Civic Type R - Why modify?

Just curious why I see a lot of people adding power to the car, is it not 'fun' as it sits, or does it feel slow? Anyone out there happy with it stock? Does the factory tune feel poor in spots so people are modifying to address? With the numbers it puts down and how much it weighs, theoretically it should be fun 'as is' so just curious why many choose to modify. Also I'd worry about starting to give up too much traction with it being FWD to pump the power up a ton, because I think it would take away from some of the fun factor in some way?

I've had a history of cars - EVO's / STi / Mustangs - and I modified them for one reason or another. For the STi I had an 08 and it had a horrible dangerous factory tune, so I tuned / tweaked to address that. Same for the EVO which had a bit of a stumble at 6k that just felt 'off' - tune and some parts fixed it up.

I drove my buddies 2018 STi, and it felt great as it sat. I would probably drive that as is, unless as above, I found an issue or discovered a reason why.

Just curious why so many quick to wrench on what appears to be a pretty dialed in car?

Because we can! Personalization, never satisfied, like to tinker, no such thing as to much horse power, and the list goes on. . . .

Mine is stock and it's a blast. One day I will tune but it's super fun in stock form

People who mod, or are planning to mod, post all about it. People sticking with stock vehicles don't have that same need to post. Most of cars that I have seen at Type R meets are stock, or just have wheels.

Feels slow

I think it’s plenty fast and fun stock, like you I had a tuned 08 sti and then a tuned e85 Evo x and I still have a turbo S2000. They all needed a bit of power upgrade to make them more fun. As for the type r, the only gear that’s not fun is 1st due to traction and it feeling like it’s not full power. But 2-6 gears it has a lot of pull for a daily. I may tune it down the road just because I get bored with cars quick but realistically it doesn’t needed it.

Stock except for wheels, tint, shift boot, and LED lighting. I'm not racing so no need. It's nice to see what others do.

zsak said:

I think it’s plenty fast and fun stock, like you I had a tuned 08 sti and then a tuned e85 Evo x and I still have a turbo S2000. They all needed a bit of power upgrade to make them more fun. As for the type r, the only gear that’s not fun is 1st due to traction and it feeling like it’s not full power. But 2-6 gears it has a lot of pull for a daily. I may tune it down the road just because I get bored with cars quick but realistically it doesn’t needed it.

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Doesn't feel like full power in first? Odd characteristic, is it just not a lot of torque low like an EVO?

Because exhaust is quiet
Because turbo is quiet
Because oem tires dont protect the wheels against potholes
Because catless downpipe makes the turbo happy
Because Ktuner Stage 1 is the best fun I ever had

***I can keep going lol

Stock is the new modified

RODSCIVIC said:

Stock is the new modified

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LOL

ok that was funny

Have not modified yet but plan to put on an exhaust in the summer. That or leave it stock and just trade it in on the next gen sti if it does in fact come with all the craziness people are expecting or hoping for.

I'm super happy with my CTR as nearly stock. The only performance mod I intend to do is an intake.. not for performance, just simply for sound. I bought it because it's super fun in stock form and I needed a car that felt "fast and fun" in daily traffic. My CTR will never see the track, it sits outside or in a parking garage.

See.... my other cars have a problem where they don't feel fast until you are pushing mid triple digits. That's a problem

LED's in the tails and interior because I feel that they are lacking on the car and obviously window tint, because, you know... because window tint.

Tires will come at some point because I live in Texas and can run RE71R's all year long.

Personally, I’ve always modified my Honda’s, not because there were significantly lacking in any areas, but to make them exactly the way I wanted. The CTR is really good stock, but I must say I was not overwhelmed with the power. The chassis, brakes & suspension are so good, that I don’t see myself doing any mods (other than wider wheels & tires). The exhaust was pretty quiet, but really didn’t need to be changed. Honda didn’t really give this car a notable sound, so intake & mild exhaust addressed that. KTuner was just too easy & offered such good gains, I couldn’t resist. Power gains have completely overwhelmed the stock tires however, so that is a must with the tune. I totally respect folks that keep mostly stock rides, especially this car.

J35W2 said:

Personally, I’ve always modified my Honda’s, not because there were significantly lacking in any areas, but to make them exactly the way I wanted. The CTR is really good stock, but I must at I was not overwhelmed with the power. The chassis, brakes & suspension are so good, that I don’t see myself doing any mods (other than wider wheels & tires). The exhaust was pretty quiet, but really didn’t need to be changed. Honda didn’t really give this car a notable sound, so intake & mild exhaust addressed that. KTuner was just too easy & offered such good gains,I couldn’t resist. Power gains have completely overwhelmed the stock tires however, so that is a must with the tube. I totally respect folks that keep mostly stock rides, especially this car.

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So you got better tires and now that + tune and some bits = much faster but not massive traction issues.