- The Turn 14 Distribution FL5 Civic Type R will debut at SEMA 2024 after a thorough list of upgrades is installed at our preferred local shop, R/T Tuning.
- Our esteemed partner list includes ARP, ClutchMasters, DBA, LiquiMoly, Mahle, Turbosmart, and more.
- The third round of engine-related mods includes a Turbosmart BOV, LIQUI MOLY lubricants, and a lightweight Antigravity lithium-ion battery.
- A three-piece carbon fiber body kit from EVS Tuning adds visual dynamism to the Type R’s natural sporting character.
Balance is a key word for any build. Putting too much emphasis on performance mods at the expense of your suspension or brakes is like skipping leg day at the gym. We have been conscious of preserving that equilibrium as we improved upon the Type R’s native character. We installed a suite of engine bay components during our first round—a ClutchMasters clutch and master cylinder and a new CSF high-performance radiator—and immediately equipoised those with Eibach and HKS mods underneath the car. This time around, we chose to head back up to the front of the Type R to address a couple more items—a Turbosmart uprated blow-off valve, LIQUI MOLY lubricants, an Antigravity lithium-ion battery—before balancing those upgrades with our first major exterior upgrade: a three-piece body kit from EVS Tuning.
TURBO SOUNDS
Call me juvenile, but one of the cool factors for owning a turbo car is experiencing the “wooshes and psshs” from the snail itself. A high-performance blow-off-valve (BOV) adds to this theater, and we went with the best in the business for our FL5: Turbosmart. Its plug-and-play “Kompact BOV” (TS-0203-1017) unit is much more robust than the factory plastic piece it replaces. Side-by-side, the difference was clear as day. The Turbosmart unit is constructed from aerospace-grade billet aluminum with high-temperature seals that make the Honda equivalent look like a toy. Turbosmart took the FL5’s tight engine bay confines into account when it profiled the housing; there is a notched corner that makes it easy to pivot the BOV into position and save you (or your friendly tech) a headache.
BLOOD TRANSFUSION
Although the Turn 14 Distribution FL5 Civic Type R had a measly 20 miles on it, we thought it best to discard the Honda’s break-in oil for some superior liquids. In this case, five quarts of LIQUI MOLY’s finest: 0W-20 Molygen oil. This particular brew is known for its low-friction, high-temp stability, and all-year-stable characteristics, making it an oil that can save fuel and put less wear and tear on your engine—up to 30% less. This is one of the most advanced oils on the market today for the high-performance vehicles we know and love. A genuine Honda oil filter was installed simultaneously for good measure.
ANTI-GRAVITY
Speaking of advanced, Antigravity Batteries is known for manufacturing the smallest, lightest, and most powerful lithium-ion batteries for motorsport and powersport applications. Its name is intentional—these battery replacements offer up to 80% weight savings over like-for-like lead/acid variants while touting two times the cranking power. The biggest party trick of the unit we picked out for the T14 FL5 is Antigravity’s wireless jump-starting feature. Even if your car is completely discharged, you can press the “Emergency Start” button on the included keyfob. That’s it.
Speaking of advanced, Antigravity Batteries is known for manufacturing the smallest, lightest, and most powerful lithium-ion batteries for motorsport and powersport applications. Its name is intentional—these battery replacements offer up to 80% weight savings over like-for-like lead/acid variants while touting two times the cranking power. The biggest party trick of the unit we picked out for the T14 FL5 is Antigravity’s wireless jump-starting feature. Even if your car is completely discharged, you can press the “Emergency Start” button on the included keyfob. That’s it.
The H5/Group 47 Lithium Car Battery with Re-Start (AG-H5-40-RS) is a plug-and-play factory replacement, so there’s no need to find an adapter for your factory tray. We were able to shave 22.8 lbs from the car from the swap alone, and it looks just like OEM underneath the factory battery blanket.
EYE CANDY
At this point, we’ve focused all of our attention on improving the Turn 14 Distribution FL5 Civic Type R in important areas, but most—if not all—are only visible once you pop the hood, look underneath it, or drive the car. The EVS Tuning three-piece body kit (EVS-FL5-3P-CFRP) would dramatically change that, offering a blend of form and function that makes this Civic stand out from the crowd in all the right ways. Unwrapping the kit was the first order of business, and almost immediately, the quality of EVS Tuning’s 2×2 twill and design considerations were noticeable.
Pat from R/T Tuning got to work applying double-sided tape to each three-piece add-on: the front lip, side skirt extensions, and rear spats (side fins) before getting them onto the car. Unlike most aftermarket carbon fiber components, the EVS Tuning kit went on without any issues, and the fitment was bang-on perfect.
Keen eyes will spot a couple of additional components, and you’d be right; we opted to add the trunk spoiler and front splitter for good measure. The trunk spoiler is available as a single-piece add-on (EVS-FL5-RTS-CFRP), but it’s also included with the more comprehensive five-piece kit (EVS-FL5-5P-CFRP). The front splitter (EVS-FL5-FS-CFC) is extra for either complete kit option, but we think it’s definitely worth the coin. It has a carbon fiber foam core and includes replaceable skid plates at the corners—both considerations that come from a company with real motorsport experience.
At this point, we were getting anxious. Not necessarily because of SEMA’s looming arrival but because we really wanted to see this thing on the ground with the EVS Tuning carbon fiber kit and suspension installed. But we knew that it was best to be patient, and we hope you will be, too. The first order of business during our next round will be getting our DBA upgrades installed before we mount and balance some goodies from Fifteen52 and Yokohama. The final touch will be laying some graphics to truly make the Turn 14 Distribution FL5 Civic Type R feel like our own. Stay tuned.