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Honda Civic Type R FL5Stage 1 to Stage 4 tuning guide

The FL5 is front-wheel drive, manual only, with a helical limited-slip differential. It is harder to tune than most cars here: there is no instant unlock, so the engine computer has to be mailed to Hondata or Cobb first, and cars from late 2024 have extra security. Most tuners publish wheel horsepower (whp) from their own dynos, so this guide uses whp throughout.

Years
2022– (US model year 2023 on)
Engine
2.0 turbo four K20C1
Gearbox
6-speed manual, helical LSD
Stock power (US)
315 hp / 310 lb-ft
Red Honda Civic Type R FL5 at speed on the Blyton Park race track

Power by stage

All figures are wheel horsepower (whp): power measured at the wheels, which is lower than the 315 hp Honda quotes at the engine. A stock FL5 measured 303 whp on Cobb's dyno and 306 whp on TSP's. Stage 1 to 3 are tuners' and turbo makers' published figures; Stage 4 is big-turbo kit claims plus a community range.

Stock303 whp
Stage 1320–338 whp Stage 2335–361 whp Stage 3500–525 whp Stage 4600–750+ whp

Names with an arrow go straight to that part's product page for this car. Names in a dashed outline are other brands that make the part; exact links for them are being added.

1

Software only

+19 to +35 whp

Gains on the stock car are modest, because the factory fuel system is already close to its limit. Cobb measured +19 whp on 91 octane and +35 whp on 93, on the same dyno as its stock run. Before either Hondata or Cobb can flash the car, the engine computer has to be mailed to them to be unlocked. Plug-in modules from RaceChip and DTE skip that step.

Typical cost: Cobb Accessport $770 or Hondata FlashPro $795; DTE €799; Mishimoto intercooler $1,300.List prices, Sept 2026, before shipping, import tax and fitting.

Stage 1 tunes compared

TuneFuelClaimed powerClaimed torqueNotes
Cobb Accessport Stage 1 (93)93 US / 98 RON338 whp338 lb-ft (wheel)Cobb's own dyno, 303 whp stock; US cars only; ECU mailed to Cobb for unlocking
Cobb Accessport Stage 1 (91)91 US / 95 RON323 whp329 lb-ft (wheel)Same dyno and stock hardware
Hondata FlashPro base maps91 and 93 US+45 hp+50 lb-ftHondata doesn't say crank or wheel; ECU mailed to Hondata for jailbreak
DTE PowerControl X—+37 hp+65 NmPlug-in module (Europe); engine figures, not wheel
RaceChip GTS 5 Black—+28 hp+34 NmPlug-in module; engine figures, not wheel

Recommended with Stage 1

  • Engine computer unlock flash tunes Hondata FlashPro FL5Cobb unlock service

    Both mail-in. Hondata's international version needs a CANBridge on VINs starting FL5-110 and newer, and a UK dealer says cars delivered from late 2024 have extra security.

  • Intercooler upgrade recommended Mishimoto FL5 intercoolerPRL MotorsportsCobb

    In PRL's test, a stock FL5 fell from 302 to 237 whp after repeated pulls with the factory intercooler. In a hot climate this matters more than the tune.

Before you buyIn Israel only 95 and 98 octane are sold. Cobb's 91 map is for 95 RON and its 93 map for 98 RON: never run the 98 map on 95. Hondata found almost no extra power above 93 US (98 RON).
2

Intake, intercooler and front pipe

+32 to +55 whp

Stage 2 adds an intake, a bigger intercooler and often a front pipe or downpipe, with a file written for them. Cobb says the gains past its intake-only stage are small because the stock fuel system runs out; Hondata says the factory high-pressure pump is already above 90% duty on the stock turbo. TSP's 361 whp came from a car with an intake, downpipe, intercooler and exhaust.

Typical cost: PRL intake $490 and front pipe $429; TSP tune $295 (needs a FlashPro); Hondata fuel system $2,995.List prices, Sept 2026, before shipping, import tax and fitting.

Stage 2 packages compared

PackageFuelClaimed powerClaimed torqueRequired hardware
TSP custom tune (on Hondata)93 US / 98 RON361 whp383 lb-ft (wheel)Test car had a PRL intake filter, TSP downpipe, PRL intercooler and Milltek exhaust; 306 whp stock on the same dyno
Cobb Stage 293 US / 98 RON344 whp331 lb-ft (wheel)Cobb Redline intake and Cobb front-mount intercooler
Cobb Stage 1+ intake map91 / 93 US327 / 334 whp322 / 333 lb-ft (wheel)Cobb Redline intake
Hondata fuel systemPump fuel+57 hp+90 lb-ftHigh-pressure pump and injectors, with an intercooler and high-flow cat; crank or wheel not stated

Parts list

Before you buyOn European cars, downpipes that remove the particulate filter or catalyst fail inspection, and need a tune to clear the engine warning light. Keep the original parts.
3

Upgraded turbo and fuel system

500–525 whp

Stage 3 replaces the turbo, and on this car the fuel system has to come with it. 27WON's Kuro turbo is sold for up to 500 whp on the stock fuel system, and PLM's full package claims 525 whp with a new fuel pump, injectors and high-pressure pump. Full-Race's kit is quoted at roughly 400 hp on 91 octane and 500+ on race fuel or E85.

Typical cost: turbos $2,200–$4,800 (27WON, PRL, Full-Race); PLM's full package $11,995; Exedy clutch £638.List prices, Sept 2026, before shipping, import tax and fitting.

Turbo upgrades compared

KitFuelClaimed powerClaimed torqueNotes
PLM Power Package 525HP—525 whp—Turbo, fuel pump, injectors, high-pressure pump, intercooler and downpipe; custom tune
27WON Kuro / Kuro+—up to 500 / 500+ whp—Kuro on the stock fuel system; Kuro+ needs fuel upgrades
Full-Race turbo kit91 US / race fuel or E85≈400 / 500+ hp—Crank or wheel not stated; bigger injectors above about 430 whp
HKS GT4845 (Japan)—384 PS492 NmNeeds the Japan-only HKS engine computer; no fuel upgrade

Parts list

  • Upgraded turbo required 27WON Kuro turboPRL P700 turboFull-Race kit

    PRL says its P700 is "600+ horsepower capable" and requires a custom calibration.

  • Fuel system required Hondata fuel systemFull-RacePLM

    High-pressure pump, injectors and often a bigger in-tank pump.

  • Clutch upgrade recommended Exedy Stage 2 clutch

    Honda publishes no limit for the stock clutch. Exedy rates its Stage 2 at 510 Nm (380 lb-ft) at the flywheel.

Before you buyBudget for the full package: turbo, fuel system, clutch, custom tune and labour. The bigger figures need race fuel or E85, which aren't sold at Israeli filling stations.
4

Big turbo and built engine

600–750+ whp

Rampage's Garrett G-series kits are quoted at about 600–650 whp (G25-660) up to more than 750 whp (G30-900), without a list of supporting parts. Community builds run from about 550 to 750 whp on ethanol with a built engine. One German FL5 made 620 hp at the engine on E85 with an upgraded turbo on the stock engine and clutch.

Parts list

  • Big single turbo required Rampage G-series kit

    Garrett G25 or G30-class turbos.

  • Built engine required 1to1 K20C1 built engine4 Piston Racing

    Forged pistons and rods, often sleeved; 1to1 rates its engine for 650 hp and up.

  • Fuel system, port injection and clutch required HondataFull-RaceExedy

    Ethanol needs far more fuel than the direct injectors alone can deliver.

Before you buyStage 4 is an engine build, not a bolt-on. Choose one shop to build, tune and stand behind the whole package.

Questions to ask the shop

  1. Is my engine computer an early one, or late-2024 and newer (or a VIN starting FL5-110)? Who does the unlock, and how long is the car off the road?
  2. Which platform do you use (Hondata, Cobb or a plug-in module)? Can I go back to stock, and will a dealer see it?
  3. Which fuel is the map built for (95 or 98 RON, or an ethanol blend), and will you log knock on the fuel I buy?
  4. At what power do my stock fuel pump and injectors run out, and what upgrade does that mean?
  5. How does the tune protect the clutch, and at what torque do you tell customers to upgrade it?
  6. Does anything remove the particulate filter or catalyst? How do I stay road legal, and can I have the dyno sheet?