My commuter car is an EP3 hatch. It's the black one with a matching Graco baby racing seat w/ five point harness in the back. Being new to Honda cars (having driven Nissans, Mazdas and Subarus mostly) I've noticed that the EP3 drives a bit stiff. I find meself bouncing off the freeway gaps and grooves. Does the EP3 suspension rides harder than your run of the mill Civics? Is the EP3's suspension tuned the same way as the DC5's?

And, where is that infamous vtec engine sound on high revs? You can barely hear it even after you hit redline. Are the K20 engines that smooth and quiet or that is just some damn good sound-deadening insulation the Honda engineers put in the car?

 

I had to reply to this post just on the fact that I also drive a black '04 EP3, but mine is a cosco convertible seat in the rear, but it does match . The Si is nothing like a regular civic, in anything other than name. You are correct the suspension is definitly stiffer than the regular civic, I've heard that if you get neuspeed springs they are a softer ride in addition to being lowering springs, that is something you might want to look into if ride comfort is important to you. If you search this board you will get you answer about the i-vtec system in the K20A3 as compared to your "normal" vtec you're used to.

Welcome to the club, hope you enjoy your EP as much as I love mine.

 

I think the EP3 is a bit stiffer than most hondas, but for performance enthusiasts, not nearly stiff enough.

From what I've read in the past, the RSX has slightly softer spring rates, but better sway-bars and chassis bracing.

Now the vtec is another thing entirely. The EP3 vtec (and base rsx) is designed more for lower emissions and fuel economy. It's switchover is at 2200rpms. Only the intake cam changes on this type of vtec. The base rsx also has a 2 stage intake manifold that switches over.

The RSX-S has the tradional, power-oriented vtec you are thinking of, and there is a noticable kick in the upper 5000s or so. Both the intake and exhaust cams change in the RSX-S and TSX-S.

ALL the new i-vtec engines have continuously variable cam timing.

Read in detail here:
http://www.superhonda.com/foru...05867
http://www.hondata.com/techk20general.html

 

this is a great discussion on the "i-vtec" engines and the differences between that and "vtec"...
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=948117
...the meat of the discussion is on page 2

 

yea, even though some people may not like the smoothness of the new i-VTEC system, it really is more effective and provides a more even powerband...