Principal MUGEN stockist and leading Japanese tuning house Torque Developments International Plc is pleased to unveil a new brake kit for the FN2 model of the Honda Civic Type R.

The end result of careful design by MUGEN engineers, allied to thorough ‘real world’ street and circuit testing, MUGEN’s ‘Advanced Complete Brake System’ (ACBS) upgrade consists of the following components:- 

• Monobloc, high rigidity four piston front calipers in either gold or black finish, with dust boots for year round street driving
• Large diameter, thicker (28mm compared to OEM Honda 25mm) reverse direction front grooved discs (320mm on Civic FN2 compared to 300mm OEM Honda)
• Exclusively developed MUGEN front and rear brake pads (choice of Type Sport or Type Competition) designed to retain brake balance of car depending on use
• MUGEN braided high performance front brake hoses supplied in kit
• Two 500ml cans of exclusive MUGEN high performance brake fluid included
• Optional MUGEN braided high performance rear brake hoses available

Priced at £4457.60 excluding VAT, the MUGEN Advanced Complete Brake System for the Honda Civic Type R FN2 is available now from Torque Developments International Plc. To buy now, click on http://www.tdi-plc.com/catalog/mugen-advanced-complete-brake-system-caliper-blackbrake-type-p-18839.html

The MUGEN rear braided brake hoses are available as a cost option, priced at £246.40 excluding VAT.

 NOTE: The larger disc diameter means that the MUGEN Advanced Complete Brake System is not suitable for the OEM FN2 Honda Civic Type R wheels. A new version of the MUGEN ‘GP’ alloy wheel, in 8 x 18 inch dimension with a 46mm is now available from Torque Developments.

Do you fancy getting the ultimate in performance from your tuned FN2′s motor? Then TODA Racing has got the product for you, in the form of a new balancer shaft delete kit http://www.toda-europe.com/catalog/toda-racing-balancer-shaft-killer-p-1491.htmlwhich has just been dyno proven to generate impressive power gains throughout the rev range. But what’s the idea behind the balancer shaft delete kit? Read on…

When Honda launched the FN2 model of the Civic Type R it undertook what seems, with hindsight, to be a fairly major redesign of the K20A2 engine as found in the original EP3 version. This engine, known as the K20AZ3 not only featured revised elements such as cam profiles and a drive by wire throttle, it was also upgraded to hit new European NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) targets. How did it do this? It introduced a pair of balancer shafts into the bottom end of the K20A engine, which are not found in the awesome JDM FD2 version of the Honda Civic Type R, which also happens to make a lot more power than the European model.

On the K20AZ3, Honda’s engineers produced a pair of cast iron shafts, about ten inches long and about two and half inches wide, which weigh a staggering 4 kilograms. Counter-rotating against one another, they are driven from the oil pump and are located at the top of the crankcase, where they rotate within the splash lubrication at the top of the FN2’s sump oil. “The problem with this design,” says TODA Europe’s / Torque Developments Sam Borgman, “is that it also creates a significant amount of windage.” ‘Windage’ is a term that describes the drag on an engine component when oil clings to its surface during operation, which erodes the engines overall output – in other words power is lost inside the engine before it ever leaves.

Firstly, let’s talk about what you get with the TODA balancer shaft ‘killer’ kit. The major piece of the package is a new oil tray, an oil pump drive chain, a new dipstick and a TODA large capacity oil pump, which is engineered to function without the balancer shafts and features lower gearing designed to provide superior lubrication at high engine speeds. “The factory oil pump is designed is to run all qualities of oil, potentially very old thin oil, with a massive safety margin and actually at high revs there is excessive oil movement which results in cavitation,” says Torque Development’s Sam Borgman, meaning bubbles can form in the oil. “This also causes a high level of parasitic power loss on the engine, so it’s another area where the TODA balancer shaft killer kit could potentially gain,” he reckons.

Either way, we were about to find out, because Torque Development’s technicians installed on a FN2 test car, which already packs some tasty tweaks;- notably a Comptech Stage 3 supercharger kit, Hondata Flashpro ECU and a lightweight flywheel. In this specification it clocked a respectable 260bhp at the hubs at 7960rpm on Torque Development’s Rototest VPA-R9 hub dyno http://www.tdi-plc.com/index.php?pge=C_dynocam

Let me make this totally clear from the outset, fitting the TODA balancer shaft ‘killer’ kit is not a DIY job, because you have to remove the main bottom engine pulley, plus the cam chain drive system in order to access the chain drive mechanism for the oil pump.  Realistically it’s a six hour job, so the key question for every FN2 tuning fan has got to be, is it worth it?

Happily, the data emphatically suggests that yes it is. Straight off ‘our’ supercharged FN2 picked up 10 bhp at the hubs at 8060 rpm, which equates to approximately 12 bhp at the flywheel. But the peak gains are only half of the story, because, as you’d expect from a modification that reduces internal losses, the FN2 picked up power right across the rev range, from tickover to the redline.

Similarly, the engine picked up torque at all points, with a peak gain of 5 lb.ft at the hubs, equating to approximately 6 lb.ft at the flywheel. On a naturally aspirated FN2 with near stock output you’d get proportionally lower gains – TODA Racing reckons 5 bhp at the flywheel is typical in these instances.

In addition to the power gains, the engine’s response was much sharper, testimony to the reduced mass it now enjoyed. Crucially, bearing in mind that the TODA Racing kit has removed the very components designed to reduce vibration from the K20AZ3 engine the FN2’s owner reported that it still remained smooth, particularly at very high revs, happily confirming that removing the balancer shafts doesn’t degrade the driving experience.

Does this mean that the TODA balancer shaft killer kit is the new hot engine tweak for the FN2? Potentially yes, but as ever it’s a question of finances, so here’s a run down on the costs. The TODA balancer shaft killer kit itself costs £458.25 including VAT http://www.toda-europe.com/catalog/toda-racing-balancer-shaft-killer-p-1491.html, with fitting weighing in at £499.37, plus oil.

In total you’re looking at just under a grand, which, if you’ve invested four or five thousand pounds in a supercharged or turbocharged FN2 and are looking for the ultimate in no-compromise power, makes perfect sense. For mildly tuned normally aspirated cars it’s harder to make the case, but as you stroll further down the lengthy avenue of FN2 tuning, then TODA’s balancer shaft killer kit is without doubt a direction worth taking.

TODA Racing is synonymous with tuning the K20A engine, which is why it is particularly pleased to launch a Sports Injection independent throttle body kit for the Honda Civic Type R FN2.Specifically developed for the European version of the Honda Civic Type R, the TODA Racing Sports Injection kit is designed for use with stand-alone engine management and delivers significant improvements in response, power and torque throughout the rev range. When used in conjunction with high lift, long duration cams, the Sports Injection kit delivers a smoother, more controllable idle than with a single plenum set up, making it an ideal choice for high power K20A engine builds.  

• 50mm diameter throttle bodies
• Specially designed high flow cast inlet manifold for K20A applications 
• Fuel rail designed to retain standard K20A FN2 injectors 
• Choice of 33mm or 63mm length inlet trumpets
• Includes brackets for air conditioning hose, connectors and wiring loom  

 

In conjunction with the Sports Injection kits, TODA Racing has developed a ‘Hybrid Pedal’ kit which overcomes the problem of how to adapt the FN2’s drive by wire accelerator pedal for use with independent throttle bodies, which require cable operation.

Developed specifically for use on the Honda Civic Type R FN2, the Hybrid Pedal kit includes all necessary brackets and cabling to enable a neat, one stop solution.

Priced at £370.00 and carrying part number: 17800-FN2-000, the TODA Racing Hybrid Pedal kit is available now from TODA Europe, a division of Torque Developments International Plc.

It’s always nice when other people appreciate the quality of Torque Development’s work – in writing.

“The performance uplift is dramatic.”

“It fills the CTR’s cammy VTEC void to bursting with low and mid-range torque.”

“The result is very impress any-gear, any-revs performance, and the 2.0-litre motor is still happy to rev to 8K and beyond.”

In this case it was Evo magazine’s Richard Meaden who supplied the platitudes as he recently tested a Torque Developments supercharged Honda Civic FN2 and was impressed by both the quality and performance of our upgrade, as published in Evo no:145.

Bookings are being taken now for the FN2 supercharger upgrade, which provides excellent performance at an affordable price. Please contact Torque Developments staff for more details.

Thurrock, United Kingdom, 18th May 2010

Honda’s superb Civic Type R FN2 has won plenty of fans for its sharp dynamics and high revving 197 bhp, 2.0-litre K20AZ3 I-VTEC engine, but as with any enthusiast’s hot hatch, there’s always a demand from owners for additional performance.

Which is why leading Japanese tuning house Torque Developments Plc is delighted to announce three levels of supercharger upgrades for the 2006 onwards Honda Civic Type R, designed to considerable elevate the FN2’s on road performance.

Torque Development’s new FN2 Civic Type R supercharger conversions are based on a well proven package produced in the USA by CT Engineering, which has required detailed revisions for right hand drive installation, plus the reworking of several major components to ensure optimum fit and performance.

 Torque Developments Stage One Civic Type R FN2 supercharger conversion

• Adds 75 bhp – totalling 273 bhp @ 8400 rpm
• Boosts peak torque to 190 lb.ft
• 90% of maximum torque available from just 3500 rpm

The TD Stage One FN2 supercharger conversion has been specified to function with the stock Honda air intake and exhaust system. Designed from the outset with quality, reliability and durability in mind, once Torque Development’s technicians have modified the Stage One kit, the installation of the FN2 supercharger package is a straightforward ‘bolt-on’ procedure, requiring no internal modifications to the Honda I-VTEC K20AZ3 engine.

Key features of the Torque Development’s CT Engineering Stage One supercharger kit include:- 

• ‘Roots style’ screw compressor supercharger designed to deliver boost from tickover to redline
• Integrated, purpose designed, sand cast supercharger inlet manifold
• Runs at a very safe low level of boost 4-5 psi
• Includes a Hondata ECU reflash to optimise ignition and fuelling settings
• High quality carbon fibre fuel rail cover included
• Linear supercharger boost increase with engine speed to ensure flexibility

Dyno testing has proven that the TD Stage One Honda Civic Type R FN2 supercharger kit adds a healthy 75 bhp and greatly increasing the mid-range torque that’s often cited as the weak point of the I-VTEC engine.

On the road this transforms the performance of the Civic Type R FN2 because peak torque leaps from 142 lb.ft as standard to 190 lb.ft. Crucially, for a fast road conversion, 90% of maximum torque is available from just 3500rpm, highlighting the flexibility and user-friendliness of the Torque Development’s upgrade. 

Faster and easier to drive, the TD Stage One supercharged Honda Civic Type R FN2 delivers a formidable, flexible, user-friendly punch, accompanied by a spine tingling, supercharger soundtrack.

Available for installation on a drive in-drive out basis at TD’s impressive and well equipped Lakeside / Thurrock premises, the Stage One Honda Civic Type R FN2 supercharger conversion is available now, priced at £4911.50 fitted including VAT @ 17.5%.

Interested parties should note that the TD Stage One supercharger conversion is covered with the peace of mind of an industry leading 12 month / 30,000 mile warranty.

Torque Development’s Stage Two Civic Type R FN2 supercharger conversion

• Adds 95 bhp, boosts peak torque to 205-210 lb.ft
• 90% of peak torque available from just 3500 rpm

But for owner’s wanting additional off the shelf supercharged Honda Civic Type R machines, TD offers a Stage Two upgrade. This builds upon the Stage One package, with the addition of a smaller supercharger pulley to increase boost pressure by a further 3 psi, larger fuel injectors and extra Hondata ECU remapping, which raises the rev limit to 8500 rpm. In addition, a choice of MUGEN, TODA Racing or HKS induction kit is advised to ensure optimised intake performance.

Performance testing has proven that this conversion produces an extra 95 bhp compared to the standard Civic Type R, with torque rising to over 200 lb.ft, which translates into an electrifying drive. Priced from £5955.75 fitted including VAT @ 17.5%, the Stage Two upgrade can also be retro fitted to Stage One converted cars if required, priced from £763.75 including VAT.

Torque Development’s Stage Three Civic Type R FN2 supercharger conversion

• Adds 105 bhp, boosts peak torque to 210-215 lb.ft
• 90% of peak torque available from just 3500 rpm

The stage three Torque Developments Civic Type R supercharger upgrade builds upon the components used in the Stage Two package, with the addition of an even smaller supercharger pulley to increase boost pressure by 4 psi compared to the Stage One kit, with further Hondata ECU remapping to suit.

The Torque Developments Stage Three Civic Type R FN2 supercharger kit has been validated to produce an extra 105 bhp and represents the ultimate in supercharged Type R conversions.

Priced from £5955.75 fitted including VAT @ 17.5%, the TD Stage Three upgrade can also be retro fitted to Stage Two converted cars if required, priced from £763.75 including VAT.

Torque Development’s Optional Extras for Honda Civic Type R FN2:-

Given the significant performance enhancement delivered by the conversion, TD’s goal has been to retain the cohesive nature of the driving experience. To that end, it recommends a number of cost optional upgrades designed to compliment a supercharged Honda Civic Type R FN2. These include:-

• Wavetrac limited slip differential
• Fast Road suspension geometry set up
• Performance lowering springs
• Adjustable ‘coilover’ suspension
• TODA Racing or MUGEN exhaust manifold
• TODA Racing or MUGEN sports exhaust system
• MUGEN high performance air box

Interested parties should contact Torque Developments for fitted prices.

Derived from the unit used on the 237 bhp MUGEN Civic, the Hi-Performance Cleaner and Airbox is Designed to sharpen response and increase the power and torque output of the FN2’s 197 bhp K20AZ3 I-VTEC engine. As such it incorporates the following technical advantages:  

• Revised high flow shape compared to OEM Honda unit
• Enclosed design that reduces air charge temperatures
• Dyno optimised hard intake pipe to maximise inlet airflow
• High efficiency, flow friendly MUGEN air filter element included
• Direct swap for original Civic Type R FN2 airbox

No comparison performance data is currently available for the MUGEN Hi-Performance Cleaner and Airbox, but dyno data has proven the unit is unrestrictive to over 230bhp.

Carrying part number 17200-XLR-K0S0, the MUGEN FN2 Hi-Performance Cleaner and Airbox is available now from Torque Developments Plc, supplied with hard intake pipe, brackets and fixings, priced at £1113.53 including VAT @ 17.5%.  Buy this product on line now at: http://www.tdi-plc.com/catalog/mugen-assembly-p-17765.html