Shifting experience between Si and Civic Sport Hatch

Animage

Member
First Name
David
Joined
Aug 19, 2019
Threads
1
Messages
8
Reaction score
1
Location
Wisconsin
Vehicle(s)
2012 Toyota Camry SE
Country flag
First post, and good morning.

I'm in a toss up between which model to purchase, and I want to have all my eggs in a basket before I go test drive once some manuals arrive at any of the dealers close to me. Currently, they're sitting on so many CVTs that it's painful.

I used to have a 2010 Corolla S with the longest shifting throws in the world feeling (to me). I'm not a gearhead, nor a tuner, I just want some smooth shifting experience with shorter throws.

Is there a difference in these models? I'd be looking at the 2019 Sedan Si vs the 2020 Hatch Sport. I know the Si will be a driving upgrade, but I'm an economy focused driver so most of that performance is lost on me. I just like shorter tight throws into gears. If they have the same distance to travel, I'll probably end up with the Hatch Sport.

I'm asking this instead of just going out and testing because I have no self control and the first one I get into will probably be the one - I have hardcore honeymooning and don't want to regret this 7 months from now and be stuck for the next 10 years in my forever daily driver.
Sponsored

 

Drake

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2019
Threads
23
Messages
1,085
Reaction score
1,517
Location
Ohio
Vehicle(s)
Honda Civic Si
Country flag
If they have the same distance to travel, I'll probably end up with the Hatch Sport.
If the only reason you would purchase an Si over a sport hatch is because 'it was closer', then I would highly recommend going with the hatch. Both seem like excellent cars and I assume the manual transmissions are similar.
 

fenix-silver

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2018
Threads
27
Messages
1,184
Reaction score
968
Location
Central PA
Vehicle(s)
2019 Si
Country flag
Pretty sure the throw is the same between the Sport and Si. You can always get a short shift adapter to shorten things up as well. If the only thing between the two for you is the shift action, you're probably fine w/ the Sport.
 

hobby-man

Senior Member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Jun 20, 2018
Threads
50
Messages
2,867
Reaction score
2,739
Location
GTA
Vehicle(s)
2021 WRX STi, 2018 Sport Touring Hatchback (sold)
Build Thread
Link
Country flag
The shift experience will be slightly different between the Si and the sport hatch, however not major. Taken from @ACUITY 's website:

Centering Spring Upgrade: 50% increase in centering force (Sport model) / 10% increase in centering force (Si)
Short Throw Adapter: reduce gear throw by approximately 26% from stock (Sport) / reduce gear throw by approximately 24% from stock (Si)

That being said, I highly recommend all of Acuity's shifter upgrades for the hatchback. Shifts like a new car. Especially the rocker upgrade, to reduce the gate spacing. That combined with the short throw adapter really tightens up the gearbox. I'd also suggest something like an Alta shifter cable lockdown.
 
OP
OP

Animage

Member
First Name
David
Joined
Aug 19, 2019
Threads
1
Messages
8
Reaction score
1
Location
Wisconsin
Vehicle(s)
2012 Toyota Camry SE
Country flag
Pretty sure the throw is the same between the Sport and Si. You can always get a short shift adapter to shorten things up as well. If the only thing between the two for you is the shift action, you're probably fine w/ the Sport.
Well that's all that matters to me, but the wife loves heated seats and sunroofs. The ST is too far out of our price point to consider.
 


Line/Breaker

Member
First Name
Robert
Joined
Aug 11, 2019
Threads
0
Messages
9
Reaction score
8
Location
Clemson SC
Website
www.robertleekendrick.net
Vehicle(s)
2019 Civic Sport Hatch 6MT
Country flag
I drove a couple of Sport Hatches and a few SIs before settling on the Sport Hatch -- I felt the throws were the same, but the SI felt like the shifter had a little more weight and less play.

The SI is a sharper driving experience, but in the end I preferred saving the 3 grand and having the functionality of a hatch. And the hatch is a load of fun in a sharp, off-camber corner -- even if it's not an SI. Honda makes a hell of a chassis.
 
OP
OP

Animage

Member
First Name
David
Joined
Aug 19, 2019
Threads
1
Messages
8
Reaction score
1
Location
Wisconsin
Vehicle(s)
2012 Toyota Camry SE
Country flag
I drove a couple of Sport Hatches and a few SIs before settling on the Sport Hatch -- I felt the throws were the same, but the SI felt like the shifter had a little more weight and less play.

The SI is a sharper driving experience, but in the end I preferred saving the 3 grand and having the functionality of a hatch. And the hatch is a load of fun in a sharp, off-camber corner -- even if it's not an SI. Honda makes a hell of a chassis.
Honestly my wife really loves the look of the Hatch. I think I prefer the sedan Si, and I want to make sure I enjoy driving the car more than her input. I just can't take anymore of the Camry I'm driving. I feel dead on the inside anytime I'm driving and she makes me drive everywhere due to gas for her Ford Escape Titanium getting 10 less MPG than the Camry. I think the 2020 Sport having the ACC is the killing blow though for me on the Sport Hatch though.
 

FK7 Civic Pilot

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2019
Threads
1
Messages
229
Reaction score
169
Location
San Diego, Ca.
Vehicle(s)
2017 Civic Hatchback
Country flag
Best budget upgrade for getting a shorter throw is buying the CTR shifter. Got mine for about $35, added the Acuity centering spring and base bushings for another $60.
 
OP
OP

Animage

Member
First Name
David
Joined
Aug 19, 2019
Threads
1
Messages
8
Reaction score
1
Location
Wisconsin
Vehicle(s)
2012 Toyota Camry SE
Country flag
Best budget upgrade for getting a shorter throw is buying the CTR shifter. Got mine for about $35, added the Acuity centering spring and base bushings for another $60.
This sounds like an easy plan. For someone who's not handy, is this easy to do yourself? Maybe youtube tutorials
Sponsored

 


 


Top