Power Pages: 2000 Civic

The Civic Si has lived up to the hype and has proven to be a hot commodity in the aftermarket world. It seems like a day doesn't pass without seeing a blue Civic Si on the streets and wouldn't you know it, our new Si Civic is the popular electron blue.

Despite the popular color the Si can be made into an awesome street prowler in normally aspirated trim. Even with the new 2001 Civic ready to hit the streets, the 2000 Si will still live on as the first U.S.-spec Civic equipped with a DOHC B16A engine.

In fact, its popularity may only increase considering some of the changes made to the 2001 model and the fact that another Si is a year off at best.

The Engine
The B16A powerplant is ready to rev and is capable of producing gobs of power in normally-aspirated or forced-induction trim. Another great plus about the engine is the fact that manufacturers have supported the vehicle heavily with aftermarket components for go, show and all points in between. The first "Power Pages" Civic Si was able to pump out 169 hp with major modifications. With more parts available this year, we hope to make just as much if not more power on our new Si. Our choice of products for this battery of mods consists of an Advanced Engine Management (AEM) cold air intake, AEM's new stainless-steel exhaust system and a DC Sports' four-into-one header.

Performance Components
AEM intake systems have proven their effectiveness in these pages and in all parts of the scene. The units come complete with intake pipe, a K&N one-piece filter with a built-in air horn that is exclusive to the AEM line, all mounting hardware and fiber-reinforced silicone couplings. The 6061 aluminum piping is coated with a zirconia-based powdercoating to ensure the unit lives up to its cold air name by keeping engine heat out of the intake tract. Also, all AEM cold air systems are CARB exempt, so Johnny One-Time can't write you a fix-it ticket for being illegal.

AEM's stainless-steel cat-back exhaust system is manufactured from T304 steel, which ensures the system will never rust. The system's straight-through design utilizes a step from 2.25-in. piping to 2.5-in. piping after the resonator for optimum power and includes a perforated 18-in. resonator and performance muffler to efficiently expedite spent gases with minimum restriction. The exhaust tip is polished and laser-etched with the AEM logo, and the back of the muffler is polished, for additional style.

DC Sports not only offers the common four-into-two-into-one style of header they have also designed a four-into-one style which will suit the needs of a "ground zero" Honda. Since most imports are slammed so low to the ground the first thing to scrap is usually either the catalytic or the header. DC's design allows for extra clearance for lowered Hondas to minimize scraping while maximizing power. This was a substantial increase in peak power, but the biggest surprise was the increase at 4800 rpm with gains of as much as 10 ponies.

This was the first time we have tested the new AEM exhaust so we were curious as to how much the system would produce. Most of our increase was seen after the VTEC kicked in which was a good thing considering that this is where the engine spends a lot of its time.

We picked up a consistent gain of two to three horses with a peak output of 149.3 hp and a max of 106.8 lb-ft of torque. The exhaust also made power gains through the torque curve varying from 4 to 6 lb-ft.

Last on the list was the four-into-one DC Sports header. While most headers are designed to pull out power in specific areas of a power curve, the DC unit was able to gain power through the whole rev range--as little as 2 ponies in the lower rpm and as much as 6 in the mid and top end. Our Si peaked out at 152.6 hp and 109.4 lb-ft of torque.

Conclusion
Once again, our testing proves that the Si is a reliable streetcar with plenty of potential. Next up on the list is a Crower VTEC camshaft package that includes new valve springs with titanium retainers and new cam sprockets. Also in the lineup is a little bit of fuel tuning with an AEM adjustable fuel pressure regulator. Are you ready to make some serious street bolt on power? Keep on the lookout for an upcoming issue with Part II of Project Si.