dt10g Build Thread

[dt10g]

So this post is long overdue...

Even though I've been on the forum longer than I've owned my car,
until this year my Internet speed was rubbish... but now I can upload!

2016 Honda Civic LX (Canadian spec)

For those who don't know,
specifications on the Canadian LX trim is superior in a few respects compared to USA market, including..

• included CarPlay infotainment and cluster
• 8 speaker sound system (no amp, no sub)
• heated (front) seats + mirrors
• 60/40 split rear seat
• etc.

TL;DR - just show me...

How did I get here?

I previously drove a (7th gen?) Honda Civic sedan, but it was written off in 2015

R.I.P.

So I needed a new car obviously, and was deciding between a Subaru and the Civic...

Civic won

... and my purchase thinking process was something like:

Body type: Sedan

Even though I was a single guy at the time, I always drove and loved compact lightweight sedans.
I liked that I could easily put stuff in the backseat... in case I couldn't be bothered with the trunk.
So the Coupe was out.

and the Hatchback was not yet released, and honestly I don't like hatchbacks anyway (incl. CTR)

So I chose Sedan...

Transmission: Manual

I had been driving stick since forever and wanted another manual Civic over anything else.
Which made the next decision easy...

Trim: LX

In Canada, in 2016 the only sedans with a manual transmission (option) were the DX or LX.
The DX didn't have CarPlay and the other upgrades above ... or even air conditioning!!!

LX it was...

I was quite happy with that choice, because I also specifically did not want certain things in EX or Touring anyway

e.g. I did not want ...

- Sunroof (I'm tall in the torso, eyes are light sensitive and not a fan of a potential rust hole...)
- Lanewatch (I found it annoying on the test drive...)

Colour: Gray

In 2016 there were not many colours available,
for the LX it was only a choice of White, Black ... or Dark Gray (aka "Modern Steel Metallic")

I have never liked Black cars .... and figured White would look constantly dirty.

so Modern Steel Metallic it was.

While originally I thought I wanted Silver like my 7th gen, the silver on the Civic is a different tone, which I didn't like as much. Since owning the MSM, I have grown to love this colour, I would get another car in this shade for sure.

Day of Purchase: November 2015

I bought the car with nearly all the optional dealership Honda accessories

• fog lights
• side skirt upgrade
• body side moulding
• door edge guards
• LED spoiler
• snow tires & rims

The only parts I recall NOT buying were the optional front & rear bumper spoiler flares, because I didn't like how they looked.

I paid almost entirely cash for it, but had to wait 30 days for Honda to produce my 6MT ...

When it finally arrived, I even had the salesman drive the original sideskirts to my house in his truck...

"just in case I wanted to revert"

What was I thinking...

Those upgraded side skirts (and LED spoiler) became my singular favourite visual parts of the car!

Day of Delivery: early December 2015

I took the morning off work, took possession of the car and immediately drove ... straight to the commuter train parking lot.

... and went to work!

Yes I am parked on the far side of the parking lot with the protected paint zones on two sides lol...

I have always loved the arc of the Civic sedan's roofline ...
and how the rear quarter window comes together in a smooth curve (no kink)
I am a big fan of the sharp edge design of the 10th generation through the body.


After work that day, my boss twisted my arm to come hang out with some of his lady friends at a local bar.

Literally ALL I wanted to do was go home and drive my brand new car...

So I had to make nice with these (admittedly gorgeous) girls for a while...
and then I got the hell out.

Went driving for at least an hour in the dark, a distance of probably 100-150km.
You can't tell from this photo exactly but this was a great road...
Ups and downs. Probably got home after 1am.

I then drove it Bone Stock for 5 1/2 years...

I had other things going on in my life in those years (not always great things) and the car just became a means to an end, lots of backroad drives, loaded up with my road bike, etc.

and then in the summer of 2021, something snapped.

I had been on this forum forever but never even thought of upgrading anything. But that summer, the heat caused the plastic top cap (shift pattern) on the OEM Honda mushroom shift knob to literally pop off like a champagne cork.

This annoyed the hell out of me, so I researched like crazy ...
and ordered a custom titanium shift knob from WC Latheworks.

Several days later it seems that I then ordered the Sport pedals and Horn upgrade from College Hills Honda.

The upgrades have never stopped.

I bought (many) new tools, learned new skills, and generally spent every waking minute planning my next upgrades.

During this time I developed friendships with some great people, including Humza who has since offered lots of guidance beyond just the products which Unity Performance carries... I remember turning up at his old shop location on a very dark cold probably rainy November night, wondering where the heck I was going in this shady industrial plaza ... and then finding my way inside ... stepping gingerly over his car lift and various accumulated parts to pick up my order. Humza was very welcoming and I immediately felt that I was "in the right place"... in more than just a pure logistical sense. Some other folks straggled in after me and so I got out of their way and hit the long road home.

I'd like to think that I've connected with some of the regulars here on CivicX, and hopefully become a contributing member now myself. I was able to connect up with the (somewhat local) 10th Gen Club and was fortunately to be included their 10th Gen lineup one summer at the (epic) Drive Festival when it was still being held. Last year we also rocked up to meet Honda Pro Jason at a Honda dealership meet, which was a real highlight. I have to give a shout out to IRL friends Moonwhey and JonStewK20C2 in particular. I'm hoping to take some more road trips in 2025 and maybe connect up with more of you all.

Lastly, to all the guys (and gals) who have shared their knowledge and skills here on CivicX...

Thank you!

Sponsored

 

[dt10g]

above: Honda Civic - Type FC2

Specifications

see Vehicle Showcase (link) ...

Summary

Hmm, how to summarize my bespoke build.
let's have some fun with that...

Road & Track - 2016

"This No Limits build imagines if Honda / Mugen had created the ultimate performance edition of the Civic (FC2) sedan, similar to earlier Euro R and Mugen RR designs - among many others which never made it to production. Utilizing the best of Honda OEM and aftermarket parts sourced globally, the build combines a desire to deliver an authentic old school driving feel, with a naturally aspirated engine mated to world-class 6MT shifting performance. Engine dynamics have been fully customized by one of the premier engine tuners for this platform and served up in a responsive lightweight chassis. (2823lb - full fluids and accessories). Combined with supporting technology that never gets in the way of the essential driving experience, premium materials are utilized throughout ... including carbon fibre, titanium, leather and Alcantara... to remind the Driver at all times, through sight, sound and feel, of these performance aspirations."

 

[dt10g]

Interior

Revel GT carbon/alcantara cluster hood
(Overland / Sweidit also make something similar)
I also have a Pegasus full carbon one, but even in matte, I find it has too much glare.

On the Mugen steering wheel, that is a genuine new OEM CTR airbag, not an overlay.... with all the Carbon Sixth trims in matte.

EU CTR switch with the AUTO button connected to FC2 Eco switch
I'll do something latter with the CTR mode rocker switch, thinking valved exhaust control.

That's a Mugen start/stop switch (35881-XMKB-K1S0) with a custom carbon frame. This is the one for GP5 (?) but I also have the one for FK8... I just prefer the graphics on the GP5 one, and I have a wiring adapter that I'll use for some nefarious purpose later.

Comparison: FK8 vs GP5 button faces, additional notes on this here
You can see how the FK8 switch is really suited to Start-Stop function,
whereas the other one makes more sense to use if you want it for other functions

Overland alcantara pillar replacements up on the dash

above: P3 Gauges vent display, you can only have this in OBD2 mode if the KTuner is turned off, otherwise you have to use it in analog mode.

Another view, which also shows the Honda OEM optional Berlina Black trim overlays, and a bunch of different carbon, plus all the driver's side button options (currently no connection for these, but I may get creative later...)

I incorporated an ODB2 switch into my lower driver's console so I can toggle power to 3 devices (currently only have the two though)... this is so much better to power-cycle the KTuner than having to yank the cable.

I also have a Gentex (GENHLBP1) Homelink garage door opener incorporated above that...
It is battery powered (but it lasts several years) and while I have to watch that I don't catch my knee upon entry where I placed it (since it juts out maybe 3/4 inch... thus maybe next time I would change the position slightly)
I find that I much prefer activating the door in that left-hand position that the usual "overhead" door opener position - whether the OEM overhead Homelink ones, the mirror ones or the usual clip-on. Once you try this, it seems really strange to have to raise your arm to the roof to open your garage. I suppose what could be neat would be wiring in an OEM HomeLink on the left of the driver console... but I don't have those wiring skills, so I leave that to you guys. Below is the Gentex, you just cut a suitable rectangular hole and it clips right into place, surface mount style.

below: finally I found a photo... you can see how one potentially bangs your knee in this position.
it would be better placed in one of the button bays, or even cut into the carbon panel above...
I don't think the inner portion of the panel will work, as there is a big steel plate behind there.

above: Custom TunerView using an Android tablet, with a QuadLock vent mount.
The current app iteration uses a large gear indicator rather than the Speed/Gear values here.

I used to think OEM's that used tablet-style displays up on the dash were lame, but honestly since trying this setup, I find being able to pan left-right with my eyes much easier. I suspect there is probably some biology / eye / brain explanation for why that is ... This implementation is (or can be) tilted towards the driver, which is better than many OEM implementations that are just flat on the dash, no angle. Anyway, I find having the multiple displays very useful vs. flipping functions on the HU, esp. since the TunerView app needs to essentially re-launch each time to flip away from it, perhaps due to low HU memory.

above: Carbon-style vinyl for the hazard, I think it looks SICK in red. I'd purchased several other OEM Honda JDM hazard buttons but they are different profiles/pinouts so never implemented those.

Lots of carbon, mostly from Carbon Sixth Element (and also some Pegasus)... and Mugen, Revel GT, Carbon Zone Poland, Synth Carbon (e.g. window visors, cupholders) etc.

Better view of the console below:

above:
Fully Acuity shifter replacement, plus the engine bay bushings.

The above is Pegasus skinned gloss L pieces, Pegasus skinned the thin normally silver piece around the shifter, and the silver pieces around the buttons. Then it is a Carbon Sixth matte shifter surround, and currently their gloss lower panel. Then I built my own interior carbon walls with black Titanium bolts to frame out the interior, otherwise you would see some of the shift boot plastic tabs.

I also have those gloss trims in matte, just waiting on warmer weather to install them...
I currently have a Pegasus gloss dash, with Revel GT gloss vent trims and I have Carbon Sixth matte replacements ready to try out when it is warmer. My thinking was that I wanted gloss for accent pieces... and then matte elsewhere to cut down on any glare. Honestly I'm still feeling out the aesthetic. Also some brands only make gloss, which simplifies that choice...

I have umpteen knobs, but this Mugen carbon setup above is perfect for cold weather....

I have the Chasing JS titanium shift delete plates, but honestly I like this open look better.

Chasing JS titanium shift rod, underneath a custom carbon tube I made.
... with anodized Ti or Aluminum washers in the Mugen colours... of course.

Custom carbon KTuner screen overlay that I created -- I find the KTuner brightness controls tedious (it does not auto-switch from light to dark) and I use the TunerView app on the headunit or on the additional tablet as shown anyway.

upgraded facelift Civic cupholder replacement (round cups, not hexagonal...) with Synth Carbon carbon liners (for 11th gen) at the bottom. Also added the OEM Honda console coin tray and rubber mat with Easter egg...

Also added some Amazon rubber cupholder/doorliner/tray mats set, that is actually very good.

Under the center console armrest, I added the Import BIble melody box with custom audio tunes
(not shown)

above: Custom KTuner FireWire port: pardon the dust...
FireWire IEEE1394 is used in the professional audio space, so you can buy Neutrik couplers, surface mount stuff etc. Also visible is the QuadLock Wireless CarPlay adapter,obviously not plugged into the USB in this photo...

above:
This must be an old photo, because I also have carbon window switches now...
I had window switches that were skinned in carbon, but I was not happy with what (the supplier) did as he must have Dremelled the holes for the buttons and it was not up to scratch. So I would not recommend you buy skinned window switches...

Then I bought replacement OEM Honda parts and got Carbon Sixth overlays for those which are much better. Eventually Carbon Sixth will doubtless make a full replacement piece like they keep doing to me with other parts.

Full OEM Honda interior leather trim replacements throughout (front, rear, center console)
I have both the typical low-height OEM center console leathers and the taller ones with the LED bars. Currently using the taller ones.

Rear door panels replaced with EX/Touring panels too, because I like the visual line of that upper trim to be continuous down the car. (Normally an LX just has no upper silver trim on the rear doors)

Mugen door kick panels too... surprising, they have stayed affixed quite well.

above: That's the reflection of the door handle lining on the gloss carbon panel.
custom door handle liner, door striker and glovebox garnishes by Mat at AutoCOVR
custom titanium Mugen badge by JD Customs (my design: HCM = Honda Canada Manufacturing)

Older photos below, but

above: Some of the other AutoCOVR custom items,
there's two Ti bolts hiding under those door striker covers, etc.

above: Mugen steering wheel with the Honda sport pedals beneath and a Sparco deadpedal with titanium hardware, on a custom carbon spacer that I built... evcX throttle controller on the right. All the carbon trim pieces from Carbon Sixth Element (their matte finishing is not quite as matte as the Mugen...)

Mugen mats (for summer), Tuxmat for winter

.. and a lot of the Honda illumination kits

Under dash installed
... two door kits to install for front + rear,
... the upgraded leather console lightbars
... the European illum. Type R door sills
(which comes with rear doors too - not illuminated, USA only comes with front door parts)

UK leather adjustable headrests

Custom carbon tubes on the silver headrest arms
+ cheeky ejector seat warnings...

Lumbar support with the Corbeau air bladders in both front seats.
(Genius idea, credit to whomever here gave me that suggestion...)
They are just affixed inside the seat frame with a stiff backing panel,
so then when you inflate them, they push the seat foam forward...

Full interior conversion, from beige to black.
the only part I don't yet have is the actual black headliner.
Probably do that in Spring.

UK + Spanish sunvisors.
I forget which is which (driver/passenger)

The benefit of this configuration is that there are NO warning labels on either side of either of them. That always annoyed me…

above:
SUMA mirror glass and Mugen carbon mirror cover

Guess what colour these are...

One of the many shift knobs I have acquired (addiction?) ...
looking forward to installing this one in Spring and see how it feels in hand

 

[dt10g]

Exterior

Yofer FC450 bodykit
- installed the bumpers, gave away the sideskirts, and have not installed the lip

LLumar tint all around, the front is clear AIR80 with a sunstripe and the rest is ... (TBD)

This next (early) photo has the previous Morimoto V1 headlights and Morimoto smoked sidemarkers, but were later changed to V2 + Ultimate. This is showcasing the Carbon Sixth Element carbon grille and overlay. I may try to bring down the edge as the bumper fitment is perhaps not 100% there. This makes it looks worse than it is. I'm tempted to move to the J's Racing one this year, as I think that I prefer the shape of that one - although I'm always hard pressed to explain HOW it is visually different, but I think it's just more rounded with less depth on the top part?

Synth Carbon (window vents, door handles)

Carbon Sixth Element garnishes (window pillars, louvres, bumper, gas cap, etc)
I have C6 door handles too, but have yet to swap them over...

I purchased new Honda OEM door handles in black, since I didn't want to have gray handles with carbon overlays.

Art of Attack grille decals,
it normally is super stealth, really blends in... but obvious here

Mugen license plate bolts (4)
with replacement bolts in Titanium

I have a complete exterior mirror replacement program planned:
Motorized folding, genuine Mugen caps, LED signals front & rear, Touring wire harnesses, new mirror housing/frames without the RHS LaneWatch camera wart (e.g. EU CTR)

Got all the parts for this, just my electrical skills are non-existent at this point. TBD...

above: Titanium hardware for the Honda LED spoiler. I plan to paint the white parts under here MSM in the Spring when it is warmer out. If you were not familiar with this spoiler, notice how Honda impressed "CIVIC" into the underside. Literally only the owner ever sees this, either reflected in the trunk paintwork, or if you flip it up like this. Pretty cool Honda, pretty cool.

Almost forgot...
ZL1 Addons Deluxe Type R mudguards, front & rear, custom shaped for my build

I also have in mind a much more extensive exterior modification program in mind, but I need to finish off installation of all the various parts I have already... so that work might be 2025-2027

 

[dt10g]

Wheels and Brakes

SuperSpeed wheels,

winter:
Superspeed RF03RR (18x8.5 +35) flow formed
+ Blizzak WS90 (= 235 / 40 R18)

summer:
Superspeed RF03RR (18x9.5 +38) flow formed
+ Conti DWS06 (= 255 / 35 R18)


Stock brakes shown on the car, but I have a fairly incredible setup to install, already have all the parts, just have to Get 'er Done...

Have a whole new set of hubs and titanium extended studs to install too

Brakes (to be installed)

Alcon 6-piston monobloc BBK + Paragon 355 rotors
Ti shims, P2/P3 pads etc.

new CTR rear calipers powdercoated to match
new Si rear caliper brackets powdercoated to match
StopTech rear rotors for Si (and in the Base size if the Si doesn't work out)
Goodridge brake lines
Endless brake fluid
Wunderladen brake bushings
new OEM dust shields and various parts thanks to advice from Thusee

 

[dt10g]

Chassis and Suspension

HoneySeal rust protection,

Ultra Racing front brace, trunk brace and strut bar installed already.

I acquired pretty much every chassis upgrade on the market, and will try installing them this year

• Ultra Racing (rear brace) *if this one does not fit, will try the PRL one below
• PRL (mid + rear braces)
• Spoon (rigid collars, stiff plate) *hoping the stiff plate does not interfere with the exhaust
• Whiteline (sway bars, LCA, etc)

KW v3 coilovers ready to install too...
I also got a lot of new Honda OEM suspension elements (e.g. rear shock mounts) for that too.
I'm working with Unity on wheel spacers that may be required for these + Paragon brakes installation

 

[dt10g]

Engine Bay and Performance

custom Phearable eTune

various items:
Ultra Racing "limited edition" strut tower brace ... (a little bird told me this colour was an error lol)
Antigravity 40Ah Lithium battery hiding there under a custom carbon cover I made
Antigravity Lithium bluetooth battery monitor
Passwd JDM carbon coolant tank cover (customized by me to fit the hood prop)
Passwd JDM fuse box cover (customized with titanium badge by JD Customs)
Passwd JDM ECU cover
PRL intake (customized with black P2C clamp, all Ti hardware and electrical tape over the logo)
Painted or Powerdcoated items (hood latch, hard-line bracket at left, O2 sensor heatshield...)
wrapped the O2 sensor wires with braided cable shroud...
Chasing JS elements (coolant tank/washer/oil caps, oil dipstick, engine cover, suspension hats)
Polished the hard-lines with a jewellers cloth
Titanium Works bolts into stainless steel rivnuts
Vaikhari titanium hood prop
(...)

Sergmotive grounding cables, custom length

Massive 0HP upgrade from 4Piston
... had this installed when I did timing chain & VTC actuator replacement, and valve adjustment.

Got more parts to install here also...

cerakote valve cover
titanium valve cover bolts
CNC'd FK8/FL5 coolant tank to retrofit
HPS silicone coolant hose replacement kit
etc.

 

[dt10g]

Lighting

Morimoto V2 LED headlight
Morimoto XB LED foglights
Ultimate smoked sequential LED sidemarkers
V1 light smoked LED rear lights
Honda OEM LED wing spoiler
Diode Dynamics LED bulbs everywhere else
rear pulsing 3rd brake light control module from CivicX

I built my own wiring harness extensions, which just plug in between the harness and the headlights so I can tee off to the sequential sidemarkers, because tapping any of the harnesses is just something I try to avoid (haven't done it yet!) ... I think sidemarker companies should really offer that as an upgrade option for people uncomfortable with that. It makes it more plug and play.

above: I had the upper window spoiler (HIC) installed, but the adhesive did not last, and I was of two minds about the visuals anyway. I prefer it without this piece (since removed)... with the spoiler it almost made it more hatchback-like to my eyes ... whereas with spoiler removed, it preserves the arc of the sedan that I love.

Anyway, the rear lights ...
I think the Civic rear "bracket" lights are an iconic design and I am really happy to keep this design in a more modern LED presentation here

above: Cheeky little vinyl on the rear brake light under glass...

I have some more cool ideas for the rear-end lighting, but TBD still making plans...

 

[dt10g]

Exhaust

• Mugen FK8 titanium exhaust
• custom titanium fabrication by Fusion Motorsport Fabrications to fit diffuser
• FunctionWerk front pipe
• RV6 catted downpipe (ceramic coated)
• Chasing JS + JD Customs titanium studs & hardware

see Chassis section above for full "installed" under-car view

It started with an idea, proceeded with a gamble, waited with patience and succeeded thanks to craftmen. Technically I'm not sure my fabricator needed to remove the middle flanges on the Mugen exhaust, but regardless, those flanges actually weigh a lot, so now the installed package is lighter as a result.

Customized by Fusion Motorsport Fabrications (url)

Thermals

I am considering implementing a valve controller, but it'll have to be well-planned so TBD.

One thing I might do, is to install an OEM heatshield on the driver side, because the LX only came with one on the passenger side. I don't think it's exactly necessary just OCD...

 

[dt10g]

Miscellaneous

Tons of titanium hardware sprinkled throughout ... visible and otherwise.

Complete replacement rear crash bar (old one was rusty) powdercoated black.
Titanium hardware, and painted by me, in homage to Dream Automotive (url) ...
I swear that logo was like 10 coats until it was perfect

various:

• Weathertech carbon license frame
• titanium license plate bolts.
• Mugen badge emblem
• original A-spec emblem (I think of it as "Attack-spec" ...) which balances nicely
• Carbon Sixth Element Honda logo badge
• TMGPS representation (url)

Front crash bar painted black to hide the little lip of silver behind the grille...
because THIS below drove me nuts. Now fixed.

Front crashbar at least is aluminum so it does not corrode like the rear.

Honestly there are a ton of mods, I enjoy the really subtle ones that are integrated throughout.

Safety first

My house is practically a Honda warehouse of new parts.
e.g... believe these are the sub-frame bolts

I've bought new OEM radiator under-support bar, and various brackets and clamps and had them powdercoated as well for longevity. Anything shabby, old, rusted, etc. gets replaced or upgraded... clips, nuts bolts screws studs, you name it.

e.g.
rad support, and the two new PRL braces powdercoated white + clamps in black

Hand-made carbon + titanium bumper clips, these will never rust again.

Always representing...
http://unity-performance.com

 

[sbace_hamb]

Awesome car, man. The level of care and effort you put in is incredibly impressive

 

[Robin11498]

Amazing Work! You love this FC2 so much.

 

[Steaulo]

The long-awaited dt10g build update! Love to see it

 

[raptor]

Incredible write up, i feel like i just watched a child grow up! You also gave me plenty of ideas to do, to think I thought I was almost done with my car!

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