Thinking about a Mugen SI. I was at the dealership and the Mugen was in the showroom collecting dust was not available for test drive without moving a few cars. Knowing that the drivetrain is the same in the SI Sedan I took the regular SI for a test drive.

Coming from a EVO IX RS I was not not impressed with the power. I think I took the SI up to 8 grand in third gear and was only doing about 65 MPH! Anyhow I think I can live with a more Normal car than the EVO.

My question is how much better is the suspension Tuning in the Mugen? Is the suspension also set-up for Show? are the shocks mono-tube or Twin-tube?
I know the Mugen N1 set-up is a serious track shock.

Has anyone driven the Mugen after driving the SI.

I am old school Honda and bought a 88 CRX SI new. Then bought a 89 Prelude SI that I drove for 300k miles. I had a 2001 ITR #537 that I owned and sold before it could be stolen. Loved all three of those cars. Will I love a Mugen as Much?
Or should I be looking at a used ITR?

 

Since you're comming from an EVO I think you will be sadly disappointed in the Mugen Si. If I were you I'd get a regular Si and save the extra 10 grand for go-fast mods.

 

I have Gobs of Torque in the EVO. I remember back when I was looking to replace my Prelude I test drove many cars that claimed to have much higher HP. Geting back into my 135HP Prelude actually felt better. I think the older hondas were either much lighter or made power differently. 89-83 Accords felt strong. I drove a 99-01 Integra Sedan back when they were new and the same feel from the car, slow and no Toeque. I thought the Civic SI would be as fast as a 2001 Prelude but it does not feel like it.
I also do not like the plastic dash on the SI.

The FIT has that old school 88 CRX Feel. Why? it is a mystery but it goes down the road very solidly and has good feedback from both the engine and suspension.



Modified by zmeli at 10:26 AM 2/19/2008

 

At the top of third gear you will be doing about 75-80 mph not 65. The si is geared more towards acceleration rather than top speed.

 

I was not sure about the speed in gears. Yes I did shut it down because it salesman was with me. I hate revving new cars! would not buy that one!
Actually My plan is to sell the EVO then call all the dealers in my area and offer them about $500 over invoice for the Mugen. so for about 27K the price is not that bad. The Mugens have been sitting so long I dont see why I would not be able to pick one up for that!

BTW My wife drives the FIT.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Alex_G &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Since you're comming from an EVO I think you will be sadly disappointed in the Mugen Si. If I were you I'd get a regular Si and save the extra 10 grand for go-fast mods.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It's not all about power and going fast. I had an Evo 8 that I got rid of for an S2000 and ITR. Both are slower but to me more fun to drive than the Evo was.

 

How would you compare the ITR with the Mugen SI? I think the S2000 is the hands down winner but I need a back seat for the little one.
I am trying to figure out if the suspension set-up is as good as the ITR? hoping it would be but thinking it will not be faster on the track than the ITR.

Mugen SI or Used ITR?


Modified by zmeli at 11:22 AM 2/19/2008

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by zmeli &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How would you compare the ITR with the Mugen SI? I think the S2000 is the hands down winner but I need a back seat for the little one.
I am trying to figure out if the suspension set-up is as good as the ITR? hoping it would be but thinking it will not be faster on the track than the ITR.

Mugen SI or Used ITR?</TD></TR></TABLE>

If you can get a Mugen Si for $27k I'd get that. The Mugen Si is more practical as a sedan since you have a little one, and hopefully it won't be as big of a target to thieves as the ITR is. I've heard lots of good things about the new Si, so I'm assuming the Mugen Si is an improvement. Plus it's a good looking car. Here's what I've read about the suspension:

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
"The track-tuned suspension, tested at the Twin Ring Motegi racing circuit in Japan, lowers the vehicle by 0.6 inches with aggressive spring and damper tuning for enhanced handling performance while still maintaining a high level of ride comfort. Compared to the conventional Civic Si Sedan dampers, front and rear damping force (both bump and rebound) was increased between 8- and 24-percent."</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

I've drove the mugen and then my SI couldnt really tell the diffrence.. Only in Cornors I feel like the mugen took them rather well. Then my SI 8(

Mugen&gt;SI

Mugen&lt;EVO

I wouldnt waste that money on a mugen really just buy a regular si and throw some peferomance parts on it. Ethier way you put it your buying a civic. Good luck though

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by zmeli &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thinking about a Mugen SI. I was at the dealership and the Mugen was in the showroom collecting dust was not available for test drive without moving a few cars. Knowing that the drivetrain is the same in the SI Sedan I took the regular SI for a test drive.

Coming from a EVO IX RS I was not not impressed with the power. I think I took the SI up to 8 grand in third gear and was only doing about 65 MPH! Anyhow I think I can live with a more Normal car than the EVO.

My question is how much better is the suspension Tuning in the Mugen? Is the suspension also set-up for Show? are the shocks mono-tube or Twin-tube?
I know the Mugen N1 set-up is a serious track shock.

<U>Has anyone driven the Mugen after driving the SI. </U>

I am old school Honda and bought a 88 CRX SI new. Then bought a 89 Prelude SI that I drove for 300k miles. I had a 2001 ITR #537 that I owned and sold before it could be stolen. Loved all three of those cars. Will I love a Mugen as Much?
Or should I be looking at a used ITR?

</TD></TR></TABLE>

I test drove the Mugen Si the day I went back to get my plates for my FG2. It handles better than my coupe does. I was pleasantly surprised, but I still wouldn't buy it.

 

Don't waste money on the Mugen Si.... we need to all hold out and hope for a Type-R

 

Off the phone with a Honda dealer. I was quoted 28K I would only need to pay 3% NM tax + $65 reg when i get it home. for the Mugen! Would that change your perspective!!!

 

The mugen is a good car if you like rarity and collector cars, cause that's all you're really paying for. It offers very little over a normal si in terms of performance, just slightly better handling. To me its not enough to sway me to spend an extra 9 or even 7 grand on the car. Save your money and get a normal si, you'll be much happier with the smaller payment.

 

Good deal.

 

28k? u mite as well take it.

 

i agree...the payment you will incur for the Mugen package is not warranted in my eyes by anything that car has to offer, other than saying you paid so much more than a regular Si for it. Some consider that a status thing...i don't. That package is incredibly overpriced for what you get, which, really...is nothing other than some badging, wheels and a mild suspension upgrade. While it does make you unique vs. the standard Si...it's so much loot!

cost effectiveness of the purchase doesn't bother you, or the weight of having something somewhat limited is heavy on your list, then by all means, get it.

The standard issue Si sedan can be had for so much cheaper, and with something as simple as an Eibach pro-kit and damper set, you can quickly have superior performance vs. the Mugen version with alot less pocket pain.

 

Do you really think a Eibach pro-kit and damper set can match the Mugen? what about testing? This underminds Mugen, usually lowering a car upsets the handling, You need to consider the Kingpin angle, Bump steer and roll center. Just some thoughts


Modified by zmeli at 4:22 PM 2/19/2008

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Demonis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Don't waste money on the Mugen Si.... we need to all hold out and hope for a Type-R</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good call broseph, either that or wait till they put an i-6 in the FA/FG.

AS far as comparing an EVO to an Si, you can't really do it IMO. They are two different classes of cars.

I would cop an FA, and buy some engine/suspension upgrades with the extra 7-8 g's. It means a lot more when you build a ride up yourself rather than pay for the Mugen name IMO.

Either way good luck!

 

I can almost guarantee a pro kit on upgraded dampers, such as Koni or something similar (unfort eibach does not have dampers for this application) would make a standard Si outperform the Mugen Si stock suspension, and also would yield a more aggressive look. Pro-kits, in fact all eibach products, are thoroughly tested to give supreme performance with the utmost reliability and, in the case of the pro-kit, durability and comfort. The pro-kit for the Si 4dr will only yield a total drop of 1-1.2"

 

man just think about it like this there is only 999 other guys/hot honda girls with that same civic. you will break necks anywere you go just like mostlikey u did with your old type r

 

I think the theft component should be considered. I have an 08 Si Sedan and love it. With
a few simple bolt on's, flash-Pro and a proper tune have made a very fun car to drive as compared to stock. These engines have a lot of potential. Take the money you would save buying a regular Si Sedan and add the bolt on's and suspension. My #'s were:

227 whp
170 lbs torque

dynoed at Chruches.

 

Just wondering what your bolt-ons were. I have a 08 SI with CAI and COBB access port. I think I have the same but not at the wheel. Trying to see what I might get at the wheel after header and exhaust.

 

either one is slow as hell.
i would find another evo or build a honda from scratch starting with a rolling shell.

 

MODS:

-TBS
-Thicker TB gasket
-K&N drop in air filter
-RRC JDM Intake Manifold
-Hondata IM / gasket
-Vibrant cat-less race header.
-HKS Sport TI catback exhaust.
-Flash - Pro with Dyno tune.
-HFP suspension - back to stock ( HFP to noisy )

 

I just got my Mugen Si a few days ago. I bought it used, obviously, and ended up paying less for it then I would have paid for a regular Si that is equivalent in age and milage. With that being said, I am pretty happy to have the Mugen over the regular Si because of the rarity, better handling, etc., but I do agree that buying brand new would have been a waste of money. The difference in price for brand new cars is too much to justify the package, no matter how unique it may be. Just my 2 cents.