Honda Type R tuning and modifications.

"It's a long way to Type R rari..."

The Honda Type R is the most desirable badge from Honda. These cars are a road legal race optimised version of the standard models.

Engines are blueprinted and balanced and all components used are precision machined and optimised for the best performance.

Before we look at the tuning options for the Type R we shall look at the history of the model type and see what Hondas intentions and aspirations were.

Rather than use turbos and superchargers Honda have concentrated on creating a high revving engine and produce some of the most powerful NASP engines to come out of a modern manufacturers production line.

The R in Type R stands for Race and original models were very much trackday cars. The Integra Type R produced in 1996 was based on a design shared with Rover. Indeed the similarities between the Integra and Rover 200 are striking with the only notable exterior differences being the lights and slightly amended bumpers.

The Integra Type R had no radio, no sound deadening a close ratio 5 speed gearbox and fully refined race spec engine. The engine modifications included higher compression pistons, polished ports, stiffer valve springs and remap to optimise the timing of the engine. This produced a car able to accelerate to 60 mph in a little over 6 seconds, a feat which many cars today will struggle to achieve.

To cope with the extra power the chassis was stiffened and suspension was refined to give excellent handling characteristics. A limited slip diff helps to keep the power down in difficult conditions.

Type R specs later became more comfortable but still retain the high revving sporty engine and suspension tweaks. We have type R spec models of the NSX (already a sports car in it's own right) the Accord and later the Civic.

The Uk spec Civic is very different from the JDM spec Civic and really is more friendly and family oriented. The JDM spec civic Type R is still hailed today as one of the best front wheel drive cars around. We are just waiting to see if the rumors of the new S2000 Type R are true.

Type R engines make good subjects for an engine swap in the lower spec models. Particularly with those of the same engine capacity as the blocks are a bolt in swap with a rewire.

Tuning the Type R is a difficult prospect as so much has been done to the car from the factory. Better flowing exhaust components and a remap to alter the V-TEC kick in point are the most common modifications. Interestingly the factory fitted air box is so good that it is very difficult to find an induction kit that increased performance noticeable, usually the performance levels are maintained.

Turbos are not really an option unless you are prepared to lower the compression ratio of the engine. Most specialist tuners are using superchargers to increase performance on Type R engines but this is a very specialised area and there are no  bolt on DIY kits available. To discuss tuning the Type R please join us in the forum where we have a large number of members with Type R engines.