Being different is a thing that a lot of people would like to do with their tuner car build. When building a popular chassis, such as the popular EM1 platform, it is especially hard to do a thing that is not often duplicated and seen as a cookie-cutter build. When Michael Schietroma took around the challenge, he nailed it. This is not something which came easy by any means for Michael. Having a build stretching out over eight lengthy years, Michael learned the true definition of patience. This is not at all something most 18-year-olds because of their first car are OK with even though is not always the way it goes.
Originally from Southern California, Michael’s introduction to modified cars originated hanging out with his older brother after relocating to Tucson, AZ, at the young age. Of course, at a young age you want to follow in the footsteps of the people you gaze up to. Being that his brother was into Hondas for some time, it made it a simple choice of which car to choose once he turned 18. A junior in senior high school, Michael was ready to buy his first car. He was looking for a good, clean Civic Si, and it had to be the exclusive Electron Blue Pearl color. One of his brother’s friends just happened to be selling a clean, bone-stock ’99 Electron Blue Pearl Civic Si, as fate might have it. The purchase was made immediately. It was a great start for thein any way, Michael was already going to modify the automobile. Within the first month he already had a set of Tein Basic coilovers on how you can pair with many 5Zigen 5ZR Copses. High-end parts would be something Michael would soon notice more while spectating at some of the larger high-end car shows, such as Hot Import Nights and NOPI. This is where he began to begin to see the difference name-brand parts make on a car versus having cheap knock-off parts like most seem to be Comfortable with. What really set the direction just for this Civic was when he visited a shop in Phoenix called ICB Motorsport, where he met Matt, the owner of your shop. After touring the facility, which is loaded with rare, high-end JDM parts, Michael immediately knew exactly what he wanted to do with the car. He was done buying cheap knock-off lips and wheels. He wanted the real-deal Holyfield.
While trying to keep a brand-name theme with the car, the two main JDM manufacturers he had to choose from were Mugen and Spoon Sports. For Michael’s outlook on style, Spoon Sports was an easy choice. This does not say that getting the parts was easy though. Still in high school with only an entry-level part-time job, this is when Michael was required to wait it all out with all the parts to get what exactly he wanted. Obviously, this paid off eventually, because this car is nothing lower than awesome.many years to come Michael pieced together his vision of perfection. Sticking with the original five-spoke design of the 5ZR Copses, Michael threw on some 16×7 45 JDM Desmond Regamaster Evos laced with 205/40-16 Yokohama Parada Spec-2 tires. These were then finished off with a collection of Project Kics R-40 Neo Chrome lug nuts. These lug nuts cost about as much as some your typical everyday Rota wheels, but Michael didn’t care-he wanted only the best. , even though why stop at some JDM wheels and fancy lug nuts Michael also added Spoon Sports Twin Block big brakes to complete the complete package. Then he moved on to incorporate a Backyard Special front bumper, that is FRP having an integrated carbon Kevlar front lip, as well as a Wings West rear spoiler. Sticking with simple yet elegant exterior modifications, Michael added a host of JDM Civic Type R parts including door visors, thin side moldings, and headlights. Completing the exterior style department are a set of Vision Technica Type MC mirrors along with a Spoon Sports windshield banner.
Moving to the interior you will discover Vision Technica seats draped with Takata harnesses, mounted on a Sparco harness bar, Spoon Sports steering wheel, and wide-view mirror. Not stopping there, Michael added another lot of Civic Type R parts, such as a carbon gauge bezel, shift boot, airbag tray, and e-brake boot and handle. Of course, what exactly is a street car without a stereo system? Michael also added a JVC head unit with JL Audio C2 speakers to help keep it neat and simple.
From the engine bay you will find numerous JDM accessories that your jaw will likely hit the floor. Hiding underhood is an arsenal of Spoon Sports parts. From the fluid caps to the valve cover, it pretty much has it all. A few of the features that stand out most include the Spoon Sports strut bar, carbon Kevlar plug cover, intake elbow, and radiator hoses. Be sure to notice the details, like theFor that more performance-minded modifications, Michael went with a set of Skunk2 Cams using their Pro Series titanium gears. He also added an AEBS intake manifold/throttle-body combo having a Vision Technica 4-into-1 header that feeds into a Spoon Sports street type exhaust system. Tuned by Evan Smith at ES Tuned using a Hondata S300, the vehicle put down a healthy 167 whp. As a way to handle the additional strain on the driveline, Michael added a set of Hasport engine mounts along with an Exedy clutch with a Fidanza flywheel. Keeping the engine cool can be a Koyo radiator mixed with a Spoon Sports fan and thermostat switch. Michael also desired to give the car a tighter, sportier feel while utilizing the extra power. He installed an ASR subframe brace with Function 7 lower control arms, Buddy Club upper control arms, as well as a Spoon Sports tie bar to finish it well.
In 2008, while still building the car, Michael was contacted by Spoon Sports for his car in becoming officially Spoon Sports certified. A lot of you might be curious just what it means to be Spoon Sports Certified. The best solution: It is sort of a badge of honor. It’s a prestigious status only awarded for the true Spoon Sports enthusiast. One cannot simply call in and become a part of this exclusive family. Spoon Sports hand-selects each vehicle to become part of the family and extends the invite to sign up for up. This entails a compact fee to have the exclusive serial numbered plate shipped and made to your door. The numbers on the plate are then tagged in Spoon Sports’ database to your specific car and your authentic parts are logged within the vehicle. Only about 3 percent of Spoon Sports customers get the invite.
Inspired by his family of automotive enthusiasts, Michael was able to complete exactly what is now a properly-formed, simple yet elegant Spoon Sports Certified Civic Si. Even if you don’t have a big interest in Hondas, you can appreciate this build. In the end it absolutely was all worth it to Michael. He still loves the drives and car it at all times.