And as the build moved along not only did he add accomplished painter and tuner, but also master electrician to his automotive resume. "All my aftermarket wiring/accessories are integrated into the stock harnesses so they all plug and play. My Stack cluster is integrated into a stock cluster housing where all the factory warning lights are utilized." He would later hone these skills even more in helping some of his friends, DIYWHFOSYNRDIYs if you will, finish building their cars - the most famous of which you may remember in our January 2009 issue as a stunning red Integra sedan.
Other than that the spec box and photos should more than speak for themselves. It's all there, the best of the best, assembled in a manner that is awe-inspiring. "I built this vehicle to put all the parts I've ever wanted onto one car and call it my own." Toto tells me. "I've always loved the EK chassis, and it still remains supreme in my book. Basically I wanted it to be a collection of hard-to-find/functional track parts all in one package deal."
All in all, Rainier is everything that many Honda builders who half-ass cars just to win a car show trophy or a magazine cover aren't: he's down-to-earth, a loyal friend, honest, extremely helpful, dedicated, skilled in all aspects of car building and last but not least - he LOVES his car.
Fast Facts
2000 Honda Civic DX
Owner rainier de leon
Hometown bellevue, wa
Daily Grind Student/pharmacy tech
Under The Hood 2.0L naturally-aspirated DC5 K20A Type-R; Hasport EKK2 mount kit and hose adapter; Hybrid racing pnp harness; Canton racing remote fuel filter; Magnafuel fuel pressure regulator; Marshall fuel pressure gauge; Earl's ano-tuff AN fittings and prolite350 braided hoses; Jiffy-tite quick disconnect fuel line fittings; Top fuel power neo; AEM fuel rail; Golden eagle oil block adapter plate; RBC intake manifold; Karcepts throttle body adapter and shift plate mount kit; Visteon/C&R radiator; Samco radiator hoses; Carbing coolant expansion tank, valve cover catch can, radiator cooling plate; GReddy PCV catch can; custom cold-air intake w/K&N filter; DTR/SSR 421 stainless steel header; Carsound hi-flow catalytic converter; Fujitsubo RM01-A cat back exhaust; Spoon radiator stay and titanium bolt; t-bolt intake and radiator hose clamps; Full wire tuck
Drivetrain DC5 ITR 6 speed transmission, clutch, flywheel and LSD brains Hondata KPRO engine management
Stiff Stuff Tein Re full coilovers; Comptech rear lower tie bar/sway bar combo; Comptech/ARP extended studs; SRR rear lower control arms; 98 spec ITR 5lug conversion; 98 spec ITR front cross member and steering rack/sway bar; Next Miracle X bar with parallel option bars; Mugen gen 1 rear tower bar; Carbing Type II aluminum 3pt front bar; Tilton steering reservoir; Aeroquip fittings for power steering delete; Feel's master cylinder brace
Stoppers Spoon twinblock calipers; Brembo slotted rotors front/rear; AEM rear brake pads; Hawk HP+ front pads; Goodridge stainless steel brake lines
Rollers Mugen M12 17x7 +50 w/Toyo 205/40/17 R888 R-compound tires (track); Kosei K1 15X7 +35 w/Toyo RA-1 205/50/15 tires (street)
Outside PPG Dolomite Gray Pearl Effect paint; shaved front license plate holes; EK9 CTR headlights w/carbon inserts, tail- lights w/rear foglight, moldings, grill, rear lip; smoked amber side markers; Honda Access door visors; Mugen Type SS front lip; ARC splitters; Js carbon wing; Spoon rear tow hook; Vision type MC side mirrors; Honda HOP antenna block off; JDM Inspection number sticker (center windshield), Registration sticker (upper left windshield), Emissions/Parking sticker (rear left tailgate); Type one oil change sticker; EK9 VIN tag
Inside EK9 CTR red carpet, manual door panels, armrest delete, emergency road flare; Canada spec airbag tray; optional ashtray console; Si tweeter pods; Weave Kevlar fuel pump cover; Hondasport e-brake handle; C's shift plate and shift knob; Mugen battery kill switch, pedals, seat rail, ECU stay and heel adjustment plate; Recaro pro racer SPG seats; Takata 5pt harnesses; dead pedal riser; Honda access roof console, steering column light, floor courtesy lights; SARD stack meter in custom enclosure utilizing stock warning lights; Safety 21 rollcage; custom powdercoated gloss black side impact beam; Odyssey mini battery and aluminum battery stay with remote battery terminals and carbon insert; SRR ignition panel; relocated fuse box
Ice Premier CD head unit
Props The inspirational white C16 EK by Jon Duppong, Dennis Lui of fusion X, D, Will, da tamas, the hometown hero Terry, Joey and Chewbacca, "Supertwinz" mideng John, Loi from Sportcar, JHP USA, Mike Shin from Toyo, Adam from weaksauce, Tony "EK four", Ray "bombsounder", Sean "WWJD", www.NWP4life.com, Josh, Nick, Steve, Tai, Darnell, status Sean, Arby, Shmell, Danville, the ATS garage homies, the entire Trikspeed crew who I missed, my parents, Lola R.I.P. I love you, my girl Nikki, love ya haha and finally Team:2t0
www carbing.co.jp; jsracing.co.jp; jhpusa.com; mugen-power.com; nwp4life.com; recaro.com; spoon.jp; toyo.com
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