Civic

The EK4 Civic SiR

EK4 is the chassis code of the sixth-generation Civic's SiR, the B16A model of the range Honda launched in Japan on 5 September 1995 and sold until 2000. The three-door hatchback is the best known, and the same code covers the B16A-engined Civic Ferio saloon. The B16A is a 1,595 cc DOHC VTEC four with 170 PS at 7,800 rpm and 157 Nm at 7,300 rpm, driving the front wheels through a five-speed manual, with double wishbone suspension front and rear.

At launch there were two grades, the SiR and the better-equipped SiR II. When the EK9 Type R arrived in August 1997 the plain SiR was dropped and the SiR II took its name. A minor change in September 1998 brought new headlights, grille, bonnet and front bumper. The EK4 shares its shell with the Type R but keeps the B16A, smaller brakes and four-stud hubs.

What EK4 owners upgrade

Electronics are the EK4's biggest category, with calipers from the brakes range close behind. A full system or a header from the exhaust range, an intake and a lightened flywheel are the usual work on the B16A, and strut braces and engine mounts tighten up a body that is now well past twenty-five years old.

Seat rails and floor mats from the interior range and rear wings from the exterior range are regular orders too. Spoon, Bee R, HKS, Fujitsubo, Blow Design and Mugen are among the makers EK4 owners come back to.

Genuine parts

Rust is the first thing to look for on an EK Civic: the rear arches, the sills and the underside, and the area under the boot carpet. On the B16A, camshaft seals that weep oil and a rough idle from vacuum leaks are common faults, and the cams are belt-driven, so the belt's history matters. High-mileage B-series gearboxes can crunch as their synchros wear.

Seals, belts and service parts are in our genuine Honda parts catalogue.

Wheels

The EK4 runs on four studs, a 4x100 pattern, with M12 x 1.5 nuts. It came on 14x5.5 +45 or 15x5.5 +45 wheels, the SiR on 195/55R15 tyres. Larger sizes are listed under wheels that fit the EK4.