If I told you to expect engine-swapped Hondas at SEMA this year, you might not bat an eye.
I’d be surprised if there were more Hondas on display rocking their original motors than engine-swapped examples. K20, K24, B18, and B16 engines are everywhere these days as if there’s a secret team at Honda keeping the production lines alive.
And that’s before we even get to the topic of Honda swaps in other makes. Whether it’s FWD, RWD, AWD, naturally aspirated, or turbocharged, there’s bound to be someone who’s completed some form of conversion. There’s even a guy out there designing a ‘K36′ inline-six engine. Pure madness.
It’s hard to stand out with a Honda build these days, but Ryan Basseri and the team at Rywire Motorsport Electronics are doing just that with not one, but two outrageous Civics headed for the 2024 SEMA Show in November.
First, let’s take a look at Ryan’s Milano Red EK Civic hatchback, which is still in the early stages of its build.
So, how did this project come about? “I’ve always wanted to build an EK for myself, so this was a great way to kill two birds with one stone – easy brand recognition and development [of electric drive systems],” Ryan says.
This isn’t Rywire’s first foray into electronic systems or electric cars. The company has built a reputation for its expertise in automotive electrical work; look through its product catalogue, and you’ll find hundreds of applications.
With so much variety (think wiring kits to power distribution modules), it’s no surprise that Ryan and his team are always advancing their expertise.
Enter their most ambitious project yet: an S2000 retrofitted with a Tesla motor and Chevrolet battery. Ryan explains: “The S2000 was a bare chassis given to me by a buddy. I was going to build a Civic first, but the S2000 was the path of least resistance.”
“I wanted to learn how EV systems work, and the S2000 was a decent choice given the motor selection and fitment,” Ryan recalls, clearly having learnt a thing or two from the project and finally applying that knowledge to a Civic.
While the EK sports timeless modifications, the S2000 looks like something from the future, tucked away in Rywire’s headquarters.
“The goal for the S2000 was to have it scream ‘electric!” says Ryan. And Rywire nailed it with radical custom bodywork. But that’s not the aim for the hatchback. The 16-inch Desmond RegaMaster EVO wheels, wrapped in Toyo Proxes R888R tyres, add a fantastic touch.
Those with a keen eye might have spotted the 5×114.3 hub conversion accommodating the five-stud wheels. Behind them, a Spoon Sports front big brake kit and bespoke KW Motorsport coilovers all around.
At this stage of the build, the suspension components have had their initial fitting, the setup featuring PCI control arms and linkages and S1Built rear trailing arms for AWD.
Yes, you read that right – AWD. You’re looking at the foundation of a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive EK Civic.
I’ll share more specifics once we feature the complete build, but expect roughly 600hp from the dual motors, with an 85kWh battery good for about 400 miles of range, and a 0-60mph time I can’t quite comprehend.
The engine bay is fascinating, even in its semi-complete state. There’s something so alien about an enormous electric motor residing where you’d expect to see a recognisable B-series engine.
Funnily enough, though, the most interesting details are the ones that can be recognised. The splash of purple from the KW top mounts is one thing, but the beefy CSF Race radiator is something else entirely.
You find CSF cooling solutions in many big-power builds, however, these products almost seem wrong in an EV. Remember, though, electric motors and batteries generate a lot of heat.
As with the coilovers, brakes, and chassis components, Ryan has sourced parts from the top of the aftermarket world to create this wild Civic. I’m excited to share the build progress, especially given the innovative approach being taken.
With classic touches from US and JDM EK Civics, paired with cutting-edge parts for the EV swap, this build is a labour of love for Ryan.
As earlier mentioned, this isn’t the only Civic the RyWire team is preparing for SEMA. Honda enthusiasts, watch this space…
Mario Christou
Instagram: mcwpn, mariochristou.world
mariochristou.world
Photography by Darrien Craven
Instagram: _crvn_
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
Sigh….typical sema build. The only point is to shock people. The electric s2000 is just made to be shocking and twin engine civic is just designed to say “look what I can do.”
Sorry to be negative haha but after 20 years in the industry I really have come to hate this event and the builds involved (for the most part). If you’ve ever worked at a shop this is one of the craziest times of the year. Not going to miss it.
So you're telling me that the car show is meant for showing what people have done and can do to their cars? Very interesting, being in the industry for 20 years must come with some serious wisdom.
Sema builds have for a long time been look what I can do.
Remember when Radial engines were in a few projects?
Yeah. It’s all nonsense now for shock value haha. Shows a lot of where the industry has gone. Intelligence declining for sure.
SEMA cars are product showcases and advertising tools first, everything else second. In that arena whatever gets you the most eyeballs wins.
Beyond that is a bonus.
I dont think you and others are quite getting it. If there is no end goal what are you show casing is simply fabrication and wild ideas. What does it actually show me your product does. It’s amazing this has to be explained unless you conclude cars for the average person and the industry at large have just become wrist watches to men. It’s just fashion at this point which is pretty feminine imo.
'what are you show casing is simply fabrication and wild ideas'
This part. This part is SEMA.
It's hilarious how you simultaneously admit what I'm saying is true and people down vote it or ridicule. This industry has really become fashion for men. I don't revel in that and I find it very bizarre that other "drivers" or "enthusiasts" do.
The entire premise of modifying a car is built on making it faster. It is literally what the entire industry is based on. Tsuchiya made his name in it. It's the only reason why anyone cares about Texas 2K etc etc. I just find this very hilarious and simultaneously sad. I think younger people and to a larger extent hollywood and the media have absolutely destroyed what this hobby was intended to be about.
This site really should change it's name because the ethos is no longer in speed. It is in showmanship and pop culture. Culture Hunters is a much more appropriate term to describe what you guys do. You're finding automotive culture. Not speed.
Hey Brent,
By your standard, since you’re all about the PERFORMANCE.. That electric s2000 and ek9 actually increased the performance by a large margin.
So whats your argument again? Uh oh performance doesn't count now?
Ok. Ill take a stock S2000. You take the electric one and lets run an endurance race for 100 miles around a track. You lose the second you have to charge batteries which do not have that range.
I commend your attempt to try and catch me out, but experience will tell you the format of a race is what determines the build. Again these are show car builds not actual race cars. You amateur hobbyist / enthusiasts seem to really struggle with the nuances of the sport. Nice try!
Hey Brent are you familiar with the Scalar Performance SCR1? I recently did an article on it for a different publication.
It's and electric GT86 chassis based vehicle currently NASA Super Touring Series approved to run against ICE vehicles. Quite interesting stuff.
As Brett is saying in the RIGHT race series electric conversions/power does have performance merit.
Good job you stated the obvious and think you’re intelligent!
These aren’t race cars, so whats the “format of the race” ?
How about we DO race these cars, you take a stock s2000 and ill take the electric… how about drag race? Time attack? Are we still picking and choosing fake scenarios we’d win in?
Oh those dont count as races & race cars cause a normal person can drive from their garage, to the track, and drive home.
If its hard to wrap your mind around that bombshell, you can think a little longer this time before you reply
It must be a terribly arduous process to get thoughts from your brain hole to your mouth hole Brett.
"The entire premise of modifying a car is built on making it faster. It is literally what the entire industry is based on"
This is very much not true at all. As much as YOU don't like the aesthetic aftermarket it exists.
"This site really should change it's name because the ethos is no longer in speed. It is in showmanship and pop culture. Culture Hunters is a much more appropriate term to describe what you guys do. You're finding automotive culture. Not speed."
Following the brand's name is "Global Car Culture since 2008".
There is so much more to enthusiast culture than racing. You seem unable to accept that and I'm not sure why since examples exist of this likely before either of us was born.
As someone who specializes in electrics for motorsport flexing that he can both assist people in electric conversion and twin motor conversions is a worthwhile endeavour. If he can do those projects he can damn sure someone with their K swapped EF with ease.
Fair points Dave. I think there is a fair case to be made that the origin of car modification is hot rodding and hot rodding is first and foremost about increasing the performance of a car. Aesthetics came much later and are not as close to the core of what the industry came out of. Does that make sense?
I respect everyones choice to do their own thing, but I think we should be very clear about trends like stance and how they decrease the performance of a vehicle. Where I get annoyed is when people in the industry try to tell me I don't know what I'm saying or that stance can perform, hoosiers aren't good tires, etc etc. These are just a couple examples.
"As someone who specializes in electrics for motorsport flexing that he can both assist people in electric conversion and twin motor conversions is a worthwhile endeavour. If he can do those projects he can damn sure someone with their K swapped EF with ease."
While that is true, one of the hardest things for people in the industry to understand is that doesn't equate to a vehicle that performs well. I once swapped an SR20 into a 240SX when I was 15 with a friend using nothing but a cherry picker hoist and basically hand tools. We did it. Does that mean it was done well or it performs? Hell no!
I worked for a top engine builder out of school. 1000-3000hp drag stuff. He's very famous. Very well known. We once dyno'd an aftermarket cylinder head that was supposed to increase hp / tq from a top tuning company. House hold name type stuff. The results?
A DECREASE of 100hp and 120tq. As you get into this industry more and deeper you will learn a lot of people -- even the big names -- have no idea what the f--- they're doing.
THIS IS WHY PERFORMANCE IS THE ULTIMATE TEST OF WHETHER OR NOT YOUR TUNER KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING AND IS ACTUALLY WORTH GIVING YOUR MONEY TO. IF THEY DON'T RACE THEY CAN'T PROVE THEIR STUFF WORKS!!!!
This is why racing is the pinnacle. It's very similar to a real fight vs sparring. Or training. If you have an idea and it doesn't work in a real fight it's worthless! But hey check out these gloves I made out of tomatoes. This is what SEMA is. It's boxing gloves made out of food. Very impressive someone can do it. But absolutely fing worthless!
My understanding of engine modifications is that, not everything is literally plug-and-play. There needs to be tuning or changing other hardwares to really extract more performance out of them. Simply bolting on a new aftermarket cylinder head without doing changes to the fueling system is as good as flushing your cash down the toilet.
Takumi nothing is plug and play with a race car. Nothing. Changing alignment has impacts on other stuff. Right height affects roll centers and other geometries as does widening track width. A cylinder head can rob power from your car even if it’s an aftermarket unit claiming to make power.
Cars and racing cars are extremely complex and about 10% of people in this hobby have a real understanding. Less than 1% do any real work like building an engine or cylinder head and within that 1% it all starts over with who is qualified. Think Adrian Newey vs a time attack team.
There are levels to this game and I have always tried to get to the highest level I could and do all my work myself under the guide of world champion drivers, builders, designers, etc. takes a long time to learn this stuff.
Just remember nothing is ever plug and play in the racing world.
I think the key part about the swap you completed was that you did it in your garage with hand tools, and it helped you dive deeper into the hobby. At least that would be my take away.
You have experience in the racing side of things, my end is more style and aesthetics. I have never claimed my experience makes me a better drive or my cars faster. As someone from a race stand point I can see how it would be frustrating if people told me aesthetic mods lead to decreased lap times. We'll have to agree to disagree on racing being the only way to prove their stuff works, and SEMA builds being worthless. For many the street, not the track, is their intended destination. Pushing to 11/10ths was never the plan. Many people make very fine livings building street cars.
Sparring is harder than training, and fighting is harder than sparring for sure though.
Lmao dude...I developed a car with Ayrton Senna's Chief Engineer at Mclaren and John Morton simultaneously. All from my own raw driving ability. Do you actually understand how insane that is? I didn't have to pay a dollar. I got flown all over the USA and literally helped develop a car from a street car into a nationally dominating car. Some of the replies I get in these comment sections legitimately make me laugh. And I'm switching careers now so I don't even care. Comprehend that for a second. From nothing to building cars with Ex F1 legends and then just walking away to make more money in a completely unrelated field after teaching myself an industry in 6 months. Some of the people who reply to me like Nate are such losers. This is why I reply the way I do.
Imagine being a nobel winning prize automotive photographer and then some kid with a polaroid development position at rite aid is telling you what's what. This entire industry has become laughable to me.
Let me refine my statement so we can come to an understanding. Within the realm of performance the only way to prove what your modifications do is to race or produce a lap time.
When it comes to aesthetics I don't give a single shhhh what people do to their cars. If you want to paint it pink and put anime cats on it because thats your style and a huge GT wing live it up brother. Anyone who works an honest job and wants to do whatever to customize their car should completely partake in that and not be judged.
But the second you tell me cats and a GT wing make you a race car and cut lap times off I'm going to call it what it is: Stank. Stance is stank when it comes to performance. And obviously within the realm of racing we will have these kinds of debates and discussions. Spring rates, alignment, and other nuanced factors can be debated among racing drivers very aggressively.
At the end of the day the stop watch doesn't lie though. I take my first fight next year. Have been training and sparring and dude...no joke...this sport is batsh insane. It's so much harder than racing in my opinion but i've been racing since I was 15 so maybe skewed.
An EV swapped EG and EK Civic hatch sounds like a lot of fun lol especially with how light they are
How heavy is the battery pack?