Today, October 27, it National Civics Day, an occasion to learn about how our govenrment, in theory, should work. But let’s not forget the Honda Civic. To the everyman, it’s affordable, efficient, and reliable, but to those in the know it’s also an insanely good performance car brimming with F1 technology, infinitely modifiable, and a blank canvas for any vehicular purpose one can imagine. Parts interchange like Legos and the aftermarket selection is endless. And, they’re just as honest and fun when restored to OEM perfection.
What is your ideal Honda Civic build?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What other forms of Japanese craftsmanship do you hold in high regard?“.
It seems that there’s no craft that Japan doesn’t excel at if they put their minds to it. It just has to be an industry that captures their attention. Some of have been around for centuries, like the woodworking that Toyotageek and Negishi no Keibajo mentioned. From the kitchen Random Rascal suggested food, particularly ramen, while Michael Jue praised Japanese knives and Speedie lauded the rice cooker.
For wearable things Kyuusha Corner gave a shout out to clothes. TheJWT and Nigel voted for watches, Seiko and Casio, respectively. Nigel also put forth Minolta cameras. Nihonnotekko brought up something we didn’t know — that Fender Japan guitars are different that what you can get stateside.
For something closer to the automotive stuff we geek out over, Taylor C. came up with plastic model kits of the automotive variety. ynori wrote an ode to the insane detail of master grade Gundam kits. Alan sang the praises of Japanese hand tools. Ambrose Null‘s house sounds incredible, a shrine to Japanese goods.
ra21benj provided a helpful shopping list of quality Japanese bicycle components, something we will definitely use. The winner this week is Darcy Coultis, who could have written ad copy for Japanese bikes:
I am a big fan of Japanese made items, I think they have the highest quality standards of anywhere in the world. apanese made bicycles are my current addiction, especially mid to late eighties Miyata brand road bikes with the triple butted splined tube frames. They not only look great with beautiful paint jobs and fit and finish but they ride different then any of the other manufacturers from the same time frame. You can just feel the difference!
Omedetou, your comment has earned you a set of decals from the JNC Shop!
A first gen Civic with RWD K24 power and an early King wide body kit, complete with wing.
Nothing can ever top the 1987 JTCC Mugen Motul Civic Si. Give me one of those with a license plate
Ok, my forbidden fruit Civic Lego is pretty simple. 9th gen Civic Tourer from Europe, but with the suspension and powertrain from the current Type-R. So, sort of the peak family express.
My friend has a stricken EG coupe that someone put a ridiculous turbo in and promptly blew everything up. The first time I saw it in his shop 6 years ago I fell in love. It’s Paradise blue/green with a lip kit and wheels that are the right size and a bronze-ish gunmetal that complement the color perfectly. I want nothing changed other than the motor. My friend goes through many motors he wants to put in, turbo, whatever. No, it needs a 2000 period correct lightly breathed on B18C1, naturally aspirated, and lightly wire tucked (nothing crazy, I’ll still need to work on it from time to time). Subtle, clean, drivable, reliable until the heat death of the sun.
I’ve made it clear that I would pay an obscene amount of money for it since he has the ability to access and install the motor with my help. But, alas, I have no indoor parking for it currently so he justifiably won’t sell it to me.
Here’s a picture of it.
https://i.imgur.com/Eakh0vZ.jpeg
1989 Civic Si, with 16 inch or 15 inch wheels maybe TE37 and an intake.
Also add some four point belts so I can do a bit of autocross over the weekend.
I am greedy, so I will have to do two builds. One would a 2001 Orthia, which is the 6th generation Civic wagon. I’d have it FWD with a Championship White Civic Type R front clip swapped over, but with a K24A TSX powertrain instead of the B16 for that extra torque. I’d swap over the Civic Type R suspension, brakes, and of course hubs so I can fit the Type R wheels over. Interior-wise I’d swap over the moonroof from Civic EX models, upgrade the instrument panel to reflect the K24, and add a nice Alpine single DIN. This would be an awesome OEM+ build, and be able to carry a smaller family and haul decent stuff.
The other car would be a 1995 USDM Civic Si Hatchback in Milano Red. I would swap in a “simple” B18C Integra GSR powertrain with full OEM intake, and add the LSD that’s in the Integra Type R. Swap over the Integra GSR brakes, add some braided brake lines and Hawk HP Plus brake pads and that would suffice. Put the Civic SiR front lip and add the fender signal markers as well. The gen-1 airbags probably aren’t the best, so I’d be very tempted to swap in a nice MOMO steering wheel and put a carbon “storage” tray” in place of the passenger airbag cover. An NSX shift knob for my palm, del Sol seats with the red stripe for my back, and an Alpine single DIN for my ears. The suspension would be Eibach Sportline, sways, and Koni Yellow shocks. The wheels would be bronze Volk Racing 15×7 +35 TE37 with 205/50 Falken RT660 tires. Come to think of it, the EG SiR 15″ hubcaps are extremely attractive as well. I was thinking of putting on a fart can, but then I wonder if I could tolerate that freeway drone.
The Super Street Civic from 1999, as it was released by Hot Wheels for their 2000 new models. Had one as a kid.
I can’t pick just one! Off the top of my head a 4G hatch with a K-series AWD swap. I owned a 4G hatch with Type-R brakes and highly upgraded suspension. The only thing it was missing was power. The little D15 was fun past 3K rpm but was never a powerhouse.
I’ll take an EF sedan, either in white, or hunter green, red pinstripe moldings and some black and gold BBS mesh wheels.
Under the hood, a mild k swap with a 6 speed & LSD. Then to keep it all in check, as much of an EP3/base RSX suspension and braking system as can be adapted.
This is my perfect daily driver and roundabout racer.
EG 4-door sedan civic inspired to look like Japan JTCC Supertouring car (low ride height). Engine would be B16B or B18C with manual 5-speed transmission. Body paint would be Leyton House Racing blue. Wheels would be 15-inch eight spoke silver RS Watanabe. Just a fun street car for cruising around in.
so far i’ve had two Honda JNC and two JNM (mopeds), i still have the oldest vision and some nifty parts from Japan on the way!
but anyways, we’re here for the Civics, my first Honda JNC was a prelude with the marvelous A18A engine and a four speed manual, i’ll lift that engine and gearbox and dunk it into my second honda JNC, the third gen Civic, mine was an 87, a light blue gorgeous little bugger on cherry blossoms (rota but for the dream build i’ll go genuine). i’ll have to completely upgrade the suspension, shed as much of the little weight it has as possible. i’ll use an Opel Manta front bumper modified to fit the civic to give it a fancy air dam and get rid of the ‘park bench’ bumper they have, maybe inject some kanjo racer style and i’ll have a sweet little daily driver/weekend toy.
what a pickle, i fell into the spam filter again.
EG hatch, ITB’d B18 built for 10k+ rippums, close-ratio sequential 6-speed, LSD, trick suspension, JACCS livery, padded, gusseted cage, harnesses, fire suppression, semi-stripped interior with A/C and three-point seatbelts for street cruises or driving to the track.
OR K20 swapped Shuttle. Dark blue dropped over white aero disc wheels of some sort. OEM+/unsponsored privateer touring car style aesthetic.
First gen 3-door Civic with a B18C from the Type R swapped in along with the 5 speed manual and all suspension components. I would add custom 3″ wide fender flares, and a MOMO Heritage Grand Prix steering wheel. Wheels are a bit harder to decide – there are too many great options.
Do wagovans count?
a 1990 civic wagovan awd with a k24a. But overland build?
2in lift
wide fenders
bull bars w/ period correct light set up
Honda phone dial rims but slightly wider (yes they will be cut and re-barreled. fantasy right?
Thule roof racks for fishing rods maybe even a camping set up?
I would love to have an SB1 Civic with a B series. I’d lower it and give it some SSR Mk-IIIs. Some tasteful fender flares all around to get a little extra tire width. Those first gen Civics are tiny and light, and with that kind of power I’m sure it would be a blast to drive.