"Originally, Arospeed had bought this car and was gonna build it into a race car. I'm sure you've heard of them. They had it sent to a couple of shops, here and there. Then Ray, the owner, came to me and said, 'We need you to finish this car. Let's get it goin.' So he brought it to us [South Florida Performance], and we got it running, along with the Haltech engine management system. We also fixed everything that was wrong with it; things that were either done unprofessionally or installed improperly. Then came a point where I wanted to purchase the car. We worked out a deal where he sponsored it, and we raced it. It was a good way to have a show car to advertise and get both companies noticed.
"I didn't get to go up against any West Coast racers-or any racers, as a matter of fact-because we weren't done tuning the car. I was up two days straight prior to the Moroso event [see coverage] tuning, and I didn't want to push the car, especially because we were running on 18 psi. With the OK from Arospeed, I completed a single pass of 11.13 at 128 mph. After I have the car fully tuned, you should see low 10s from us. I think it should do really well.
"I was a big rotary head for 15 years prior to this (still am), then I crossed over into the V-8 market. I even own a Super Comp dragster. Then I saw this growing demand for the imports and people that were searching for a place to have motors professionally built by those with knowledge. Our shop has this knowledge. We can install your bolt-ons. We build full-chassis cars. We have a dyno. We just felt like it was time to get into the import market and get involved, too. I also have another car that I'm building, a 2000 Civic Si. It's going to be stroked to 1.8L, almost a 1.9L, plus it's going to be turbocharged. But here's the sweet part: It's going to be a daily driver. It's gonna be something you can just get in and drive away.
"This is something that I will always do. I don't think I'd be into anything else if I weren't into this scene. I've been into cars all my life and to not be into it? I don't think that would even be an option. Not even an option."
Fast FactsOwner Frank Smith and Luis MatosRide'92 Honda CivicHometown Miami, FloridaDaily Grind Performance technician at SouthFlorida Performance
Under the Hood 1.8L DOHC VTEC, 10.5:1 JE pistons and rings, Cunningham connecting rods, balanced and blueprinted bottom end, JG custom camshafts and throttle body, port/polished cylinder head by South Florida Performance, Ferrea 0.5mm overvalves, Rev dual valve springs, Crower titanium retainers, Venom intake manifold, Haltech E6S, Holley 950cc fuel injectors, SX fuel pump and regulator, SFP header and exhaust, AEM cam gears, MSD 6AL ignition, NGK spark plugs, Arospeed spark plug wires, Garrett T04 turbine, GReddy Type S blowoff valve and B-Spec Profec boost controller, HKS wastegate, A'pex and SFP intercooler piping, Moroso oil pan, custom block sleeves, '93 Integra LS tranny, Phantom Grip limited-slip differential, Arospeed shift lever, ACT stage 3 clutch, dyno-tested 434 hp at 8,400 rpm with 279 lb-ft at 7,600 rpm
Stiff Stuff A'pex coilovers, Arospeed strut brace
Rollers Bogart 13x8 5 Star wheels (front), Arospeed wheels (rear), M&H 22x8x13 racing slicks
Stoppers KVR brake pads and lines
Outside Shogun body kit, pearl yellow paint by Neighborhood Paint Body, Arospeed graphics
Props The guys at Arospeed, Revs Performance Parts, Santo Domingo R.D.