Civic Si First Impressions

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09-14-2006, 06:13 PM
srivendel

Civic Si First Impressions

Here's a picture to of an identical car to mine until I get my digital camera working again:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y28...i/DSC01560.jpg

Initial impressions (remember, I'm still in the break-in period, so I'm not burning VTECs yet :albino:):

* Fiji Blue is the best color ever.
* Why couldn't I have had these seats in my Miata? They rock.
* The split dash (analogue tach/digital speedo up high) is really great to use, even though it looks a little space-age at first.
* The stock 350w stereo (w/sub) is good for a factory system but must die eventually to be replaced by something better.
* The windshield is freakin huge and I can't see the hood or fenders.
* This thing feels gigantic compared to the Miata, even though it's "only" 300lbs heavier.
* It feels like an exotic from behind the wheel. The ride feels like a BMW only with slightly more impact harshness. Did I mention how good the seats are?
* Honda wasn't farting around when they made me pay $200 for "summer tires." It comes with a reasonably exotic Michelin Exalto PE2. I bet these would be fun in the snow.
http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires..._pe2_ci1_l.jpg

Rock on,
S.
09-14-2006, 06:47 PM
TheChadVIII

Niiice! I have a friend right here with an EP3 Si who's rather envious of you.
09-14-2006, 06:51 PM
srivendel

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheChadVIII

Niiice! I have a friend right here with an EP3 Si who's rather envious of you.

Thanks! I feel very fortunate. Fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time to snag this car. And most of all, fortunate to be able to afford such a nice car. :chug:

S.
09-14-2006, 07:07 PM
Treibenschnell
Quote:
Originally Posted by srivendel

Here's a picture to of an identical car to mine until I get my digital camera working again...
Fiji Blue is the best color ever.
The windshield is freakin huge and I can't see the hood or fenders.
- Not good enough... we want to see your car.
- Honda's Atomic Blue is much better. ;)
- Take a ride in my Element and then say that again.
Otherwise, congrats on a nice car!
09-14-2006, 07:10 PM
Magma

Congrats, enjoy it as much as i did my '99
09-14-2006, 07:23 PM
srivendel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magma

Congrats, enjoy it as much as i did my '99

Thanks. Enjoy that downpipe as much as I enjoyed staring at the box in my garage for three months! ::Clown::

S.
09-14-2006, 07:25 PM
tailchaser

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treibenschnell

Take a ride in my Element and then say that again

The intercooler in my dodge is bigger than your windshield, if you really must compare apples to oranges.
09-14-2006, 07:27 PM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by tailchaser

The intercooler in my dodge is bigger than your windshield, if you really must compare apples to oranges.

Sounds like we're gonna have to whip out the tapes...
09-14-2006, 07:32 PM
Dave04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treibenschnell

Sounds like we're gonna have to whip out the tapes...

As long as that's the only thing you whip out...:cyclopsa:
09-14-2006, 07:41 PM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave04

As long as that's the only thing you whip out...:cyclopsa:

Hey, whatever tickles your pickle... ::Paul::
09-14-2006, 07:48 PM
srivendel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treibenschnell

Hey, whatever tickles your pickle... ::Paul::

WTMFI! ::SpamLase

S.
09-14-2006, 07:56 PM
srivendel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treibenschnell

[LIST][*]Honda's Atomic Blue is much better. ;)

Maybe for an Element, but I'm not crazy about it on the Civic:
http://static.flickr.com/34/104794028_66af8c57a3_m.jpg

S.
09-14-2006, 08:07 PM
altiain

Quote:

Originally Posted by tailchaser

The intercooler in my dodge is bigger than your windshield, if you really must compare apples to oranges.

And if you're gonna go there, the rig I spent the afternoon testing has an intercooler that measures 36"x72".

You oughta see the radiator on this thing... :shock:
09-15-2006, 05:59 AM
Nexus Flux

Congrats on the new ride.:clap:

I was considering getting an Si before I got my RSX. I liked the fact that it comes with 197 Hp and an LSD. What did turn me off though was the throttle by wire and the rear end. I like the rear on the 4-door a lot more than the 2-door.

Have fun with the new car!!!
09-15-2006, 07:06 AM
srivendel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nexus Flux

What did turn me off though was the throttle by wire and the rear end. I like the rear on the 4-door a lot more than the 2-door.

Not only is it drive-by-wire, it's steer-by-wire, too. :pale: It's the first car I've owned that has either "feature." The jury's still out on both. First impression? The steering is great but the throttle is jumpy. That's exactly the opposite of how I thought they would be. I figured an electronic throttle would be no big deal, but that electronic steering would feel artificial.

Nevertheless, neither was a deal killer for me. ;)

S.
09-15-2006, 07:59 AM
black roadster

Quote:

Originally Posted by srivendel

Not only is it drive-by-wire, it's steer-by-wire, too. :pale:

I wonder what safe guards are in place for things like device failure and power loss. ::Drive2::
09-15-2006, 08:22 AM
POS Racing

How does the steer-by-wire steer work??? Sounds spooky!
09-15-2006, 08:27 AM
wrxmr2eater

I believe its a new trend in most new cars to not have a power steering pump running hydraulic fluid, but to be electrically operated

From the Honda Site

Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion Steering - Electric

Just like losing a power steering pump on a older car when the power goes out, but I believe like the Germans, there is a backup power assist for a bit if that is to occur.

If it is like the Germans, the power assist can be tuned for your likes and allow more direct - less assisted steering if desired.
09-15-2006, 08:30 AM
srivendel

Here's more info.

I mis-spoke. It has electric power steering instead of hydraulic power steering. That's different than steer-by-wire. My bad.

S.
09-15-2006, 08:43 AM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by srivendel

Here's more info.

I mis-spoke. It has electric power steering instead of hydraulic power steering. That's different than steer-by-wire. My bad.

S.

Yea I like the steering to be mechanically connected to the front end!

Didn't Mercedes play with a steer-by-wire setup??
09-15-2006, 08:46 AM
Nexus Flux

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrxmr2eater

I believe its a new trend in most new cars to not have a power steering pump running hydraulic fluid, but to be electrically operated

From the Honda Site

Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion Steering - Electric

I think this might need a little clarification.
As far as the RSX goes it's "An electronically controlled speed-sensing power-assist, rack-and-pinion system." There is a power steering pump but as the speed of the car increases the amount of power steering assistance goes down. The power steering fluid bypasses the rack and flows more freely thereby reducing the amount of HP loss from the power steering pump. My '90 Integra had a similar setup but the power steering fluid was routed through the tranny. It was a mechanically variable power steering.

Let me do some checking on the Civic setup as the Honda site is a little short on info. They do share many other components so I don't see why it would be much differnt between the EP3 and DC5 chassis.
09-15-2006, 09:07 AM
srivendel

Here's something from the Car Connection:

Strict adherence to the latest SAE testing standards have the new Civic Si's engine rated at 197 horsepower instead of 200 but that doesn't mean there are no differences between it and the similar powerplant in the RSX Type-S. Code-named K20Z3, the Civic SI's all-aluminum engine is a member of Honda's K-Series family and shares, bore, stroke, displacement, DOHC cylinder-head design, four-valve combustion chambers, 11.0:1 compression ratio and a thrilling 8000 rpm redline with the 201-horsepower K20Z1 used in the 2006 RSX Type-S. However it has a balance shaft that produces smoother operation but increases parasitic drag. In compensation for that the K20Z3 uses electric power steering and also incorporates an electric throttle and its own unique aluminum intake manifold.

Interesting...

S.
09-15-2006, 09:57 AM
altiain

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nexus Flux

I think this might need a little clarification.
As far as the RSX goes it's "An electronically controlled speed-sensing power-assist, rack-and-pinion system." There is a power steering pump but as the speed of the car increases the amount of power steering assistance goes down. The power steering fluid bypasses the rack and flows more freely thereby reducing the amount of HP loss from the power steering pump. My '90 Integra had a similar setup but the power steering fluid was routed through the tranny. It was a mechanically variable power steering.

Let me do some checking on the Civic setup as the Honda site is a little short on info. They do share many other components so I don't see why it would be much differnt between the EP3 and DC5 chassis.

No, the '06 Si (like the S2000, and several Mazdas like the 3 and RX-8 ) does not have a hydraulic power steering system at all. All power steering assist is through electronically actuated servos instead of hydraulic pumps.

This is one of the reasons the original S2000 was often maligned for a lack of steering feel and feedback. Since the servo assist is controlled by software instead of the traditional hardware feedback loop of a hydraulic power steering system, the “feedback” that you feel through the steering system is almost entirely artificial. The art is in getting the feedback generated by the software to mimic what you would get with a well-weighted traditional hydraulic power steering system… something that Honda’s engineers didn’t get very right on the original ’00 S2000.

However, they’ve made huge strides in feedback algorithms since then. I haven’t driven a new Si, but later model S2000s (‘04+) have dramatically better steering feel and “feedback” than the early cars. Still not as good as the best hydraulic systems, but the tradeoff is in reduced complexity, cost, and parasitic engine load.
09-15-2006, 10:44 AM
Adam Payrot

Yeah that, Iain's got it right.
09-15-2006, 12:02 PM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Payrot

Iain's got it right.

Was there ever really any question whether Altiain was wrong? ;) :D
09-15-2006, 01:36 PM
Nexus Flux

Learn something new everyday.

In my defence, I said what I know pertains to the RSX and I was going to do some more checking into the EP3s. Also while I was writing my post 3 or 4 other people replied with some more info so that when I posted I was a few posts after the post I was replying to.

:D
09-15-2006, 01:43 PM
Adam Payrot

I think somebody on CRSX is currently trying to swap his RSX power steering for the Si's electric unit. I haven't read the thread in quite some time, so I don't know if he was successful.

<-------- classic. ::BigBird:
09-15-2006, 01:57 PM
Nexus Flux

After reading Iain's post I started thinking about that. As long as the power steering system is on a seperate ECU it very well might be possible without too much trouble.
09-15-2006, 02:01 PM
Adam Payrot

And HERE'S the guy...