Honda · 2012–2015 · track setup

Civic Si 9th

The 9th gen Si swapped the K20 for a 2.4-litre K24, trading top-end rev for much more midrange torque, and kept the limited-slip diff. It is heavy at the nose (62/38) and the factory tires and brakes are modest, but it is cheap, robust and easy to drive quickly. Honda stiffened the body and retuned the chassis for 2013, and power rose to 205 hp in 2014.
Engine
2.4 L DOHC i-VTEC four (K24Z7), 6-speed manual, helical limited-slip differential
Power
201 hp (2012–13) / 205 hp (2014–15); 170–174 lb-ft
Weight
≈2,943 lb (coupe) / ≈2,967 lb (sedan), 2013 spec
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
  • +Strong midrange torque from the K24 makes it easy to drive
  • +Factory helical limited-slip differential
  • +Coupe and sedan share running gear; 2013-on body is stiffer
  • +Cheap to buy and maintain
Watch out for
  • −Lower 7,000 rpm redline than the K20 Sis
  • −Nose-heavy (62% front) and prone to understeer
  • −Factory clutch delay valve and soft shifter hurt fast shifts
  • −Modest 11.8-inch front brakes and all-season tires as standard

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° (needs aftermarket camber hardware)Stock to modest negative
Toe0 to slight toe-out0

General strut-Honda guidance, not a model-specific spec. Tune by tire temperatures and wear.

Sources [5]

03Tires & brakes

Tires and brakes

  • 200TW endurance
    • Hoosier Track Attack Pro
    • Yokohama Advan A052
    Factory 215/45R17; check 200TW size availability in 17"

    Both are 200-treadwear track-oriented tires.

    Sources [2,8,9]
  • R-compound / slick
    • Hoosier TrackAttack Race R8 (replaces the R7)
    Check the Hoosier catalogue for 17" sizes
    Sources [10]
Brake pads

A dedicated track compound in the 2012–2015 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.

Sources [2,7]

04Known issues on track

Fix these before they find you.

  • Brakes and tires first

    Honda lists 11.8-inch ventilated front and 10.2-inch solid rear discs and 215/45R17 all-season tires (a summer tire was optional). Fit a track pad, high-boiling fluid and a 200TW tire before anything else. [2,7]

  • Shift quality

    Hybrid Racing says the factory clutch hydraulics damp engagement, which can cause catching or grinding on fast shifts, and that the plastic shifter base and bushings wear. A clutch-line kit that removes the delay valve and a firmer shifter are common fixes. (Vendor article.) [4]

  • Engine mounts

    Hasport notes the factory mount bushings wear over time, letting the engine move, which can cause wheel hop and sloppy shifts. Check them on a used car; stiffer inserts add vibration. [6]

05Modification roadmap

In the order that pays off.

  1. 0
    Safety & reliability first

    Safety and reliability first

    • Track pads and high-boiling fluidThe factory brakes are sized for the street.
    • Check engine mounts and clutch hydraulicsWorn mounts and the delay valve make shifts inconsistent.
    • Seats and harnesses only with proper roll protectionNever fit harnesses without a roll bar or cage.
  2. 1
    Tires & alignment

    Tires and alignment

    • 200TW tiresThe factory all-season tire is not a track tire.
    • Front camber hardwareStrut Hondas run out of camber quickly on track tires.
  3. 2
    Suspension & brakes

    Suspension and shifting

    • Stiffer rear bar or coiloversFights understeer on a 62% front-weight car.
    • Clutch line kit and shifterCleaner, faster shifts.
  4. 3
    Power & aero

    Power last

    • Intake, exhaust, tuneOnly after brakes, tires and balance 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 9th gen (FG4 coupe / FB6 sedan)Model estimate
Tires
Brake pads
Brake fluid
Brake cooling
Brakes
Alignment
Suspension
Differential
Weight
Power
Cooling
Oil system
Aero
1:52.87stock 1:52.87−0.0%

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−5.42%load ↑
  • 200TW endurance tires−2.76%load ↑
  • Track alignment−0.88%
  • Coilovers + sway bars−0.74%
  • Street/track pads−0.69%durability ↑
  • Race pads−0.69%durability ↑
  • High-temp fluid−0.69%durability ↑
  • Brake cooling ducts−0.69%durability ↑
  • Big brake kit−0.66%durability ↑
  • Splitter + wing−0.61%
  • Limited-slip differential−0.35%load ↑
  • Lighter wheels + seat−0.24%
  • 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 engine mounts and clutch hydraulics · Seats and harnesses only with proper roll protection · 200TW tires

Estimates from a simplified point-mass lap simulation of Civic Si 9th gen (FG4 coupe / FB6 sedan) (2,944 lb, 201 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]2013 Honda Civic Si Specifications and FeaturesHonda (hondanews.com) · accessed 2026-10
  3. [3]Honda Civic (ninth generation)Wikipedia · accessed 2026-10
  4. [4]5 Parts Every 9th Gen Civic Si Needs!Hybrid Racing (vendor) · accessed 2026-10
  5. [5]Eibach Camber Bolts for 02-04 RSX / 02-11 Civic Si / 09-13 FitHybrid Racing (vendor) · accessed 2026-10
  6. [6]Hasport Performance Mount Kit for 12-15 Civic SiHybrid 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]Circuit Racing tires (TrackAttack Race A8 / R8, replacing A7 / R7)Hoosier Racing Tire · accessed 2026-10
  11. [11]K-Series Transmission GuideHybrid Racing · accessed 2026-10
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