Transplanted - 1992 Honda Civic Hatchback

As a member of East Coast-based Team Emotion, So sunk a major portion of his time in installing polished and chrome-dipped engine dress-up parts. Built to dominate local area shows, this 320 wheel hp EG is clean and tidy, both inside and out. Complementing an engine bay that is reflective enough to pick your teeth with, the exterior was carefully assembled using brand new factory components and simple aftermarket upgrades. As with any fourteen-year old project car, a bit of damage was present on So's baby. New fenders, doors and rubber trim were ordered before installing a full C-West bodykit. Covered in a custom mixed Dupont Chromomax Pewter paint scheme, the Civic's body was accented with a VIS Racing carbon hood and a Spoon Sports carbon-fiber rear "duckbill" spoiler. From the space shuttle to your own ride, carbon fiber is the name of the game.

Dropped on a set of 17x8 Volk Racing LE28N wheels wrapped in 205/40/17 Dunlop FM901 rubber, this Civic looks the part as one of Virginia's strongest show cars. From behind the golden spokes and polished lip peeks the green hue of the TEIN Super Street coilover suspension. The tiny, faded stock DX braking system was also dumped, replaced with a Brembo Gran Turismo front brake kit and a rear Integra GSR disc brake conversion. Along with the SSR rear lower control arms, the suspension setup has transformed the capability of this Civic, which was originally built by Honda as a fuel-efficient commuter.

Continuing his never-ending procession of upgrades, So attacked the interior of his EG. The first thing to go was the stock dashboard, replaced with a 1997 Integra Type-R piece, complete with JDM passenger airbag block-off plate. The stock EG door panels had to be custom modified because of the Integra dashboard's shape, providing a good opportunity to add in some new upholstery and a JDM mirror switch. Adding to the OE Honda Type R feel are rear Integra Type-R seats, center armrest and a set of JDM red Recaro seats. Reminiscent of Honda's legendary performance models, So's interior ups the ante with a host of electronic modifications. Defi-Link Meter BF gauges light up the a-pillar, with the Defi-Link Control Unit II resting right below a custom fabricated Ignited Performance switch panel. The stock stereo was replaced with an Alpine CVA-1005 flip-out LCD head unit, which pumps volt after volt into Bazooka Audio amplifiers and subwoofers.

Honda's automobile product lineup, ranging from the Civic to the Integra, remains one of the most interchangeable lineups in history. Mix and match parts or just plain dig through the Honda OEM bin, anything is possible. Literally taking that philosophy to heart, Eric So has turned loose every nut and bolt on this Honda Civic.

Trust us, we went through every single image that photographer Andy Bui sent us and there aren't too many original 1992 DX pieces remaining on this Honda. With almost every panel, bolt and brace replaced or upgraded, So has built himself the Civic of his imagination, assembled the way he saw it in his mind. Forget plastic building blocks; that shit is for kids anyways.

By Joey Leh

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