Soon to be owner looking for mod advice/suggestions

[Rogues Gambit]

Good evening, and Happy Easter first of all!

So long story short, I test drove a Type S a month ago and loved it, yet all and all, its gonna be initially out of my budget. After ruling out a few other cars in the price range, I'm looking at a Manual A spec as an alt daily to my 2dr Bronco (Which has since been lowered an inch with the rock joint), which now sits at 68,3xx as of now. I'm planning on purchasing around June/July, so doing my HW on what to get mods wise, as besides my Bronco, I always mod my vehicles and this would be no different.

Thing is, want to build it without overbuilding it, and want to avoid drone like my Audi did with the Catback+Downpipe. Mods I do know I'll get are:

Eibach 25mm Rear Sway Bar + Chassis Brace
PRL Throwback Front Strut Brace
Acuity Super Reverse Flow Radiator Hose
PRL HVI+Turbo Titanium Inlet Pipe Kit
PRL Intercooler Kit
PRL Rear Motor Mount
RV6 Retrofit Flywheel+Clutch Kit with Upgrade Cylinder and SS Brake Lines
Acuity St2 Shift Kit
PRL Coolant Overflow tank
Mishimoto Catch Can
TSP x PTP Lava Turbo Blanket

That's the parts I do know, its everything else I'm curious about; which lowering springs are gonna make her look and ride better without compromising things too much, which tuner, will the Down+Front pipe cause drone, and if they're fine, could I sneak in a catback without it blowing up in my face (Or OEM+ and use a Type S stock exhaust with that combo like my Buddy used a GT Catback with on his '17 V6 with bbk shorties)

*Also, swapped out considering the 27wons BBK for Axion's kit, would I need the required spacers on the 18s, and if I do, what could I use for the rear? Also would do the rear pads/rotors as well

Don't mind me, just excited and wanna piece meal a few things now and slowly build her up over time. As I said, budget, so gonna work within my constraints to make it all happen. Thanks for taking a look, and have a great night now

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[kromaey]

You might also want to look at something like PRL's high volume intake as well.

 

[Rogues Gambit]

You might also want to look at something like PRL's high volume intake as well.

Oh, I threw that in, PRL HVI+ Turbo Titanium Inlet pipe, ty for suggesting it though

Curious if these SiriMoto SS Brake lines are legit as well

 

[optronix]

I'll be that guy... but with that mod list, would it make sense to take a second look at the Type S?

I guess if you plan to do all the work yourself it makes a little more sense... but these aren't light weight mods you're planning- clutch and flywheel obviously that's a beast of a job, and brakes/suspension/bolt-ons will absolutely add up if you're paying someone to do the work. Even if you're not, that's a ton of effort but that's another conversation, I know some people really enjoy working on cars (I'm not one of them...).

But anyway, I'm not going to do the math but you've only got about a ~$15k delta between the DE4 and DE5. These mods are going to chew up how much of that just in parts? And while I think the Civic Si and the A spec are fun little cars and the mods will surely make it more fun, there are still a lot of other intangibles that go into justifying that extra expense for the Type S.

If you're paying for installation this is an absolute no brainer. Buy once, cry once. Get a Type S.

Other options include FK8 or Elantra N, or even an FL5 if you can find one at MSRP. I can almost guarantee the mods in parts alone will come out higher than an FL5...

 

[StingertimeNC]

I was gonna be that guy too. You would be so much happier with a stock type s. I get with modding you can pay as you go, but the type S is worth it. You'll be happy for a couple years, then you can slowly add a few mods to it. Tune, springs, downpipe, etc. But no rush.

 

[Rogues Gambit]

Well luckily I got time, no rush, so I could save a bit more to handle a Type S financially. Figure most of the list here, I just get the Type S versions if anything, as I can never leave anything stock.

As I alluded to in my review, I liked it a lot, so again, gonna do what I have to to ensure its an option. A spec is now relegated to the backup just to be safe.

Don't want to be rude, so appreciate the feedback as well

 

[optronix]

Well luckily I got time, no rush, so I could save a bit more to handle a Type S financially. Figure most of the list here, I just get the Type S versions if anything, as I can never leave anything stock.

As I alluded to in my review, I liked it a lot, so again, gonna do what I have to to ensure its an option. A spec is now relegated to the backup just to be safe.

Don't want to be rude, so appreciate the feedback as well

If it's about the finances, then the Type S is the smarter choice anyway, regardless of the dollar amount the mods total up to. You'll never get the money back from the mods on the A Spec. The Type S will also very likely hold its value better.

Again, financially the FL5 probably makes the most sense. They're holding their value extremely well- not in small part because most people who bought them paid a markup... so this is of course assuming you can find one without a markup- oh, and pre-tariff. But you save ~$8k from a DE5 and have for all intents and purposes the same car.

Also I wouldn't really think twice about buying used either. Aside from minor rattles that seem to be randomly dispersed amongst the general populous (and new cars are not immune...), there doesn't appear to be any notable issues or reliability concerns with these platforms.

All I'm saying is, I've owned several Porsches, Audi RS, and M cars, and I consider the Type S right up there on their level from a driving experience perspective, for half or less the cost. I respect the A Spec for what it is, but I do not feel the same way about the A spec, and I don't think any sequence or volume of mods would change that... so I'd have to strongly recommend you reconsider the Type S, especially if you're considering throwing a not small amount of money on mods at the A spec.

 

[Rogues Gambit]

If it's about the finances, then the Type S is the smarter choice anyway, regardless of the dollar amount the mods total up to. You'll never get the money back from the mods on the A Spec. The Type S will also very likely hold its value better.

Again, financially the FL5 probably makes the most sense. They're holding their value extremely well- not in small part because most people who bought them paid a markup... so this is of course assuming you can find one without a markup- oh, and pre-tariff. But you save ~$8k from a DE5 and have for all intents and purposes the same car.

Also I wouldn't really think twice about buying used either. Aside from minor rattles that seem to be randomly dispersed amongst the general populous (and new cars are not immune...), there doesn't appear to be any notable issues or reliability concerns with these platforms.

All I'm saying is, I've owned several Porsches, Audi RS, and M cars, and I consider the Type S right up there on their level from a driving experience perspective, for half or less the cost. I respect the A Spec for what it is, but I do not feel the same way about the A spec, and I don't think any sequence or volume of mods would change that... so I'd have to strongly recommend you reconsider the Type S, especially if you're considering throwing a not small amount of money on mods at the A spec.

Gotcha, and appreciate it. So I'll save for a Type S then, might as well. I'll go back to the drawing board and look at mods to consider, feel most will have Type S versions, just curious if theres anything mentioned I'm missing when considering the S over the A essentially

 

[optronix]

Gotcha, and appreciate it. So I'll save for a Type S then, might as well. I'll go back to the drawing board and look at mods to consider, feel most will have Type S versions, just curious if theres anything mentioned I'm missing when considering the S over the A essentially

I would probably not have said a word if you didn't type out a pretty extensive mod list, and I was just thinking the other day how I've already spent about $10k on my car since buying it without even trying, and still plan on spending probably that amount again. It's crazy how fast it all adds up. The A spec is perfect for folks who don't plan to mod, don't plan to track. But I've always been of the belief that mods can only go so far to extend the potential of a given car within reason. I don't really see a path where $15k in mods could ever make an A spec better than a stock Type S... I could be wrong and would be interested in seeing people who've tried but that's just my .02.

But that's another thing I'll double down on- is the Type S doesn't really need mods. It REALLY doesn't. It's that good as it rolls out of the factory. I personally just went down a mod rabbit hole after I put wheels on the car, where I wanted it then to be lowered so the fender gap is gone... then I didn't like how the car felt with what the springs did to the camber so I had to get adjustable ball joints... then figured might as well get an intake... and honestly all of it I could live without. Tack on PPF + window tint and winter tires and I'm somewhere at or near 5 figures... but I took the car bone stock out to a race track shortly after I bought it and had as much or more fun in it than any of my past cars, and drove it home with no issues (same couldn't be said of an F82 M4 I took to the track on stock brakes). Mods on this car are almost detrimental unless you really know what you're doing.

Honda/Acura really knocked it out of the park with the engineering on this car. The Si/A-spec is good, the Type S is sublime. IMHO it's absolutely worth stretching the budget a bit. But like I said you could consider used and probably get one for not much over what you'd spend on a new A-spec so that would be a win-win.

And if you do end up getting the itch to mod the Type S the aftermarket has caught up quickly since release. I can't imagine anything that exists for the A-spec that doesn't for the Type S, and apparently some manufacturer-engineered parts are coming from HRC that won't make it to the A-spec.

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/acura-integra-type-s-hrc-prototype-first-ride-review/

 

[AdreeN]

I was considering a civic Si heavily, until I drove the type S and type r. Agree that if u wanna save some money, go with the type r and just enjoy the car for 1-2 years and save for mods on the side.

Another way to look at it, the type s and type r are heavily oem modded aspecs

If u plan to keep it for a long time, its probably worth the wait building off of a much better base vehicle.

You're on type s forums, so ur gonna see the bias. But ultimately, the type s and r are extremely limited production compared to the aspec, u wont see many in the wild making it more unique even at stock.

 

[Rogues Gambit]

I would probably not have said a word if you didn't type out a pretty extensive mod list, and I was just thinking the other day how I've already spent about $10k on my car since buying it without even trying, and still plan on spending probably that amount again. It's crazy how fast it all adds up. The A spec is perfect for folks who don't plan to mod, don't plan to track. But I've always been of the belief that mods can only go so far to extend the potential of a given car within reason. I don't really see a path where $15k in mods could ever make an A spec better than a stock Type S... I could be wrong and would be interested in seeing people who've tried but that's just my .02.

But that's another thing I'll double down on- is the Type S doesn't really need mods. It REALLY doesn't. It's that good as it rolls out of the factory. I personally just went down a mod rabbit hole after I put wheels on the car, where I wanted it then to be lowered so the fender gap is gone... then I didn't like how the car felt with what the springs did to the camber so I had to get adjustable ball joints... then figured might as well get an intake... and honestly all of it I could live without. Tack on PPF + window tint and winter tires and I'm somewhere at or near 5 figures... but I took the car bone stock out to a race track shortly after I bought it and had as much or more fun in it than any of my past cars, and drove it home with no issues (same couldn't be said of an F82 M4 I took to the track on stock brakes). Mods on this car are almost detrimental unless you really know what you're doing.

Honda/Acura really knocked it out of the park with the engineering on this car. The Si/A-spec is good, the Type S is sublime. IMHO it's absolutely worth stretching the budget a bit. But like I said you could consider used and probably get one for not much over what you'd spend on a new A-spec so that would be a win-win.

And if you do end up getting the itch to mod the Type S the aftermarket has caught up quickly since release. I can't imagine anything that exists for the A-spec that doesn't for the Type S, and apparently some manufacturer-engineered parts are coming from HRC that won't make it to the A-spec.

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/acura-integra-type-s-hrc-prototype-first-ride-review/

True, just the cooling system is the weak link, so intercooler, reverse radiator hose and upgraded radiator would be among the first. Stainless Steel Clutch and brake lines for most consistency and less flexing, CAI to compliment a tune, Down and front pipes for more power that are heatwrapped, along with a turbo blanket to kill down the heat emanating from the stock turbo

It is easy to spend too much, just sharing my mod lists on two of my previous cars:

Don the Audi:
RS4 Bixenon's
JOM smoked tail lights
JHM St2 tune w/High/Low Pressure fuel pumps (Due to fuel pumps, runs out of gas at a 1/4 tank)
JHM High Flow Cat Downpipe+B7 S4 Fast intentions Catback (Quadtips)
JHM St1 Clutch/Aluminum Flywheel
ECS Tuning Luft-Technik Intake System
Optima Red Top Battery
Red Coil Packs
B7 S4 Recaros (Full Interior)
JHM Shift-Trio+Cross Rod
Solo-werks S1 Coilovers
18' Sport Edition P3 rims
Pirelli's Pzero
JHM Big Front Mounted intercooler
JHM lightweight crank pulley
6000K HID Foglights P3 Vent Gauge
Ziza Red interior led lighting
OEM Refrigerated glove box
034 25.4mm rear sway bar
Apikol Snub Mount
034 low vibe snub bracket
034 Motor Mounts x2
034 trans mount
PureMS GFB DV+
JHM Black Grid Pedals
Gearknob.de Shift Knob
Red Line Goods Shift Boot
RS4 perforated ebrake handle
Cupra R Front Splitter (removed)
DTM Rear bumper
Front OEM B7 S4 Rotors
Rear Stoptech Cryo-Sportstop Drilled Rotors
Stainless Steel Brakelines (Forget brand)

Gia the Ecoboost Mustang:
CFM Baffled Billet Valve Cover Breather Kit
MMR CAI
UPR Dual Valve Oil Catch Can
FFTec Charge Pipes
Synapse DV
Steeda Throttle Body Spacer
Boomba Intake Manifold spacer
NGK 6510
FFTec Street Intercooler
Krona Catted DP
Turbosmart Wastegate Actuator 10psi J
DM Tuned using SCT4 -

Steeda:
IRS Subframe bushing
Rear Lower Control Arm
Billet Vertical link
Rear Diff Bushing
Progressive Sport Spring
Sway Bars and End Links (F/R for both)
Bumper Steer Kit
Stainless Steel Brake Link

Koni Adjustable Shocks (F/R)
DBA 4000 XS Cross Drilled and Slotted Rotors (F/R Hawk Pad Stock Calipers painted Red)

Mishimoto:
Coolant Expansion Tank
Radiator
Radiator Silicone hoses
Oil Cooler

RTR Grille+LED American Muscle tints

Diode Dynamics 4th Brake Light/Sequential Turn Signal/Side Marker/Switchback Turn Signal/Interior Lighting/6k HID Bulb

Raxiom LED Halo Fog Lights

Then there's my Bronco:

Ashley the Gypsy

Suspension:

Eibach Coilovers (raised an in)
Icon Upper Control Arms DJ Pro Kit
Massive Speed Panhard Bar
Massive Speed Rear UCA
Rockjock Rear Trac relocation bracket

Tires:

Stock Badlands rims
Kenda Klever 35x10.5x17

Brakes:

Power Stop Drilled/Slotted x4 (Z23 Fronts/Z36s Rear)


Engine:

Volant CAI (Dry)
Mishimoto Charge pipes
CP-E Intercooler
Ford Tune
Turbosmart Kompact Blow Off Valve
URP Catch Can
Stickerfab Fuse Box sticker


Exterior:

20% Ceramic Tint
Morimoto XRGB Headlights
Diode Dynamics: SS1 Pods (Bumper), SS3 Max/SS2 Pro (Fogs), SS3 Pro's (A-pillar), Hitch Mount w/Flasher
Oracle: Mirrors, Spare Tire Brake light
Lumen8 Trailsights
GearAmerica Shackles
Sickspeed Stem Valves
Bestop Trektop
Buckle Up Tail Light Armor



Interior:

AutoStop Eliminator (Affectionately referred to as the A.S.S. Plug)
Boomba Shiftknob/Short Shifter
Stickfab: Visor, Radar USB Kit, Picatinny rail, Aluminum Knob sets
Lumen8 Cargo area LED
Buckleup: Cargo Door Molle replacement panel
Steeda clutch spring
Mabett Arm Rest Cover
Mabett Center Console Organizer Tray
Red Panacord handles x4
OEM Red Grab Handles

Yeah, don't have to tell me how easy it is to spend big $$$. Looking back at them, I wish I had the top dog trims, drove a RS4 and my A4 felt pedestrian at best (With Mods mind you. I was reaching for 6th not realizing I was in 6th to boot). Countless GT's, Auto Ecoboost wasn't my first choice. Bronco... I just wish they offered Stick w/the 2.7 instead of the 2.3

I was considering a civic Si heavily, until I drove the type S and type r. Agree that if u wanna save some money, go with the type r and just enjoy the car for 1-2 years and save for mods on the side.

Another way to look at it, the type s and type r are heavily oem modded aspecs

If u plan to keep it for a long time, its probably worth the wait building off of a much better base vehicle.

You're on type s forums, so ur gonna see the bias. But ultimately, the type s and r are extremely limited production compared to the aspec, u wont see many in the wild making it more unique even at stock.

Facts, plus I went to Elite Tuner's show in Edison this weeknd, no DE5 or even 4 in sight, though they had a Type R or 2. I definitely want to create an all rounder; Show car/Daily and Tuner. I got no rush with everything, I'll save a little extra for the top dog

 

[nawfoo]

i just paid off the aspec and my monthly car note was around $350 a month. If i got the type S it wouldve been more like $500 a month. theres nothing wrong with getting a aspec

 

[Rogues Gambit]

i just paid off the aspec and my monthly car note was around $350 a month. If i got the type S it wouldve been more like $500 a month. theres nothing wrong with getting a aspec

Which was my original point, and still a valid one, as there's a multitude of expenditures to equate for, plus what would be the purpose. All I know regardless is I got the parts picked out and I'll be ready by Summer

 

[AdreeN]

Which was my original point, and still a valid one, as there's a multitude of expenditures to equate for, plus what would be the purpose. All I know regardless is I got the parts picked out and I'll be ready by Summer

If u wanna save money long term, buy the car u want to keep long term. You're very clearly going to put a bunch of money towards mods regardless of what u buy, hopefully with type s u dont need to put as much into the performance mods. Getting aspec to baseline type s is gonna be ?

 

[Rogues Gambit]

If u wanna save money long term, buy the car u want to keep long term. You're very clearly going to put a bunch of money towards mods regardless of what u buy, hopefully with type s u dont need to put as much into the performance mods. Getting aspec to baseline type s is gonna be ?

I know, just was circling back to that point there with how this all started, acknowledging his point. Definitely never a dull day regardless

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