Club-Version FL5 Civic Type R Build Thread

[conchajm]

Got it, thanks!

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[Club Version]

The RED Group at Sebring
As promised, please enjoy the following session at Sebring International Raceway hosted by Chin Track Days. I was able to lower my PB by 3 seconds to a 2:35.12. With more seat time and confidence I believe a Sub 2:30 is possible.

Enjoy!!

 

[conchajm]

@Club Version, heading for my second track weekend at HMS on March 1-2 (NASA). Can’t wait!

Still planning to run with my OEM pads and tires since they are still in good shape. However, I was thinking about the following upgrades:
- Swap brake fluid to Castrol SRF.
- Adjust alignment. Pull strut alignment pins to max negative camber (to ~ -2).
- Cover wheel weights with insulation tape to avoid them flying away.
- Install splash guards to protect paint
- Remove the metal drain tray underneath the hood vent.
- Install lap timer / camera

Couple of questions:
1) Anything else you might think is Important?
2) For the first 2 points do you know a good shop or dealer in the Miami area to take care of them? For example, what alignment shop do you go regularly or is there one you recommend? Brake fluid, pads and tire alignment will be constant needs, so it’ll be cool to have a safe and not so expensive shop to go to that knows the FL5.

Any tips are highly appreciated!
Thanks.

 

[Club Version]

@Club Version, heading for my second track weekend at HMS on March 1-2 (NASA). Can’t wait!

Still planning to run with my OEM pads and tires since they are still in good shape. However, I was thinking about the following upgrades:
- Swap brake fluid to Castrol SRF.
- Adjust alignment. Pull strut alignment pins to max negative camber (to ~ -2).
- Cover wheel weights with insulation tape to avoid them flying away.
- Install splash guards to protect paint
- Remove the metal drain tray underneath the hood vent.
- Install lap timer / camera

Couple of questions:
1) Anything else you might think is Important?
2) For the first 2 points do you know a good shop or dealer in the Miami area to take care of them? For example, what alignment shop do you go regularly or is there one you recommend? Brake fluid, pads and tire alignment will be constant needs, so it’ll be cool to have a safe and not so expensive shop to go to that knows the FL5.

Any tips are highly appreciated!
Thanks.

You pretty much have all your basis covered, don’t forget to bring water for yourself and enjoy your track day.

After you remove the alignment pins and push the struts inward, I would recommend you get an alignment at Apex Alignment. He’s very strict with his appointments, so when you call leave a voicemail and he will call you back with availability.

For the brake fluid I’ve always done it myself. I’m not sure if a dealer would swap your fluid to a DOT4 spec. It doesn’t hurt to ask though.

 

[conchajm]

You pretty much have all your basis covered, don’t forget to bring water for yourself and enjoy your track day.

After you remove the alignment pins and push the struts inward, I would recommend you get an alignment at Apex Alignment. He’s very strict with his appointments, so when you call leave a voicemail and he will call you back with availability.

For the brake fluid I’ve always done it myself. I’m not sure if a dealer would swap your fluid to a DOT4 spec. It doesn’t hurt to ask though.

Thanks! I’ll get in touch with Apex.

 

[Club Version]

JDM Seat Goodness (Mugen MS-C Full Bucket Seat)
Following my recent back to back track days I noted that I really need to get a better seat to hold me in. Although the OEM seat is amazing, it does not hold you in very well once you really start to gain momentum. I was getting bruising on my knees, bottom of my left foot, and my arms kept on cramping from holding myself in the seat with the steering wheel.

After some research and accepting I'm a JDM fanboy I decided to go with the latest offering from Mugen. The MS-C seat comes with the seat rails, clearly illustrated instructions, and all necessary hardware to install in the car including a plug-in airbag seat canceler, plus you get a fancy FIA sticker. However, you still have to transfer over a couple of items over from the factory seat (ie. seat buckle and seat position sensor). The bucket does come with a seat position sensor but it is not compatible with USDM vehicles.

I do have to mention the seat fits pretty snug, as the seat mold is a JDM Recaro RSG. I'm 5'6" with waist size of 33-34 and I'm at the limit of what is bearable for this seat. Nonetheless, after driving with it for about a week I'm extremely satisfied with the fit and finish of the seat plus I shaved off about 20lbs from the car.

Upon my first impressions you can really feel how stiff the chassis of the FL5 is and when I pushed the car aggressively in the corners I actually got a bit of vertigo. I feel as if my eyes and body are not used to the new sensation of the seat, however after a day or two of driving that feeling went away. I also noticed the steering rack feels slower and I'm able to better predict the car's weight transfer, hopefully this translates to more confidence on track and some new PB's.

As always please enjoy the following pics:

 

[Sateen2125]

Do you know by chance the difference between the MS-C and MS-R Full buckets. I have similar waist but I'm 6'3. On every day driving I always sit straight up never really recline. Always been a habit in buckets from past years of drag racing

 

[Club Version]

Do you know by chance the difference between the MS-C and MS-R Full buckets. I have similar waist but I'm 6'3. On every day driving I always sit straight up never really recline. Always been a habit in buckets from past years of drag racing

From a quick look they seem to be very similar but I can tell you the MS-C comes with the seat rails for our cars.

 

[Sateen2125]

From a quick look they seem to be very similar but I can tell you the MS-C comes with the seat reals for our cars.

I seen that. Guess I can call king motor sports and ask the difference

 

[Club Version]

Getting More Seat Time at Sebring
With no changes from my January attempt I was able to lower my PB by 4 seconds to a 2:31.24. On my last session of the day the Garmin Catalyst noted a 2:29.87 as my optimal. Looking forward to going back out and breaking into the Sub 2:30!

Enjoy!!

 

[Club Version]

JDM Seat Again? (Spoon Carbon Bucket)
After lots of internal mental debate, I decided to sell the Mugen MS-C and get a Spoon seat. One came up for sale at a reasonable price so I decided to jump on it. Overall install was the same as the Recaro and I was able to re-use my seat rails. This seat does sit a bit higher on the rails so I had to remove the seat slider spacers and it came out perfect! Now I can't stop staring at the Carbon Kevlar back!

Enjoy the following pics:

 

[Club Version]

Couple of Small Updates
Still have about another three and half weeks till my next track day so I've just been collecting a couple of small parts to further improve the cars reliability and feel on track.

As most of you have seen online @siwelnosaj HPT cooling plate has really helped a lot of other FL5/DE5 owners perform cooler on track so I decided to get one. I have also purchased a set of J's Racing camber joints so I can finally dial in some more front camber and effectively use the entire contact patch. In addition, to help the car rotate more effectively I have purchased Accord rear end-links. Finally, I installed some Seeker SSC set to slightly improve shift feel. I'm still pending on installing the camber joints and end links but I'm shooting to have the car re-aligned and ready to go before for my next track day.

Enjoy the following pics, and check out the updated Mod List on the first page of the thread. I finally got around to organizing all the parts I've installed and what's coming in the mail .

 

[Club Version]

Max Camber FTW
The J's Racing front camber joint may be my favorite mod yet! Just got back from my local dealer who did the install and aligned the car. With the OE shocks and springs the final numbers came out to -4.00 degrees of camber on each side.

After some quick on- and off-ramp runs I can confidently say there is a night and day difference!! I had previously felt the car was suffering from some mid-corner understeer once the car's weight had transferred over to the outside edge of the tires, but now that feeling has completely been eliminated. The initial turn-in phase has also been vastly improved. Overall, I'm very excited to test out the new alignment at the track, but in the meantime enjoy the following install pics.

 

[TheFactor]

@Club Version My kind of build thread love it !
If I wanted 500 plus HP I’d get a C8 and not ring our FL5 out. Which I’ll probably do “C8” but this FL5 isn’t going anywhere anytime soon and the C8 will be an addition. I respect those that want to crack into the ECU but just don’t think I have the heart to do it. I didn’t buy this car to do that with I knew coming in it had respectable power for its class but that’s not its strong point. Its strong points is its handling and its heritage of being a type R . I’m just enjoying it for what it has with the exception of an exhaust just for some tunes lol , PRL Stage 1 and a OEM plus CF wing and I’m enjoying the heck out of it . Will hopefully get some track days in soon.
Great build thread and love the track footage nice driving

 

[Club Version]

@Club Version My kind of build thread love it !
If I wanted 500 plus HP I’d get a C8 and not ring our FL5 out. Which I’ll probably do “C8” but this FL5 isn’t going anywhere anytime soon and the C8 will be an addition. I respect those that want to crack into the ECU but just don’t think I have the heart to do it. I didn’t buy this car to do that with I knew coming in it had respectable power for its class but that’s not its strong point. Its strong points is its handling and its heritage of being a type R . I’m just enjoying it for what it has with the exception of an exhaust just for some tunes lol , PRL Stage 1 and a OEM plus CF wing and I’m enjoying the heck out of it . Will hopefully get some track days in soon.
Great build thread and love the track footage nice driving

Thank you, really appreciate the nice comments!!

It’s been a slow build but I get to enjoy each change I do to the car at every track outing.

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