Hi I'm thinking about buying a 2004 ep3. I've been doing some research on the car, and from what I've found it sounds like the bumpers and headlights changed from 2003 - 2004 models. Is this correct? If I get the car I'd like to get the OEM type-r kit for it (front lip, rear lip, sideskirts). Where can I get this for the 2004 USDM model? Would I have to get entirely new bumpers to do this? Thanks for the help.

 

the only really change is the 5 lugs instead of 4 lugs, front and rear lights, the front seats, slight change to the materal used on the steering wheel ... etc

 

The bumpers were the same between the early and late EPs. JDM bumpers (and the corresponding rebars) from any year will fit. Also, replicas made for USDM bumpers will fit.

There's a bunch of other small differences, but regarding your question, there was no change, so you're good to go.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by WizDUMB &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">the only really change is the 5 lugs instead of 4 lugs, front and rear lights, the front seats, slight change to the materal used on the steering wheel ... etc</TD></TR></TABLE>

Whats different about the seats and steering wheel??

 

04-05 come with side skirts also.

04-05 had the HFP model available.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cnyej1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Whats different about the seats and steering wheel??</TD></TR></TABLE>

The 04-05 shift ***** were grainier leather than the 02-03

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BlueIntegraBoy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The 04-05 shift ***** were grainier leather than the 02-03</TD></TR></TABLE>

But nothing about the seats and steering wheel?

 

i have a 04 ep3 and my headlights are bigger than the 03ep3. plus if you get a 04 and you want to change to the 03 head ligths you have to change out the whole wiring harness for the lights because they are both different and use diff. light bulbs and the rear lights on the 04 are jdm stlye the 03 are just regularall red which i think look cool. it all depends on what your looking for as far as style is concerned.

 

im looking at buying an ep3 too. what would you guys recomend? 02-03 or 04-05?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by trieuth &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">im looking at buying an ep3 too. what would you guys recomend? 02-03 or 04-05?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yes.

A couple things to note --

There have been reports popping up of defective camshafts, probably only from the '02 and maybe 03 model years. One thing I've heard is that a few/couple batches weren't heat-treated properly. I'm expecting to eventually hear some news from Honda themselves with more specific info.

The stock tire size on 04-05's has quite a few more equivalent models in wider tires and bigger wheels (although 17" is the largest I would go on an EP) that retain the stock outer circumference. Trying to find wider tires for 16's on my '02 EP has led to some dead ends, but if I bumped up a sidewall size, I'd have a lot to choose from.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 04DOHC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> the rear lights on the 04 are jdm stlye the 03 are just regularall red which i think look cool. it all depends on what your looking for as far as style is concerned.</TD></TR></TABLE>

What do you mean the taillights on the 04-05 are JDM style?? The 02-03's are also JDM style since they look almost identical to the foreign EP's.

 

Didnt the newer ones get side airbags also?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Klutch-Control &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Didnt the newer ones get side airbags also?</TD></TR></TABLE>

They were always an option.

 

Oh ok then I didnt know that!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Klutch-Control &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Oh ok then I didnt know that!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Always learn something new here on HT.

 

Taillights on the EP:

All versions have clear reverse signals in the same place. Besides that, here's how they're different --

02-03 USDM = all red, brake/running lights on the bottom, turn signals/flashers in the top circles. Center portions blank.

02-03 Type-R = Top circles brake/running lights, middle sections amber turn signals/flashers, bottom were the rear foglight on the driver's side.

04-05 USDM = Top amber circles turn signals/flashers, bottom running/brake lights, middle blank.

04-05 JDM = same as USDM (as far as I can tell) except that the top circles are red instead of amber.

 

how are the 04 to 05 tailights JDM style ? that boggles my mind, i don't get it?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by andromeda673 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how are the 04 to 05 tailights JDM style ? that boggles my mind, i don't get it? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Because they are Altezzas duh! Hehe.....or "Euro" lights, whatever the kids are calling them these days.

 

They're not.

If anything, the 04-05's look "altezza style" when compared to the 02-03's. The clear housing & chrome makes the difference.

JDM/UKDM/etc 04-05 EP3 tails have red circles on top.

 

Thanks for all the input. I'm still a little confused about whether the 2002 oem ctr kit will fit on a 2004 without buying new bumpers. The oem kit i'm talking about is the one on this car:

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1774053

Thanks again.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wuggiewuggie &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks for all the input. I'm still a little confused about whether the 2002 oem ctr kit will fit on a 2004 without buying new bumpers. The oem kit i'm talking about is the one on this car:

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1774053

Thanks again.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The replica kit made to fit USDM bumpers will fit.

 

so what would be a better buy? the 02-03 or the 04-05?"

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by trieuth &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so what would be a better buy? the 02-03 or the 04-05?"</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yes.



There are only two things I would take into consideration. First are the stock tire sizes of each, which I mentioned earlier.

Secondly, on the '05 EP's (but not the 02-04's), the vehicle's VIN is stored in the ECU. This apparently would cause an issue if you've swapped or otherwise messed with the ECU then taken it to smog/emissions inspection, and the ODBII readout says that the ECU doesn't match the car. I have NOT looked into this very far because my '02 EP wouldn't have a problem. But, it's an answer that came from Hondata when I asked an emissions-related KPro question over at k20a.org.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wuggiewuggie &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks for all the input. I'm still a little confused about whether the 2002 oem ctr kit will fit on a 2004 without buying new bumpers. The oem kit i'm talking about is the one on this car:

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1774053

Thanks again.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Adding onto what was posted earlier --

There is no OEM CTR lip kit that will fit the USDM bumpers. No Civic Type-R was made for the US. You'll have to either get the replica lips or get the genuine bumpers, rebars, and OEM lips.

There has also been a recent release of a replica CTR bumper, FRONT only, in fiberglass instead of OEM urethane. Wayne at speedstar-racing.com posted info about them on ephatch.com.

 

greetings from across the ocean. May i supply some ep3 info? apart from the visual changes yall succesfylly noticed (lexus style tail-lights, bigger logos, headlights, interior changes, turn signals embedded to mirrors) there are also some mods like different fuel maps and lighter flywheel (approx 7 pounds ligher!!!) thus gaining 0,2 sec in 0-60...hope i helped