worthwhile outlay, great for storage and a place to keep dry and warmish when the inevitable happens. I jumped out of the car to pop open the garage door to find that it wouldn't budge, I tried to bully it into submission and failed miserably so retreated back to the warmth of my car feeling even more of a novice and waited for the arrival of my mates. Turned out to be locked which made the situation a little more bearable.
It had rained heavily throughout the night and showed no signs of slowing, in fact the temperature was falling and the rain quickly turned to hail and snow, ideal conditions for a newbie on AD08's. Signed on and went through to the restaurant for the safety brief and a brew, everyone seemed really relaxed despite the weather worsening, I wasn't and when the inevitable question was asked by the briefer, 'do we have any novices with us today?' My todger shrank further and I gingerly raised my hand, nobody in front of me did, I can't be the only newbie here surely, I glanced over my shoulder to see a few more hands in the air, thank God for that.
It was time for sighting laps, I gave the car a quick once over and headed out into the cue trying to keep my composure, we were off. Jesus wept isn't the pace car supposed to take it steady, I'm properly scared here and he's minced off at an alarming rate, clinging on for dear life my first lap was completed. The second lap was rather amusing and annoying at the same time, heading into cascades at many leptons I notice oil all over the tracks surface glistening in the sun and try to scrub off as much speed as possible before turning in. It didn't seem to make much difference I was sideways and applying opposite lock, exiting the corner with a nice stain on my lucky pants but the car unscathed the pace slowed for the remainder of the sighting laps. Back in the garage the news was announced that the track was closing while they clean up, a focus dropped it's oil at cascades and all the way along to the aptly named shell oils.
What a great introduction to track days.
The track finally opened after midday and I was itching along with everyone else to get out, the weather had now improved and the track was moist but drying. My first session couldn't have gone better, fourth lap in and a black flag is waved in my direction, it doesn't make sense I've done nothing wrong. I headed back to the naughty box for a good telling off, 'sorry we have got the wrong car' and with that I headed straight back out. I had a few moments on that first session much to the amusement of my mate who was sat in the passenger seat.
https://youtu.be/jrcVg9BPPM0
I will add some more to this when I get a little more time over the next few day's, I've got a load of footage to go through and numerous photographs.
It had rained heavily throughout the night and showed no signs of slowing, in fact the temperature was falling and the rain quickly turned to hail and snow, ideal conditions for a newbie on AD08's. Signed on and went through to the restaurant for the safety brief and a brew, everyone seemed really relaxed despite the weather worsening, I wasn't and when the inevitable question was asked by the briefer, 'do we have any novices with us today?' My todger shrank further and I gingerly raised my hand, nobody in front of me did, I can't be the only newbie here surely, I glanced over my shoulder to see a few more hands in the air, thank God for that.
It was time for sighting laps, I gave the car a quick once over and headed out into the cue trying to keep my composure, we were off. Jesus wept isn't the pace car supposed to take it steady, I'm properly scared here and he's minced off at an alarming rate, clinging on for dear life my first lap was completed. The second lap was rather amusing and annoying at the same time, heading into cascades at many leptons I notice oil all over the tracks surface glistening in the sun and try to scrub off as much speed as possible before turning in. It didn't seem to make much difference I was sideways and applying opposite lock, exiting the corner with a nice stain on my lucky pants but the car unscathed the pace slowed for the remainder of the sighting laps. Back in the garage the news was announced that the track was closing while they clean up, a focus dropped it's oil at cascades and all the way along to the aptly named shell oils.
What a great introduction to track days.
The track finally opened after midday and I was itching along with everyone else to get out, the weather had now improved and the track was moist but drying. My first session couldn't have gone better, fourth lap in and a black flag is waved in my direction, it doesn't make sense I've done nothing wrong. I headed back to the naughty box for a good telling off, 'sorry we have got the wrong car' and with that I headed straight back out. I had a few moments on that first session much to the amusement of my mate who was sat in the passenger seat.
https://youtu.be/jrcVg9BPPM0
I will add some more to this when I get a little more time over the next few day's, I've got a load of footage to go through and numerous photographs.
Edited by MRobbins1987 on Sunday 11th February 22:24
MRobbins1987 said:
TheJimi said:
If anyone wants in on the action, you can buy mine 
In seriousness, cracking example of an EP3 done well here. Well done OP!
Looking forward to hearing how it goes on the track.
Cheers Jimi, have you decided what you're moving onto? I've got a go pro so hoping to get some reasonable footage, I promise to post it even if I'm useless and put it in the armco. In seriousness, cracking example of an EP3 done well here. Well done OP!
Looking forward to hearing how it goes on the track.
Another MX5, I think.
Really miss my old one
Marc was in the garage next to me. This Ep is SO clean, I was mega jealous!
Was a grim day though, I've emailed MSV and there might be some credits dished out yet, not 100% though but they're considering it seeing as we didn't get on track til 12.30/12.45
Good to meet you Marc, again, your Ep and your mates' FDs are so nice. I did see your mate spin, but the camera didn't pick it up as was a bit far away as I was coming over the hill.
Was a grim day though, I've emailed MSV and there might be some credits dished out yet, not 100% though but they're considering it seeing as we didn't get on track til 12.30/12.45
Good to meet you Marc, again, your Ep and your mates' FDs are so nice. I did see your mate spin, but the camera didn't pick it up as was a bit far away as I was coming over the hill.
Danith said:
Marc was in the garage next to me. This Ep is SO clean, I was mega jealous!
Was a grim day though, I've emailed MSV and there might be some credits dished out yet, not 100% though but they're considering it seeing as we didn't get on track til 12.30/12.45
Good to meet you Marc, again, your Ep and your mates' FDs are so nice. I did see your mate spin, but the camera didn't pick it up as was a bit far away as I was coming over the hill.
Cheers mate good to meet you too, hopefully you can get the car sorted for next time. It was disappointing to lose out on the whole morning session, it would be nice to get something back. Don't worry about my mates spin footage it was only really to see where he went wrong, he thinks he was on the brakes while turning in.Was a grim day though, I've emailed MSV and there might be some credits dished out yet, not 100% though but they're considering it seeing as we didn't get on track til 12.30/12.45
Good to meet you Marc, again, your Ep and your mates' FDs are so nice. I did see your mate spin, but the camera didn't pick it up as was a bit far away as I was coming over the hill.
Lovely car, but check the state of the front wishbones!
I sold my EP3 last year to an acquaintance who mot'd it and used it as a daily but took it on a local "test day" at a place used for tarmac rallies. 12 laps later one of the wishbones failed under braking. The cause was corrosion, mainly on the leading edge, not enough to cause perforation so it didnt fail an mot but the steel was very thin in places. I did a bit of research and found this is not an unknown failure.
I sold my EP3 last year to an acquaintance who mot'd it and used it as a daily but took it on a local "test day" at a place used for tarmac rallies. 12 laps later one of the wishbones failed under braking. The cause was corrosion, mainly on the leading edge, not enough to cause perforation so it didnt fail an mot but the steel was very thin in places. I did a bit of research and found this is not an unknown failure.
Mr2Mike said:
Lovely car, but check the state of the front wishbones!
I sold my EP3 last year to an acquaintance who mot'd it and used it as a daily but took it on a local "test day" at a place used for tarmac rallies. 12 laps later one of the wishbones failed under braking. The cause was corrosion, mainly on the leading edge, not enough to cause perforation so it didnt fail an mot but the steel was very thin in places. I did a bit of research and found this is not an unknown failure.
Cheers for the heads up, it's not something I've heard of to be honest. I know ball joints and droplinks are known weak areas but I will give my wishbones a good inspection next time it's up in the air.I sold my EP3 last year to an acquaintance who mot'd it and used it as a daily but took it on a local "test day" at a place used for tarmac rallies. 12 laps later one of the wishbones failed under braking. The cause was corrosion, mainly on the leading edge, not enough to cause perforation so it didnt fail an mot but the steel was very thin in places. I did a bit of research and found this is not an unknown failure.
TheJimi said:
Yep, first I've heard of the issue too.
I spent a LOT of time researching these cars before I bought mine.
I also go well overboard on research rather than just buying a car having it for a month an flogging it if it's not for meI spent a LOT of time researching these cars before I bought mine.
However when I bought my ep3 it was extremely spontaneous and that's not like me at all, so far though, it's proved a good decision.
After the first session the track was beginning to dry on the racing line and I could start to get some heat into the tyres, grip was improved massively and I could now get the power down coming out of the tighter corners. I wasn't expecting to be fast on my first track day and I most definitely wasn't but it was great fun to be sharing the tarmac with like minded people. It's amazing to watch the experienced guy's in low powered stuff give you a good hiding, I've got a lot to learn but that's part of the fun. Driving standards once we got going were superb everyone was giving plenty of space and allowing the quicker car's to pass, I was expecting the fast stuff to swarm all over my rear bumper in a 320d fast lane of the motorway manner but I can't recall one incident. The afternoon certainly made up for the earlier closure, I was enjoying it that much I ran out of fuel and had to cut the last session short.
https://youtu.be/fc81RkjHtf4
https://youtu.be/fc81RkjHtf4
https://youtu.be/Rae_ur3ZGsI
https://youtu.be/bNNfyefmAF0
https://youtu.be/DBz3hpvaTVs
The car performed superbly throughout the day but pushing it towards it's limits for prolonged periods highlighted a few areas that will require attention. I left the suspension in it's road settings with it being damp and cold, the car feels incredibly neutral but it was rubbing slightly through cascades so I need to go stiffer on the front next time out, I will go stiffer at the rear by the same number of clicks. If that fails to resolve the issue I will raise it slightly on each corner. The other notable concern was the brakes, they didn't fade once throughout but they did start to make an unsettling grumbling noise on my last two sessions, so I'm upgrading to Brembo four pots from the Clio 197/200 with a bigger disk. It will allow me to switch to a floating rotor at a later date if they still aren't up to it.
All in all it was a great day and a good chance to put some faces to name's and push my car far harder than I could dream of on the road. It's rather addictive mind I'm already eyeing up my next one.
The calipers are in the post.
https://youtu.be/fc81RkjHtf4
https://youtu.be/fc81RkjHtf4
https://youtu.be/Rae_ur3ZGsI
https://youtu.be/bNNfyefmAF0
https://youtu.be/DBz3hpvaTVs
The car performed superbly throughout the day but pushing it towards it's limits for prolonged periods highlighted a few areas that will require attention. I left the suspension in it's road settings with it being damp and cold, the car feels incredibly neutral but it was rubbing slightly through cascades so I need to go stiffer on the front next time out, I will go stiffer at the rear by the same number of clicks. If that fails to resolve the issue I will raise it slightly on each corner. The other notable concern was the brakes, they didn't fade once throughout but they did start to make an unsettling grumbling noise on my last two sessions, so I'm upgrading to Brembo four pots from the Clio 197/200 with a bigger disk. It will allow me to switch to a floating rotor at a later date if they still aren't up to it.
All in all it was a great day and a good chance to put some faces to name's and push my car far harder than I could dream of on the road. It's rather addictive mind I'm already eyeing up my next one.
The calipers are in the post.
aka_kerrly said:
Interested to know more about the Brembo upgrade, do the Clio brembos not come with the same JDM tax that DC5 ones have?
These were £150 or you can get them new for £300. The disks, brackets and pads will cost another £400 so a cheaper alternative to the DC5 one's. Freaky parts or K System can provide the whole kits with calipers for a little more. aka_kerrly said:
Interested to know more about the Brembo upgrade, do the Clio brembos not come with the same JDM tax that DC5 ones have?
I have the K system pro setup on mine, red Megane calipers, 324mm discs from a 350Z, all fixings and brackets and HEL lines cost me somewhere around £650. Absolute steal and a no brainier compared to used DC5 items.Butter Face said:
I have the K system pro setup on mine, red Megane calipers, 324mm discs from a 350Z, all fixings and brackets and HEL lines cost me somewhere around £650. Absolute steal and a no brainier compared to used DC5 items.
Are yours performing well mate? Hoping for a decent improvement with the Brembo kit.MRobbins1987 said:
Butter Face said:
I have the K system pro setup on mine, red Megane calipers, 324mm discs from a 350Z, all fixings and brackets and HEL lines cost me somewhere around £650. Absolute steal and a no brainier compared to used DC5 items.
Are yours performing well mate? Hoping for a decent improvement with the Brembo kit.The Brembo calipers have arrived and I've started to strip them back ready for new seals, bleed nipples, pins and paint. A word of warning for anyone considering used Renaultsport Brembo's the pad pins weld themselves to the caliper and are a pig to remove, one needed the angle grinder.
A few more from Oulton.
A few more from Oulton.
I had my second track day at Oulton Park back in April with Open track, the weather was a mixed bag and conditions deteriorated throughout the day with a dry track greeting us on arrival and monsoon conditions slowing down play for most of the afternoon. I really started to get a feel for the car and the track on this occasion, pushing far harder than on the last outing and shaving a whopping 10 seconds or so off my lap times in the process. I took instruction mid morning and the difference was night and day, the instructor was quite complimentary which gave me the confidence I required to push myself and the car that little bit further, great way to improve your track driving and I will be booking some further instruction for my next session on the 17th July.
I had some enjoyable tussles with my friend throughout the day in his mildly modified mk3 Focus ST and they seemed quite evenly matched around Oulton, given he’s got far more track experience an extra 40 or so bhp and 100’s more torques I was impressed by that.
Some photos
I’ve also been busy getting the Brembo calipers rebuilt in preparation for fitting when it goes for it’s annual service, MOT later this month. New seals, bleed nipples, pins, paint and decals later they are finally ready for fitting.
And a photo of the new PBS pads alongside the OEM Honda Pad, should make a noticeable difference to it’s stopping performance as the standard set up isn’t really up to it.
I had some enjoyable tussles with my friend throughout the day in his mildly modified mk3 Focus ST and they seemed quite evenly matched around Oulton, given he’s got far more track experience an extra 40 or so bhp and 100’s more torques I was impressed by that.
Some photos
I’ve also been busy getting the Brembo calipers rebuilt in preparation for fitting when it goes for it’s annual service, MOT later this month. New seals, bleed nipples, pins, paint and decals later they are finally ready for fitting.
And a photo of the new PBS pads alongside the OEM Honda Pad, should make a noticeable difference to it’s stopping performance as the standard set up isn’t really up to it.
My EP3 is now sat at a car dealership looking for a new home and I’ve purchased a FK2 Civic Type R to replace it. It was a sad day saying goodbye to the Civic it’s treated me exceptionally well over the last couple of years or so, it was superb fun on track and the many B road hoons around North Wales and the Peak District.
I only have the one photo of the new car and I stole that from the previous owner who’s now moved onto the latest Type R, I collect on Friday and will start a thread for the new car after I’ve got some better photographs.
It’s first track outing will be on the 17th July at Oulton Park.
I only have the one photo of the new car and I stole that from the previous owner who’s now moved onto the latest Type R, I collect on Friday and will start a thread for the new car after I’ve got some better photographs.
It’s first track outing will be on the 17th July at Oulton Park.
Very nice upgrade, the FK2 has really grown on me.. partly because the FK8 is so extreme!!
Did you strip the modifications off the EP3 before it went because unless it was a real performance specialist then surely the trade value would have been a pretty tough pill to swallow?!
Look forward to seeing the new thread and some great photos of the new car.
Did you strip the modifications off the EP3 before it went because unless it was a real performance specialist then surely the trade value would have been a pretty tough pill to swallow?!
Look forward to seeing the new thread and some great photos of the new car.
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