In its current state, the Civic earned Second Place its debut night at HIN Seattle '08, won the title of Best EK at the Nisei Showoff two weeks later, and was voted Third Place Civic at the ultra-elite WekFest earlier this year. Yee plans to compete the Civic at West Coast shows alongside his EK Squad brothers for the rest of the year and continue improvements in the downtime. "The engine is due for a rebuild," he explains, "so I've been toying around the idea of building a K24 block for it . . . possibly for forced induction. That, or I might actually go B-series or something even crazier. The Honda market is still changing, and the options for EKs are endless." No matter the direction he takes his car's next incarnation, it will all be a part of-in his words-"showing the world that Hmongs don't drive riced-out Civics, like in Gran Torino!"
Behind The Build
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Vehicle
'98 Honda Civic DX
Output 226 hp
Engine JDM K20A engine; Blox valve springs, retainers; TWM 52mm individual throttle bodies, carbon fiber velocity stacks, fuel pressure regulator, fuel rail; A'pexi GT Spec exhaust; Six Sigma Racing 4-2-1 stainless header; C&R Visteon RSX radiator; Samco Sport Superflex radiator hoses; Hondata K-Pro stand-alone ECU, Heatshield intake manifold gasket; NGK plugs; RC 440cc injectors; Walbro 255lph fuel pump; J's Racing oil cap; ARC spark plug cover, Spoon Sports reservoir covers, magnetic drain plugs; AEM alternator pulley; Hasport EKK2 mounts, urethane bushings; custom wiring, stainless fuel lines, radiator brackets, oil catch can, coolant reservoir, battery/fuse box brackets, firewall-mounted battery terminals; Redzone Performance shift linkage, wire tuck
Drivetrain Drive Shaft Shop axles; JDM Integra Type R LSD
Suspension A'pexi coilovers; Integra Type R subframe, steering rack, 24mm front sway bar; Blox 21mm rear sway bar, rear lower control arms; Benen Industries three-point front strut brace, rear lower tie bar; Next Miracle X-brace with C-pillar and strut brace
Wheels/Tires 16x7 +42 offset Volk Racing CE28N wheels, black valve stems and caps; 205/40-16 Toyo Proxes 4 tires; Project Kics Neo Chrome R40 lug nuts
Brakes JDM Civic Type R five-lug conversion, master cylinder, brake booster; Spoon Sports Twin Block four-piston calipers (front); Drilled Brembo OEM replacement rotors, pads (front and rear); Stoptech stainless braided lines; 40/40 prop valve.
Exterior J-Blood front bumper; C-West side skirts; Zeal rear wing; Vision side mirrors; J's Racing front and rear tow hooks; Tein hood dampers; Beatrush engine under panel; custom rear diffuser; JDM Honda Civic Type R rear lip, headlights, thin moldings, taillights; Honda USDM antenna block-off plate, window visors, DTM headlight covers; Vogue Silver Metallic paint; McCulloch HID kit
Interior Bride GIAS Andromeda front seats, optional cushions, Type R seat rails; Takata 340R four-point harnesses, 20mm eyebolts; G-Force 50mm eyebolts; Broadway 300mm rear-view mirror; Honda OEM Canadian-spec airbag delete tray, JDM sunglass roof console, USDM ashtray, USDM cigarette lighter, S2000 shift knob, JDM Civic Type R rear seats; Nardi 360mm Classic steering wheel; Splash steering wheel hub; Signal Auto quick release; Redzone electronic one-touch hood pop
Electronics Defi Link Meter 52mm: oil pressure, water temperature, EGT gauges, Link Control Unit II; OEM S2000 gauge cluster; Alpine CDA-7898 head unit, 6.5-inch front speakers, 6x9-inch rear speakers;
Gratitude Thanks to my wife, Sandy Yang, for always supporting and making the trips to California every time with me. My mom and dad for raising me to do everything in life properly and reasonably. Greg and Mike at JDMSpeedworx for always putting my parts on priority. The hometown homies who helped me put things together: Ronnie, Hmovchoua, Josh, Marvin, Rainier 2TO, Steve, Tai, Dennis, Jeff, Mel, Richard, Garrett, Brandon. The Cali boys: Danny, Chris, Fred, Ryan, Son, Basil, Sean, Albee, Brian. Adam at Weksos. Special thanks to PlusONE and Hasback for always saving me a spot. My Vang family in Seattle and Nor Cal for traveling along to shows and housing. Props to EK Squad, Albert Squad, ATS Garage, Soul Seattle, Team:2TO, DPK, Phaze2, my customers, all my homies and family along the west and east coast. Lastly, thanks to my Lord and savior for granting me everything I have and blessing me with a great, supporting family and friends.
Hobbies.
Photography, Shoes Air Max '90s, Jordans, Phones, Anime (being Asian)
Feedback.
yee@plusonecrew.com
Favorite Quote.
"Always keepin' it YEEserious"