Civic Sport 2013 upgrade ideas

[mtfreestyler]

Hey Guys,

Has anyone with the 2013 Civic sedan made any upgrades or mods to their cars?
I'm looking to see what I can do to mine in the future and some ideas would really help.

Especially to get rid of the acceleration lag if that is possible

Thanks

[Grayfox]

When you mod your car it should be to your taste and unique to you.

People add rims
You can add a K&N induction kit
Some have added new suspension
Some people have added bodykits

Start off slow.

[curtis265]

acceleration lag is a result of the DBW system, there are easy fixes such as those shadow e throttle things to full ECU replacements.. up to you how far you wan to go with it

[mtfreestyler]

It will be a very slow start.
Most likely add a subwoofer first because that spectrum of the sound is lacking only slightly.
It's the harder stuff I need ideas for because this is my first car and also there aren't to many mods that I have seen to base what I like off
I will be looking for performance based mods though mainly

Do you know of any cars that are a good example for me to look at?

[mtfreestyler]

@curtis I know some of those words :P

Can you please explain what they are? Consider me 100% noob to cars/car parts in general

[Grayfox]

DWS is Drive by Wire System.

Basically instead of using a throttle cable to adjust the throttle plate.
It uses a electric signal that goes to the Electronic Control Unit(ECU) which then sends a signal to the throttle plate which is controlled by a motor which takes time to open and close on standard cars due to the motor being used(these are used for economy) and the throttle map used by the ECU which are again mainly designed for economy.

If you are going to get new wheels try to get the ones that are the most light.

The less weight on the wheels, the better the handling will be.
Which can make a car feel nicer or sluggish.

Replacing the ECU with a performance one or remapping it is one way to reduce the lag.

[mtfreestyler]

Thanks heaps. I understand now what the acronyms are and how they affect the car.
I do like the economy that the ECU gives me though. Is there a possibility that you can make the sports mode on the shifter be less lag but regular drive mode unchanged?

[Honda_FD]

Me personally would start off with comfort and entertainment.
Like a Sound System, HIDs, Intake, Wheels or a Lowered Suspension.

Heaps to stuff to do. Just need to know where to begin and where to look.
You'll get the hang of it when you start to modify a car. Doesnt come over night

[mtfreestyler]

Yeah I'm expecting it to be learnt over many mistakes. Which scares me a bit because I don't want to damage too much.
Where to look seems to be the hardest right now since not many people have the newer model and especially not the sport like I do (I believe most people think it's a waste of money as it's not really sporty at all)

I think on the list might be
Sound
ECU tuning
lights
maybe a spoiler if I see a good example of it not looking too ricer. I wish there was a good simulator so I could see what it looked like before buying one
Turbo if possible

This will obviously take a while to acquire both money and skills

[curtis265]

Just FYI - if you want a fast car you're better off with a genuine sports car, i know it's new and nice and all but it's still a SOHC upside down VTEC engine, so don't expect a lot with tuning or you'll be disappointed. You're best off with turbo if you want to go fast.

I would personally make it look 'stock but not stock' with subtle things lke an OEM bodykit, clean looking wheels and having it slightly lowered.

Just think it through and decide whether you like the mod enough to 1) spend the money, b) put up with the impracticality it might add, and most importantly c) if you like it, do it. it's your car afterall

[Grayfox]

Also dont install HIDs.

If you get the wrong bulb you will cause nothing but glare

[Fredoops]

Ultimately turning a R20A is an uphill battle (or any R series really)

Although the latest Honda's all have CANBUS communication to the ECU system (in theory making tuning much easier via the OBD2 port).

Not that many companies are interested in providing tuning options, in fact i dont think there are anyone who provides tuning solutions for an R other than old fashioned piggybacking.

[Grayfox]

Ultimately turning a R20A is an uphill battle (or any R series really)

Although the latest Honda's all have CANBUS communication to the ECU system (in theory making tuning much easier via the OBD2 port).

Not that many companies are interested in providing tuning options, in fact i dont think there are anyone who provides tuning solutions for an R other than old fashioned piggybacking.

Not in australia anyway.

In the UK there are companies that offer full remaps for the N22A1 Diesel civic hatch
With a stage 2 remap it can beat a stock type R just because it has way more torque.

[Fredoops]

Not in australia anyway.

In the UK there are companies that offer full remaps for the N22A1 Diesel civic hatch
With a stage 2 remap it can beat a stock type R just because it has way more torque.


Honda Diesels use Bosch systems, from injection down to ECU, so you tune a honda diesel the same way you chip tune a BMW diesel (similar/identical components)

Petrol engines is a whole different story.

[davek]

If you want to see pics of 9th gen civics, go to http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/and there is a sister forum for 9th gen civics.
I would recommend a throttle controller, I fitted one to my 09 VTIL, it makes the car feel more responsive. From what I understand regarding the DBW system, when you put your foot down 10% you don't necessarily get 10% of go. Throttle controller fixes this quick smart.
Get some wheels, get a tint. Look at some pics, have a think, lots of good info on this forum.
I think the new Civic Sport is a great car.

[mtfreestyler]

Yeah I'm not expecting too much of a tune up but I'd like some more acceleration for sure. I have more of a minimalist style to the "stock but not stock" look would suit me. Just not lowering because I love hitting speed bumps at more than 2km/h.

I'm guessing this piggyback stuff is a pain in the ass to do.

I'm pretty happy with the bulbs now really. It would be a purely aesthetic change if I did.

[*DAN*]

I've got a 2013 Civic as well, except I have a vti and not a sport.

You could always get coils and rims, maybe some sway bars and all as well. No point trying to mod the engine too much since Aus models come with the R20 instead of the K24 like the American models.

Could also get some sort of exhaust if you wanted some noise. I know 8th gen cat backs fit on the 9th gen vti's but im not too sure on the sport models. Could always get custom made instead though and it shouldn't cost too much depending on where you go

[Honda_FD]

I've got a 2013 Civic as well

Dan, Mate. https://www.facebook.com/groups/792244690790467/?fref=ts
Join up. Introduce yourself. And attend meets! Most of the guys on there are my friends
and most of them live in the westside. Most meets are held near Amart in Braybrook!

I better see you there next meet!

[*DAN*]

Dan, Mate. https://www.facebook.com/groups/792244690790467/?fref=ts
Join up. Introduce yourself. And attend meets! Most of the guys on there are my friends
and most of them live in the westside. Most meets are held near Amart in Braybrook!

I better see you there next meet!

Haha thanks mate!! Probably won't introduce myself since i find that sort of stuff a bit embarrassing, did join though! Will rock up to meets when i start modding my car

[Honda_FD]

Haha thanks mate!! Probably won't introduce myself since i find that sort of stuff a bit embarrassing, did join though! Will rock up to meets when i start modding my car

Lol. You dont necessarily need a "Modified" car to attend meet. Come, Kick Back, Meet new people. Talk shit about cars.
I dont really go myself as it gets boring really quick. But Yeah... PM Me and add me on facebook!

[*DAN*]

Lol. You dont necessarily need a "Modified" car to attend meet. Come, Kick Back, Meet new people. Talk shit about cars.
I dont really go myself as it gets boring really quick. But Yeah... PM Me and add me on facebook!

haha more personal preference if anything, prefer not to rock up in a stock car

pm sent!

[jprak]

bodykit, love the mugen kit on the 2013 civics

http://performancedrive.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Mugen-2013-Honda-Civic-sedan-styling-kit.jpg

http://content.worldcarfans.co/2013/6/24/big/205660197542659340.jpg

[nedkerry]

Drive the car for a month and get a feel to see what needs an immediate update.

Just from what I've read, don't rush into the subwoofer - get the head unit changed first, so you have a cleaner delivery of sound to the speakers. For all you know, that upgrade may be more than enough for you.

I bought the D1 Spec Throttle Controller for about $120 off eBay for my 8th Gen, which suffers the same input lag as the 9th Gen. This device helped immensely. I'd suggest upgrading the tires with it too so your tires don't end up squealing all over the place when you adjust the throttle sensitivity, assuming you're going to be revving harder.


Ultimately turning a R20A is an uphill battle (or any R series really)

Although the latest Honda's all have CANBUS communication to the ECU system (in theory making tuning much easier via the OBD2 port).

Not that many companies are interested in providing tuning options, in fact i dont think there are anyone who provides tuning solutions for an R other than old fashioned piggybacking.
IIRC, the AU ECU is locked and can't be tuned directly (i.e., with a Hondata). You have to buy a US ECU and get someone to tune it which is around $1200-$1500 all up. However, you can use piggyback tuners. I've still yet to find a useful one.

[Honda_FD]

I bought the D1 Spec Throttle Controller for about $120 off eBay for my 8th Gen, which suffers the same input lag as the 9th Gen. This device helped immensely. I'd suggest upgrading the tires with it too so your tires don't end up squealing all over the place when you adjust the throttle sensitivity, assuming you're going to be revving harder.

Off topic. Did the Throttle Control actually make a big difference?
My FD2 has a delay from complete stop. I was looking into buying but wasnt sure if it was worth it.
Sell me yours? :D

[nedkerry]

Off topic. Did the Throttle Control actually make a big difference?
My FD2 has a delay from complete stop. I was looking into buying but wasnt sure if it was worth it.
Sell me yours? :D

Yeah it made a big difference. I tried a few times to drive without it, but the input lag was too annoying! Although there's no horsepower gain, you certainly get a responsive throttle!
Sorry, I can't sell it! I can't go back to driving without it haha :P
If you want to try it out before buying it, drop me a PM. Happy to meet up if you want to install it on yours (it's only a 5 minute job).

The only downside to the D1Spec model is that the LCD screen doesn't turn off immediately unless you unplug it manually. However, it doesn't drain the battery to the point that it runs out of juice though. Maybe mine's a dodgy model.