As the 2022+ Honda Civic Si continues the legacy of Honda’s sport compact heritage, we've been hard at work developing performance upgrades to enhance its already impressive capabilities. Under the hood, the turbocharged 1.5L engine produces 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, sending power through a six-speed manual transmission for a dynamic driving experience. Honda designed a well-balanced intake system to support this engine, but for those looking to unlock even more potential, there’s always room for improvement.
The stock air intake does a decent job, but for those looking to extract every bit of performance, decent isn’t enough. That’s why we’ve been developing our air intake for the 2022+ Honda Civic Si—a design focused on maximizing airflow and efficiency without compromising drivability. By improving airflow and reducing restrictions, this intake helps unlock the true potential of Honda’s turbocharged 1.5L engine.
The factory intake system uses a fully enclosed airbox with a resonator to manage sound and airflow. While this design helps maintain smooth airflow and reduce noise, it also restricts the amount of fresh air entering the turbo. The stock system ensures sufficient filtration and efficiency for daily driving, but its design limits the engine’s potential, especially when adding performance modifications. The intake piping features sharp bends and narrow passages that can create turbulence, slightly delaying throttle response and turbo spool times.
To improve intake efficiency, it’s essential to increase airflow while maintaining proper filtration. Our goal was to develop an intake system that allows the turbo to breathe more freely, resulting in quicker spool times and improved throttle response without introducing excess turbulence or heat soak. By replacing the restrictive factory system with a high-performance intake, we aim to enhance the Civic Si’s ability to deliver power more efficiently.
For the air filter, we selected an oversized oiled filter with a large surface area to maximize airflow while ensuring effective filtration. This design allows for better breathing compared to the restrictive factory filter, contributing to improved throttle response and power gains. The oiled filter material provides excellent filtration efficiency, ensuring contaminants are kept out while allowing maximum airflow to the engine.
A critical aspect of our design is the MAF (Mass Air Flow) housing. The MAF sensor plays a vital role in monitoring incoming airflow and adjusting the air-fuel mixture accordingly. An improperly designed MAF housing can lead to inaccurate readings, causing drivability issues and check engine lights. To ensure proper function, our engineers carefully designed the MAF housing to maintain the correct airflow characteristics while allowing for increased performance. This precision-engineered housing ensures the ECU receives accurate airflow data, maintaining smooth power delivery and reliability.
One of the biggest challenges was heat management. The turbocharged 1.5L engine generates significant underhood heat, which can negatively impact intake temperatures. Hot air is less dense than cool air, reducing the oxygen available for combustion and leading to decreased performance. To address this, our intake is designed to draw in cooler air from an optimal location within the engine bay, helping maintain consistent intake temperatures even under spirited driving conditions.
During our testing process, we evaluated airflow improvements, turbo response, and intake temperatures. We found that our air intake provided noticeable improvements in airflow and turbo response while maintaining drivability. Dyno testing showed increased airflow to the turbo, leading to better throttle response and a more linear power curve.
Last but not least, the intake sound is enhanced, providing a more aggressive engine note that complements the Civic Si’s sporty character. The intake delivers a refined growl under acceleration while maintaining a comfortable cabin noise level during normal driving conditions.
Our air intake for the 2022+ Honda Civic Si is engineered to enhance performance by improving airflow, reducing restrictions, and optimizing intake temperatures. Whether you’re daily driving or pushing your Civic Si on the track, this intake is designed to deliver consistent gains. Backed by the Mishimoto Lifetime Warranty, it’s built to perform and last. With improved turbo response, increased airflow, and enhanced engine sound, this intake is the perfect upgrade for drivers looking to elevate their Civic Si’s performance and driving experience.
