Every year at Malaysia’s Art Of Speed, Speedhunters is asked to select one car that stood out above the others, for whatever reason. Judging is something we’ve always stayed away from, but I’ll gladly give my opinion and impression of any car when asked.
You can of course agree, disagree, dismiss it or challenge it, for the simple fact that it’s just an honest opinion. What I’m always looking for are builds that I know will resonate with our audience; cars that Speedhunters readers will appreciate and commend. But at Art Of Speed this is one job that gets harder by the year as Malaysian owners step up their car customizing game.
After much deliberation – and trust me, it was a pretty close call with a couple of other cars I had noticed – I ended up picking this EG Civic. I just appreciated the authenticity, the inspiration, the execution, and the sheer functionality of the thing. It seemed to do everything so well, and it reminded me of some of the hot Civics I bump into at amateur track events at Tsukuba or Honjo.
Its looks were totally on point, but the K20A swap cemented my decision. This re-power is nothing new of course – we’ve seen plenty of K-swaps in the past – but the fact that it was done with performance in mind only strengthened the overall theme. It looked as though it belonged and had a defined purpose.
The K20A (and its corresponding 6-speed manual gearbox) was plucked from a DC5 Integra Type R, and upgraded with a host of performance work and parts. This included porting and polishing the cylinder head, a Skunk2 intake manifold, PLM headers and a 3-inch exhaust with a J’s Racing titanium rear muffler. On the dyno the Civic has thrown down 235hp at the front wheels thanks to a custom tuned Hondata ECU.
The 15-inch wheels at all four corners are wrapped in sticky Toyo Proxes R888R semi-slicks, and the Honda sits on Racing Gear JTC N1 coilovers. Hardrace arms feature front and rear, and the brake system features EK9 and DC5 calipers. Lots of under-car bracing and a Cusco rollcage ensure the shell is as stiff as can be for track use.
The carbon roof spoiler was supposed to be joined by a GT wing, but the custom aluminum stays weren’t ready in time.
I’m a sucker for a half-cut rear bumper on a functional track car, a move that exposes the guts of the rear end.
It was a nice final touch to what was a memorable build from this year’s Art Of Speed, and for his efforts the owner of this EG will be getting a box of Speedhunters goodies as a prize. Congrats for building such a cool Civic!
Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: speedhunters_dino
dino@speedhunters.com
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Dont get me wrong it is a great Civic and I am a sucker for a K Swap, but I just wouldn't go past that Mira.
Mira looked to be a one-trick pony.
What's wrong with it being a "one trick Pony"? The car was built for one purpose, drag racing. And it was built extremely well for that. It also, in my opinion, looked like a show car. Most builds are built for one discipline of racing. Also, this civic was built for time attack/road course racing. So by this logic, is it a one trick pony as well?
For the record, I am not hating on this civic. I think it is a brilliant car.
I pick Mira, as well. Who really cares if it's a one trick pony or not? It's a Custom Mira. That alone overloads the brain cells. It's a built 3-cylinder engine. I never thought a 3 banger could ever hit 250hp, let alone 400! It looks as flashy and crazy as it probably is to drive! Everyone these days is all about stock lines and understated looks, which is fine, but we really need more Bold and Boistrous is the Automotive diet. It's only rice if it looks terrible. That Mira looks lie an oversized, birthday cupcake and I love it.
Personally, I'd complete the wide body look and widen the rear quarters to match the front. I'd love to have this thing as a street car just so I can drive it as often as I can.
Well done, but definitely not my cup of tea.
A car that's been built up but then still has only a few more ponies than a stock and VERY slow Z32 NA isn't something that gets my blood pumping, and cutting off body parts has NEVER made sense to me unless it's to go widebody or add another functional accessory such as a diffusor.
This is kind of confusing for me, are you talking about the VG30DE? Crank it is rated at 222hp right? For a second lets just assume 15% drivetrain loss, that means the K20 is making roughly 270hp . . . which is even more than a single turbo Z32 - VG30DET at 255hp. Also we are comparing a 3.0 liter v6 (VG30DE) vs 2.0 liter inline 4 (k20). I think you would be surprised at how this car can get your blood pumping - like David Flinn mentioned, with the weight difference of 1k lbs and more hp then single turbo z32, it will make a very fun car to drive.
The Z32 weighs literally about 1,000 pounds more, depending on spec. And the stock rear bumper acts as a bit of a parachute; lots of people have seen measurable results from cutting it down or even completely removing it.
That's why you'll commonly see Hondas with "speed holes" in the rear bumper, by the way. It's to allow that air at least some sort of escape to reduce drag. Some people just prefer that look to hacking it off.
Oh, absolutely agreed regarding weight/etc. but as we both surely also know, the entire package balance, fit, and finish are the most important details.
I was speaking of the modification methods used, and as you further comment on, the look those methods yield.
I generally prefer professional-looking solutions over ones that seem as if they are spur of the moment in nature- welded/integrated versus bolt-on, fully-integrated swap motors/drivetrains versus cobbled together frankenstein's. The speed holes always make me cringe a little, and again, cutaways...they come across like cut springs versus coilovers/proper suspension to me.
Each has their own flavor and style and final look and performance, all car owners have their own visions of what they want, and we all have preferences...kudos to the guy for sticking to his vision.
Is that 6UL wheels from 949 Racing?
I was wondering the same thing.
i totally agree this is a really cool and fun to drive civic.