Blog

Inspired by the owner-author of previous articles, today’s Type R owner, Ricky, has also decided to write his own well written story to be posted here. After all, I really do think that an owner’s expressions on his own car can really showcase his true affections and passions, making it a very interesting read.

“At a glance, a saloon Civic Type R may look like a local ATPM Civic that roams Jakarta’s street; it even shares the same chassis code of FD2. There are also a lot of knock-off bodykits that can transform a standard Civic to look like the Type R. This has been a saddening truth. However looks may lie, underneath a real FD2 Type R is a whole different game. The chassis and body of a Type R have been assembled differently, the suspension configuration is much more refined, the interior is sportier, and the engine is the last generation of the K20a series – pumping out 225HP from a 2 litre naturally aspirated configuration. To put it in perspective, it is more than 100HP/litre, with no turbo or supercharger in sight.

A Type R laps the Fuji Speedway faster some other more powerful cars, including its sibling Honda NSX, Lancer Evolution VI, and FD3 RX7. The red Type R emblem says it all; its a racing car you can drive on the streets and a very fun to drive track day car. Some people may call the FD2R the ultimate Type R Honda has ever created. The fact that it’s a 4-door saloon was really a surprise, considering that the majority of previous Type Rs are wearing 2-door bodies.

Even though the car is a FWD, it actually handles almost like a RWD around the corner. A FWD is known for its ability to brake in and approach a corner quickly; but pulling out of a corner is often a challenge due to the lack of power and traction. However, Honda has somehow managed to tune the Type R to be on par with other RWD cars on the track. It is mind boggling, and this curiosity of getting behind the wheel of a Type R was what has gotten me into buying this beloved ride.

If money were no object, there are tons of modification items can be applied to the FD2R; the sky is the limit really. As a hardcore track-day-er, I’ve been looking for the proper balance when it comes to modifying a car. Function over form is my motto. In terms of performance modifications, power has always been way down on my list, with handling refinement tunings becoming my major focus (braces, bars, bushings inside and underneath the car, with most of them hidden away from plain sight).

Suspension is one tricky part on the FD2R; the stock suspension is already hard enough that an 8-month-old unborn baby would’ve wanted to jump out of a pregnant mother. But this is the way Honda meant it to be, in order to keep the balance of the car during braking and cornering. I had to learn the expensive way when I ended up buying two sets of suspension because the first set made the car handled even worse on the track. Apart from handling, another important factor for a track day car is the reliability department. For this I have opted timing chains and tensioner from Toda, Spoon baffled oil sump, as well as an oil cooler kit to keep the engine temperature downs.

I was lucky enough to have the car already fitted with several power mods when I bought it (intake, header, exhaust, and Hondata Flashpro device). Just a few weeks after buying the car, I had a go at a local Time Attack event. It was the first event the car has ever competed in, yet it brought home first place FWD class trophy and third place Amateur Driver trophy.

Content with handling and reliability sectors, I then moved on to the Appearance sector. This time I opted for a set of custom offset CCW forged wheels from the US, lighter carbon hood, gauges to monitor the engine temp and pressure, sportier steering wheel, gear knobs, and full front clear-bra to hopefully keep the car away from oncoming stones on tracks.

At our one and only local circuit, this Type R has only managed to attain a 1:50 best lap. However, at the moment I have further increased it’s power output through the application of BC stage 2 cams and rods tuned by Driven Crazy Singapore. With 280HP under the bonnet, I am hoping to set a better best lap for the car at the newly revamped Sentul Raceway. With a few other toys in mind that are able replace the Civic and with plenty of close friends telling me to move on, I keep my faith on this ride because my mission has not yet been accomplished.” (Ricky)

Modification Specs

Additional Infos