The Tuned CivicX Experience & Reliability Thread (for all models)

[DHM85]

Vehicle: 2018 Civic Si Coupe

Total tuned time: 4-5 months

Tuned miles driven: 2,000+

Tuning device(s) used: KTuner

Tunes used: TSP stage 1+

Fuel used: 93 octane

Additional related mods: PRL short ram race MAF, Perrin motor mount inserts, Continental DWS 06(great performance A/S)

Problems/issues: None

Driving style: normal driving mostly, WOT pulls a few times a week

Tuning experience notes: Is it fast? Nope. It's quick, it's "zippy" and a blast to drive. I've owned both boosted and NA cars 300hp, 400hp and up and this has been my favorite. It has a great balance between comfort and performance and does not leaving me wanting...much. I would like to be closer to the the 300hp mark but I'm ok for now. Future mods will be catted down pipe and frontpipe and a Vibrant 1040 muffler to maintain stock look. After that we shall see.

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[IonEX-T]

Vehicle: 2017 Civic Ext CVT

Tuned time: 5 Months

Tuned Mileage: 4000km/2500miles

Tuning Device: RaceChip GTS, Ktuner V2

Tunes Used: Ktuner basemaps with adjustments

Fuel Used: 91 octane

Additional Mods: None yet

Driving Style: Spirited

Problems/Issues: None

Tuning Experience Notes: Love the ktuner v2 still figuring out how to use it.

Vehicle: 2017 Civic Ext CVT

Tuned time: 8 months

Tuned Mileage: 8000km/5000miles

Tuning Device: RaceChip GTS, Ktuner V2

Tunes Used: Ktuner basemaps with adjustments, Pherable 1.5

Fuel Used: 91 octane

Additional Mods: Agency intercooler

Driving Style: Spirited

Problems/Issues: Recently started hearing grinding like noise when I shift from R to D, could bring it to dealer but I know damaged cvt means replaced cvt and probably would not be covered under warranty. A more minor issue is after my intercooler instal my stft would be lean sometimes, nothing crazy high it’s just I never used to see lean fuel trims, my ltft is still always negative still.

Tuning Experience Notes: Pherable 1.5 feels great, better fuel trims and a better dd IMO

 

[ValkenDnB]

Vehicle: 2019 Civic Si Sedan

Total tuned time: 1 day

Tuned miles driven: 30 miles

Tuning device(s) used: KTuner V2

Tunes used: TSP Stage 1 Map 2 to conserve clutch

Fuel used: 91 chevron with a gallon of E85 every other tank

Additional related mods: PRL silicone hose / aFe Pro Dry S filter combo

Problems/issues: None

Driving style: Mixed mostly highway, but floor it sometimes onto on ramps.

Tuning experience notes: Was sketched out about tuning at first but glad I did it. Rev hang is mostly gone and feels much better to row through gears. Car is somewhat jerky at low speeds. If you barely tap the gas it wants to go, same with letting off the throttle. Might switch to Phearable 1.5 since everyone claims that's smoother if I end up keeping the car instead of trading in.

 

[gtman]

Let's get those tuned miles driven updates posted so we can hit 10 million miles. We need 11 new tuned cars added to hit a solid 700.


Current thread stats and info:

Tuned cars submitted: 689

Total tuned miles driven: 9,697,050 (reported)
Most tuned miles: choo (139,000 - sold car);
dallasjhawk (101,000+), vctsonicgrey (70,000+)

Cars with major failures: 16 (2.3%)
Failures by tune type: Base: 7; OTS: 2; Custom: 7
Failures by model: Si: 4; Non-Si: 12; CTR: 0; 2.0 NA: 0
Highest failure rate: Non-Si 1.5T (3.9%)
Percentage of cars running reliably: 97.7%

Transmission type: CVT (235); Manual (454)
Base models: 69% CVT; 31% Manual
Aftermarket clutches installed: 68 (16%)

Hondata used for tuning: 142; Race (121) Carb (21)
KTuner used for tuning: 577; V1.2 (322) V2 (255)
Other devices used: JB4: 3, RaceChip: 4, Motec: 3

Pro custom tuned cars: 125 (19%)
Base tuned only cars: 207 (30%)

Most popular OTS tune: TSP Stage 1 (293)
Other popular OTS tune: Phearable Stage 1.5 (129)
Newest OTS tunes: TSP 1+ (26); Phearable 1.5R (11)

Top rated pro tuners: Derek Robinson, John Vega

Cars by model: 1.5T Non-Si (317; 46.5%); Si (305; 43.5%); Type R (47; 7%); 2.0 NA (20; 3%)

Most popular fuel used: 93 octane (363; 52%)
Users adding 1-1.5 gallons E85: 85 (13%)
Flex fuel kits installed: 74 (10.5%)

At least one bolt-on added: 338 (48%)
No bolt-ons added: 212 (31%)
Cars with full bolt-ons: 139 (21%)

Cold air intakes installed: 239 (34%)
Short ram intakes installed: 78 (12%)
Upgraded intercoolers installed: 207 (30%)

Aftermarket downpipes installed: 206 (30%)
Aftermarket frontpipes installed: 148 (21%)

Upgraded turbo inlet pipes installed: 56 (8%)
Upgraded turbos installed: 47 (7%)

Notes: The most installed bolt-ons are intakes*, intercoolers, downpipes and exhaust systems. Full bolts-ons (for purposes of this thread) consist of downpipe, frontpipe, intercooler and intake at a minimum. "Base tuned only" means an out of the box KTuner or Hondata tune was used exclusively; no canned tune from Phearable, TSP or other vendors was ever used. *In this thread, a drop-in filter/silicone hose combo is not considered a bolt on.

Major Failures: 1 car had a failed CVT (replaced under warranty). 1 car had faulty injectors and a blown head gasket. 1 car blew a CVT pushing the car hard with an existing emissions problem. 1 car blew an engine running an E35/meth setup. 1 car blew an engine on the racetrack. 1 car blew an engine when the owner mistakenly used non-race gas with a tune designed specifically for race gas. 1 owner had a major failure on a used car he purchased. 1 owner admitted he abused his car and destroyed his engine. 1 non-Si owner used a high power stage 2 Powermetric flex fuel tune w/full bolt-ons and blew his motor. 1 owner had his CVT replaced under warranty (damaged by high power ethanol tune); the new CVT has been trouble free for 70,000+ tuned miles. 1 car threw a rod under "iffy" circumstances according to it's owner (possible abuse/user error). 1 owner destroyed his CVT after some track time in 100° weather. 1 car had a bent connecting rod but there were many factors (neglect) beyond the tune. 1 car bent a rod while doing WOT datalogging for a custom remote tune (had run meth for a short time as well). 1 car blew a CVT after serious neglect/abuse with numerous brake launches and burnouts. 1 Si blew a transmission running a high power flex fuel tune (full bolt ons).

5 of the 7 (71%) Non-Si engine failures occurred in hatchback models (mostly attributed to weaker rods). 42% of the Non-Si failures were CVT related. The Si major failure rate is only 1.3%.

 

[gtman]

While this thread is a great resource for real life tuning experiences, there's also some great media that's been posted by tuned owners. Here's some:

Pics

Timeslips and Dynos etc...

Videos

 

[Lan FK7]

Vehicle: 2018 Civic Hatch Sport

Total tuned time: 2 years

Tuned miles driven: 30k+

Tuning device(s) used: K Tuner V2

Tunes used: KTuner Custom Tune

Fuel used: 93

Additional related mods:
Stock engine. Stock exhaust with resonator and muffler deletes.

Suspension:
Eibach Sportline Springs
SPC Rear Camber arms
Enkei Raijin 18x9.5 +35

Problems/issues: Stock clutch slips occasionally at peak power

Driving style: Lightly spirited driving on backroads, WOT pulls on empty highway ramps, occasional desolate launches (launch control is so fun) Light > Moderate spirited driving max. No racing or reckless driving.

Tuning experience notes: I'd be more inclined to up the power if I had the Si motor with stronger internals and a better clutch. This is my only car and I drive a bunch, priority was always reliability. Huge difference over stock with the custom tune, just had to pull back on peak power to avoid clutch slips.

Future mods:
Intake + Exhaust (Still have to research down/front pipes due to emission laws in my state, I do not want to deal with inspection hassles.)
PRL CAI
Stage 2 clutch
Si/Type R sway bar
Retune on 93

CURSE YOU HONDA FOR NOT MAKING A HATCHBACK SI!!!!

 

[gtman]

Thanks for adding your car. Looks great, especially those wheels.

 

[Pekingduck]

Vehicle: 2018 civic si

Total tuned time: 36 months

Tuned miles driven: 80,000+

Tuning device(s) used: KTuner V2

Tunes used: 19.5/23

Fuel used: 91

Additional related mods: Megan downpipe, Garrett intercooler

Problems/issues: None

Driving style: aggressive driving from what people tell me, but no launch. surprise my clutch is holding

 

[gtman]

80,000 reliable miles is great to see.

I think a key to your clutch luck is that you use a mild-ish base tune.

 

[gtman]

You know what sucks? How few tuned owners add their cars to the thread. Last week I PM'd 20 people who have posted about their tunes in other parts of the forum. 1 person added their car.

Then there's the case of a guy who posted that he has 100,000 tuned miles, but hasn't posted his car to this reliability thread.

I guess a lot of people these days don't get the concept that a community is not just about taking but contributing and helping too. Pretty sad if you ask me.

 

[Swank]

Vehicle: 2018 Si coupe

Total tuned time: Only a few days

Tuned miles driven: 100KM

Tuning device(s) used: KTuner V1.2

Tunes used: TSP Stage 1

Fuel used: Shell 91

Additional related mods: Nuttin' honey

Problems/issues: None

Driving style: Summer conditions will be map 3, sport on all the time and use extra power when I want or need. Winter/slick conditions map 1, sport off is the plan, I won't know for sure until I try it.

Tuning experience notes: This is my first time tuning so I have a lot to learn, or maybe I'll be happy with the set it and forget it 'as is' tunes. I'm only at 11,000 KM after 3 years of ownership so my car will be a good example of how tunes affect a car that doesn't go far often at all, my commute is 5-7 mins. I have always made sure to respect proper warm up and cool down periods for the turbo as well as using 5th/6th gears for cruising only. I'm hoping these simple habits are all I need to keep my clutch and turbo alive and well as long as I would have without the tune (or close enough).

 

[charleswrivers]

Update from original post #24… and #804 from last year. This month puts me at 3 years of dailying TSP 24.5# map. I’m still on the stock clutch w/o issue:

Vehicle: 2018 Si sedan

Total tuned time: 3.5 years. All but the first 2 months of the car’s life.

Total tuned mileage: >36,000. Car currently has 38,4XX miles.

Tuning device(s) used: KTuner V2 initially which was traded for a V1.2 to do some wireless Tunerview fun earlier last year.

Tunes used: Ktuner 21 (about a month) Ktuner 23# (a couple months, basemap modified to only reach 21# until 4000 RPM), Ktuner 23# basemap (this time with additional timing added after 4000 RPM), TSP Stage 1 since 7/31/18 (24.5# map in map 1 position so it is the only map I run) for 30,000 over that 3 year period.

Additional engine mods: PRL silicone hose/Green Filter (The “PRL Stage 1”)

Fuel used: 93 octane, not brand specific. Typically fill up on base, sometimes at one of a couple gas stations out in town.

Problems/issues: None (powertrain). I did bring in the car and have the A/C looked at and they ended up pulling and replacing the Freon as there was some cabin noise back in April ‘19. I went back to the dealer around February ‘20 so they could sort out some interior rattles. I did an early change to Amsoil MTF during the second year of owning the car... the same as I did with my ‘02 RSX Type S and ‘15 Si. Each ones shifting performance drastically improved. Compressor was replaced before my B2B warranty expired based on noting a small refrigerant oil leak at its shaft. I’ve had intermittent issues with my air conditioning ducting motors hitting dead spots and clicking around like a Keebler elf typing on a typewriting here and there, but I haven’t done anything about it yet. It comes and goes and hasn’t driven me crazy yet and my crazy tearing-apart-cars-energy has been dedicated to other things.

Driving style: Generally low speed city to <55 MPH highway driving. Some stop and go going on/off base. Lots of WOT acceleration and quick cornering, holding momentum. Car is almost always in sport mode. An occasional NLS. No use of antilag/launch control. I will however do a mild street launch now and then. No high speed runs... car has never seen triple digit speeds (still!). Occasionally some interstate driving (less than 3000 miles total).

Average trip in the car is probably 10 miles to/from work. Car is driven pretty hard on its short trips. I get low to mid-30s for tank averages w/o trying. I use 0w-20 Castrol Magnetec or whatever you call it... as it’s $16-18/jug on subscribe and save and change around 20% on the MM (around 7000 miles). Been using the stuff for years... it’s cheap and none of the 3 vehicles that use it complain. I use Fram Ultra Synthetic oil filters, also on S&S (reviewed good on BITOG years ago) every other change per the MM. Changed brake fluid at 2-2.5 years as it popped on the MM and was right before the Dragon meet that got cancelled in early ‘20. Stock Goodyear summers were replaced at 4-5/32s with some wicked feathering/shredding at their sidewalks and replaced with some highly rated General G-Max RSs that are a nice all around summer tire earlier this year. They supposedly have good life, definitely with good wet traction from what I’ve experienced and with a relatively low price tag. They’re quieter than the outgoing Goodyear’s, but given those tires condition, it was to be expected. I’d say they’re neither quiet or noisy… just kinda of there. Honestly, I was so impressed with them at such a cheap price, I put a set on the 300zx which has 350z 18s on it.

No evidence of fuel dilution by smell or rising oil level.

Car is not abused but driven hard and enjoyed.

I almost got rid of the car about 6 months ago or so on a whim for a CTS V-Sport that was in so-so shape, despite being a CPO and gave up on the deal. The car was priced well and they offered me 21k for the Si I paid maybe 23.5k or so for 3 years before that.

It did solidify the fact that, while my Si is no where near as fast and has some rattles and annoyances here and there, it’s still a pretty solid and well built car. No plans to get rid of it as of now.

 

[gtman]

Welcome back, Charles. Thanks for the really complete update.

 

[charleswrivers]

Welcome back, Charles. Thanks for the really complete update.

Always a pleasure.

I figure since I started way back on post #24 on a thread that’s had 100x more posts since then, it was about time. Even my last-year update has had 3x the posts since then. The thread is still alive and healthy. It’s a testament to your contribute here. ?

 

[gtman]

The thread is still alive and healthy. It’s a testament to your contribute here. ?

Appreciate that. I work hard to try to keep it active and ongoing because I really believe it's one of the more useful threads for anyone who's tuned or anyone who is considering tuning their car. And it's updates like the one you posted that help make the point that, yes, tuning can not only be fun, but reliable too.

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