When we took delivery of our Honda Civic Type R FL5 way back in January, we were told that only 140 units would make there way to UK shores in 2023. However, that has proved not to be true, with owners still taking delivery of their FL5s everyday.

With more and more of the 11th generation Civic on the road, naturally, enthusiasts are keen to put their stamp on them to make it their own. So, it’s about time that we wrote a modification guide on the most powerful Civic Type R ever produced! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve deep into the world of FL5 modifications, unlocking the secrets to enhancing its aesthetics, power, and handling, while preserving the core values that make it such a beloved vehicle.

For those of you that are reading this with a view to purchase a FL5, then it’s worth reading on, as we’ve already listed the Genuine Honda extras from the UKDM, USDM and JDM markets on our website. Which means that if you’re specifically waiting for a car with a certain extra, then don’t worry, as you can purchase from us and then retrofit it yourself!

If you’re pushing your FL5 to its limits on track, then you’ll be wanting to upgrade the brakes. We have various different Motul Brake Fluids available, which will eliminate boiling the OEM fluid.

Whilst you’re upgrading the brake fluid it’s worth swapping out your OEM brake lines to an aftermarket solution. This will remove the ‘spongy’ feeling from the brake pedal, and make braking feel smoother and stronger. We have options available from both EBC and Spoon Sports.

PBS ProRace pads are made by racing drivers for racing drivers, working at high temperature with excellent pedal feel , consistent braking with low dust and great rotor life. These are one of  the best bang for buck pads on the market giving great consistency, longevity and bite at both hot and cold temperatures.

We also have a couple of options available from Ferodo. The DS2500 are our pad of choice for everyday/fast road use, as they aren’t too aggressive and don’t produce too much dust either. If you’re thinking of using your car on track then it’s worth going for the DS3000 instead.

For those of you that want a bit more ‘bite’ out of the brakes, then it’s worth upgrading your brake pads to something more suitable. RP-1 and RP-X (race and track) brake pads will offer a lot more performance.

A brake pad that we recommend and use on most of our race cars, is the Pagid RSL29. The RSL29 features very good modulation and release characteristics, making it ideal for club racing and track days.

If you want to keep it JDM, then Spoon Sports offer uprated brake pads too.

To keep your brakes cool on track, it’s worth considering a set of EBC Titanium Front Brake Pad Shims. These neat components reduce heat transfer through the pads to the caliper by around 90°F!

A relatively simple upgrade that will also change the way your FL5 sounds, is to install an aftermarket intake. There is a range of intakes already available with more being released very soon (including Eventuri)!

We’ve already tested the Ramair Proram Induction Kit on our FL5 and was very impressed with the performance that it had to offer, especially for the price. Being an open intake, the sound is also great too!

Pipercross offer a Panel Air Filter and Induction System Kit for the FL5. The panel filter is a great upgrade, especially when it’s time for a service. The Induction System Kit replaces the OEM airbox, and Pipercross claim that they have seen gains of 10bhp.

If you want to keep things JDM, then you’ll want to consider the GruppeM Carbon Intake. This kit is designed to draw in the maximum volume of ambient air whilst maintaining filtration reliability. It’ll also look fantastic once you’ve popped the bonnet too!

We’ll soon be conducting our very own intake test for the FL5, similar to the GR Yaris one that we carried out. We’ll then be able to see for ourselves what gains each kit offers. Stay tuned as we’ll be carrying this test out before the end of 2023!

If you want to unlock some noise from your FL5, then you’ll want to upgrade the exhaust. Our Type R was actually used as the development car for Milltek Sport. We ended up with the Milltek Sport Non-Resonated Catback with Cerakote Black Tips. Check out the video of this, below.

Cobra Sport are another exhaust option to consider. They have a range of options available, including a Valved Front Flex-Back, Valved Cat/GPF Back and a Full Valved Turbo Back System. Cobra also offer a Sports Cat and Decat Downpipe if you want to unlock even more power!

We also have two iterations of the Kakimoto exhaust listed too. The Class KR exhaust keeps the OEM styling with 3 tips and is aimed at road users. The GT1.0Z Exhaust is perfect for those who want to squeeze all the performance out of their FL5, as not only will it offer better performance, the muffler weighs just 7.4kg; half the weight of the OEM muffler!

First and foremost, it’s important to talk about regular servicing of your FL5 engine. Ideally, you’ll want to change the engine oil and filter before a track day to ensure that the engine runs as it should. We recommend sticking with a Genuine Honda Oil Filter, so you can expect a perfect fit and performance.

When it comes to engine oil, depending on what you’re using the car for, you can stick with the Genuine Honda 0w-20 Engine Oil, or opt for an aftermarket option from the likes of Motul.

If you’re planning on getting your FL5 remapped at some point, then it’s worth considering an uprated BOV. The Turbosmart Kompact Supersonic BOV is an ideal solution to replace the factory plastic unit, and is capable of handling higher levels of boost. It’s constructed of billet aerospace grade aluminium with high temperature seals and is a direct fit upgrade.

For those that want to send their FL5 to the moon, then you’ll likely be considering some more major modifications. Skunk2 Racing have released their Ultra Stage 1 & 2 camshafts. Their Stage 1 cams, are a true drop-in cam that is compatible with stock valve springs and retains stock idling characteristics. You can expect to see gains of around 25-40bhp throughout the power band with these.

Looking for a more serious cam? Skunk2’s Stage 2 camshafts unleashes the full potential of the K20C1. Expect to see gains of around 40-60bhp with these! The valve train will need upgrading with these, but Skunk2 have you covered with their Ultra Valve Spring and Spring Base Kit. We would recommend getting a tune from a reputable tuner when upgrading cams.

There isn’t too many options available yet when it comes to upgrading the suspension of the FL5. We know that the Yellow Speed Racing coilovers from the FK8 will also fit onto the FL5. Their Dynamic Pro Sport kit are perfect for both the road and occasional track and offer excellent value for money too! It’s worth considering purchasing the EDC Cancellation Kit too which prevent any error codes or light from the electronic dampening control system.

Nitron have also produced coilovers for the FL5. They have three different options available; RoadSport, NTR R1 and NTR R3.

If you don’t want to go down the coilover route, there are a couple of options for lowering springs. The first of which are Spoon Sports Progressive 20mm Springs. We plan on installing these to our car in the very near future.

Renowned manufacturers of lowering springs, Eibach, have a couple of options too, with kits for USDM and UK cars respectively. With the UK kit, you can expect to see a drop of 15mm at the front and 10mm at the rear. The US kit will see the car lowered by 15mm at the front and 20mm at the rear.

The Civic FL5 boasts an awesome interior as standard, however, we offer a huge range of upgrades to make it even better! Honda have a range of accessories, which are available from various different markets of the world, however, we have listed them all on our website.

Some of the accessories that will stand out the most are the carbon panels and trims. These definitely improve the cabin aesthetic and feature a lovely red weave in the carbon too!

We also upgraded our gear knob, opting for the JDM Red Leather Shift Knob, rather than the OEM metal unit.

A fairly costly, but iconic upgrade are the JDM Red Floor Mats. These are a cut above the rest in terms of quality of material and plushness and are likely to hold their value for years to come.

You can check out all the Genuine Honda extras that we went for in our latest YouTube video!

We offer a range of styling parts, including everything from Genuine Honda to Mugen. One of the options we have gone for on our FL5 is the Genuine Honda Carbon Wing. This really helps to make the rear of the car a lot more aggressive, as well as being lighter than original spoiler too.

If you really want to make a statement, then check out the range of carbon parts that APR Performance have to offer. They have a full Aerodynamic pack consisting of a Front Splitter, Rear Bumper Spats and Side Skirts. They also offer Canards, a Radiator Cooling Plate and a GT-250 and GTC-300 Adjustable Rear Wing too.

We’ll soon be listing the Maxton Designs catalogue for the FL5, so make sure you watch this space to see when they become available.

Whilst aftermarket wheels can be chosen based on their appearance, there’s also the advantage of them being lighter than the OEM counterparts (in most cases). We’ve written a separate blog specifically on FL5 Wheel Fitment, which you can check out below.

Honda Civic Type R FL5 – Wheel Fitment Guide

Our FL5 has benefitted from a couple of sets of aftermarket wheels so far. The first set we tried were Motegi MR145’s. These were 18″ x 9J ET45 in Satin Black with Yokohama AD09 265/35/19 semi-slick tyres.

We’ve recently just swapped these out for some TSW Imatra’s. These are 18″ x 9.5J ET38 and are also finished in Satin Black with the same tyres as before. We finished this setup by utilising a set of Mugen Black M14 x 1.5 Wheel Nuts.

If you’d like to learn more about modifying your Civic FL5 or need any advice, then please get in contact with us and we’d be more than happy to help!

When we specced our FL5, we only chose a couple of optional extras. These were the cargo net for the boot and the red front foot and under seat lighting.

Let’s take a look at some of the Honda upgrades we went for:

Carbon Pack

One of the most exciting accessories that UKDM Honda have to offer is the carbon pack. This consists of a revised rear wing, centre console and door sill trims. With a subtle red tint running through the carbon, these upgrades provide a sleek and sophisticated aesthetic for your FL5. This isn’t a cheap option at just over £3,000, but one that certainly makes the most difference!

The rear wing weighs half as much as the OEM gloss black blade and is also wider and deeper too. This helps gives the rear of  the FL5 a much more aggressive look, especially with the integrated gurney flap and the vortex generators that feature underneath.

Meanwhile in the interior of the Type R, the carbon centre console simply sticks over the existing unit and offers a perfect fit. This gets rid of the boring silver trim and makes the inside look a lot more sporty.

The carbon trims along the door sills, adorned with the Type R logo, adds a refined yet impactful detail when you open your car door.

Individual components from the carbon pack are also available for separate purchase.

JDM Shift Knob

As you will have seen from the interior shots, we swapped out the OEM shift knob for the red leather JDM option. It’s manufactured from aluminium and has lovely black anodised finish. Being weighted, it helps make those gear shifts that bit nicer and helps to improve the driving experience too.

Rear Strap Handle

For those adrenaline-filled track days, we recommend installing the JDM rear strap handle. Also known at Tegiwa as  the “Jesus handle.” Perfect for nervous passengers, this handle provides extra security and stability during spirited driving sessions in your FL5.

Protective Film

Over in Japan, they offered protective film as an optional extra with their FL5’s. We decided to go for this on our rear bumper, door edges and handles. This cost-effective solution shields your car from potential damage, without the need for full paint protection film. Once installed, the protective film becomes virtually invisible, preserving the appearance of your FL5.

Wind Deflectors

One of the most useful accessories that we installed are the JDM wind deflectors. These enable you to crack your window open when it’s raining to let fresh air in. Supplied as a set of 4, they fit snugly in the recess and are secured in using a series of screws.

Car Cover

Although we use the FK8 cover for our FL5, we decided to try the JDM cover too. Constructed with durable materials, this cover provides superior protection against the elements and features a prominent Honda logo on the front.

Valve Caps

Finally, we installed a set of USDM valve caps for the wheels. Whilst not a major addition, they certainly help finish our new Motegi MR145 wheels off nicely!

In addition to the aforementioned upgrades, we offer a wide range of accessories for the Honda Civic FL5, including the forged Modulo wheels available as an extra in the US. Visit our website to explore all the available options and find the perfect additions to personalise and enhance your FL5.

Of course, if you’d like to see for yourself how different sized wheels will fit on the FL5, then you can do so by checking out our offset calculator, here!

OEM Wheels

The stock alloys on the FL5 are pretty wide as standard, especially for a factory wheel. The car utilises a square setup (the same dimensions on both axles) and the specs are as follows:

• 5×120 19″ x 9.5J ET60 64.1mm centre bore
• 12.1 kg per wheel
• 265/30/19 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres

For those looking to take increase handling, comfort and overall driving dynamics then we’d suggest going for an 18″ wheel. This will also enable you to run a 35 or even a 40 profile side wall tyre which will certainly help improve ride quality.

From what we have seen the sweet spot for the 11th generation Type R is  upwards of around ET45 on a 9.5J rim, so no arch work will be required. Remember, the lower the offset, more you increase the track width. For example, 9.5J ET50 is the equivalent of running a 10mm spacer.

If you go for a 10J wheel and run a 275 tyre then you’ll likely see rubbing on the outside and possibly on the inside too. Should you wish to go 10J upwards then you’ll likely need to roll the arches or adjust your suspension to suit. In this guide, we’ll be looking at direct fitments which are bolt-on solutions and won’t require any modifications.

19″ Options

2Forge allow you to spec your offset as required, although in case we wouldn’t recommend going lower than ET45. Similar in design to the OEM alloys, these ZF6’s weigh in at 3.1kg lighter than standard thanks to their flow-formed construction.

If you’re not too fussed about saving weight but just want to change the appearance of your FL5, then Bola CSR’s are perfect. Prices start from just under £300 (correct at the time of publishing), meaning they’re one of the best value alloys in this guide.

Enkei are a renowned Japanese wheel manufacturer so it’s easy to see why  we’ve chosen to include them in this guide. An offset of ET45 means you’ll get a lovely flush fitment, whilst being able to use your standard tyres too!

OZ Racing Leggera alloys are fantastic choice if you’re into the twin 5 spoke design. These are available in silver or gloss black finish.

Who doesn’t love an Ultraleggera!? A timeless design that looks great on any car, OZ Racing Ultraleggera’s will require some fettling of the arches or suspension so that they don’t rub on your front wings. Alternatively, you could always sacrifice some grip and run a 255 wide tyre which could work.

Money no object? Look no further than the T-D6 from Titan 7. These are forged wheels so not only are they super strong, they’re also really light too. Drop to an 18″ TD-6 and you’ll save 3.3kg at each corner over the standard alloys too!

18″ Options

We previously ran a set of Apex EC-7’s on our old Civic FK8 and they looked absolutely mega! You can play it safe and get these wheels in ET58 or you can choose to really fill those arches out and go for some ET43’s.

WedsSport TC-105X are by far and away the lightest wheels that we have in this guide. Not only will they fill the arches nicely, but you’ll save nearly 17kg if you run a set of these over standard! These have to be the ultimate choice for those FL5 owners looking to maximise the performance of their car.

We love a 5 spoke wheel on the FL5, and as you can see Enkei TS-5’s suit it perfectly. Available in matte bronze or gloss black these wheels offer a nice weight saving over OEM too. Old meets new! Enkei’s NT03 have been around for ages and are a classic JDM wheel now. This is Enkei’s latest iteration of their classic design making them the most rigid yet. The iconic brace ring evenly distributes stresses on the spokes and help aid cornering and steering capabilities.

Alternatives

If you fancy an upgrade but don’t necessarily fancy anything aftermarket, then check out these Honda Modulo wheels. These were a factory optional extra for USDM cars and are also forged. With the exact specification as the standard wheels, these wheels are forged so weigh in at 2.425 kg’s lighter per wheel.

Maybe you just really like the OEM FL5 wheels but want to fill the arches out a bit more. Bolt a set of 15mm spacers to the hub and they’ll completely transform the appearance of your Type R. You can choose exactly how much width you’d like to add to the FL5’s track from 3mm to 20mm with a set of Apex 5×120 spacers, available here.

We obviously don’t wish this upon anyone but if you do damage one of your standard wheels on your brand new Civic Type R then we’ve got you covered with an OEM replacement from Honda. These are also a direct fit for the FK2 & FK8 which we’re sure will look awesome. Plus, we have replacement centre caps available too!

Accessories

When it comes to wheel accessories then we recommend installing a set of Muteki wheel nuts. Made from cold-forged steel, Muteki nuts are lighter, smaller and thinner and will ensure that they’ll keep them tight against your wheel.

If you’ve got this far then thanks for reading and if you’re still not sure what to go for or need a helping hand then please don’t hesitate to contact us!

When the FL5 was first announced and dealer order books opened, we were straight onto our local Honda dealer, Holdcroft, to join the waiting list. We already knew that these weren’t going to be mass produced and only around 140 hitting the UK in 2023.

We then parted ways with our FK8 earlier last year. A car that was really loved by all the staff at Tegiwa, so much so, that our very own Mikey Birch actually purchased it.

A few months passed and we got an email back from Holdcroft saying that they’ve secured us the only FL5 that will be passing through their dealership! Apparently, only one FL5 was allocated to each Honda dealer in the country.

Fast forward to January 2023 and our car is ready for collection. With a date set and cameras at the ready, we jumped in the car and headed to Cobridge Honda Holdcroft. As we parked up we could see it taking pride of place in the middle of the showroom.

With pleasantries out of the way we could finally have a good look at the FL5 in the flesh for the first time ever.

Although we didn’t go crazy ticking options on this car there were a few that we felt we couldn’t miss out on. The first of which was the Championship White paintwork (you can’t have a Type R and not go for this colour, right?) We also went for the illumination pack and a boot net too, handy for keeping our helmets in the car for when we get it on the track!

The styling of the car has really divided opinions here at Tegiwa, with some people loving it and some people still keen on its predecessor. It’s fair to say that this car looks a bit more grown up than the FK8 though, with the crazy styling swept to one side. Although it still has touches that don’t let us forget it’s a hot hatch including a TCR style bonnet vent and a huge rear wing!

The showroom doors were now open and the FL5 was ready to be released into the wild. As much as we’d love to bounce it off the limiter heading back to Tegiwa, unfortunately we have to keep the revs below 4,000rpm for the first 600 miles to break the engine in. Many of you might say to hell with that, but it’s not worth us risking the warranty if something does go wrong!

We’ll have to wait a while longer to test out it’s claimed 0-62mph in just 5.4 seconds. This is of course possible thanks to its K20C1 engine (also found in the FK2 & FK8). However, thanks to some revisions this iteration now produces a mighty 324bhp and 310lb. ft torque, making it the most powerful Type R yet!

What’s the difference between the FL5 and FK8?

To warrant it’s £48,000 price tag it’s worth having a deeper look into what’s new on the 11th generation Civic. Honda have improved the chassis rather than replacing it, giving it a longer wheelbase, a stiffer structure and a wider track too (25mm front and 19mm rear). This does make it rather large though as it measures a staggering 4.6 metres long and nearly 2 metres wide. A lot has changed since the first EK9 Type R, putting the FL5 inline with the size of a BMW M3!

What do we have planned for it?

We won’t be going as crazy as we did with the FK8 when it comes to development for the FL5. Largely because there won’t be as much demand for parts seeing as the production numbers appear to be so low. However, we’ll be working with a handful of our partners and friends for some choice upgrades. Although we won’t say too much, here’s a few of the parts that we’ll be looking to change:

• Exhaust
• Coilovers
• Brakes Pads
• Brake Lines
• Intake

We’ll also be hitting the track in the not too distant future as well. Of course, we’ll be documenting everything on here as well as YouTube channel too, so make sure you’ve subscribed so you don’t miss out on any FL5 content!