Covering The Bases

With the engine complete, preventive measures were taken to ensure that the massive power gains didn’t create headaches. A custom Fluidyne aluminum radiator increases the cooling capacity of the Honda. A Carbonetic Twin clutch regulates power delivery to the transmission. The transmission is a factory 5-speed from a 2002-04 Civic Si. According to Carlos, “this edition provides longer gear ratios which are ideal for drag racing.”An LSD from a 2006 Civic Si transmission evenly distributes torque to Drive Shaft Shop 5.9 axles.

Power is more useful when it can be controlled. Both the front and rear corners rely on USDM Integra Type-R brakes with Russell stainless-braided lines and a 5-lug conversion to slow the Honda when needed. Volk Racing TE37 17-inch wheels wrapped with Nexen 205/40R17 tires bolt to the 5-lug setup. To keep the rubber pressed to the asphalt, the Civic utilizes Ksport Kontrol Pro coilovers along with Skunk2 camber kits at all four corners. Further increasing control, Full-Race traction bars, Function7 rear lower control arms and an ASR rear subframe brace reduce chassis flex while Seibon’s spoon-style carbon-fiber rear and front-lip spoilers provide increased downforce.

All Systems Are Go

Inside the cabin, a Chassis Engineering 4-point cage is welded in place to provide rigidity to the chassis along with a degree of protection for the driver. A door bar is all that is needed for NHRA compliance. Planted firmly behind a Civic Type-R steering wheel, the driver straps into the Recaro Speed seat with Simpson 5-point harnesses. From behind the wheel, the driver monitors vehicle and engine speeds from a Honda S2000 AP2 cluster while an Autometer Boost Gauge displays pressure at the intake manifold.

AAB Custom of Pompano Beach, Florida sprayed the DuPont-Midori green paint right before the EK4s first trek to the strip. With the boost dialed down, the turbo K-powered hatch ran a best time of 11.3 seconds at 123 MPH in the quarter mile. Carlos speculates that with a set of drag slicks and the boost at maximum, the EK should have no problem making passes into the 9’s. We say easier said than done. Based on our experience, a certified NHRA-legal 8-point cage and a number of more shake-down trips to strip will be required to run in the 9s. However, considering a total build cost in the neighborhood of $20,000, this 700 horsepower, turbo K-series Civic is still impressive. It also reminds us that experience and knowledge can save a great deal of money in the long run.