Back in a Honda, EP3 Civic Type R
Discussion
After a mate informed me of a well cared for and extensively modified EP3 was for sale on a Facebook page I decided to part with my Racing Blue 182 Clio Cup. I loved the little clio but it was rather fragile, it seemed to develop a new fault every time I got in it and it was taking the shine off the experience. I've experienced the k20 in the FN2 and it's a fantastic engine matted to one of the sweetest gearboxes around so I had an idea of what to expect.
The car in question was only around the corner from where I live and it really is immaculate for it's age and mileage. The list of modifications are as follows;
Hondata kpro ecu.
DC sport manifold.
Mugen twin loop exhaust.
Team Mfactory LSD.
PRC intake manifold.
Larger throttle body.
Hel braided brake lines.
JDM rear roll bar.
Cusco front upper strut brace.
Eibach springs, camber bolts and arm's with a frsu by ABP Motorsport.
Tegiwa radiator hose kit.
It's currently producing 243 BHP at 8400 RPM and 174 lbft at 5700 RPM to bore you with the figures.
A few photographs from the advert below.
The plan for now is just to enjoy it with a track day or two next year and the possibility of uprated cams and a baffled sump as future upgrades, thanks for reading.
The car in question was only around the corner from where I live and it really is immaculate for it's age and mileage. The list of modifications are as follows;
Hondata kpro ecu.
DC sport manifold.
Mugen twin loop exhaust.
Team Mfactory LSD.
PRC intake manifold.
Larger throttle body.
Hel braided brake lines.
JDM rear roll bar.
Cusco front upper strut brace.
Eibach springs, camber bolts and arm's with a frsu by ABP Motorsport.
Tegiwa radiator hose kit.
It's currently producing 243 BHP at 8400 RPM and 174 lbft at 5700 RPM to bore you with the figures.
A few photographs from the advert below.
The plan for now is just to enjoy it with a track day or two next year and the possibility of uprated cams and a baffled sump as future upgrades, thanks for reading.
I've already said it Chris but it's in safe hands, it really is a credit to you, you will have somewhere to keep up with it's progress on here too. 
In terms of performance I've not really stretched it's legs yet, but it does seem to have a noticeable amount more grunt lower down the rev range than a standard k20 which should make the run to work a little more relaxing, I will report back after a few weeks on it's performance higher up the rev range but as per most of the n/a Type R's and looking at the dyno graph the fireworks are at the top end. I'm yet to really consider future modifications but a mate had a different final drive in his FN2 and he rated it quite highly so it's something to pop on the list.
In terms of performance I've not really stretched it's legs yet, but it does seem to have a noticeable amount more grunt lower down the rev range than a standard k20 which should make the run to work a little more relaxing, I will report back after a few weeks on it's performance higher up the rev range but as per most of the n/a Type R's and looking at the dyno graph the fireworks are at the top end. I'm yet to really consider future modifications but a mate had a different final drive in his FN2 and he rated it quite highly so it's something to pop on the list.
u04pww2 said:
Very similar mods to mine, i'm running 245hp and 174lbft, bought it with all the mods already done which saved alot of money and it had been very well cared for by previous owner. I always buy on condition rather than mileage.
Biggest suprise for me was the torque as they always get slated for having none however the gearing and throttle response are perfect and rarely am i left behind by any diesel rep mobiles on my daily 60 mile commute.
In terms of outright performance its around 205Hp/Tonne which is on par with the Mrk2 Focus RS, it suprises quite a few cars. The only thing i don't like about it is the electric steering which is pretty numb.
I'm also thinking about cams like yourself but not sure if its worth the money, tempted to Rotrex it instead.
They are quite expensive for a modest increase, you could probably pick up a used supercharger for similar money, I would quite like to keep it n/a though.Biggest suprise for me was the torque as they always get slated for having none however the gearing and throttle response are perfect and rarely am i left behind by any diesel rep mobiles on my daily 60 mile commute.
In terms of outright performance its around 205Hp/Tonne which is on par with the Mrk2 Focus RS, it suprises quite a few cars. The only thing i don't like about it is the electric steering which is pretty numb.
I'm also thinking about cams like yourself but not sure if its worth the money, tempted to Rotrex it instead.
I had a few spare hours today so I decided to head to Wales with the camera, flask and box of sandwiches. The car performed superbly, more than fast enough for the road and really useable performance without fear of risking my license to have fun. The extra power over the standard model makes a huge difference and from a little over 5000rpm it pulls extremely well all the way to nearly 9000, the induction roar is somewhat addictive.
Anyway I covered the usual hotspots, evo triangle, b4391 etc. They are starting to get quite slippery in places but it's worth a trip just for the scenery.
Anyway I covered the usual hotspots, evo triangle, b4391 etc. They are starting to get quite slippery in places but it's worth a trip just for the scenery.
I've now covered just over a thousand miles since picking it up so figured I would do a little update. It drives superbly, agile, sharp and the power builds to a frantic surge at the top end, the noise is delightful and it never fails to raise a smile.
The suspension will require attention in the not so distant future, the ride height is a little low so speed bumps need to be avoided, any suggestions on this front would be appreciated? I'm torn between getting the 15mm eibach pro kit or meister r coilovers which have a good reputation on the Honda forums.
Here's a few more photos.
The suspension will require attention in the not so distant future, the ride height is a little low so speed bumps need to be avoided, any suggestions on this front would be appreciated? I'm torn between getting the 15mm eibach pro kit or meister r coilovers which have a good reputation on the Honda forums.
Here's a few more photos.
Cheers, it's currently got the Eibach sportlines and it's just a little too low, the speed bumps aren't a massive issue as I can generally avoid them but we reguarly stay with my wife's dad in Cornwall and the car will need to be used on occasion for the journey, unfortunately it won't get down his driveway in current state. The prokit should sit at least 15 mm higher which will give me the clearance required, a few friends have suggested coilovers but im sceptical about how they will perform on the road, for a start meister are advising 8kg front and 14kg rear spring rates for road use which seems excessive.
Martin_Hx said:
We are coming down to Cornwall this year to stay with family in Bodmin, can you please get the car ready for summer please Butterface, so you can take me for a spin? 
EP3 looks great in those pics MR, really need to take mine for a thrashing, might take it to Cornwall this year (usually take different cars) or could be the SLK, my EP3 just about made it to Bodmin on one tank from West Yorkshire last time i took it down but i chickened out and bought some petrol on the A30
Cheers Martin, that's good to know I should make it without stopping for a fill up, some good roads in Cornwall it can just get really busy at times. EP3 looks great in those pics MR, really need to take mine for a thrashing, might take it to Cornwall this year (usually take different cars) or could be the SLK, my EP3 just about made it to Bodmin on one tank from West Yorkshire last time i took it down but i chickened out and bought some petrol on the A30
I've finally got around to taking some photographs of the interior.
The car is running superbly and I've now covered nearly 5,000 fault free miles including a few runs to Wales. It will be getting a good service in the next month or so and I'm going to be booking a few trackdays for later in the year.
The car is running superbly and I've now covered nearly 5,000 fault free miles including a few runs to Wales. It will be getting a good service in the next month or so and I'm going to be booking a few trackdays for later in the year.
Sillyhatday said:
Very nice. I forgot how spartan they are inside. Which is quite nice coming from more modern cars.
I always thought that the EP3 had a different gear gaiter material. I thought the lower models had a rubber boot. Interesting
Some days I miss my EP
Cheers, it makes a pleasant change from my wife's Mini Clubman that's got buttons and screens everywhere, no distractions just get in and drive. I'm not too sure on the gear gaiter I know it's common for people to change them though.I always thought that the EP3 had a different gear gaiter material. I thought the lower models had a rubber boot. Interesting
Some days I miss my EP
culpz said:
That's a properly nice example there! Decent mods and well cared for clearly. It's hard to find in fast Honda's these days.
How does it compare to the 182, mods aside? I've always wanted a Clio 172/182 but i'm just a bit put off by the same reason you made the change to this EP3. They do seem very fragile. I've never been that keen on Honda's but these do seem to be a good balance of performance and reliability, which is ideal really.
The Clio's are great fun and in standard form I would take a 172/182 over the ep3 on driving experience alone, there's a lot that the ep3 does better, comfort, reliability, engine, gearbox it's an all together better package but it's not as composed when the going gets really tough on a b road with bumps, dips, camber changes etc. On a track I think the ep3 would have the upper hand however and you would never really have to worry about it letting you down.How does it compare to the 182, mods aside? I've always wanted a Clio 172/182 but i'm just a bit put off by the same reason you made the change to this EP3. They do seem very fragile. I've never been that keen on Honda's but these do seem to be a good balance of performance and reliability, which is ideal really.
Definitely give a Clio a go they are superb and if you are handy with the spanners keeping on top of things isn't too difficult.
It's fast approaching Mot and service time and up until now it's cost me two bulbs so I've decided to treat it to a couple of upgrades while it's in with Grinspeed. First off is suspension, the eibach springs on stock shocks are great for comfort but they rub occasionally on the driver's side front arch so I've been looking around at something adjustable. The options are endless in this regard but one company always gets recommended so I've ordered a set of Meister CRD coilovers with 8kg front and 12kg rear spring rates. I've been passenger in an FN2 with these fitted and they certainly seem impressive.
I've also decided to get a Clockwise motion baffled sump fitted at the same time, the temptation to get a few trackday's in needs addressing and with these engines suffering from oil starvation I'd rather be safe than sorry, oil and filter are included in the cost so it makes sense to do it at service time, It's booked in on the 18th of July.
Some more photos from recent trips, my favourite being a late night run around North Wales, I couldn't sleep so what better way to kill some time.
I've also decided to get a Clockwise motion baffled sump fitted at the same time, the temptation to get a few trackday's in needs addressing and with these engines suffering from oil starvation I'd rather be safe than sorry, oil and filter are included in the cost so it makes sense to do it at service time, It's booked in on the 18th of July.
Some more photos from recent trips, my favourite being a late night run around North Wales, I couldn't sleep so what better way to kill some time.
Butter Face said:
Still looks super clean mate!
I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on the Miesters, I may go for coilovers this year..
Cheers mate, good to see some progress on yours, I bet it goes really well now.I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on the Miesters, I may go for coilovers this year..
I should be down your way at the end of July, if I'm in this your welcome to sit passenger to get a feel for them. I'm a little sceptical on the spring rates given stock are supposed to be around 5kg f 7kg r give or take but Jerrick at Meister and Steve at Grinspeed have assured me they are spot on so we will see how they fare.
Butter Face said:
Looks great mate, how does that Mugen exhaust sound? Let me know if you are down this way at all!
It's quite subdued to be honest, probably a touch louder than the stock system when pottering around and then gets more vocal in vtec, I'm not keen on anything anti social so it's perfect for me.I will be down towards the end of the month, not sure if I will be in the civic yet as my Wife hates it, I will drop you a message when I'm down.
It was the big day yesterday, Meister dampers, clockwise motion baffled sump, full set up and Mot. It was rather a long day but the results were well worth it and Grinspeed were excellent, I know it's been said on many previous occasions and it's becoming a cliche but they worked tirelessly throughout the heat were incredibly thorough, never seen mechanics clean so often, fantastic service. 👍
I knew I was in safe hands when they took one look at the car and said "it's too low", it's rubbed occasionally since I've had it and the shocks were past their best, so we agreed to raise it 10-15mm, it was also running far too much camber on the front so this was addressed during the set up.
I've been one of the biggest sceptics of using adjustable coilovers on a road/occasionally track car but first impressions are positive, it's set at about the half way point in terms of adjustment and it certainly feels a touch stiffer but the damping is far superior so the ride quality is actually better than the eibach springs on stock shocks. Turn in as improved despite running less camber and it's added some feel through the steering which is a massive benefit in the EP3, it's early days but I'm massively impressed.
The baffled sump went in without issue, Steve did notice some paint from the rocker cover in the sump on removal so something to keep an eye on but at least it wasn't in the pick up feed.
I will report back on the Meisters in a few weeks when I've lived with them for a bit.
Some photo's.
I knew I was in safe hands when they took one look at the car and said "it's too low", it's rubbed occasionally since I've had it and the shocks were past their best, so we agreed to raise it 10-15mm, it was also running far too much camber on the front so this was addressed during the set up.
I've been one of the biggest sceptics of using adjustable coilovers on a road/occasionally track car but first impressions are positive, it's set at about the half way point in terms of adjustment and it certainly feels a touch stiffer but the damping is far superior so the ride quality is actually better than the eibach springs on stock shocks. Turn in as improved despite running less camber and it's added some feel through the steering which is a massive benefit in the EP3, it's early days but I'm massively impressed.
The baffled sump went in without issue, Steve did notice some paint from the rocker cover in the sump on removal so something to keep an eye on but at least it wasn't in the pick up feed.
I will report back on the Meisters in a few weeks when I've lived with them for a bit.
Some photo's.
I took the ep3 along to Mimms Honda Day at Rockingham on Sunday, I thoroughly enjoyed it, some fantastic builds and something for everyone.
Some photographs.
My car's hiding amongst them, full album's here.
https://flic.kr/s/aHsm5fEFdn
Some photographs.
My car's hiding amongst them, full album's here.
https://flic.kr/s/aHsm5fEFdn
Edited by MRobbins1987 on Wednesday 26th July 14:06
Edited by MRobbins1987 on Wednesday 26th July 14:07
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff