Photos by Jeremy Alan Glover (@jagimaging)
The debates between FWD aficionados versus the world will never die. Sure some people jump camps but most Honda guys are front-drive for life. The AWD and RWD guys will mock the FWD but the FWD guys know with a proper suspension and an LSD, the nuances of FWD start to disappear. Phrases like torque-steer and under-steer became as rare as a internet dating profile pic that matched reality. When it comes to EK Civics, they are pretty dangerous on the track with only a cage and coilovers but the one we unearthed at Overdosed Performance was that and much more.
Owner Christos Tsoraidis of Laval, QC knows a thing or two about making these EKs a menace on the track and this example is only one of many by Overdosed Performance. Starting with a K20A2 engine swap, Tsoraidis knew there was easy power to be made with K-series. Using HASport mounts, the freshly rebuilt K was sleeved into the engine bay. The fuel system was amped up with a BDL rail, AEM fuel pressure regulator and some bigger injectors. The intake air is brought in by a Fujita5 short-ram that meets up with an RBC intake manifold. The exhaust gases are excused quicktime by a DC Sports 4-2-1 header and a BuddyClub Pro-Spec exhaust. The high-revving motor is now chilled by a Fluidyne radiator capped with a Spoon Sports cap. The Hondata K-Pro ensures all of the new parts play nice with each other and wreck shop.
To stay planted during track events and lose some weight to free-up torque, Tsoraidis added a bunch of gear. A Seibon carbon fiber hood caps off the K-series along with a wide-mouth front grille to work with the Backyard Special front bumper.
A ViS carbon hatch was added along with a CTR roof spoiler and Spoon aero mirrors. The lighting also was brought into the new millennium with Helios 5000K headlights and a European Civic Type-R rear fog light.
Inside the EK erases all doubts that this car is useful on the street. Sure it has wipers and turn signals and even a plate, however a completely gutted and caged interior means that it is one noisy and stiff experience. They lifted some parts from the JDM Civic Type-R including: gauge cluster, SiR cup holder and shift boot. Then they jacked some JDM DC2 Recaro from the Honda Integra Type-R black with red stitching. Some accessories complete the look with a Password JDM Ti knob, Personal Neo Grinta wheel and Stewart Warner gauges stuffed in an Auto Meter triple pod.
The footwork and chassis obviously received a load of attention. The Auto Power roll bar fortifies the frame and EM Racing supplied a load of the braces including: C-pillar bar, triangular pillar bar, triangular trunk brace, rear strut brace and trunk floor bar. There is also a Password: JDM 3-point strut brace. On the suspension side a set of D2 coilovers were added for their high degree of adjustability using a 12Kg/10Kg combo. Megan Racing stepped in to supply: front and rear upper camber kits along with bushings and lower rear tie bar. Then Skunk2 was contacted to ship out some lower control arms which are stronger and lighter than the originals.
The lightweight Civic is grounded by a set of rubber that has an unyielding grip on the track. Running Rotas on the street, Tsoraidis opted for SSR RP-F Pros in Anodized Green measuring 15x7-inches wrapped in Toyo R888 205/50R15 R-Comps. The brakes are fairly conservative since this car now weighs nothing. Only Brembo OE-style rotors were added with Hawk HP Plus pads and SS lines.
This street-legal (well sort of) Civic can be found on streets of Laval, QC usually heading to a racetrack. Whether it is Ste Eustache, Tremblant or ICAR at Mirabel, this 3-door tears a new one when stacked up against larger displacement bullies. A quick ride for sure, we finally caught it and made it famous.
ESSENTIALS
Owner: Christos Tsoraidis
Location: Laval, QC
Vehicle: 1996 Honda Civic CX
ENGINE
- Honda 2.0L K20A2 inline-4
ENGINE MODIFICATIONS
- HASport EKK2 Motor Mount Kit
- HYBRID RACING Stage 1 Axles
- HYBRID RACING Fuel Lines
- BDL Industries Fuel rail
- AEM Fuel Pressure Regulator
- RBC Intake Manifold
- FUJITA Short Ram Intake
- DC Sports 4-2-1 Race Header
- Buddy Club Pro Spec Cat-Back Exhaust
- JDM DC5R Valve Cover
- Password:JDM Cooling Plate
- Fluidyne Radiator
- Spoon Sports Radiator Cap
- Buddy Club Oil Cap
- Neuspeed Short Shifter
ENGINE MANAGEMENT
- HONDATA K-Pro Engine Management
WHEELS, TIRES, BRAKES
Street:
- ROTA J-MAG 15x7-inch
- Yokohama S-Drive tires 185/55R15
Race:
- SSR RP-F Pro 15”x7” Anodized Green
- Toyo R888 in 205/50R15
- Brembo OE-style rotors
- Hawk HP Plus pads
SUSPENSION
- Password:JDM 3-Point Front Strut Brace
- EM Racing Quick Release C-Pillar Bar
- EM Racing Triangular Pillar Bar
- EM Racing Rear Strut Brace
- EM Racing Triangular Trunk Bar
- EM Racing Trunk Floor Bar
- D2 Full Coilovers (12k Front / 10k Rear)
- Megan Racing Front Upper Camber Kit
- Megan Racing Rear Upper Camber Kit
- Skunk2 Racing Rear Lower Control Arms
- Megan Racing Rear Lower Tie-Bar
- Megan Racing Trailing Arm Bushings
- Brembo Rotors
- Hawk HP Plus Brake Pads
INTERIOR
- JDM CTR Gauge Cluster
- JDM SiR Cup Holder
- Password:JDM Titanium Shift Knob
- JDM CTR Shift Boot
- Autometer Triple Pillar Pod
- Stewart Warner Oil Pressure Guage
- Stewart Warner Oil Temperature Guage
- Stewart Warner Volt Guage
- PERSONAL Neo Grinta Steering Wheel
- JDM DC2R RECARO Seats, Black w/Red Stitch
- Autopower 4-Point Race Roll Bar
PHOTO GALLERY
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