sbproducer
Active member
- Apr 10, 2025
- 25
- 10
My car: Emira V6 Manual, Sports Suspension, Cup 2 tires, I Break-in and daily in Track Mode. I really don't care what the manual says. Sorry.
(Previous car: FL5 Civic Type R, Pilot Sport 4S tires, track mode)
Method of Break-in: "Gradually use the entire rev range" method. Not the wimpy "stay under 4000 rpm all the way to 1000 miles" method. I tried the the wimpy method with a couple of cars and I always felt like it held the engine back and you had to break it in a second time by pushing the car to its limits.
Anyway, after the initial 1000 mile break-in period. I spent some time between GA and NC pushing the car hard on the twisties while it was still completely stock. I wanted to know how it compared to the FL5 which I took to these same roads many times. FYI, the last time I took my FL5, I had a former commercial airline pilot in the passenger seat. When it was over, he called me a closet maniac but said I was an amazing driver. I hit the corners hard man. The G meter was bouncing around like a ping pong ball edge to edge. The FL5 felt amazing on the twisties. I truly felt one with the car. And, even though I hated the bright red seats, damn they hugged me just right. Best car seats I've ever sat in for twisty-work.
Initial impressions of the Emira:
I was underwhelmed and frankly disappointed. I kind of regretted the purchase. I didn't understand why it felt so underpowered. I started thinking the car was over-hyped. It felt heavy, the gearbox was a downgrade, the seats not as good, and the Cup 2s were so damn grippy that I couldn't judge the point at which you lose control. Even though communication through the seats and the steering wheel was good, it didn't feel like that much of an upgrade from the FL5 communication. And, something about the way the Cup 2s felt mid-turn felt awkward to me, like pushing a grocery cart where the front wheels wouldn't straighten out. The sound of the supercharger was unique and kinda cool but it wasn't enough to sway me to feel any better. And, I started missing the turbocharger in the FL5. Yes, its not as linear and yes there is lag but once it kicks in... it feels nice. And you can always finish out the lag right before you take off on someone.
Back to the Emira... At about 1300 miles, I had 3 mods done. Eventuri intake, GRP short shifter, GRP 3rd Cat Delete(no miltek controller, just not a fan). As soon as I left the shop, the gearbox felt better, throttle response felt better, sound a tad better. Even though I wasn't one with the car yet... it was definitely getting closer.
I'm currently at 1600 miles, the car feels different man. But, it's not just the mods because cornering feels different. Then it hit me. The break-in period is not just about the engine. You gotta break-in the suspension and the tires. Things have to settle in and for my Emira it took about 1500 miles. Or, maybe its just in my head.
I'm currently waiting on the BMS JB4 ecu upgrade and I'm really starting to feel like .. things are gonna get good.. REAL GOOD!
(Previous car: FL5 Civic Type R, Pilot Sport 4S tires, track mode)
Method of Break-in: "Gradually use the entire rev range" method. Not the wimpy "stay under 4000 rpm all the way to 1000 miles" method. I tried the the wimpy method with a couple of cars and I always felt like it held the engine back and you had to break it in a second time by pushing the car to its limits.
Anyway, after the initial 1000 mile break-in period. I spent some time between GA and NC pushing the car hard on the twisties while it was still completely stock. I wanted to know how it compared to the FL5 which I took to these same roads many times. FYI, the last time I took my FL5, I had a former commercial airline pilot in the passenger seat. When it was over, he called me a closet maniac but said I was an amazing driver. I hit the corners hard man. The G meter was bouncing around like a ping pong ball edge to edge. The FL5 felt amazing on the twisties. I truly felt one with the car. And, even though I hated the bright red seats, damn they hugged me just right. Best car seats I've ever sat in for twisty-work.
Initial impressions of the Emira:
I was underwhelmed and frankly disappointed. I kind of regretted the purchase. I didn't understand why it felt so underpowered. I started thinking the car was over-hyped. It felt heavy, the gearbox was a downgrade, the seats not as good, and the Cup 2s were so damn grippy that I couldn't judge the point at which you lose control. Even though communication through the seats and the steering wheel was good, it didn't feel like that much of an upgrade from the FL5 communication. And, something about the way the Cup 2s felt mid-turn felt awkward to me, like pushing a grocery cart where the front wheels wouldn't straighten out. The sound of the supercharger was unique and kinda cool but it wasn't enough to sway me to feel any better. And, I started missing the turbocharger in the FL5. Yes, its not as linear and yes there is lag but once it kicks in... it feels nice. And you can always finish out the lag right before you take off on someone.
Back to the Emira... At about 1300 miles, I had 3 mods done. Eventuri intake, GRP short shifter, GRP 3rd Cat Delete(no miltek controller, just not a fan). As soon as I left the shop, the gearbox felt better, throttle response felt better, sound a tad better. Even though I wasn't one with the car yet... it was definitely getting closer.
I'm currently at 1600 miles, the car feels different man. But, it's not just the mods because cornering feels different. Then it hit me. The break-in period is not just about the engine. You gotta break-in the suspension and the tires. Things have to settle in and for my Emira it took about 1500 miles. Or, maybe its just in my head.
I'm currently waiting on the BMS JB4 ecu upgrade and I'm really starting to feel like .. things are gonna get good.. REAL GOOD!
