OEM+ Style Build

[HKSpeed]

Here's my 2024 Civic Sport 2.0.

Backstory on the car:
I bought in July 2024. I planned to buy a new car in 2025, then I read news that Honda would discontinue manuals in non-turbo Civics for 2025. So I had to act fast before 2024s sold out.

Modifications:
I prefer OEM+ styling for my cars. I admire aggressive stance, wheels, and bodykits on other people’s cars, but I don’t want the hassles that come with it. I prefer subtle modifications that only car enthusiasts notice. I don't want attention from everyone, especially those who don't care about cars (like my wife and mother ?). I park outside every night, so I avoid modifications (e.g., legit wheels) that attract thieves.

The first thing I did was install a lip from eBay. Then tint (20%). Then I lowered it 1.4” on H&R Super Sport springs. I bought the springs used on FB Marketplace for $100 before I bought the car. I met the seller at the dealership while I was negotiating! ? Then I added an eBay trunk spoiler. Next I looked around for OEM+ wheels. Very few Honda/Acura options available because many are now 5x120. I don’t want to install spacers or adapters. I like 19” 2020 Accord Touring wheels, but they are hard to find. I learned Tesla Model 3 wheels are 5x114.3 and 64.1 center bore (same as Honda). Model 3s are abundant in my area (Los Angeles) and I found many for sale. I found this set for $600 with almost new tires. Compared to the stock 18” Civic sport wheel, the Model 3 wheel is lighter (7 lbs), wider (half inch), and stick out 18mm. I don’t care for the included Lexani tires, but they are stock Civic size: 235/40/18. Model 3 tires are taller 235/45. The Model 3 wheel is like an improved OEM+ version of the stock Civic 18” wheel. I have blank covers for the center caps and black lug nuts. I’m done with mods for now. I’ll consider a rear sway bar with end links and an exhaust if I find a really good deal. Maybe a subtle/clean rear lower diffuser if I get an exhaust.

Past cars:
My previous car was a 2017 Hyundai Elantra GT lowered on H&R Sport springs, KYB shocks, and 18” Genesis wheels with lower/RWD offsets (stock Elantras came with 16” and 17”).

Before the Elantra, I had a Scion TC on Tein coilovers and 18” SSR Professor SP1 and Volk Racing CE28n wheels.

20 years ago I had a S13 with SR20 and Silvia front conversion. That's my old Scion TC with it was new.

Before I divorced, I lowered my then-wife's Mazda3 on Eibach springs and 18" Mazda RX8 wheels.

Back in the early 2000s I had a MK3 GTI on ST coilovers and ABT A23 wheels.

 

[MrBBQ]

Looks good, OEM+ ftw! Nice rides you had previously. I'm still contemplating if I should lower my FL5 or not. My last 3 cars were lowered, but it is so nice not taking up the whole driveway upon entry or exit.

 

[HKSpeed]

Looks good, OEM+ ftw! Nice rides you had previously. I'm still contemplating if I should lower my FL5 or not. My last 3 cars were lowered, but it is so nice not taking up the whole driveway upon entry or exit.

Thanks! How much do most springs lower FL5s? The stock height and wheels look so good, I would just install front and side lips.

 

[MrBBQ]

Thanks! How much do most springs lower FL5s? The stock height and wheels look so good, I would just install front and side lips.

They mostly average an inch drop. The car does look a bit high but I just love the practicality of stock height. I am going to a Type R meet for the 1st time this Sunday, so seeing other FL5's mods and how they look lowered might just change my mind. ?

 

[naafl5]

Looks great!

Curious what you meant by...

I want to avoid the added cost and maintenance of a turbocharged vehicle.

 

[HKSpeed]

Looks great!

Curious what you meant by...

Thanks. If I owned a turbo Civic, I would always use premium fuel and change the oil every 7,500 miles with a premium synthetic. With my NA Civic I use 87 fuel and I'll use Costco or Walmart synthetic (both made by Warren) every 10,000 miles. That's what I did with my previous cars. I keep my cars for around 12 years and 150K miles. In that time I'd rebuild or replace the turbo (check for shaft play every 3 oil changes). Turbos create additional heat, which deteriorates the rubbers and plastics under the hood quicker. Last month my brother in-law investigated a boost leak on his BMW N54. I just want a daily driver with minimal maintenance. That's why I won't buy European again! ? If I leased a turbo Civic or plan to get a new car in 3 years, then I wouldn't mind the added costs.

Do turbo car owners still use turbo timers?

 

[naafl5]

Thanks. If I owned a turbo Civic, I would always use premium fuel and change the oil every 7,500 miles with a premium synthetic. With my NA Civic I use 87 fuel and I'll use Costco or Walmart synthetic (both made by Warren) every 10,000 miles. That's what I did with my previous cars. I keep my cars for around 12 years and 150K miles. In that time I'd rebuild or replace the turbo (check for shaft play every 3 oil changes). Turbos create additional heat, which deteriorates the rubbers and plastics under the hood quicker. Last month my brother in-law investigated a boost leak on his BMW N54. I just want a daily driver with minimal maintenance. That's why I won't buy European again! ? If I leased a turbo Civic or plan to get a new car in 3 years, then I wouldn't mind the added costs.

Do turbo car owners still use turbo timers?

I think they days of turbo timers are long gone for modern turbos. Best practice will always be best practice since the first principles don't change, the resilience to abuse changes. If you consider the fact that many smaller displacement engines now come with turbos to make up for the power loss it has come a long way to make it more accessible.

 

[madbikes]

Do turbo car owners still use turbo timers?

I almost never see one. Nowadays turbocharged engines came water-cooled, so you don't see many people install one. If anything, you just take your sweet time to unbuckle, get your belongings or have a quick stretch after a drive, then turn your car off. You just saved a couple hundred bucks unless you want the convenience to walk away from the car.

 

[Tougefl5]

They mostly average an inch drop. The car does look a bit high but I just love the practicality of stock height. I am going to a Type R meet for the 1st time this Sunday, so seeing other FL5's mods and how they look lowered might just change my mind. ?

Down the rabbit hole you go. Remember just bring your credit card lol

 

[ItsMeNickG]

Thanks. If I owned a turbo Civic, I would always use premium fuel and change the oil every 7,500 miles with a premium synthetic. With my NA Civic I use 87 fuel and I'll use Costco or Walmart synthetic (both made by Warren) every 10,000 miles. That's what I did with my previous cars. I keep my cars for around 12 years and 150K miles. In that time I'd rebuild or replace the turbo (check for shaft play every 3 oil changes). Turbos create additional heat, which deteriorates the rubbers and plastics under the hood quicker. Last month my brother in-law investigated a boost leak on his BMW N54. I just want a daily driver with minimal maintenance. That's why I won't buy European again! ? If I leased a turbo Civic or plan to get a new car in 3 years, then I wouldn't mind the added costs.

Do turbo car owners still use turbo timers?

Man, haven’t heard anyone mention turbo timers for a while. Those were the days when people wondered why the car was still running when you casually walk away from it ? .

 

[HKSpeed]

I bought a stock 2.0 airbox with a K&N OEM-style filter on FB Marketplace for $40. I planned to do a swiss cheese airbox mod, which I did on my past cars. The stock airbox requires incoming air to make 90 and 180 degree turns before entering the engine. I realized I could make an opening within the airbox to create a direct pathway. After I installed the modified airbox and K&N filter, I hear a minor increase in intake noise. Car doesn't feel any different. Maybe I'll get the PRL intake hose.

The bottom of the airbox has two holes (both connected) that attach to a resonator box. I can't access the bolts to remove the resonator box. This video shows how to remove it on a 1.5T by peeling back the driver's side wheel well. I could attach a hose from the driver's side fog light hole (my car doesn't have fog lights) to the bottom of the stock airbox. PRL makes an optional duct for their 1.5T airbox, but not for their 2.0 box. I wonder if PRL found the 2.0 doesn't have enough intake vacuum pressure to benefit from an add-on duct to their airbox. ?‍? The 2.0 must suck at sucking in air. ?

 

[HKSpeed]

Installed an Invidia Q300 exhaust today. I prefer a stainless steel Spam-can shaped muffler design. ? Invidia Q300 was the only exhaust of that style I found for FL Civics. Most others have a N1 style (long and narrow) muffler design. My car is a 2.0, so it's single muffler. Invidia makes a dual muffler Q300 for the 15T. Here's a video of it. A muffler shop must modify the piping to connect with the downpipe. Do 2.0 cars have a muffler hanger on the driver's side? ?‍ The sound level is not loud, but not quiet either. I don't want a loud exhaust. It is the loudest at 1500-2000RPM. I modified the stock rear diffuser with a Dremel and sandpaper to fit the exhaust.

My only complaint is the tip sticks out too far. This exhaust must be designed for a sedan. I later learned the sedan is five inches longer than the hatchback (184 vs 179 inches according to Honda).

I bought it here for $491, plus tax and free shipping. I'm not sponsored nor affiliated with them. They were the best price I found.

 

[HKSpeed]

Installed an Acuity short shifter. I notice the claimed 20% reduction in throw. There's a 20% increase in resistance going in/out of gear. Makes the shifting experience shorter and notchier (requires more physical effort to put in/out of gear). I didn't install any other shifter mods.

 

[HKSpeed]

Swapped air filters: K&N to AEM. Been using a K&N for a month. I had K&N filters in the 90's and 00's. I didn't like how they need to be oiled. My previous car had an AEM, which doesn't need oil. I read online K&N bought AEM many years ago, and K&N made AEM's filters before the merger. ? Both websites state cotton gauze is the filter material.

K&N left. AEM right.

 

[HKSpeed]

Installed 2 parts today.

1. PRL intake hose for 2.0. This was an impulse buy after seeing it on sale for Black Friday ($12 off). Two months ago I cut hole in the stock airbox to allow direct airflow. Today I cleaned up the hole with a Dremel and sandpaper.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Whiteline rear mount insert. My car is a daily commuter, so I wanted to avoid mounts that add NVH/vibrations. I chose Whiteline after reading Unity Performance's comparison of the Whiteline and Perrin inserts. I did not buy mine from Unity. I am very satisfied with the Whiteline insert. I noticed the tiniest vibration at idle and while driving. There is major vibration in reverse. The engine rocking motion is gone at start-up and during gear shifts. I don't drive aggressively enough to experience wheel-hop, so I don't know if this eliminates it.