For over 36 years, K&N Engineering and its staff of hard working employees have propelled a once unknown company that sold products from a garage into one of the most recognizable air filter brands in the automotive world. Logging more than 20 million reusable filters sold across the globe, it's safe to say the boys at K&N have had their hands in just about every motorsports cookie jar. In 2005, the K&N sport compact division acquired a newly redesigned 2006 Honda Civic Si from Honda of North America. Eager to participate in the build was the K&N staff; consisting of sport compact enthusiasts more than willing to show the aftermarket import community that the air filter kings weren't just about oil impregnated surgical cotton fabric and wire mesh filters; they knew a thing or two about building a badass street car.
Powered by a K20Z3 powerplant, the '06 Civics' stout engine rips through the factory equipped close-ratio six-speed transmission to the tune of 197hp. Sporting rev ability up to 8000rpm and displaying a linear torque curve (thanks in part to the engine's three-rocker i-VTEC variable valve timing) are two reasons why the average '06 civic-owning Joe is hesitant to perform any modifications.
The boys at K&N are anything but average, as they quickly began tearing away at the first opportunity, with plans of extracting some serious horsepower out of the already potent powerplant. Slated as a street car, the crew decided to increase horsepower output by spraying the 2.0-liter engine with a generous amount of nitrous oxide, complements of Edelbrock. Sport Compact Business Manager and Lead Project Manager for the '06 Civic, James Yim, was no stranger to the world of import performance, as he dabbled for years with many of his own project cars. A one time avid street racer, Yim was often spotted in his H22-powered Civic hatchback breaking off numerous cars along the Ontario and the San Fernando Valley streets.
Yim used his crafty skills in plumbing the K20's intake manifold with an Edelbrock direct port nitrous system; meticulously bending each of the stainless steel hardlines while outfitting each runner with an Edlebrock E3 titanium nozzle. A carbon composite bottle was mounted and set to spray an additional 100hp with a touch of the button. With horsepower levels now flirting with 300hp, the issue of sufficient fuel delivery became a major concern. The Civic's factory fuel rail was replaced with a larger diameter BDL unit, while a set of larger injectors were plugged into the intake. In order to compensate for added fuel, the factory intake manifold was custom ported and polished, while a K&N Typhoon intake system and carbon canister high-flow air filter was installed for additional horsepower.
Looking to extract every conceivable horsepower out of the Civic, a custom exhaust system was fabricated in-house at the K&N facility using a 60mm Tanabe Racing Tuner Medallion canister and custom stainless steel pipes. Looking to accentuate the engine bay with some show quality appeal, a JDM red valve cover, JDM spark plug covers and dipstick were installed.
"If you're going to build a vehicle, build it right the first time," says Yim. "Don't half-ass the job and pray things work out for the best." The build crew at K&N took this motto to heart as they reworked the factory suspension and brake system with a setup worthy of a full-tilt road race vehicle. Starting off with a set of TEIN Flex coilovers, the factory stance was hunkered down to improve both vehicle handling characteristics and the overall balance. The factory brakes were discarded in favor of Project Mu four-piston and four-pad Hyper Caliper System while all four corners received a set of Project Mu SCR-PRO rotors. RAYS Volk Racing 18x8 CE28N Limited Edition wheels wrapped in 225/40-18 Toyo Tires T1-R compounds ensures this orange machine has the ability to outbrake and outhandle any adversary brazen enough to step up and challenge it.