M135i
Hi boys and girls. Been a while since I posted any pics of my FD2 so thought I'd start a thread on what is fast becoming a money pit for me!
Its sort of a project thread, but those of you expecting something as epic as say Firas' awesome EK9 thread will be sorely disappointed. On the plus side, mine is less likely to crash your computer! :rasp:
Anyways, had the car since summer 2009 when I had owned a succession of RenaultSports. Was getting a bit bored of the frenchies so thought I'd go Jap.
Managed to find a nice looking FD2 at what (at the time) was a bargain price compared with the other FD2s on the market.
Went for look and it was a done deal. The reason for the bargain price was to do with the fact that championship white FD2s command about a £1k premium over other colours, so I although I did want a CW one, the accountant in me said the £1k saving was worth it.
For those of you unfamiliar with the FD2 shape, its basically the Japanese market only Civic Type R. Whilst we get the FN2, the Japanese got this. Not totally sure why we never got it, but some murmurings about marketing men and too hardcore were apparently the reasons.
Despite looking a lot bigger than the UK model, its actually a fair bit lighter. The shell is also a lot stronger than the hatchback model, plus you get the more powerful JDM spec engine and the LSD as standard.
First clean....
Not long after purchase it needed new discs and pads at the rear. I've always been a bit confused about this, is it normal that the rear discs would be due sooner than the fronts?
After very little thought and research, I went and did that typical fanboy thing and went out and bought the biggest brand I could think of...
I went for the Mugen slotted discs and some Type Z sport pads.....
Because of the high shipping costs from Japan, it seemed logical to get a few more bits too to make it more worthwhile
I also went and bought and Spoon Sports engine torque damper. Now I must confess, prior to owning the FD2, I'd never even heard of an ETD, but apparently they're supposed to reduce the level of engine movement. In theory you should get smoother gear changes and possibly even improved traction off the line.
All well and good, but what no one told me was that the FD2's engine mounts are so strong anyway, the ETD is nigh on useless and offers no improvement anyway.
On it went anyway, the downside that ETD's do bring is increased vibrations within the cabin. Not an issue when you;re chasing vtec, but very annoying when you're sat in traffic on the M60.
So off it came soon enough......
Next up was a trackday at Oulton Park. Only been around Oulton in the past in my old R27, but the FD2 really did feel a step above. Was more than capable of harrassing much more exotic machinery, especially when the going got wet.
Also, finally got rid of the awful UK plate at the front and replaced it with a much neater square JDM-style plate...
You may have noticed in the last few pics me being chased by a red EP3 Civic.
That one is actually owned by my brother and is running a not too shabby 301bhp thanks to a supercharger....
Massively quick no doubt, just a shame it has just about the worse steering I've ever tried on a hot hatch. I know its a bit cliched, but I really do think the EP3 steering is as bad as people make out. The FD2 although not the last word in feel is much more accurate.
Does give me ideas about supercharging the FD2 though..... apparently 330bhp would be possible on mine....
Anyway, shortly afterwards tradgedy struck!
Some numpty decided it'd be a good idea to reverse into the FD2 in a car park.
On the plus side (And quite shocking I thought in this day and age) they did leave a note!
After too-ing and fro-ing with the insurance for a while, off it went to Arnold Clark Honda for repairs. During which time I got to drive this beast (Did ask for the tasty CR-Z they had in at the time, but was politely refused).......
2 weeks later (yes, 2 weeks to fix a bloody door!) I was glad to be back in the FD2!
And to be fair on AC, they'd done a pretty good job I thought.
Anyway, love with the FD2 restored, decided it was time to get back to business...
After slaughtering the brakes on another trackday, needed some new front discs and pads. After chatting with a few ppl about the best options (including Malice on here - cheers), decided to go with some Dixcel carbon coated discs and Project MU Type-HC pads...
As ever, also took the opportunity to pick up a few extra bits....
Mugen number plate bolts:
Mugen radiator cap:
Resisted the temptation to get a Mugen oil cap as even I think £60 for an oil cap is a tad excessive.
Also, observe exibit A - a genuine Mugen spark plug cover
Price? About £350 - £450 depending on exchange rates.
Very nice looking no doubt, but an absolute rip-off in my book.
So..... went and got one of these from Tegiwa imports:
add a Mugen decal from eBay, and you get.......
All for the slightly more reasonable price of £65.
Also bagged myself a Type-R badge for thr front grill which I think finishes the front off nicely, and with a bit of luck will avoid any hybrid confusion!
Okay, time had come to get a little more serious.
I remember back in the day (well, only 3 or 4 years ago), I used to scoff at the price of the ITG Maxogen induction kit for the RS Clio. I think it was about £350 back then.
Well, the ITG Maxgen seems like a bit of a bargain compared with the GruppeM kit for the FD2. Depending on exchange rates and including shipping and taxes, you'd be lucky to see change from £1300!
I'd been toying with the idea od getting one for over a year now, but finally I couldn't hold out much longer. Managed to jump in on a FN2 group buy, so picked up a FD2 GruppeM kit at a slightly (just slightly) more reasonable price.
And this is what you get for £850!
Certainly a thorough and serious piece of kit. Think one of the reasons its so expensive is because it includes a replacement panel for where the screenwasher jets go in order to accomadate the ram-air scoop.
Off to TDI North the car went for a session on the dyno....
(Unfortnately no pics of the dyno runs)
The claimed power is 225ps for the FD2, though many owners have been seeing more.
Unfortunately, my car still had its Japanese limiter (112mph) on it which meant the engine kept cutting out in the gear TDI were using on the rolling road before peak power could be reached. Paul reckoned I was on for about 229bhp if there hadn't been a limiter there.
So to get rid of the limiter and to make the most of the GruppeM.....
With the GruppeM also fitted, Paul @ TDI North set to work his magic....
In the end, the car made about 235bhp which isn't a massive jump in headline power, but the whole feel of the car has been transformed due to much more torque lower down the rev range.
Peak torque is actually up to 172IB Ft from 158 IB Ft which is more telling I think.
And the GruppeM.....
Quite like the look of the subtle scoop there now. Under the bonnet, looks a bit more impressive....
And how does it sound? Well, really pleased with it actually. Under normal driving you can't really hear it, but mash the throttle and you get a surprisingly deep bellow.
When vtec kicks in though, it sounds absolutely sensational. And judging by the reaction of some people I've past, quite terrifying.
Sorry, I was going to post some videos up, but my cheapo spy cam off ebay had decided to give up the ghost.
In terms of whats next, well, funds permitting.........
a Toda 4-2-1 manifold:
and a Toda exhaust:
Another session with the flashpro, and I'd be hoping to be well into the 240s and possibly close to 250 which I think would be pretty impressive for a 2.0 naturally aspirated engine.
Also, take a look at this pic of the front bumper:
Not dirt, but tiny stonechips. Honda paint really is softer than Audrey Harrison. A front re-spray may be in order...
Thanks for looking, and as ever, comments good/bad appreciated.
Its sort of a project thread, but those of you expecting something as epic as say Firas' awesome EK9 thread will be sorely disappointed. On the plus side, mine is less likely to crash your computer! :rasp:
Anyways, had the car since summer 2009 when I had owned a succession of RenaultSports. Was getting a bit bored of the frenchies so thought I'd go Jap.
Managed to find a nice looking FD2 at what (at the time) was a bargain price compared with the other FD2s on the market.
Went for look and it was a done deal. The reason for the bargain price was to do with the fact that championship white FD2s command about a £1k premium over other colours, so I although I did want a CW one, the accountant in me said the £1k saving was worth it.
For those of you unfamiliar with the FD2 shape, its basically the Japanese market only Civic Type R. Whilst we get the FN2, the Japanese got this. Not totally sure why we never got it, but some murmurings about marketing men and too hardcore were apparently the reasons.
Despite looking a lot bigger than the UK model, its actually a fair bit lighter. The shell is also a lot stronger than the hatchback model, plus you get the more powerful JDM spec engine and the LSD as standard.
First clean....
Not long after purchase it needed new discs and pads at the rear. I've always been a bit confused about this, is it normal that the rear discs would be due sooner than the fronts?
After very little thought and research, I went and did that typical fanboy thing and went out and bought the biggest brand I could think of...
I went for the Mugen slotted discs and some Type Z sport pads.....
Because of the high shipping costs from Japan, it seemed logical to get a few more bits too to make it more worthwhile
I also went and bought and Spoon Sports engine torque damper. Now I must confess, prior to owning the FD2, I'd never even heard of an ETD, but apparently they're supposed to reduce the level of engine movement. In theory you should get smoother gear changes and possibly even improved traction off the line.
All well and good, but what no one told me was that the FD2's engine mounts are so strong anyway, the ETD is nigh on useless and offers no improvement anyway.
On it went anyway, the downside that ETD's do bring is increased vibrations within the cabin. Not an issue when you;re chasing vtec, but very annoying when you're sat in traffic on the M60.
So off it came soon enough......
Next up was a trackday at Oulton Park. Only been around Oulton in the past in my old R27, but the FD2 really did feel a step above. Was more than capable of harrassing much more exotic machinery, especially when the going got wet.
Also, finally got rid of the awful UK plate at the front and replaced it with a much neater square JDM-style plate...
You may have noticed in the last few pics me being chased by a red EP3 Civic.
That one is actually owned by my brother and is running a not too shabby 301bhp thanks to a supercharger....
Massively quick no doubt, just a shame it has just about the worse steering I've ever tried on a hot hatch. I know its a bit cliched, but I really do think the EP3 steering is as bad as people make out. The FD2 although not the last word in feel is much more accurate.
Does give me ideas about supercharging the FD2 though..... apparently 330bhp would be possible on mine....
Anyway, shortly afterwards tradgedy struck!
Some numpty decided it'd be a good idea to reverse into the FD2 in a car park.
On the plus side (And quite shocking I thought in this day and age) they did leave a note!
After too-ing and fro-ing with the insurance for a while, off it went to Arnold Clark Honda for repairs. During which time I got to drive this beast (Did ask for the tasty CR-Z they had in at the time, but was politely refused).......
2 weeks later (yes, 2 weeks to fix a bloody door!) I was glad to be back in the FD2!
And to be fair on AC, they'd done a pretty good job I thought.
Anyway, love with the FD2 restored, decided it was time to get back to business...
After slaughtering the brakes on another trackday, needed some new front discs and pads. After chatting with a few ppl about the best options (including Malice on here - cheers), decided to go with some Dixcel carbon coated discs and Project MU Type-HC pads...
As ever, also took the opportunity to pick up a few extra bits....
Mugen number plate bolts:
Mugen radiator cap:
Resisted the temptation to get a Mugen oil cap as even I think £60 for an oil cap is a tad excessive.
Also, observe exibit A - a genuine Mugen spark plug cover
Price? About £350 - £450 depending on exchange rates.
Very nice looking no doubt, but an absolute rip-off in my book.
So..... went and got one of these from Tegiwa imports:
add a Mugen decal from eBay, and you get.......
All for the slightly more reasonable price of £65.
Also bagged myself a Type-R badge for thr front grill which I think finishes the front off nicely, and with a bit of luck will avoid any hybrid confusion!
Okay, time had come to get a little more serious.
I remember back in the day (well, only 3 or 4 years ago), I used to scoff at the price of the ITG Maxogen induction kit for the RS Clio. I think it was about £350 back then.
Well, the ITG Maxgen seems like a bit of a bargain compared with the GruppeM kit for the FD2. Depending on exchange rates and including shipping and taxes, you'd be lucky to see change from £1300!
I'd been toying with the idea od getting one for over a year now, but finally I couldn't hold out much longer. Managed to jump in on a FN2 group buy, so picked up a FD2 GruppeM kit at a slightly (just slightly) more reasonable price.
And this is what you get for £850!
Certainly a thorough and serious piece of kit. Think one of the reasons its so expensive is because it includes a replacement panel for where the screenwasher jets go in order to accomadate the ram-air scoop.
Off to TDI North the car went for a session on the dyno....
(Unfortnately no pics of the dyno runs)
The claimed power is 225ps for the FD2, though many owners have been seeing more.
Unfortunately, my car still had its Japanese limiter (112mph) on it which meant the engine kept cutting out in the gear TDI were using on the rolling road before peak power could be reached. Paul reckoned I was on for about 229bhp if there hadn't been a limiter there.
So to get rid of the limiter and to make the most of the GruppeM.....
With the GruppeM also fitted, Paul @ TDI North set to work his magic....
In the end, the car made about 235bhp which isn't a massive jump in headline power, but the whole feel of the car has been transformed due to much more torque lower down the rev range.
Peak torque is actually up to 172IB Ft from 158 IB Ft which is more telling I think.
And the GruppeM.....
Quite like the look of the subtle scoop there now. Under the bonnet, looks a bit more impressive....
And how does it sound? Well, really pleased with it actually. Under normal driving you can't really hear it, but mash the throttle and you get a surprisingly deep bellow.
When vtec kicks in though, it sounds absolutely sensational. And judging by the reaction of some people I've past, quite terrifying.
Sorry, I was going to post some videos up, but my cheapo spy cam off ebay had decided to give up the ghost.
In terms of whats next, well, funds permitting.........
a Toda 4-2-1 manifold:
and a Toda exhaust:
Another session with the flashpro, and I'd be hoping to be well into the 240s and possibly close to 250 which I think would be pretty impressive for a 2.0 naturally aspirated engine.
Also, take a look at this pic of the front bumper:
Not dirt, but tiny stonechips. Honda paint really is softer than Audrey Harrison. A front re-spray may be in order...
Thanks for looking, and as ever, comments good/bad appreciated.
