2006 Honda Civic Si - On The New Kid Block

The suspension upgrades consist of H&R Springs fully-adjustable coilovers, a "secret-spec" front swaybar, and a rear 24mm H&R swaybar. Custom tuned to Hope's competitive specs by crew chief Andrew Horn, the "classified" setup is aligned using a combination of H&R and SPC equipment. Chosen for proven capability as well as show-stopping SEMA power, the front brakes are now 13-inch Brembo Gran Turismo units squeezing on Hawk Performance Blue model brake pads. Wrapped around the four-piston calipers are some of the latest offerings from obvious sponsor Motegi Racing, the six-spoke TRAKLITE 2.0 wheel. Lightweight, forged 17x8 pieces of aluminum, the TRAKLITE 2.0 wheels weigh a mere 14.5lbs and have withstood the repeated abuse of the track without a single complaint. Wrapped in BF-Goodrich Tires' g-Force T/A KD tire, one of the stickiest street rubbers on the tuner market, the Motegi Si has shown promise, and Hope is eager to try out the car on a true road racing compound tire.

Although the considered race series allow further modifications, Oyoung and Hope decided to forgo massive straight-line power. Built to be reliable and balanced, versus compromised and broken, the Motegi Civic Si uses minimal engine modifications. You won't find a turbo, nitrous, or even upgraded camshafts on this machine. An AEM cold-air intake, DC Sports race header, and straight-through DC Sports race exhaust are the only upgrades to the Si's K-series powerplant.

From the confines of turn3, the Si was brought out to 2209 Motorsports, where Bernardo Martinez helped complete some of the final touches on the Honda racer. Martinez, himself an accomplished road racer and driver of the Hasport time attack Integra, assisted with the installation of the required ignition kill switch, window net, and Sparco halon fire suppression system. A Honda Factory Performance (HFP) front lip and side skirts accent the Si's already sporty looks, while an APR Performance GT200 rear wing and custom carbon-fiber front splitter aid in the art of aerodynamics once the car gets moving. Custom vinyl graphics by Afterdark Signworks complete the Si's theme of a clean, simple, show-going racecar.

Displayed in Honda of America's SEMA booth, the Motegi Racing Civic Si was shown with an entire collection of tuner modified 2006 Civic Si demo vehicles. One of the first new Si road racers built, the Motegi Civic has already begun to hit the track, and lap times are falling. This pioneering effort is showing the promise of the new Si, and it's only going to get faster and stronger from here. Are you ready?

Behind The BuildName: Motegi RacingAge: 6Hometown: Rancho Dominguez, CaOccupation: Wheel ManufacturerHobbies: Reinventing The... Well You Know.Build Time: Six Weeks Feedback: Info@motegiracing.com

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