The Dyno
Baseline

195.7 WHP @ 8,100 RPM 143.5 LB-FT TQ @ 6,160 RPM Dynojet
Test 1 Torco SR-5 Synthetic Oil

198.1 WHP @ 7,800 RPM 144.2 LB-FT TQ @ 5,900 RPM
Test 2 Injen Short Ram Intake

204.7 WHP @ 7,900 RPM 147.2 LB-FT TQ @ 6,300 RPM
Test 3 Skunk2 Racing Mega Power Exhaust

208.3 WHP @ 7,850 RPM 153.4 LB-FT TQ @ 6,200 RPM
The Civic was removed from the dyno and the existing engine oil drained. The engine was then refilled with Torco SR-5 synthetic racing oil, warmed up and retested. The synthetic lubricant improved horsepower production at several points throughout the RPM range with noticeable gains of 4-to-6 horsepower from 5,900 RPM up to 7,100 RPM. Peak horsepower checked in at 198.1 with 144.2 lb-ft torque. Moving on to the first hard part, the stock air box and intake hose were removed. The Injen short ram intake fit flawlessly into the engine bay, with the appropriate hardware to make the installation straightforward. Within an hour, the Civic was fired up and spinning the rollers again. At the lower end of the spectrum, the Injen intake provided an improvement of almost 5 horsepower between 4,000 and 5,200 RPM, just before the iVTEC actuation point. In the upper end of the spectrum, the intake provided an even and consistent upwards shift of the powerband with an average 8-to-10 increase in horsepower from 6,200 through the post-8,200 RPM redline. Next, the factory exhaust system was removed and replaced with the Skunk2 Racing Mega Power Exhaust. Installation went smoothly as the cat-back system bolted up properly without fitment issues. With the silencer out and the Civic back on the dyno, the exhaust provided a moderate power increase in the lower range of the powerband, with the steady gain steady in the 2-to-3 horsepower range from the sample start to about 4,500 RPM. From 4,500 to VTEC actuation, the output range broadened to a consistent 4-to-5 horsepower increase. After the iVTEC engagement, increased power output jumped to almost 12 horsepower, slowly and evenly tapering down to redline with an approximate 5-horsepower increase. Peak horsepower was measured at 208.25 whp, up 3.34 whp from the previously recorded measurement.