So.. Which Gen?

[CivSiGuy]

*PLEASE READ PROJECT CYBER CIVIC AT THE TOP OF THE FORUM*

Since this is the 92+ Civic forum, we need to focus on 5th and 6th gen if we could please. Both chassis easily swap in B-series motors and are easily attainable.

Let's give the pro's and con's about each chassis, and vote in the poll on which you would think would be better. Please give the best insight that you can into your opinion.

[RickDaTuner]

I would have to say 5 gen its llighter and has a shorter wheel base IMO has better lines, there cleaner!

[madtownhonda]

5th gen hatch, cx or vx

cheap and light

[CivSiGuy]

I've gotta play the devil's advocate here...

But why not 6th gen? IMO you can make the hatches look way better than the 5th gens. We can also fit them with TypeR pieces if we decide to take the TypeR route to building the car. We could pick a CX up fairly cheaply as well.

[RevHappy Cowboy®]

6th gen coupe, it's got it all, plush ride, double wishbones, huge aftermarket support, good weight, everyday practicality, u name it the 6th gen's got it

[delsolguy]

Since this car will also have body work done to it (I'm assuming, anyway), I don't think a couple hundred pounds will really matter that much. In that case, I vote for the 6th Gen, and a hatch to be more specific. I really like the idea of mixing in some JDM OEM parts, and that's harder to do with a 5th Gen. Also, 6th Gens are a little fresher looking, and the interior is nicer. Don't get me wrong, the 5th Gens are great, but I like the looks of a 6th Gen a little better.

[evil_elmo]

6th gen, they look awesome when you mod them and they are newer

[Rice-Rocketeer]

Ok first off, I'm having a real problem grasping WHAT THE **** all this cyber stuff is but let me rant for a bit. If we're going to talk about the pro's and con's of each chasis, we can't talk about opinion, cause opinions are like assholes and differing opinions won't solve anything.

Let's compare. The main things that the 5th gen chasis has are two things. Weight and Price. Now considering that you're going to load this thing up with equipment of all types and you're gonna spends thoudands on motor mods, as mentioned, 1 or 2 hundred pounds shouldn't outweigh the other pro's the 6th gens might have. Second, they are older, so price is gonna be obviously lower. But is the lower price enough to outweigh everything else. You could get a 96-98 civic Cx or Dx or for damn near the same price you coud get a 94 or 95. I mean you could get a 92 or 93 Cx for atleast a grand or 2 but you'd be starting off with a lower level chasis with no add-ons and a big possibility of greater wear on vital components.

One of the cons of the 5th gens is the slightly dated look of the 5th gen. It may look simple and classic but, it is early 90's. The 6th gens agreeably have a more modern and wild look. The proportions are larger in every way and the edges are more rounded. The 6th gen exterior lends itself more to the wilder "show" look.

As far as performance goes, both generations have the same modability. They both have every performance component possible available to them. They both accomodate D, B and H series engines with the same ease and have turbo's, supercharges, and other crap plentiful.


So, in conclusion, what do we have? We have three major areas. First is price, Second is Performance, Third is Show. The 5th gen wins in price but shopping around for an early 6th gen will get you the same price. They're both equal in performance upgradability but the 5th gens are generally lighter in wight giving them a slight advantage. And the 6th generation civic wins in the show department in both stock body and available show upgrades such as body kits.

My opinion: Considering they're both the same in performance upgradability and the weight difference in the 5th gen is negligable when large mods are in order, and considering the extra price we pay for the 6th gen could get a newer, better looking body with less wear. The ultimate civic should be made from the 6th generation civic base, and my own little personal addition: It should be a hatchback. The hatchback was the start and meaning of the "pocket rocket" movement. Small, light and sporty looking cars that have the ability to be every bit as good as sports cars.

[delsolguy]

Originally posted by Rice-Rocketeer
The hatchback was the start and meaning of the "pocket rocket" movement. Small, light and sporty looking cars that have the ability to be every bit as good as sports cars.

I think credit should also be given to the Miata for the whole "pocket rocket" thing.

But yes I agree completely with what Rice-Rocketeer said. That's what I wanted to say...but I couldn't quite get it all down so nicely .

[delsolguy]

Yet another reason why the 6th Gen should be it:

[Rice-Rocketeer]

Originally posted by delsolguy
I think credit should also be given to the Miata for the whole "pocket rocket" thing.

Actually VW beetles and early golf gti hatchbacks are what I would give credit to for the "pocket rocket" movement. By the time the miata came out in late 80's early 90's, ppl had been swaping engines into 4th gen Civics and Crx (Both hatches mind you) for a decent amount of time.

[Hybrid Boy]

this is whats ALWAYS going to happen.. When the 6th gens FIRST came out everyone said "I like the 5th gens better" now that the 6ths have been out for awhile, and the 7ths are out. More people are buyin the 6th gens.. So know everyone is going to say the 6th gen. Sooner or later, im sure many people will come around to liking the 7th gen COUPE(i wont get around to likin the hatch or sedan) Then people will say the 7th gen when the 8th gen comes out(hoefully its better than 7th) well say 7th etc...

[Rice-Rocketeer]

No, actually everyone you're talking about there is considering ONLY looks. Whether or not the 7th gen civic looks better is irrelevant. They changed the suspension for the worse, they made the engine bay more cramped and then crippled it with OBD3 and then made the looks more conservative. It'll be a dark day for honda when the 7th gen turns out to be the better choice for modifications.

[delsolguy]

Point taken about the VWs, Rice-Rocketeer.

Any speculation about swapping a K20C (RSX-S) into a 7th Gen Civic chassis? Do you think this is possible? It's a shame that aftermarket development for the K20C hasn't had a chance to get going...it seems to respond quite well to intakes...I'm curious as to the results of internal work or FI.

[CivSiGuy]

I dunno about going into K20's just yet since there is NO info at all about them, muchless online retailers for us to find who has the cheapest price on the motors. Thats why I figured 5th or 6th gen would be best for this project.