so, the new EP3 Si is on the short list of cars that i'm looking at to replace my integra. Before I start looking i have a couple questions to ask you current EP3 owners.

any of you autoX/HPDE your Si? How much headroom is there with a helmet? I'm 6'2" and headroom with a helmet on is a large problem for me.

also, if i go with the EP3, it will be actively campaigned in SCCA ProSolo GS (thats right, i'm keeping it stock, prolly gonna invest in some motons lol i wish), so are crash bolts listed in the FSM? how much camber can you get out of the front with crash bolts if they are legal? Width of the wheels? Most rubber you can fit under the fenders?

Carl, who has really started to like the way the new Si's look, they really do grow on you

 

I get the sense, at least from over at ephatch.com, that most of the 02+Si autox/hpde guys are all relatively new to the sport. I'm 5'10" and have no problems with headroom with a helmet on. It's kind of a tall car so I guess that (minivan aspect of it) helps. I did hear of ONE person a long time ago saying something about headroom with a helmet but I'm not sure who it was.

Crash Bolt: part# 90188 S5A-000 Nut: 90213-s5a-003 referenced from http://ephatch.com/forum/showt...+bolt

I have these but haven't installed them. I've heard that you can get about -1.8deg or so with these. I'll let you know what my personal experience is once I have them installed on my stock suspension.

Stock wheels are 15x6. I think that there may be a couple of 225s available for this size (BFG KDs? and something else?) but I'm sure they don't fit as well as they do on a 7" wheel. Oh, but those are street tires. Not sure what the options are with respect to R tires.


It's a really fun car to autox but, b/c of it's weight maybe, it does lean and dive quite a bit. The torque is really nice though. If you're going to run GS I would imagine that shocks are absolutely crucial. Here's the problem though - as of right now, no one really makes shocks for this car. Koni has a set of inserts but it does take some slight modification of the front strut for them to fit (not sure about legality for GS). Other than that, all EP owners are still waiting on KYB, Tokico, etc. The majority of the EP owners seem to be running in STS where you have your choice of many real coilover setups.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Burgh &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Here's the problem though - as of right now, no one really makes shocks for this car. Koni has a set of inserts but it does take some slight modification of the front strut for them to fit (not sure about legality for GS). Other than that, all EP owners are still waiting on KYB, Tokico, etc. </TD></TR></TABLE>

if/when i get the new car I plan on spending a serious outlay of cash on the shocks. koni will make anything you want assuming you have the $$....but I have been eyeing motons for awhile. just can't justify putting a set of shocks on the integra that are worth more than the value of the car.

also, the RSX-S is on my short list as well, depending on how I can option it out.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by carl_aka_carlos &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so, the new EP3 Si is on the short list of cars that i'm looking at to replace my integra. Before I start looking i have a couple questions to ask you current EP3 owners.

any of you autoX/HPDE your Si? How much headroom is there with a helmet? I'm 6'2" and headroom with a helmet on is a large problem for me.

also, if i go with the EP3, it will be actively campaigned in SCCA ProSolo GS (thats right, i'm keeping it stock, prolly gonna invest in some motons lol i wish), so are crash bolts listed in the FSM? how much camber can you get out of the front with crash bolts if they are legal? Width of the wheels? Most rubber you can fit under the fenders?

Carl, who has really started to like the way the new Si's look, they really do grow on you </TD></TR></TABLE>

I autoX mine ... all season ... with 225/50/16s --- thats the fattest your gonna get under there...

Helmet space *will* be an issue for you ... I have maybe a half inch clearance with helmet on... and I am 5'11".

Not sure on stock legalities in AutoX. I run STS.

The suspension is its major problem... (same with rsx) too tall, heavy and dips and dives like crazy .... I just went with mugens non adjustable suspension and I love it... no body roll, no dipping, no diving... all my complaints ceased for $1000. :-)

I race again on saturday --- Ill give you more feedback after that if you want it.

 

well, any car stock will have significant body movements. I really nice set of shocks can do wonders for that.

I'm gonna go look at EP3's tomorrow, prolly bring my helmet and see if I fit lol. Wonder what the salesman will say to that one.

I hate to say it, but as of now the Cooper S is leading my current list of cars....hopefully the DC5-R will come out before my Integra bites the bullet.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by carl_aka_carlos &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">well, any car stock will have significant body movements. I really nice set of shocks can do wonders for that.

I'm gonna go look at EP3's tomorrow, prolly bring my helmet and see if I fit lol. Wonder what the salesman will say to that one.

I hate to say it, but as of now the Cooper S is leading my current list of cars....hopefully the DC5-R will come out before my Integra bites the bullet.</TD></TR></TABLE>

unfortunately there are NO shocks for the si... only full coilover style suspension.

 

upgrade to this...



ep3 typeR calipers (japan only)

 

I only Auto-X'd my EP3 once and I had an inch or two with helmet on and I'm 5'10". You can fit 225 width tires, and the make them for cheap, so you are set there. Koni actually does make just the shocks for the EP3, some people run Ground Control adjustable coil springs with them sort of as a cheap coilover.

 

ahem, the car will be autocrossed in Stock class. you can't upgrade to type-R calipers.

 

Look here:

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=481932

I personally think you're gonna get smoked in GS with an EP3 if you compete nationally, but I still think the car would make a killer STS car (mine was on it's way until I decided I needed a Tow vehicle instead).

Would even do good in DSP also. You can fit quite a good sized Hoosier under there under SP rules.

Note that after this first posting about my experience that I did a few more tweaks and added a 23mm rear bar to the car. Helped a ton and the car started to rotate, even on 8/10 springs. I honestly think that on the right course, it could take a 89-91 Si (like the 2003 south course).

 

hrmmm...what is the weight of the EP3? If you haven't noticed the trend here, all the cars I'm looking at are GS cars. If all else fails I'll look into the Celica GT, but I just think there are other fast cars for GS besides the Celica. Plus, I'd really like to have another honda product.

 

I autocross the bus, no dip or roll at all lol. I might try r compounds because I have my suspension upgraded. The stock height seems high and it is very scary to slap some r compound on them.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Essence of Chicken &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I autocross the bus, no dip or roll at all lol. I might try r compounds because I have my suspension upgraded. The stock height seems high and it is very scary to slap some r compound on them.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah right -- what suspension setup ---?

High speed left hand turns ... surely your car understeers and pushes the driver side nose down ....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by S2KandSTi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I only Auto-X'd my EP3 once and I had an inch or two with helmet on and I'm 5'10". You can fit 225 width tires, and the make them for cheap, so you are set there. Koni actually does make just the shocks for the EP3, some people run Ground Control adjustable coil springs with them sort of as a cheap coilover.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Lemme see a part number?

There are the rsx and civic soupe/sedan ones that are sometimes modified to fit the Si, BUT there is NOT a koni shock specifically for the Si, or even one that fits without modification.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by taikahn &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Lemme see a part number?

There are the rsx and civic soupe/sedan ones that are sometimes modified to fit the Si, BUT there is NOT a koni shock specifically for the Si, or even one that fits without modification.</TD></TR></TABLE>

dude, don't argue, it's called an insert, you use the stock strut, and put the insert inside of it. very common on mac strut cars.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by carl_aka_carlos &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

dude, don't argue, it's called an insert, you use the stock strut, and put the insert inside of it. very common on mac strut cars.</TD></TR></TABLE>

part number?

URL?

 

12k front and 16k rear jic rs, trust me if there are body rolls it is minimal.

 

High speed left turn will push the passenger side down.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Essence of Chicken &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">12k front and 16k rear jic rs, trust me if there are body rolls it is minimal.</TD></TR></TABLE>

well, yeah --- you got JICs... that changes everything... Laf.

Ive got the mugens. Love em.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by taikahn &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

part number?

URL?

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

ask and you shall receive

http://www.koni-na.com/display...tinue

scroll down, you'll see it. i have personally seen these on an EP3.

 

get an rsx type S and thank me later or if you want to do hardcore autocross get a mazda speed protege

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by carl_aka_carlos &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

ask and you shall receive

http://www.koni-na.com/display...tinue

scroll down, you'll see it. i have personally seen these on an EP3.</TD></TR></TABLE>


not a true ep3 aftermarket shock --- see notes:
Special McPherson strut insert bolted into O.E. housing after *cutting top* and removing old internal parts.

Also if its for a coupe/sedan and hatch, its crap, --- as the cars geometry and weight distribution is completely different therefore a "catch all" shock for the civics means its not specifically for the ep3.

 

For GS, I'd rather have the RSX-S or an older GSR or something. The EP3 is a great chassis and motor, but the car just sits sooo high and the oem high-rider suspension is horrible in transitions.

For STS, I think the EP3 is actually better than the RSX in many cases.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by taikahn &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


not a true ep3 aftermarket shock --- see notes:
Special McPherson strut insert bolted into O.E. housing after *cutting top* and removing old internal parts.

Also if its for a coupe/sedan and hatch, its crap, --- as the cars geometry and weight distribution is completely different therefore a "catch all" shock for the civics means its not specifically for the ep3.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

dude just stop, we're going in circles here.

todd, how do you figure the EP3 would be better for STS, shorter wheelbase??

anyway, after driving a celica GT, it is now at the top of the list.....sigh, it looks like I could be jumping on the GS bandwagon afterall

 

You're not talking about buying new, are you? If so, the Celica will run you about $7,000 more than the EP3. $5000 more for the MINI and the RSX-S. All are great cars and do certain things better than others, but they aren't really in the same price range.