I've been a Honda fanatic since 1988 with my Dad’s Honda CVCC. My first Car and Honda was a
1991 Prelude si with a JDM B20a swap. I eventually picked up my DB2 in 2005 (B17 GSR), but eventually it was stolen at Rio Hondo College. Since then I’ve owned 2 S2000’s. I currently own a GPW AP1 with a list of JDM mods (ASM theme) I recently picked up a clean title 2003 EP3 Civic SI for $2,600. It just hit the 150,xxx mile mark. It’s stock with a 6 speed tranny. I could of probably brought the price down to about $2.2-2.4k if I had the cash on hand (I went to the bank after we negotiated the final price)
I took it to my nearest Honda dealership where I had it inspected. I knew the car had some issues so that’s why I low balled the seller, I normally don’t, but I'm glad I made this exception. The car needs a valve adjustment which I had already anticipated, compliance bushing, and a alignment. Upon further inspection it was noted the exhaust cam lobe had excessive wear and scratches, basically the cam had to be replace.
Here's my question, is that a common occurrence for the exhaust cam to wear out prematurely? I’ve also heard that Type S cams can be utilized if the Type S Gears/Holders/Caps/Rockers are used?
I don’t want to spend a lot of money since this is my daily and have other financial obligations. In all honesty, I'm not entirely attached to the ep3 chassis, I seem to favor the s2k/dc2/ek hatch. I want to fix the car properly so the next owner doesn’t get the short end of the stick.

So far fix list is as followed

Alignment
Valve adjustment
Replace both cams (aftermarket) or exhaust cam
Replace the shocks and struts
Replace compliance bushing.
I’m having services rendered at my nearest Honda dealership for reinsurance of myself and the next potential owner with the exception of the shocks and struts, I can replace those myself to save on service cost.

Any feedback and info on k-series engine would be greatly appreciated.

Joe

 

Yes, these cars are known for cam wear, not very honda like. I have alot of experience with the DC2, that project came to an end when i was hit by an F250. I was looking for a car that would be fun to drive and to replace the DC2, i found an EP3. I left it stock for a few years and started some work this past summer and it has really livened up the car. The motor is still a dog and i only wish they put the right k20 in there like they did everywhere else. Tien S-tech's with tokico illumina's: didn't break the bank and a better than the stock suspension, got camber adjusters too. I did put in spherical front lca bushings and that is a help but they wear out so fast so i went back to stock. Motor mounts, IHE, light flywheel and a new clutch. On my list is a new rear sway bar, IMO, the stock one is no where near enough.

From everything that i have read on the K is that it is not as plug and play as the B's used to be. For your cam the best bet would be to stick with the stock profile, there really isn't much out there for the A3 motor. The best way to get this car going is swap in the A2, that was the direction i was taking with my mods so far. Once i get the rear sway i'll drive it till the motor blows up or i have some money burning a hole in my pocket and then an A2 will go in.

Its a real fun chassis and is can be very balanced. ran a 68s lap at lime rock stock and i haven't had it back since the upgrades, i'll keep you posted.

 

So I guess this chassis grew on me, quickly snow balled into a full time project... Drastic changes!!!!

Spoiler

 

 

More updates to follow...

 

 

O ****. JDM af yo.

Yes, the cams wear, it's honda's first attempt and a different valve lifter that used bearings. The bearings give out occasionally.
I love my EP3, but being the first honda foray into mcpherson struts, it's a bit wonky suspension-wise. If you get a bigger cam, you'll need kpro to tune it, but seeing as you are JDM-ing it to the max, that might be a good idea anyways.
If you haven't had reliable service record of a timing chain and tensioner/guide replacement in the last 70-90k miles, do it now. Or o it when you swap engines. Timing chain slip due to stretching and tensioner failure is IMO the biggest K-series issue.

 

Thank... Besides the obvious exhaust cam, I ended up replacing a few additional parts on the K20A3, timing chain, timing chain tensioner, seals and gaskets, had a valve adjustment. The oil pan was also replaced.

I'm going to replace the thermostat and fan switch on the type r motor and possibly the cluthy.

 

Here's how to fix the horrid suspension on it. In the middle of it myself:

 

Great video. Applicable to all other 7th gen hondas and RSX's as well

 

Yes, some 02-03 specific answers on it, but a very good video. However, had I known everything that was required to get the EP3 to a decent level of fun, I might have tried a little harder to find a 5th gen bubbleback Si.

 

If it's not for the track, rear sway bar, coilovers, camber kit, and send it

 

Got all that. Still doesn't hold a candle to my CRX, which I will admit is hard to top with another Honda.

 

Your EP3 came with a 6 Speed trans? I also have an 03 EP3 Si, but mine came with a 5 Speed. It's possible it's a 04 EP3 Type R swap? K20A3 is the stock motor for 03 EP3 Si from what I know. I've seen some ways to build the A3 but the most output I've seen on a built A3 was about 380whp. I've found kseriesparts.com to be a good reliable site to order the right parts for building the A3. Ordered Cams and Piston Heads and Rods for about 1500, just waiting for some down time in my life to put an in. Also gonna order stage 2 or 3 Clutch kit with flywheel, and I'm gonna ask a local machinist to bore out the head from 86mm - 90mm so I could put sleeves. Also gonna order TruHart Coilovers. A bit of a pretty penny but boring out the head is mostly a maybe.

 

Oh yeah, McPherson struts never will. But as seen in the above video, there's still a lot to do to it after coils, camber, and sway.

 

Yeah, I confirmed it's from a 02-04 RSX Type S. North American EP3's came with a 5 spd transmission.

 

Thanks, saw that video last year. Very informative. It gave me hope for the ep3 chassis, lol

 

I've acquired some suspension parts for the ep3.
parts are as follows.


Complete Jdm DC5R Brembo 5 lug swap
Oem DC5R front and rear sway bars
Dc5 Buddy Club N+ coilovers
DC5R Buddy Club front and rear brake pads
DC5R Buddy Club ball joints
DC5 Carbing front latter bar
DC5 Carbing rear lower tie bar
ES1/ES2/EM2 Greedy rear strut bar

 

6 years later and I still own the car. Maybe this is the year it sees the road. I haven’t driven the car in a few years.