Honda · EK9
Honda Civic Type R EK9
The first Civic to wear the Type R badge, the EK9 packed the highest specific output of any naturally-aspirated production four-cylinder of its era (the B16B produced over 100 hp per liter) into a featherweight hatchback body.
Spec Sheet
- Generation / Chassis Code
- EK9
- Years Produced
- 1997–2000
- Manufacturer
- Honda
- Country
- Japan
- Body Style
- 3-door hatchback
- Engine
- 1.6L inline-4 (B16B, DOHC VTEC)
- Horsepower
- 182 hp
- Torque
- 118 lb-ft
- Transmission
- 5-speed manual
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Weight
- ~2,270 lbs
- 0–60 mph
- ~6.7 seconds
History
Honda applied the same Type R formula that made the DC2 Integra legendary — hand-ported heads, a helical LSD, and aggressive weight savings — to the smaller Civic platform, creating one of the most revered hot hatches in Japanese history.
Why It Became Famous
Its B16B engine's 100+ hp-per-liter specific output was a genuine world-first for a naturally-aspirated production engine, and its raw, stripped-out character made it an instant legend among Honda purists.
Strengths
- B16B VTEC engine delivers a genuinely world-class specific power output for its era
- Extremely light weight makes every horsepower count
- Factory helical LSD and sharpened chassis give excellent front-drive handling
- Raw, minimalist character with a screaming 8,200 rpm redline
Weaknesses
- Never sold in North America, making genuine examples import-only
- Values have risen substantially as JDM hot-hatch demand has grown
- Spartan interior trades comfort for weight savings
- Small production numbers make truly unmolested cars scarce
Common Problems
- VTEC solenoid wear and oil control issues on hard-driven, high-mileage cars
- Rust in typical late-90s Honda hatchback problem areas
- Worn motor and transmission mounts from repeated hard use
- Many surviving examples have track or autocross wear
Modification Potential
Excellent within the B-series tuning world — individual throttle bodies, cams, and built engines are extremely well documented thanks to a huge global Honda tuning community.
Buying Guide
Since it's JDM-only, verify genuine import documentation and confirm the LSD and other Type R-specific hardware are present and original, as regular Civics are sometimes dressed up cosmetically.
Enthusiast Popularity Today
A holy-grail hot hatch for Honda purists worldwide, prized for its raw character and genuine motorsport-derived engineering.
Fun Facts
- The B16B's specific output of over 100 hp per liter was a genuine world record for naturally-aspirated production engines at launch
- It was never sold outside Japan, fueling decades of import demand in markets like the US and UK
- Honda's Type R engineers applied the same painstaking hand-assembly process used on the DC2 Integra Type R
More from Honda
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1990–1997 · 270 hp · RWD
Developed with input from Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna, the NSX proved a Japanese manufacturer could build a genuine everyday-usable supercar — one with all-aluminum construction, mid-engine balance, and Honda's obsessive reliability standards.
Honda Integra Type R DC2
1995–2001 · 197–200 hp · FWD
Widely regarded as one of the greatest front-wheel-drive cars ever built, the DC2 Integra Type R combines a screaming, hand-ported B18C VTEC engine with meticulous chassis tuning, a helical limited-slip diff, and painstaking factory attention to weight reduction.
Honda Civic Type R FD2
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The JDM-only FD2 took the Type R formula into a genuinely stiffened four-door sedan body, pairing the high-revving K20A with a specially reinforced chassis that made it one of the most track-capable sedans ever sold.