My 2013 CBP EX Coupe (sloooow) Build

[DonDeeBoogie]

So let me take the time and say hi. I must say you guys are great. A lot of information here. You guys know ur Ishhh!
Picked up a Civic Ex coupe just as a commuter. Not too crazy about the handling. But loving it every day more & more!!

Here's a pic from when I picked her up...

I then got tired of the yellow looking DRL lights so I went with some LED's....

Then finally got tired of the fishbowl effect so I put on some Llumar tints. Not as dark as I wanted them. Dropped off the car and thought 35% were dark enough. When I got back it was too late.... (but it doesn't look bad).

Now, This is a lease. I can't do much to the car. Wish I had picked the SI but wifey cant drive standard. What would you guys recommend?

BTW Just ordered my 9thCivic stickers..lol.

 

[FoiL]

We'll come to the community nice ride

 

[Nix]

Nice looking car! Welcome to the forum.

Since it's just a lease you probably don't want to go too crazy but there are quite a few mods that are easily reversible and won't break the bank. As far as handling goes you can definitely improve that with one sub-$200 larger rear sway bar.
I tend to recommend the progress 22mm bar to everyone as it is very well priced and comes with everything you could need.

Some threads to look through:
http://9thcivic.com/forum/threads/rear-sway-bars-for-the-9th-gen.5739/


http://9thcivic.com/forum/threads/swapping-oe-sway-bars-for-optimal-handling.5617/


http://9thcivic.com/forum/threads/2-year-progress-rear-sway-bar-update.8172/


http://9thcivic.com/forum/threads/22mm-progress-rear-sway-bar-coupe-si.7617/

 

[Monk]

Welcome, I leased an EX 2012 Coupe, and installed a Progress 22mm rear sway bar.... total diff' ...... If you don't buy the car you can always switch back to stock.
I'm planning on keeping this one as it's just too much fun.

 

[FB2Chris]

Welcome! +1 on the Progress RSB! My car is a lease as well and although I plan on buying it once the lease is up, I have a few things done to it.

 

[Dar-Dar]

A 9thcivic decal is a great first mod. The civic is an awesome car for commuting as well. I hope you enjoy it even more. And welcome to the site.

 

[KennyGS]

That black paint looks gorgeous. Welcome.

 

[DonDeeBoogie]

Nice looking car! Welcome to the forum.

Since it's just a lease you probably don't want to go too crazy but there are quite a few mods that are easily reversible and won't break the bank. As far as handling goes you can definitely improve that with one sub-$200 larger rear sway bar.
I tend to recommend the progress 22mm bar to everyone as it is very well priced and comes with everything you could need.

Some threads to look through:
http://9thcivic.com/forum/threads/rear-sway-bars-for-the-9th-gen.5739/


http://9thcivic.com/forum/threads/swapping-oe-sway-bars-for-optimal-handling.5617/


http://9thcivic.com/forum/threads/2-year-progress-rear-sway-bar-update.8172/


http://9thcivic.com/forum/threads/22mm-progress-rear-sway-bar-coupe-si.7617/

This is great!!! I think I'll be adding a Progress sway soon!
Just curious, how much would it cost (average) to install one of these bad boys? And if so does anyone have a place out in NY or by Brooklyn?

 

[DonDeeBoogie]

That black paint looks gorgeous. Welcome.

Thanks Ken! I really wanted white but they didn't have one in stock so the next best thing was black IMO

 

[DonDeeBoogie]

Welcome! +1 on the Progress RSB! My car is a lease as well and although I plan on buying it once the lease is up, I have a few things done to it.

Nice! What else have you added?????

 

[DonDeeBoogie]

Do I need to have the car alligned after sway bars are swapped?

 

[squiggy]

Do I need to have the car alligned after sway bars are swapped?

Not needed!

 

[Nix]

It's about a one hour job that you can definitely do yourself if you have a couple wrenches. There is a DIY on here for the Eibach rear sway but the Progress is the same. There are two actually! Here are the links... look it over and decide if it's something you want to attempt. A friend, a driveway, ramps or jackstands, and an afternoon you should be able to do it!


Points everyone asks about:
1) The stock endlinks are fine. You don't need the upgraded ones.
2) You will not need an alignment
3) Jackstands or Ramps are fine. It makes no difference if the suspension is loaded or not for this.
4) Bushing upgrade - $20ish from amazon.
http://9thcivic.com/forum/threads/guys-with-22mm-rear-sway-bars-bushing-upgrade.8087/

These are both good, they just have some different pics and angles. The only tricky part is getting the nut off the stock endlink. I suggest hitting it with some PBblaster penetrating oil or something called Kroil or anything similar. Get a wire brush and clean the threads also. It'll help so it doesn't get stuck.

http://9thcivic.com/forum/threads/eibach-19mm-rear-sway-bar-install-part-numbers-included.4808/

And another one:

http://9thcivic.com/forum/threads/2012-honda-civic-si-sedan-rear-eibach-sway-bar-install.4238/

 

[squiggy]

A few things to add to Nix's points if you go with the Progress 22mm Rear Sway Bar.

1. The higher you can get the car, the easier it will be to maneuver the bar into place.
2. Jackstands (no load on the suspension) will help with clearance for putting on the reinforcement brackets if you decide to drill the third hole.
3. My car was 8 months old and went through harsh (retarded amounts of salt) Northern Indiana winters and the nut on the endlinks came off with no problem.

 

[FB2Chris]

Nice! What else have you added?????

Page 1 lists what I have done: http://9thcivic.com/forum/index.php?threads/6539/

 

[9thgizzyguy]

welcome

 

[DonDeeBoogie]

Not needed!

Sounding much better!!

 

[DonDeeBoogie]

It's about a one hour job that you can definitely do yourself if you have a couple wrenches. There is a DIY on here for the Eibach rear sway but the Progress is the same. There are two actually! Here are the links... look it over and decide if it's something you want to attempt. A friend, a driveway, ramps or jackstands, and an afternoon you should be able to do it!


Points everyone asks about:
1) The stock endlinks are fine. You don't need the upgraded ones.
2) You will not need an alignment
3) Jackstands or Ramps are fine. It makes no difference if the suspension is loaded or not for this.
4) Bushing upgrade - $20ish from amazon.
http://9thcivic.com/forum/threads/guys-with-22mm-rear-sway-bars-bushing-upgrade.8087/

These are both good, they just have some different pics and angles. The only tricky part is getting the nut off the stock endlink. I suggest hitting it with some PBblaster penetrating oil or something called Kroil or anything similar. Get a wire brush and clean the threads also. It'll help so it doesn't get stuck.

http://9thcivic.com/forum/threads/eibach-19mm-rear-sway-bar-install-part-numbers-included.4808/

And another one:

http://9thcivic.com/forum/threads/2012-honda-civic-si-sedan-rear-eibach-sway-bar-install.4238/

tHANKS Nix.
Thats why I'm loving this site so much!!!

 

[DonDeeBoogie]

Since it's a "lease" should I add an intake? Like the takeda momentum intake?

 

[Monk]

Since it's a "lease" should I add an intake? Like the takeda momentum intake?

That can be uninstalled if needed as well, all parts that can be changed back to stock, you would have no problem with. But if you don't buy the car later you end up with the parts sitting in storage, it's up to you.
There are some things I'm holding off on like painting my calipers for example.