Honda · 1992–2000 · track setup

Civic EG

The EG and EK are the last Civics with double-wishbone suspension at both ends, and that geometry is why they are still a favourite cheap track car. They are light, they gain camber as they roll, and they reward a driver who carries speed. Most are now old and well used, so the work starts with bushings, brakes and fluids, and the biggest setup mistake is lowering them too far. Numbers here are for the US Si models; other trims are lighter or heavier and many cars have been engine-swapped.
Engine
1.6 L SOHC VTEC four (D16Z6, 1992–95 Si) / 1.6 L DOHC VTEC four (B16A2, 1999–2000 Si); 5-speed manual, open differential
Power
125 hp (EG Si, 1992–95) / 160 hp (EK Si, 1999–2000)
Weight
≈2,330–2,390 lb (EG Si hatch) / ≈2,610 lb (EK Si coupe)
Layout
Front-engine
Drive
FWD
Performance planner ↓

These are starting points gathered from the sources listed at the bottom, not a guarantee. Cars, tires and parts vary: have a reputable alignment shop set your car, check factory specs for road use, and change one thing at a time.

01On track

Strengths
  • +Double-wishbone suspension front and rear gains camber in roll, so it needs less static camber than strut cars
  • +Very light, which keeps tires and brakes alive
  • +Huge, cheap aftermarket and parts sharing with the DC2 Integra
  • +Responds well to rear tuning (toe, camber, bar) to cure understeer
Watch out for
  • −Open differential: inside-wheel spin out of tight corners
  • −Small brakes and narrow factory tires by modern standards
  • −Geometry goes bad quickly if the car is lowered too far
  • −Age: worn bushings, ball joints and many modified or abused cars

02Alignment

Where to start the alignment.

Alignment · starting points
VIEWED FROM BEHIND · CAMBER EXAGGERATED ×3-2.8°FRONT L-2.8°FRONT R—REAR L—REAR R
FrontRear
Camber-2.75° or more on slicksTune for balance
ToeSlight toe-outMore rear toe-out if it still understeers

Speed Academy says race slicks often need more camber and spring rate than its base numbers, and that rear toe-out, extra rear camber or a narrower rear tire can all be used to reduce understeer. Aim for tire temperatures of about 160–200°F with the inner third slightly hotter, and confirm with a pyrometer.

Sources [4]

03Tires & brakes

Tires and brakes

  • 200TW endurance
    • Hoosier Track Attack Pro
    • Yokohama Advan A052
    205/50R15 on 15x7 (the Track Attack Pro 205/50R15 suits 5.5"–7.5" rims); the EK Si came on low-profile 15" tires

    Both are 200-treadwear tires designed for track use. Wider 15" sizes are popular but rubbing depends on wheel offset and fender work, so check fitment on your car.

    Sources [1,8,9,10]
  • R-compound / slick
    • Hoosier TrackAttack Race R8 (replaces the R7)
    15" sizes; check the Hoosier catalogue for availability

    Hoosier describes the R8 as its harder, more heat-tolerant DOT competition compound. Expect to add camber and spring rate when you move to these tires.

    Sources [4,11]
Brake pads

A dedicated track compound such as Hawk DTC-60 (Hawk lists part HB245G for the 1993–95 Civic with ABS front). Confirm fitment for your exact car: front calipers differ between EG, EK, Si and non-Si models.

Brake fluid

Motul RBF 600 (312°C dry / 216°C wet) or RBF 660 (328°C dry), or another high-boiling DOT 4 fluid.

Change front and rear compounds together to keep the balance. Bleed before every event. [6,7]

04Known issues on track

Fix these before they find you.

  • Do not slam it

    Speed Academy warns that this unequal-length double-wishbone layout does not like big drops. Lowered too far, the roll centres end up below ground and the car bump-steers in corners. Its advice is to stay within about two inches of stock ride height; bump-steer and roll-centre parts only claw some of it back. [4]

  • Worn bushings and ball joints

    These cars are now 25 to 30 years old. The stock front upper arms use rubber bushings and have no camber adjustment. Hagerty's owners say replacing worn bushings is the key to restoring the feel of the closely related DC2 Integra, and the same applies here. Inspect and refresh bushings and ball joints before chasing alignment numbers. [5,12]

  • Oil level and timing belt (B-series EK Si)

    Hagerty's DC2 guide notes that hard-revved B-series engines can burn oil, so check the dipstick often and watch for smoke; it also recommends timing belt and water pump together at 90,000-mile intervals. The EK Si uses a B-series engine, so the same checks apply. Check the oil between every session on track. [1,12]

  • Small brakes

    The EG Si was the first Civic Si with four-wheel discs and the EK Si got bigger discs, but both are small for repeated hard stops. Fit a track pad and high-boiling fluid before the first event and bleed between events. [1,6,7]

05Modification roadmap

In the order that pays off.

  1. 0
    Safety & reliability first

    Safety and reliability first

    • Fresh bushings, ball joints and dampersOld rubber makes the car vague; there is no point aligning worn parts.
    • Track pads and high-boiling fluidSmall factory brakes need help before the first hard session.
    • Fluids and timing belt service if not documentedB-series EK engines rev hard; check oil level between sessions.
    • Seats and harnesses only with proper roll protectionNever fit harnesses without a roll bar or cage.
  2. 1
    Tires & alignment

    Tires and alignment

    • 15x7 wheels with a 200TW tireThe biggest single grip gain.
    • Adjustable front upper arms and rear camber armsStock arms have no camber adjustment; you need them to reach about -2.75° front.
  3. 2
    Suspension & brakes

    Suspension

    • Coilovers set at a modest dropBody control without wrecking the roll centres; stay within about two inches of stock.
    • Stiffer rear bar or rear toe-outThe main tools to fight FWD understeer on this chassis.
  4. 3
    Power & aero

    Power last

    • Limited-slip differential, then engine workAn LSD fixes the inside-wheel spin; more power comes last.

06Performance planner

What each upgrade is worth on this car.

Pick upgrades and see the estimated lap-time change on a reference circuit, how much margin your brakes and engine have late in a session, and which changes buy durability rather than speed.

Performance planner · Civic EG / EK (5th and 6th gen)Model estimate
Tires
Brake pads
Brake fluid
Brake cooling
Brakes
Alignment
Suspension
Differential
Weight
Power
Cooling
Oil system
Aero
1:56.74stock 1:56.74−0.0%

Reference circuit (fictional, 3.5 km). Late lap includes brake fade and heat derating once the system runs out of margin.

T1T2T3T4T5T6T7T8SPEED · your plan vs stock · top 103 mph
Brake fade marginFades
Engine heat marginHolds
Oil starvation riskLow
Tire life (relative)100%
Sensitivity · each upgrade alone vs stock (late lap)
  • R-compound tires−5.23%load ↑
  • 200TW endurance tires−2.55%load ↑
  • Track alignment−0.81%
  • Coilovers + sway bars−0.68%
  • Street/track pads−0.55%durability ↑
  • Race pads−0.55%durability ↑
  • High-temp fluid−0.55%durability ↑
  • Brake cooling ducts−0.55%durability ↑
  • Splitter + wing−0.52%durability ↑
  • Big brake kit−0.51%durability ↑
  • Lighter wheels + seat−0.39%
  • Limited-slip differential−0.07%
  • Oil cooler + radiator±0durability ↑
  • Oil system (baffles / accumulator)±0
  • Intake, exhaust, tune±0load ↑
This car’s roadmap below starts with: Fresh bushings, ball joints and dampers · Track pads and high-boiling fluid · Fluids and timing belt service if not documented · Seats and harnesses only with proper roll protection

Estimates from a simplified point-mass lap simulation of Civic EG / EK (5th and 6th gen) (2,330 lb, 125 hp) on a fictional circuit, with generic effects for each upgrade category. Good for comparing options on the same car, not for predicting your lap time. Real results depend on the driver, the exact parts, the track and the conditions.

Free printable setup sheet →

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-18. Summaries are TRACK’s own wording; follow the links for the original detail. Product and brand names belong to their owners.

  1. [1]Honda Civic Si Timeline and MilestonesHonda (hondanews.com) · accessed 2026-10
  2. [2]Honda Civic (fifth generation) – US trim weightsWikipedia · accessed 2026-10
  3. [3]Honda Civic (sixth generation) – US trim weightsWikipedia · accessed 2026-10
  4. [4]Track Alignment Specs: EG/EK Honda Civic & DC2 IntegraSpeed Academy · accessed 2026-10
  5. [5]PCI Front Upper Spherical Control Arms – 92-95 Civic / 94-01 IntegraHybrid Racing (vendor) · accessed 2026-10
  6. [6]Hawk HB245G.631 Racing Pad, DTC-60 compound (fitment list)OG Racing (vendor) · accessed 2026-10
  7. [7]Motul RBF 600 / 660 Racing DOT 4 Brake FluidHybrid Racing (vendor) · accessed 2026-10
  8. [8]Track Attack ProHoosier Racing Tire · accessed 2026-10
  9. [9]ADVAN A052Yokohama Tire · accessed 2026-10
  10. [10]Hoosier Track Attack Pro 205/50R15 specificationsTireSize.com · accessed 2026-10
  11. [11]Circuit Racing tires (TrackAttack Race A8 / R8, replacing A7 / R7)Hoosier Racing Tire · accessed 2026-10
  12. [12]Your handy 1997–2001 (DC2) Acura Integra Type R buyer's guideHagerty · accessed 2026-10
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