Honda Civic Tuning

Well, it took awhile, but I finally sold my long-term project car. It’s something that I struggled with for a while. After owning my ‘93 Civic for more than eight years and putting it through countless changes, I was presented with an opportunity to get myself into an S2000 that I just couldn’t pass up. After shooting so many nice S2Ks last year, I’ve since had my eyes on AP1 prices and owner issues. The fact that money isn’t falling from trees in the U.S. right now only helped during my search as prices have dropped dramatically. Feeling like it was time to take a break from the Civic and Integra world, the little roadster felt like the perfect car to move on to. I know absolutely nothing about driving a RWD car, and I’m sure I’ll look like a granny the first few laps I take around a road course, but I’m excited to learn, and the idea of trying something new is exciting to me.

Photo Gallery: 1993 Honda Civic Hatchback - Rodrez - Honda Tuning Magazine

S2000 Supercharger
If you’re looking for the ultimate in S2000 performance, this is it. The KraftWerks High-Boost S2000 kit offers the performance of a custom setup yet still maintains OEM reliability. Kits include smaller high-boost pullies for added boost pressure and no extra tuning or parts are required. An installation manual and interactive CD-ROM are also included for increased DIY friendliness.
www.skunk2.com

Photo Gallery: Honda S2000 Supercharger - New Honda Products - Honda Tuning Magazine

OG Forced Induction
In case you didn’t know, Oscar Jackson’s been involved with Honda and the company’s racing heritage since the early 1970s. When the CRX was first unveiled to the U.S. in 1984, Jackson wasted no time in purchasing the car that would capture countless titles and championships. And in the early ’90s, as the import performance market began to bloom, Jackson developed the most complete supercharger kit the Honda world had ever seen. Heck, it just might have been the most complete forced-induction kit the import world as a whole had ever seen. It was compact, expertly engineered, and boasted an Eaton roots-style supercharger that replaced the OEM intake manifold completely, making it a perfect fit for cramped Honda engine bays. Off-the-shelf kits kept boost levels conservative, though the introduction of race pulleys allowed for an upgrade for those looking for a bit more power. Oh, and each Jackson Racing supercharger kit was 50-state legal, meaning enthusiasts didn’t have to worry about emissions tests, referee tickets, or any of that nonsense. Jackson’s innovative kit was a sensation to be sure; it appeared on numerous magazine covers and earned him countless awards, including the coveted Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) award. During the ’90s, you simply couldn’t go to a track event, car show, or pick up an import magazine without mention of the Jackson Racing supercharger.

Photo Gallery: Forced Induction - Jackson Racing Supercharger Kit - Honda Tuning Magazine

Rely On The Relay
Brighter headlights are never a bad idea. Today, many newer cars are equipped with halogen lights but few of those can compare to the luminosity of HID (high intensity discharge) headlamps. And there are a lot of them out there. Such high-wattage HID bulbs can draw far more current than the stock headlamps do, which isn’t always safe when considering the OEM headlamp wiring harness and connectors. The additional current can heat up the smaller wiring and potentially melt the connectors, resulting in a dangerous or, at the very least, annoying situation. Before shopping for and installing a set of HIDs, it’s important to first understand that they create more heat than what your car’s used to.

Photo Gallery: HID Headlights - OEM Stock Light Replacement - Honda Tuning Magazine

We’ll Make You Famous
Want to get your car in Honda Tuning’s Grassroots? Email your photography to:
editorial@hondatuningmagazine.com

Photo Gallery: 1995 Honda Accord EX - Reader’s Rides - Honda Tuning Magazine

Your Questions Answered

Valve Cover Leakage
First off, let me say I love Honda Tuning magazine!! Every other magazine is trying to focus on Honda content, but you guys are the only ones that nail it every month with the best cars! I have a problem with my 1991 CRX Si. I recently completed a B16 a swap in my garage (my first one, 100% of the work was done by me!). I’m having an issue with some oil leaking around the valve cover. Now I purchased the motor used, and I never removed it. I went to change the spark plugs today and I noticed there was a oil in there. Am I screwed? Please help me out, I love this motor, but I’m afraid I might have blown it before I even got a chance to get it tuned.
David, Knoxville, TN

Photo Gallery: 1999 Honda Civic EX - Reader’s Questions and Comments - Honda Tuning Magazine

Tire Tech
Tires are the backbone of any car, the single barrier between the wheels and the road-they’re what give your Civic that smooth, rubbery drive you’ve grown accustomed to. But more importantly, tires play an important role in slowing your car down from, say, an 80-mph sprint, gripping onto whatever they can on the road to bring your beast to a stop. Despite all that you know about brakes and suspensions, tires are indeed one of the most important aspects of both and should be heavily considered before modifying either.

Photo Gallery: 2006 Acura TSX - Project Car - Honda Tuning Magazine

Ryan O’hara’s ‘04 Civic SI
For many, cars hold a special place in the heart. No matter how ugly, rusted, or decayed they may be, they’re what get us from points A to B; they’re responsible for late-night cruises, long weekends of wrenching, and even longer friendships. Wherever they may lie now, whether junked and cubed or sold off to someone else, you can never forget your first.

Photo Gallery: 2004 Honda Civic SI - EP3 Build - Honda Tuning Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2004 Honda Civic SI - EP3 Build - Honda Tuning Magazine

Bolts & Washers

Propulsion
ITR camshafts
Ported and polished cylinder head
JE pistons
Fluidyne radiator
Turbonetics T3/T4 turbocharger
JG Engine Dynamics throttle body
HKS Type-S blow-off valve
DRAG intake air filter
DRAG front-mount intercooler
DRAG intercooler piping
DRAG cast-iron turbo manifold
DRAG exhaust down-pipe
DRAG wastegate dump tube
Turbonetics Deltagate Mark II wastegate
GReddy SP cat-back exhaust
Custom test-pipe
Bosch inline fuel pump
Vortech boost-dependent
fuel pressure regulator
RC Engineering 310cc fuel injectors
Crome engine management
ACT Stage 3 clutch
Z-Speed short shifter
Magnecor 8mm spark plug wires

Photo Gallery: 1993 Acura Integra GS-R - Joel Ray - Honda Tuning Magazine

Photo Gallery: 1993 Acura Integra GS-R - Joel Ray - Honda Tuning Magazine

Philip NGO’s `99 Prelude
There are few things more satisfying in life than sharing accomplishments with others. Michael Jordan couldn’t have done it without his supporting cast and, even if he had, it wouldn’t have meant much if he wasn’t able to share that moment with anyone else. We need others to push or to lend helping hands when needed. This is also true when it comes to building cars. Really. Inside a community where individualism often serves as the ultimate goal, sharing the spotlight with others can be difficult. Recognition often leads to “I” or “me” sentiments and a failure to recognize those who helped, whether it was through hands-on labor or simply by inspiration. Such communities thrive off of camaraderie, off of relationships, off of unity; neglect all of this at your own peril.

Photo Gallery: 1999 Honda Prelude - Honda Tuning Magazine

Photo Gallery: 1999 Honda Prelude - Honda Tuning Magazine