Honda · 2006–2011 · track setup

Civic Si 8th

The 8th gen Si is the high-revving K20 Civic with a six-speed and, for the first time, a factory limited-slip differential. That diff makes it far better out of slow corners than the EP3. It is a good, cheap track car once you plan around early-car synchro problems, worn engine mounts and limited front camber.
Engine
2.0 L DOHC i-VTEC four (K20Z3), 6-speed manual, helical limited-slip differential
Power
197 hp at 7,800 rpm and 139 lb-ft (8,000 rpm redline)
Weight
≈2,895 lb (coupe, 2010 spec); the sedan is about 60 lb heavier
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
  • +Factory helical limited-slip differential
  • +8,000 rpm K20Z3 with a close-ratio six-speed
  • +Bigger 11.8-inch front brakes than the EP3
  • +Coupe and sedan share the same running gear
Watch out for
  • −2006–2008 gearboxes are known for 2nd/3rd synchro and shift-fork trouble
  • −Front camber is limited without camber bolts
  • −Nose-heavy (61/39) and heavier than earlier Sis
  • −Engine mounts wear, letting the engine move under load

02Alignment

Where to start the alignment.

Alignment · starting points
VIEWED FROM BEHIND · CAMBER EXAGGERATED ×3-2.0°FRONT L-2.0°FRONT R—REAR L—REAR R
FrontRear
Camber-2.0° or more (needs camber bolts plus plates or offset parts)Stock to modest negative
Toe0 to slight toe-out0

Eibach puts most track setups at -1.0° to -2.0° front for Honda strut cars; going beyond about -2° needs more than camber bolts. Treat these as starting points and tune by tire temperatures.

Sources [6]

03Tires & brakes

Tires and brakes

  • 200TW endurance
    • Hoosier Track Attack Pro
    • Yokohama Advan A052
    Factory 215/45R17 on 17x7 ET55; a retailer suggests 245/40R17 on 17x9 ET35 for a track setup

    The factory all-season (or optional summer) tire is not a track tire. The wider fitment is a retailer suggestion; check clearance on your car.

    Sources [2,4,9,10]
  • R-compound / slick
    • Hoosier TrackAttack Race R8 (replaces the R7)
    Check the Hoosier catalogue for 17" sizes

    Add camber and brake capacity first.

    Sources [11]
Brake pads

A dedicated track compound in the correct 2006–2011 Si fitment; change front and rear together.

Brake fluid

Motul RBF 600 (312°C dry) or RBF 660 (328°C dry), or equivalent high-boiling DOT 4.

Stock rotors are 11.8 in front and 10.2 in rear; braided lines help pedal feel. [2,8]

04Known issues on track

Fix these before they find you.

  • 2nd/3rd gear synchros (2006–2008)

    A parts retailer's buying guide says early cars are prone to grinding or popping out on the 2–3 shift, especially cold, and cites a Honda TSB (08-020) for a 3rd gear set and synchro replacement. It says later cars got revised parts, but that claim rests on owner discussion. Test every shift on a warm and cold drive, and remember a worn clutch or hydraulics can feel like a synchro fault. [4]

  • Engine mounts

    Hasport describes worn or cracked factory mounts on this car letting the engine move too much, which makes shifting less consistent. On a track car that sees hard launches and shifts, check the mounts and replace them; stiffer polyurethane inserts add cabin vibration. [4,7]

  • Timing chain and oil

    The same retailer guide lists cold-start chain rattle, worn tensioners and VTC wear on high-mileage cars, made worse by long oil intervals. Keep the oil topped up and changed often, and listen for rattle on a cold start. [4]

  • Brakes need track pads

    Honda lists 11.8-inch ventilated front and 10.2-inch solid rear discs. That is a step up from the EP3, but still needs a track pad and high-boiling fluid for sustained sessions. [2,8]

05Modification roadmap

In the order that pays off.

  1. 0
    Safety & reliability first

    Safety and reliability first

    • Track pads and high-boiling fluidThe first thing a fast Si overwhelms.
    • Check gearbox, clutch hydraulics and engine mountsEarly synchros and worn mounts are the common weak points.
    • Fresh oil, checked between sessionsChain and VTC wear follow long oil intervals.
    • Seats and harnesses only with proper roll protectionNever fit harnesses without a roll bar or cage.
  2. 1
    Tires & alignment

    Tires and alignment

    • 200TW tires, ideally on wider 17" wheelsMore grip and better heat tolerance than the factory tire.
    • Front camber boltsGets you to about -1.5° to -2.0°.
  3. 2
    Suspension & brakes

    Suspension

    • Coilovers and a stiffer rear barBody control and rotation for a nose-heavy FWD car.
    • Replacement engine mountsKeeps the drivetrain still for consistent shifts.
  4. 3
    Power & aero

    Power last

    • Intake, exhaust, tuneOnly after brakes, tires and mounts are sorted.

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 Si 8th gen (FG2 coupe / FA5 sedan)Model estimate
Tires
Brake pads
Brake fluid
Brake cooling
Brakes
Alignment
Suspension
Differential
Weight
Power
Cooling
Oil system
Aero
1:52.95stock 1:52.95−0.0%

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 113 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−5.41%load ↑
  • 200TW endurance tires−2.76%load ↑
  • Track alignment−0.88%
  • Coilovers + sway bars−0.74%
  • Street/track pads−0.68%durability ↑
  • Race pads−0.68%durability ↑
  • High-temp fluid−0.68%durability ↑
  • Brake cooling ducts−0.68%durability ↑
  • Big brake kit−0.66%durability ↑
  • Splitter + wing−0.61%
  • Limited-slip differential−0.34%load ↑
  • Lighter wheels + seat−0.25%
  • Oil cooler + radiator±0durability ↑
  • Oil system (baffles / accumulator)±0
  • Intake, exhaust, tune±0load ↑
This car’s roadmap below starts with: Track pads and high-boiling fluid · Check gearbox, clutch hydraulics and engine mounts · Fresh oil, checked between sessions · Seats and harnesses only with proper roll protection

Estimates from a simplified point-mass lap simulation of Civic Si 8th gen (FG2 coupe / FA5 sedan) (2,896 lb, 197 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]2010 Honda Civic Coupe Specifications and FeaturesHonda (hondanews.com) · accessed 2026-10
  3. [3]Honda Civic (eighth generation)Wikipedia · accessed 2026-10
  4. [4]Honda Civic Si FG2/FA5 Buying Guide: K20Z3 Under $15KThree Piece (retailer) · accessed 2026-10
  5. [5]K-Series Transmission GuideHybrid Racing · accessed 2026-10
  6. [6]Eibach Camber Bolts for 02-04 RSX / 02-11 Civic Si / 09-13 FitHybrid Racing (vendor) · accessed 2026-10
  7. [7]Hasport FDSTK Stock Replacement Mount Kit for 06-11 Civic SiHybrid Racing (vendor) · accessed 2026-10
  8. [8]Motul RBF 600 / 660 Racing DOT 4 Brake FluidHybrid Racing (vendor) · accessed 2026-10
  9. [9]Track Attack ProHoosier Racing Tire · accessed 2026-10
  10. [10]ADVAN A052Yokohama Tire · accessed 2026-10
  11. [11]Circuit Racing tires (TrackAttack Race A8 / R8, replacing A7 / R7)Hoosier Racing Tire · accessed 2026-10
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