Urban Legend - Honda Civic EG

Bill and Toni's focus on the look and feel of the Civic is based solely on their membership in Team Hybrid, one of the most dominant show crews in California. They wanted to be a part of the crew after helping them set up at an Import Showoff and immediately fell in love with the show aspect of tuning. So they set out to build a "Hybrid show quality" ride. But that doesn't necessarily mean they would overlook the engine bay. Their first modification to the 1.6-liter powerplant was an APEX'i IHI AX53B60 P18 turbocharger kit. The kit included an APEX'i GTR intercooler, intercooler piping, up pipe, and down pipe. To help deliver fuel quickly and efficiently, Bill and Toni installed a Holley in-tank fuel pump and a Vortech fuel pressure regulator. Though the block's internals are left stock, they made sure everything outside of it wasn't, from the APEX'i air intake to the APEX'i World Sport exhaust system. These parts were enough to give Bill and Toni credibility on the streets and with Team Hybrid. After all, it's not like they haven't done this before. They own an AE86, a first-generation Mitsubishi Eclipse, and of course, a Datsun 510.

Since Bill and Toni have always been fans of the track, their second major focus for the Civic was the suspension. They went to their friend, Larry Butler, to help set up the Tokico Illumina shocks and coils, featuring a 285 lb-in spring rate in the front and a 173 lb-in spring rate in the rear. They also added a Ground Control adjustable anti-roll bar, a JIC Magic carbon-fiber upper front strut bar, and a JIC Magic aluminum front lower brace to help strengthen all four corners. All of which helps the 17x7 5Zigen FN01R wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich TA/KD tires stay between the lines and keep on the track. To help the EG Civic from ramming into anything, Bill and Toni added extra braking power with 13-inch Baer disc brakes and PBR two-piston calipers, all working along with a set of Goodrich stainless-steel brake lines.

All of this hard work for both of them culminated in an opportunity to showcase their car at last year's SEMA Show in Las Vegas, something that helped the two to finally decide to keep the car, especially after a harrowing medical experience. "Toni and I almost sold the car a few years ago after I found out I had a cancerous tumor," says Bill, "And I just didn't have the money or time to dedicate to the car anymore." The car was put on the back burner, but with the support of his friends and Team Hybrid teammates, he continued on with the project. Even his sponsors supported him and put aside all the business aspects of tuning when they let the two forget about the sponsored parts for a second to focus on the condition.

If there was ever a story about endurance, hardship, and overall love of cars, Bill and Toni Harris' story about their Honda Civic EG is the prime example. From troubles financing the car to keeping it despite cancer, their EG Civic is legendary for more than just being a foundation of tuning. It's legendary because of the journey it survived.

Behind The BuildName: Bill And Toni HarrisAge: N/AHometown: Morro Bay, CAOccupation: Customer Satisfaction ManagerHobbies: Building Cars, Racing, Car ShowsBuild Time: 4 YearsFeedback: Awdturbocobb@Hotmail.Com