That's a nice stable you got there. I gotta say its a "Civic" but LSVTEC isn't as much an upgrade compared to this. Its fast. But how often is it gonna break? Lol anybody who's beat on a B18 vtec and drove 10k miles without an oil change knows why they're so loved.
Yeah... the rods are much thicker than MSP rods. I'm currently sitting at 198k on my EK. It's cost a butt-ton less to maintain than my Protege. Difference being... the Mazdas are so much more fun to drive. However, I must say that I enjoy going out to my car, turning the key, and it starting every time. Haha.