Daily Driver FD
 

For you guys that drive your Fd everyday, how modified is your car? Do you just have bolt-ons (intake, exhaust) or are you pretty well modified (ported motor, single turbo, bigger injectors) and how reliable has your FD been? Basically, I really want a FD but I also want atleast 350-400 rwhp out of my next car and it will have to be a daily driver. The cars I'm deciding between are the FD and a Z32TT. How reliable will a FD be in that hp range?

Wow man you are brave.

Just do a search and you will find all you need. As for your ? FD's are as reliable as weather man.

based on my experiences driving MY car, once you hit high miles (90k) and keep tacking on bolt-ons and such there is a chance for it to be un-reliable... My main problem is I am in need of a rebuild. So honestly, I couldn't tell you if it would be reliable at that hp range because I have been having problems since I bought the car due to poor maintenance by the previous owner and the mods have only made it worse by upping the HP... However, I do believe it's possible because it doesn't take TOO much to get there. BUT that's just MY opinion

I daily drive mine. I have M2 ecu (simular to Pettit and others), full exhaust, intake, and soon a SMIC. Once I solve an injector issue, I'll be at the dyno. From what I've read here on the forum once you step past the 325hp threshold or move beyond 12 psi you drastically increase the failure that these cars have been known for. Those problems almost always stem from a fuel issue.

If you're wanting more than 325- 350 you'll need a programable ECU such as Apexi, Haltech, Wolf, Etc. Increased fuel flow, and a host of gauges including wideband, fuel pressure,etc.

Good luck and just keep reading the forum. I spent 3 months and about 2-4 hours a day researching here to just begin to learn about these awesome machines.

Get the Z32. FDs are special creatures when running in the 350+hp range. No matter how many case studies and personal accounts you collect, more power will always amount to shorter lifespan. These engines are too small and too tight to get all that performance and long life. It's just too much heat.

Dave

I'm closing this thread, as it is a common topic. However, I will give you my quick answer:

If you spend the money to PROPERLY upgrade the car and maintain it, a 350rwhp car can be a "reliable" daily driver. This car will never be Civic reliable, so that shouldn't be expected. It is a hard-core sports car with some concessions to reliability to achieve light weight and performance.

The funny thing about my above statement is this -- if you can afford to upgrade the car PROPERLY and maintain it, you can afford a daily driver.

Anyone seriously looking for a powerful car they can actually daily drive (as in go to the grocery store, pick up videos, etc), shouldn't be looking at 12-15 year old sports cars. They should be looking at newer cars like the GTO, Corvette, etc.