well guys, basically im selling my swapped out hatch and looking for something a little nicer, but still sporty - like.

me being my age, insurance in my own name for a Type S is ridiculous, and lets be real, my driving record isnt the best. Notes would also, be better, b/c the RSX is overall cheaper than the Type S.

My question is , could i give the 160 hp version a little TLC without breaking into the motor, and expect good power gains? I mean its obvious that 200hp is higher than 160, but I do believe the Type S's weigh a lil more . . . . bah I dont know . . . is anyone out their tuning reg RSX's? . . . . if so, just encourage me or let me know your 1/4 mile times with simpe bolt ons or just you simple opinion on if its worth it . . .

Thanks

 

The rsx weights the same maybe by a few ounces due to bigger brake calipers.
You can always look into hondata for a ecu tune to gain my power.

 

i think for a daily driver the base would be great. 40 horsepower is quite a lot but if you look at the factory dyno plot in the RSX brochure the base and the type-s are very similar in regards to horsepower and toque until about 4500 rpm. then the type s gains on the base. you also have to consider how many times you are going to be reving high. if a lot then probably and high, the type s would be a better choice. if you are going to be in stop and go a lot, high revs isn't going to matter. my advice is to research research research. make a smart decision whether it is a base, type s, or something else. good luck and i hope i helped.

 

The base RSX can be tuned.Hondata offers a flash for the auto and the manual.There are also I/H/E for the base as well. Except for the intake manifold its the same motor as the 02-04 Si.They put up some good #'s.Of course there is a weight difference and some other things.Overall you should be able to put up some decent #'s with a base.

 

Also u have to take into consideration putting premium in a type s and if ure a cheap basterd like me ull get the base model jus for that reason especially with gas prices aboove 2 dollars now

 

The Base would be a good choice however you can get basically the same car in the Civic Si (yes yes it has worse interior etc etc etc) but, alas it is still a great car. You can get brand new 2003 SIs for around 15-16K out the door!!!
Now if you are set on the RSX over the SI you can get some decent gains with i/h/e/hondata which is definately enough to dip you into the 14 second range in the 1/4 mile (this holds true for both cars since they share the same engine/trans and weigh almost the exact same). The K20A3 motor is also fairly torquey down low, but still not as much as the Type S, due to it's gearing. I think that you will be disappointed in the engine's performance when the car is stock, but after Hondata it makes thing much more enjoyable because the under 7K RPM redline plain SUCKS, and I always find myself hitting the revlimiter. Anyways, I guess it all comes down to is $$$! If you want all the performance of the Base RSX for a lot cheaper but without all the extras definately get the SI, but if you need the luxury items like leather and climate control + the more upscale feel get the RSX, can't go wrong either way. I like them both. I just like the Type S more. haha

 

If I were in your position, I'd look into an EP3 Si. If I did not get a Type-S, my next choice was probably going to be an Si. I personally think they are very neat cars, and if it had a k20a2, I'm sure I'd be driving one right now.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DC5 03 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If I were in your position, I'd look into an EP3 Si. If I did not get a Type-S, my next choice was probably going to be an Si. I personally think they are very neat cars, and if it had a k20a2, I'm sure I'd be driving one right now.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree if it was down to a base RSX or a Si I would go for the Si.You can get an 02 or an 03 for a good price.Not sure about the insurance but I think it would be cheaper than the base RSX.But if you just like the RSX's looks and nicer features go with that.Good luck on the decision.

 

I drive a base RSX. When i used to have a race header, high flow cat, intake, cat back and hondata, i absolutly loved the car. It was VERY torquey, and it pulled up top. I would beat Type S's with i/e all the time. It was fun, but i wanted more power. I sold all of that and now im boosting. I put the turbo on myself and its a blast to drive. The down side to that is the higher maintence and the worse gas mileage. If i were you i would recomend to get a base or a Si and just boost it. That will be about the same price as a type s and you will make twice as much power. I hope this helps you.

 

A boosted EP3

 

Get a Type S. Most likely later on you are going to get a swap for the car anyways. but if you have the K20a2 motor it has a lot of potential. So you can build from a higher foundation.

 

I would def reccomend the type-s over the base even for your case. You will not be happy with it. And u will get picked on by the type-s and even the new SI's. (not good)

The motor has far more potential and is just far superior in everyway.

Also like everyone else said, if your gonna go with the 160hp k motors, you might as well get the ep3 SI instead. Your at the top of the civic food chain instead of the bottem of the rsx chain.

 

go with the type s or if you get your base rsx or si just boost it

 

i have to agree with just going with an Si. You get the goods for cheaper and lower insurance... sorta.

 

i got a base rsx for the same reason....insurance for type s is killer, i have done some mods, but im focusing on boost in the future... maybe k20a swap

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cjump85 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i think for a daily driver the base would be great. 40 horsepower is quite a lot but if you look at the factory dyno plot in the RSX brochure the base and the type-s are very similar in regards to horsepower and toque until about 4500 rpm. then the type s gains on the base. you also have to consider how many times you are going to be reving high. if a lot then probably and high, the type s would be a better choice. if you are going to be in stop and go a lot, high revs isn't going to matter. my advice is to research research research. make a smart decision whether it is a base, type s, or something else. good luck and i hope i helped.</TD></TR></TABLE>

that's exactly what i thought, if you're just a daily driver who isn't trying to race everyone on the street, then the base has plently of power.

 

works great for me as a daily driver. Nothing wrong with it

 

no

LOL, both cars ( ep3/rsx base) are GREAT platforms.....if your wallat doesnt allow the type-s, dont fret....the bases arent that slow! the 5 speeds second gear only goes to 58 mph making a shift to 3rd a must in any 0-60 battle....thats why our 0-60 times are alot slower...I have and EP3....

for your first mod...GET HONDATA, you will very happy you did...it sets the rev limit higher ( which is not dangerous to the motor, since it can handle 8,000 rpms easily) thus your 2nd gear goes to 65 mph or so! it cuts a full second off your 0-60!

 

wassup dude, i think you can do some wonders to the base rsx. I got one myself and i thought i couldnt do much with it, but i got all the bolt ons and hondata. Now i can honestly say i can keep up with a b16 hatch, no BS.

 

better off getting the EP3

if you can't afford the K20A2