Autohaus sorted out and re-sprayed the Flint Black body, which is now festooned with OE JDM decals (the sort that, ironically, are often the first to go when personalizing a car). The body has been treated to all of the JDM touches, like the cornering light in the front fender; even all of the glass, save for the windshield, is JDM-spec. "There aren't a lot of parts left for the EF Civics," Adam laments. A sign that time has passed him by? Not at all; it simply means that there are fewer avenues to pursue parts, and that the pieces become more treasured once they're found. That said, the welded-in tranny mount remains, cleaned up and straightened for optimum half-shaft angles.
"And that's really it. I just finished it this last year, to the point where I felt like I was proud of it. I will improve on it, but I'm not putting HID bulbs in. Thanks to this car, I will never forget my blue-collar roots."
'89 Honda Civic
Fast Facts
Owner Adam Nguyen
Hometown Huntington Beach, CA
Daily Grind Entrepreneur
Under The Hood Polished valve cover by American Briteworks; 1990 DOHC B16; A'pexi VTEC controller, CTR camshafts; Toda cam gears; ITR valves, springs and retainers; Comptech ITR air intake; Blox intake manifold; Skunk2 83mm throttle body, B&M fuel regulator with 2000 Civic Si fuel rail, Mugen header and exhaust. Head ported and polished by Valley motorwerks; engine assembled by Rev Hard
Driveline Honda Y1 five-speed transaxle; factory-installed Quaife limited-slip differential; ACT clutch; Mugen shifter; GM transmission fluid
Rollers Mugen NR10 wheels, sized 15x6.5"; Toyo RAI tires, sized 195/50R15
Stoppers stock, with JDM-spec rear disc conversion; Earl's stainless brake lines
Stiff Stuff Tein Super Street coilovers, Function 7 control arms, Cusco strut tower brace, Mugen bushings
Outside Restored to stock, with JDM lighting, corner markers, window wing, and badging; factory Flint Black paint applied by JDM Autohaus
Inside Restored to stock with the following additions: Mugen steering wheel, JDM Civic seats, Alpine CD stereo head unit with Polk Audio speakers, A'PEXi VTEC controller, Alpine alarm
Props Thank you to my parents and family; Alan at Rev Hard; JHP USA, Heeltoe, Camp 1320; Moe of Hyper 16valve; American Briteworks, Supreme Power Parts, Shoreline Motoring; Ernie Uy, Charles Trieu, Eric Kroese, LyLy at GT Inspired, Eric at SupremePower, Kingston at M1 Autobody, Gwan Tanks
www.advancedclutch.com;alpine-usa.com;apexi.com;autocarparts.com/p_Comptech;bloxracing.com;bmracing.com;mugen power.com; skunk2.com; todaracing.com; toyo.com