EP3 Civic Si

[1993 CB7 LX]

So, ive been looking into these and im liking them more and more. im just wondering how the k20 in this one compares to the 06-11 si's. i know it only has 160hp, but is the vtec as loud? are they decently reliable? any insight would be great!

[Jarrett]

Your first question is in regard to the noise the VTEC system makes when it engages? Just get a speaker under your hood and trigger it with an RPM signal.

It's a totally different K20. The K20A3 does not use VTEc on the exhaust cam, has a much weaker rotating assembly, has crappy pistons designed around efficiency and is not going to be a great base from which to build.

It's only as reliable as its previous owners have allowed it to be with proper maintenance.

[itstatcb7kid707]

Vtec, gets louder when installing an aftermarket intake system.

The a3 is slower then the z1. Like any K motor they respond well with bolt ons and k pro.

If you get a 02-04 you can have the ecu re-flashed instead of it being 'chipped'

They are really fun to drive and handle amazing.

[1993 CB7 LX]

ive been doing some reading and it seems to me that its more of an ecomnomy motor, like you said. i dont understand why honda would so that in an si. ive heard that they handle really well and the rear wheel will come off the ground i some cases. looks pretty fun. ive also been reading about the headswaps that you can do, but a lot of people on the ep3 forums say its unreliable. should i just start looking for 06 and up?

[Accrdwgnguy]

06 and up is the way to go. Better looks, better engine, factory installed LSD. You can't beat it. My buddy DD an 06 Si, great all around car.

[1993 CB7 LX]

a little off topic, but has anyone had any experience with the r engines they put in the 06 and up non si civics? im looking for something newer that i can daily drive

[Joey GT-R]

Why can't you DD a K20Zx? Beware of the early R18s, I saw them coming in all the time when I worked for Honda.

[1993 CB7 LX]

what were they coming in for?

[Joey GT-R]

Anything and everything, but mostly the blocks were failing. And these are regular street cars that old timers are barely pushing past 3500rpm. Techs said that 09+ got somewhat better, but previous years were garbage.

[1993 CB7 LX]

wow thats crazy

[CyborgGT]

Having an A3 in my RSX, I can say it's a good little engine. For my purpose of a daily driver, it's smooth and great on gas. After driving an H22 for a while, there are times I wish for more power, but I really don't care to boost mine. You don't feel VTEC in these, by the way, it kicks in at 2200. If you're still considering that chassis, I'd recommend looking around ClubRSX.com - they also have a sister EP3 site. It can be a very anti-Base model forum sometimes, but a few people on there have built up their A3s with good success, so as far as that goes it sounds like an underrated engine (much like Honda's older single cam motors were before they suddenly gained a lot of attention these last couple years).

[deevergote]

Just about everyone I know with an EP3 has been disappointed. Most sold after just a year or two.

I saw some at Honda Day running 14s and 15s... with turbos.



They're not total crap, but they're probably the least loved Civic Si models (until the current model... I have a feeling the current 2.4L model is going to be regarded as a major flub on Honda's part.)
The only EP3 I ever liked was the one Skunk2 built for a Super Street Magazine challenge.

[Accrdwgnguy]

ugly, AND slow. Whats not to like?

I'll say it again, just get the 06+ Si. Better engine, LSD, console mounted shifter, and just looks better. You pay more, but you get more.

[deevergote]

Only with the K20. The K24 sucks, from what I've heard (and it was from owequitit, who isn't one to knock an Si without good cause!)

I don't despise the look of the EP3, though it's not the cool hatchback that the previous models were. I MIGHT actually prefer the look to the later models... but I certainly prefer the performance of the later models!

[crazymikey]

It's a cool, quirky car, but it's built in the era of the 7th gen Civic, which was a total fail in the enthusiast department.

Like Deev said, your best bet is buy an 8th gen Civic. I absolutely love my 08 Si. I've heard guys say the '13s are good, with more torque, but you don't really feel the extra power, and the vtec crossover is almost nonexistant. It's really more of an eco friendly car now. Really, an 8th gen is your best bet. It's the most wild Civic since the Type R hatches.

EP3s look great when they're done up, and it's a great chassis to build, if you want to dump major money into it, and also do an engine swap with a K20Z3 from an 8th gen or similar.

Out of the box, the 8th gen IMO is the best bang for the buck in a great package right out of the box.