Being import enthusiasts, many of our loyal readers dream of owning the kings of the Japanese tuning scene. Twin-turbo NSXs, 1000-hp Skylines and full carbon-fiber bodied RX-7s fill the dreams and paint the walls of a tuner mind. In the real world, we all end up with cars like the Honda Civic; Little commuter cars designed to sip gas, be quiet and get from point A to point B. However, with a very healthy aftermarket, there is hope. In accordance with your hometown's citywide beautification program, you can take it upon yourself to create a work of art out of a work of practicality. It's your right, and more importantly, your duty to turn a bland, unassuming, forgotten carcass into an eye-catching demon. Your neighbors will thank you. Ben Mucha's 1998 Honda Civic hatchback has received its own extreme makeover. Now it's loud, bright, very clean and gets from point A to point Z in the time it used to take to get to B. His neighbors thank him.
First, plans were drawn up as a blueprint for the attack on boredom. The body was up first and received a fully molded FEEL'S wide-body kit. On the front end went an Octane front bumper and an Aerogear Predator 6 hood. The stock headlights were thrown away in favor of a custom fit R34 Skyline headlight conversion with an R34 Skyline radiator support. On the back end is a Bomex rear upper wing, and on the sides is a set of APR Performance carbon-fiber side view mirrors. Most visible of all body mods is the Dekah Lamborghini-style door kit. There's nothing like pulling the doors of a Civic to the sky to throw bystanders for a loop. Next up was a set of carbon-fiber pillar accents, a custom molded Sparco fuel cap and a full shaving of the body. After the door moldings, antennae, rear wiper and emblems were shaved, the car was shot down with custom paint by Sickens.
The engine has received as much of a new lease on life as the body. A ubiquitous B18 motor was dropped in the EK, but a few extra goodies were added. A GReddy TD05H-18G turbocharger based turbo kit was installed on the engine. The turbo blows into a GReddy intercooler, which is cooled by a Nitrous Express N-tercooler intercooler system, and is then dumped into a polished JG Edelbrock intake manifold. Extra bits include a Blitz DD blow-off valve, Hose Techniques silicone turbo hoses, AEM fuel rail, and AEM fuel pressure regulator. Power is held to the ground with an Exedy clutch and ACT flywheel. Where the Civic once shined in attempts to beat your old miles-per-gallon score, now the car is able to provide two shits and three giggles on command.
Rolling force is now handled by a set of Volk Racing GT-7 wheels, sized 18x7.5-in all around. Fitted with 205/35R18 Nankang tires and Volk carbon-fiber center caps, the Volk wheels are part of the look of this Honda-the stock rims are just a memory now. Dropping the car down is a set of TEIN Super Street dampers equipped with upper pillow ball mounts. Although not a full road racing capable set, the TEIN SS damper is a full coilover that is ride-height and damping force adjustable, allowing street cars to eat up potholes and not rattle themselves apart. Upgrading the rear drum brakes is now a set of rear disc brakes from a Civic Si, followed by an AEM big brake rotor conversion and Goodridge stainless steel braided brake lines all around. An Arospeed front tower bar remains the only chassis upgrade.
On first glance inside Mucha's Civic, you will perhaps notice that it is very red. Before you even begin to question his motives, realize that the Honda is custom upholstered with the same red material to match a set of front Sparco Torino seats. Adding to Sparco's representation is a Racer 2 steering wheel, shift knob and four-point harnesses with harness bar. The vitals are kept in check with a Civic Type-R gauge cluster and an Autometer three-pod gauge pillar filled with boost, air/fuel and voltage carbon-fiber faced gauges. A Do-Luck floor bar accents the interior along with carbon-fiber trim and an Arospeed carbon-fiber trunk lid.
The stereo system is now powered by an Eclipse headunit, which feeds front and rear MB Quart separates. However, the main attraction is in the rear storage area, which is now a fully custom rear enclosure. Stored away in the back is a JL Audio 12W7 subwoofer surrounded by a MTX 8100D monoblock amplifier and a MTX 4069 four-channel amplifier. Ensuring smoothing voltage delivery for all this stereo equipment and for the car itself is an Optima redtop battery feeding a Lightning Audio one-farad capacitor for the stereo.
With a lot of hard work, a few choice selections and a few too many debts, this Civic hatch has been saved from a life of stop-and-go commuting. Dents, rust and stains are not in the future for this car; just wax, speed and love. Now go and save a neglected auto of your own-it's your duty.