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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.

After decades in the workforce, you deserve to treat yourself when you retire. Great thing is that there are several great things that will make you really feel like a kid again, all when you will no longer have to go in the office every single day.

1. Motorcycles

A lot of people dream all of their life about going on the open road with their motorcycles. Many Baby Boomers are now living this dream in their retirement by obtaining the motorcycles they always dreamed of and travelling. Instead of happening boring tours on a bus, you can enjoy going where you want, when you want – without a tour guide. Get started on planning your epic road trip and get yourself a motorcycle.

2. A Sports Car

The great thing about being older is that you will have the financial ability to buy yourself a sports vehicle. That does not mean, however, that you have to spend your entire savings on a luxury car. With the Nissan 370Z, which you can find at metronissanredlands.com, you can aquire a hot sports car with great mileage for way under a typical sports vehicle. There is a good convertible model, for if you want to really showcase. Find out more about the Nissan 370Z by going to http://metronissanredlands.com.

3. A Dream Vacation Home

One of the best ways that you can live it up within your retirement is to find a vacation home someplace that you simply love to visit. If you know that exist away from everything to your favorite place for some alone time with those you love, whether skiing is the thing or you would rather remain in the tropics, you can really enjoy your retirement. You can even rent your place in the market to visitors when you find yourself not staying there for some extra income.

Four months ago, Darren Yoo’s BMW 335i was the dopest 3-Series we’d come across in North America. 600whp, single-turbo converted and a WTCC carbon-fiber widebody–we didn’t think every other current-gen Bimmer could catch our attention like it. But we were proven wrong after discovering this E92 M3 at Wekfest, only to find out it’s owned and built by Darren, too!

Darren parted ways with his 335 to meet his dream about owning BMW’s ultimate driving machine (you realize, the M3! ). While it could have been a step back for Darren (bone stock and less power), nothing beats the sporty feel, look and status of any M3. Darren made the jump and at the same time, it reallysome other kits around, Darren explained. The kit looks perfect from every angle!

Darren was able to witness the unveiling of the first two Liberty Walk cars built by his go-to shop LT Motorwerks (LTMW). Liberty Walk founder Wataru Kato was visiting the shop from Japan at the same time and made such a positive impression on Darren, he had to have it. Months later, the blueprint was mapped in the market to build the following Liberty Walk car. When all the parts arrived, LTMW had a week to install the kit, paint it and add all of the bolt-ons before it was to becomeConcurrently, LTMW added its signature bumper alternative to the 3-Series–a combination of two OEM bumpers that have been grafted together to search like the 1M but fit like factory on the 3-Series. The exterior was painted OE Laguna Seca blue–one that has significant meaning to Darren. I was at my restaurant one day and saw this blue car just driving by, Before I was even just in the BMW scene. I said to myself ‘wow, that car sounds awesome and this color is beautiful.’ That’s when someone explained it was an M3 and that’s after i started to check out BMWs. So, i assumed for this build it would be the right opportunity for me to paint my first M3 the same color as the first M3 I fell and saw in love with. A job well done, as the color looks fantastic, and flows with the aggressive motorsport-themed kind of the car.the right pair of wheels wasn’t an easy job either but Darren sourced a set of 19 Work Brombachers. The rears were rebarreled with 7 outers to widen the rims from 11.5 to 13.5. Then, LTMW wrapped up the car with all the best goodies–StopTech big brakes, 500 whp supercharger kit, KW coilovers, Recaro seats and a beefy rollbar.

We’ll admit, there isn’t a bunch of custom focus on Darren’s car but it offers the right mix of high quality parts to do just fine. Add the reality that LTMW only had five days to complete the car; this M3 is unquestionably one of our favorite Euro builds of the year.

I first met Scott Giles at a car show in downtown Cincinnati a few winters back. His jovial demeanor, encyclopedia-like knowledge of suspension components, affinity once and for all craft beer, and acute attention to things automotive caused me to take a liking to him almost immediately. We paid little heed to all of the gossamer, technologically laden, and blatantly modern automotive offerings scattered around us on the showroom floor, when we talked. They held little interest to us, with Scott being particularly indifferent. Here was actually a guy who was a firmly devout, fire-breathing believer in a old-school chassis. The only reason he was at the demonstrate that day was to plug the neighborhood SCCA chapter. He kept grumbling in my opinion about how modern cars were too heavy, and just how manufacturers concentrate on technology and power instead of weight stealth and savings. After conversing with Scott for roughly an hour, I finally told him who I was and who I wrote for as an automotive journalist. Realization sank in thicker than smoke off a drag car’s slicks, and Scott suddenly got a mischievous look on his face. He looked around, leaned in, and whispered to me, Honda Tuning, huh? Well shit man, you gotta see my wife’s CRX.

So apparently Scott does the majority of the wrenching on the rustic beauty you can see here, along with hisRenee and wife, does a lot of the racing. She trusts him with all of the R&fabrication and D, while he consequently trusts her to not place the car to the scrap yard. When I asked Scott why they opted to race such an outdated chassis, his response was both direct and rewarding at the same time. If you have the motivation, time and energy and skill, you can have a cheap, old car and make it as fast as almost anything out there. It’s really rewarding and fun to do that … and nothing beats old Hondas. I guess you will be starting to understand why I liked this guy so much. From here, Scott continued at great length in regards to the accomplishments they have obtained making use of their oversized doorstop. Renee has experienced Second and Third Place finishes with the SCCA Solo National Championships, is Southeast SCCA Solo Divisional Champion, and has had multiple divisional and regional SCCA Solo class wins using this car. Together we are the SCCA American Road Race of Champions Enduro Champions, have landed four SCCA Club Racing class wins, and recently we were awarded the Atlanta Region SCCA Rookie of the season, as well as Atlanta Region SCCA Driver of Year. At that point Scott took an in-depth breath and after that he continued, I won us one third Place finish at the SCCA Solo National Championships, was Southeast SCCA Solo Divisional Champion and three time Great Lakes SCCA Solo Divisional Champion. This car has also won me three SCCA Solo National Tour wins, the Ohio Governor’s Cup (SCCA Solo), the crown as NASA East Coast Honda Challenge Champion and SCCA ITSpectacular Champion, as well as VIR 13 Hour Enduro class win as a team driver. Oh, and then there was 14 SCCA and NASA Club Racing wins that it car made possible. Geez, these guys have been busy! Now that we understand how much ass this trifecta ofwife and husband, and CRX have kicked, I only had one remaining question: Why isto begin with, the Gruesome Twosome are experienced track day instructors for SCCA, PCA, NASA and BMWCCA sanctioned events. They are firm believers that data acquisition is overrated and that a real race car can be fine-tuned by feel alone. They already know that in their line of racing, merely a touch of the brakes can ruin your big win, especially when an apex is pulling you toward an ideal exit speed. Scott and Renee know that getting better handling from an already lightweight chassis, and using a peppy little 130-whp powerplant makes it possible for them to snuff out the competition. Yeah, you heard right. 130 whp. After several in-depth interviews using this team of tarmac Tasmanian Devils, I could attest that this really is correctly of going about things. I have also seen this car and Renee’s skills behind the wheel with the local track, and they destroyed the competition! One and only thing that held its own against them was (surprise, surprise) a dented up old Civic hatchback with a lot of suspension mods.

So to the car itself, and every miniscule to massive mod which has been bolted onto its frame. Just to offer you a heads up, this car only weighs 1,498 pounds, and is probably undergoing more liposuction while we speak. It possesses a 1.5L engine from 1986 that is home to all 130 horses, and 120 lbs-ft tq. There are obscure upgrades like OEM aluminum HF rear drum brakes, an OBD0 conversion using a completely one-off distributor, and micro-sized 13×6-inch Volk TE37s. There are also a good number of custom suspension upgrades worth noting on this car. In the forefront, Koni custom re-valved and shortened shocks, and Eibach coilovers respond to many of the handling. But outside of the obvious upgrades you can find little things like custom caster/camber plates, chassis specific Delrin bushings, along with a fully adjustable rear Panhard bar that can help make the already sharp handling of the CRX that more precise. And with an upgraded 1.25/1 HF steering rack quickener into position, this little monster truly corners enjoy it is on rails.

1985 honda CRX HF deleted bumper lights and beamsIf he was considering some serious power mods down the line, i asked Scott about his modest powerband and. To get completely honest with you, we haven’t found ourselves needing any more power. This car gets around speed beautifully, it out handles anything about the track on any given day, and it is insanely reliable. It is actually so simplistic that it can easily be fixed in no time flat. Scott did add that his collection of parts for this car have skyrocketed in recent years, because when something on a chassis that is this rare and old breaks, you can’t go down to the regional auto store and order a new part, and even when something does break. You must source them from from state, hit the junkyard with every spare moment you have, while keeping a running list in the back of your mind concerning what you need to look for next.

So what have we overlooked thus far? Then why not those custom-flared fiberglass wheel arches, the custom cam, unique exhaust, one-off engine mounts, and Mugen limited slip. That list alone lets you know this car means business. And if you look closely, you will notice that you can find quite a few components missing from your equation too. Things like sideview mirrors, headlights, door windows, a vacuum brake booster, and any plush interior amenities that are now nonexistent. Everything that is left is just one lean, mean, ass-kicking machine.

Finding the right car for your family isn’t easy. Many people who aren’t car enthusiasts don’t even know which kind of car they are interested in when they start out to get a new one. They only know they’re old car isn’t cutting it anymore and they must find something diffrent. There’s good news for you; even if you don’t know what sort of car you want, it’s still possible to find your dream car, if you happen to get caught in this class of car buyers. With a little motivation, some research, and the help of professionals at your local Fiat dealer, you can get a car you didn’t know you generally wanted.

Start by visiting a dealership website, like www.ocfiat.com. You can see all the different vehicles that they offer and begin to get an idea of stuff you like. Think of what your household needs. Who all will probably be driving the automobile? Will you utilize it for activities? Are you experiencing several people that will be riding frequently or just one person? Are you currently concerned about fuel efficiency? These types of questions will definitely help you learn to narrow it down. You’ll also get to see all the details for each vehicle on the internet and the specifications will help you realize what you like as well. Once you’ve started narrowing it down by going to http://www.ocfiat.com, you can visit your Fiat dealership and talk with their expert staff about your likes and dislikes. With their guidance you can really find a car that your whole family will like and you’ll be happy with for years, although you may started out with no idea everything you were looking for. Your dream car is just a little research and a few test drives away.

Stance is definitely an odd topic, especially for me. I’m not entirely in love with the craze either, even though i’m no hater. In my opinion, stance is almost one of those particular debates that might be as relatable as chocolate vs. vanilla. The folks with “hella stance” believe their method is entirely radical, as well as the folks flaunting function and form feel anything with “hella” in it is a complete travesty. Despite the fact that we are all under the same umbrella of car enthusiasts, our world is almost completely divided between something as simple as ride height and camber settings, or in the case of choc vs. vanil-“flavor.” But hey, to each his own right,. That’s yet what blows my thoughts even more than hanging out with Sam Du to get a weekend? And rather than trying to come up with some fancy story of what flavor wins the greatest contest, I’m going to inform you why pure enthusiasts build our community, and why ice cream is so damn good.

For a lot of of you, regardless of what spectrum you’re on, this probably isn’t the first time you’ve seen Armand’s slammed widebody MR2. Though the wheels have recently been updated, the build has graced the pages of many popular stance sites and contains been whored throughout your Facebook feed time and time again. Either you’ve looked up to it and drooled over how perfect the fitment is, or you’ve been one of many horrible Internet haters commenting about how he’s completely ruined his MR2. In my case, I have got no opinion or statement other than the reality that Armand Pranadi is a full blown enthusiast through and thru with outrightTruth be told, my location ended up being the opposite of the things I had expected. The canyon road was janky, loaded with potholes and barely had a single accomplish for proper shooting time. Immediately, I knew this wasn’t the best situation for a stancey car (my fault), but Armand remained more positive than I ever could’ve been, and didn’t offer a single F as we winded through the narrow blinding turns. It’s static, entirely static and daily driven on a collection of custom fabricated coilovers,. That’s see, one of many great things about this widebody MR2. And I truly believe it takes a lot of like to risk a flawless body for a single photoshoot.

DD’ing a car like this in the LA area is additionally pretty ballsy on its own with the amount of theft that continues on around here. The body is undoubtedly an authentic TRD GT2000 widebody kit, the engine has an upgraded turbo along with a bunch of other goodies, the interior has certainly been upgraded to fit the bill and people new Blitz wheels are fully custom barreled. If any of these parts were ever snatched, naturally, it would be a tremendous inconvenience. Through cracked split and bumpers fenders, the wing on this car is actually the clearest illustration of how much life it really sees. See what happened was, after having a night on the town, an intoxicated friend actually decided to lean on the wing (doh! ) causing it to snap by 50 % (doh! !). And furthermore, as it’s a very rare piece only available in Japan, Armand has found himself struggling for any replacement.

Basically If I lost y’all in my opening ice cream analogy, with all done and said, I apologize. What I’m really trying to say is that though this car may not have originally been my exact cup of tea, I wound up falling deeply in love with it solely by the amount of a true enthusiast the owner was. By how much love he had for all things automotive and just how much respect and patience was given. You could have a monster trucked-out Armand’s and S13 still going to be excited about what you’re doing-and that’s how it ought to be. The majority of us are all enthusiasts and we all love frozen treats. Stance is definitely his current flavor of preferencecontrols; NRG quick release hub.

Thanks You Steven Pan, Tee Giang, Jeevy Bathan from ETL Garage, ABC Bodyshop and also to all my friends who have supported me as you go along.

With Porsche’s extensive but overlapping model lineup, it can be challenging to choose a chariot of choice. Obviously, some purists won’t drive anything besides the 911 but we think a true enthusiast is somebody who’ll drive whatever they believe provides the best experience – the car that creates you giggle when its limits are explored.

We’re certainly not saying the 911 isn’t one of these brilliant cars, but we’d also suggest you explore the Cayman S, which many regard as a special car with a more capable and rewarding chassis.collection of thought was Donny Mak, who purchased his ’07 Cayman S new. Like many of us, he didn’t want to modify it but simply couldn’t help himself.

Taking small steps, Donny tackled the key areas on the car, starting within theThe Right Package

Sure, it isn’t a lot of suspension work but the Cayman is amongst the best handling cars we’ve ever driven so it doesn’t need much to take it to the next level.

Weighing just 2976 lb through the factory, the Cayman S is a fun car to get, but with only 295hp from your mid-mounted, 3.4L Boxer six, -60mph in 5.1sec is definitely not to brag about. What the car needed had been a 400hp choice to effortlessly pull sales outside the 911, and that’s where TPC Racing from Jessup, MD can be purchased in.

2007 porsche cayman s bolt in rollcage 11

2007 porsche cayman s motor lux carbon diffuser 06

2007 porsche cayman s OMP steering wheel 10

TPC owner, Mike Levitas, drove inside the IMSA Supercar Series inside the late ’80s and early ’90s, owning several teams and was responsible for turbo programs on racing beasts like the Mazda RX7, Lotus Esprit and Mosler Consulier GTP. Therefore it will come as no surprise that he or she also designed a turbocharger kit for the Cayman, a car who had intrigued him for a while…

For about $10,000, TPC can offer its stage 2 turbo kit that includes the turbocharger, liquid-to-air intercooler, cat-back exhaust system, cast intake plenum, bigger fuel injectors and an ECU flash tune. It’s a bolt-on system and is claimed to boost the Cayman S to 460hp at the rear wheels from ais completely transformed, Donny told us. It just picks up and goes now! And with boost coming on as early as 3500rpm, holding strong to redline, the Cayman now spins its tires all the way through second gear, despite having its insane wheel and tire setup.

I know the guys at Avant Garde Wheels, Donny explained. They told me basically if i drew a wheel design they’d come up with a custom looking for me. So with Donny’s deep-rooted love for the BBS RS wheel, he designed something similar and Avant Garde delivered a totally one-off set of 20×8.5 front and 20×11 rear wheels wrapped in Nitto Invo tires, sized 235/30 and 285/20, respectively.

Donny knew his Cayman was already unique, but he didn’t stop there.The Perfect Package

Then he added Motor Lux dry-carbon mirrors, side vents, side skirts, roof spoiler and rear diffuser. However, things are slightly overwhelmed by the 997 Cup Car rear wing mounted on custom CNC aluminum uprights. So not only does Donny’s Cayman probably outperform a 911 Turbo, we’ve also have got to say it seems more like a supercar also.

The mod bug didn’t allow Donny to leave the inner untouched. Inside, you’ll get a bolt-in rollcage to stiffen the chassis and add safety for track stints, along with an SPA fire suppression system. There are also Rennline mats and a B&M short shifter. The inner trim was then painted Porsche Birch Green, matching the brake calipers and adding a splash of color to the white-out Cayman.

Once completed, Donny had hit every area and realized his vision of your ultimate Cayman, creating a car unlike any we’ve seen. At the root of it, we’re enthusiasts too, and a 460hp Cayman turbo sounds excellent right now, although we’re 911 fans here!

What makes a celebrity a celebrity? It’s how they carry themselves and exactly how they act, and even most importantly, how they look. When you get a few bucks coming in, you can start spending it on things that make you seem even bigger than you are. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy of legendary stature. So if you want to seem like a big shot or even a big deal, you gotta first act like one. If you have great wealth, but most of us don’t gain access to that, and then we gotta fake it, this can be done. Here are some methods to seem bigger than you are so that maybe you’ll eventually be that big.

Dress the Part

You can’t dress like a schlub and have people think you’re anything but a schlub. Look at New York hipsters – they dress in fancy expensive clothes that are designed to look casual and away from the beaten path. But those tank tops and skinny jeans are in fact ~$100 garments bought with their parents’ trust fund money. Don’t be fooled! You can’t actually just go in to a Goodwill and walk out using a cool, hipster wardrobe. At a few other consignment places that will sell you some cool clothes more inside the $20-$30 range, even though with the proper eye, you can find good quality stuff probably not at Goodwill. Or even going to H&M is not a bad call. Their whole market brand is looking European and sharp but being terrible quality but it really doesn’t matter because you no less than will be looking cool because the stitching comes undone.

Have a Slightly – But Only Slightly – Second Hand Car

You will not impress anyone with a 18 year-old Honda Odyssey you bought from the grandmother because she’s blind and can’t drive anymore. However, should you need a new set of wheels, you must go ahead and get something several model yrs old. You will save tons on that monthly car payment, and this kind of savings can be used to shop at H&M. It all comes full circle. Check out www.ocauto.com and you’ll see that the prices on cars even just 2 or 3 years old are way more reasonable than something fresh from the boat. Or off the trailer. You get the theory. It’s always a good idea to start shopping at www.ocauto.com and move from there.

iPhone yes, Verizon no

You need to have an iPhone if you want any sort of stature in this world. I am talking about, you look at someone using a Samsung and also you can’t help but wonder: do you even have any self respect? Get back to your basement! But though we all agree you have to have an apple iphone, that doesn’t mean you have to pay the exorbitant prices for Verizon or, God forbid, AT&T. You may use T Mobile or Sprint. Though their service is laughably bad, you save money as soon as you hop on your buddy’s wifi, it won’t really matter that no one has thought to build a Sprint tower in your city.

When most people think of the North American car scene, images of car shows at the Queen Mary, meets at In-N-Out, and track events at Willow Springs may initially come to mind. Seldom will Canadian-built cars end up being the first thought as defining factors in current styles and trends. The reason, however, that the Great White North tends to fade into the background is not due to incompetence, but their ability and modesty to hold secrets. To allow the cat out of the bag, so to speak, Canada has more than a few incredibly well-engineered cars, which are neither documented in forum build threads nor attend car shows but they are easily on par with many SoCal builds built simply for the enjoyment of ownership. Vincent Ong’s S2000 is a great instance of what Canada has to offer, proving that world-class Honda builds are definitely not restricted to the us and Japan.

Vincent was originally born in the Philippines to a family of car enthusiasts. He fondly recalls receiving toy Tonka and cars trucks to play with as a child. His father owned a bakery, but also had a garage where he kept his many cars; it was there that Vincent realized his passion for everything automotive. To state that Vincent has oil in his blood is not just a poetic way of describing his passion; it’s actually quite literal. When Vincent was just five years old he was helping his father change a wheel when his hand slipped off the tire iron and launched a sizable gash in his index finger. The cut eventually healed with little scarring, but to this particular day the oil that had been on the end of the tool is still embedded within his skin.many years of living inOntario and Canada, the Ong family moved back to the Philippines. This relocation, however, was a short stint. Upon realizing the pollution’s impact on their health, the Ongs decided to check out British Columbia, Canada, where they have been calling home since.

A few years later, Vincent was finally of sufficient age to start driving and choose a car of his very own. Surprisingly, he chose to accept a hand-me-down ’89 Camry. It was beautiful, he says, joking about its condition but with no trace of regret, fondly recalling just how much oil it leaked. Vincent says a refill was necessary each day when leaving for school. Still, in order to build his dream car, vincent understood the importance of doing well in class for the sake of his future career–and driving a Camry to high school graduation was a small price to cover: the Honda S2000. Vincent’s first experience with the S2000 was when his brother-in-law purchased one the first year they were on sale. From the moment Vincent rode in the car, he knew he had to have one.

Vincent began purchasing parts for his future car prior to ownership, such as a titanium exhaust as well as a Spoon S-Tai front bumper. Vincent endured, finally finding an ’07 model with only 5,000 kilometers around the clock, though waiting for the ideal car in becoming available for sale can be a frustrating experience. The bumper and exhaust were immediately installed, and Vincent took his car in the market to the track. After the first session, he knew he was hooked, and although he found the S2000 to be very capable on the track in stock form, he knew the car was far from complete, especially in the aesthetics department. If you’re having fun in a car, you might as well look great doing it in which we wholeheartedly agree, vincent explained that .the very first track day, BC Racing coilovers, RPF1s and RE11s, were ordered and installed. He or she is the first to admit that he is anything but mechanically inclined, although vincent is adamant about doing all the work to his car himself. Everything Vincent did to this car has been his first time together with the specific task, from changing oil to repairing fiberglass and even the supercharger install. Vincent operates under the pretense that if I can follow instructions, I could put an automobile together. The Spoon fenders for this car were actually a damaged set that he found took and used the opportunity to learn how to work with fiberglass. Of course, virtually nothing ever went smoothly. He gained the ability that now allows him to help other folks with their cars, which he quickly points out is as rewarding as feeling the real difference the parts make when driving the car, though he confesses that many parts took him triple some time it should normally take to install.

The aforementioned Spoon bumper and RPF1s are no longer about the car (since you may have noticed). After several years of ownership, Volk Racing TE37s and a Voltex Circuit front bumper replaced them. Vincent admits that although he had his eyes about the Volks and Voltex bumper for a time, he decide to enjoy the Enkei and Spoon counterparts so long as he could. It’s in this same mind-set that he chooses to really benefit from the affect each part has on his car one at a time, never purchasing and installing multiple parts at once. Vincent credits his parents for raising him well: When investing in clothes and stuff, you enjoy them as long as you can. I can believe that this practice really helps make the most of owning and modifying a car–particularly when combined with the make everything yourself rule that Vincent has looking for his time he shares with his car.

Living where snow and salt is a yearly occurrence, Vincent also owns an ’07 Civic to the winter months. Nicknamed the Snow Bunny because it’s cute and white, it’s the polar opposite of his S2000. Developing a second car allows him to perform all of the major modifications to the S2000 while it’s safely in their garage, so he takes advantage of this downtime to plan a project every winter. The quality of work Vincent puts into his car is unreal; the volume of patience he has is extraordinary, never settling for good enough or second best. A fantastic example of this resolve is the original exhaust manifold that is still in the car in the end these years; (he is awaiting a certain discontinued ASM header to pop up for sale). We are able to say undeniably in our minds that there are only a few people who put such deliberate thought into how they can enjoy their car as much as possible. From the short time we spent with Vincent, photographing and talking about his car, the eye to detail he puts into his car was obvious in the other facets of his life, his daily grind being a civil engineer designing highways (perhaps this is why Canada has such nice roads! ), along with his passion for culinary arts. Since you can probably guess from Vincent’s attitude if it come to his car, it will probably be a are employed in progress till the day he no longer owns it. Until that day, we will definitely look forward to see what he does with it next.

It all started when I is in 5th grade, says Ethan Hamilton, owner of this 2002 RSX Type-S. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was lying inside my family’s den-room floor watching television with my mother when the RSX commercial popped-up on the screen. I saw the (RSX) and instantly fell in love with it. I turned to my mom and told her that I would one day own one of these cars.

For the most part, you wouldn’t think much of just what a kid in 5th grade thought about his dream car because kids can be pretty fickle at that age. They want and ask for one thing and then ignore it moments later. It will require a special form of determination for a person to have a dream in their younger yearsIf I really wanted something, I’d must set a goal for myself whilst keeping to it, I remember my mom telling me that. From that day on I began saving money and well, I assume you can claim that I did it. Hamilton declares.

The whole thing sounds a little too fairy tale-ish, and is particularly, but his journey to acquiring his dream car wasn’t exactly that simple. See, by age 15, Ethan had already saved-up enough for the car-it just wasn’t an RSX because he didn’t have quite enough yet. Instead, he settled on the 1998 Accord commuter vehicle to get around in while he continued to save lots of for his DC5. Once his senior year of high school rolled around, he had saved up only enough. The Accord had seen the ravages of any adolescent youth so it was time to retire it looking at the daily duties. Ethan then found an RSX inside the exact Satin Silver Metallic finish he had and wanted his dad provide him a lift 4 hours north of Alabama to go get it. He recalls, Once I got myself the car, I had one dollar left in my savings along with a dollar during my checking account! To state that I was ‘broke’ could have been a gross understatement.

Fortunately for Hamilton, he didn’t stay broke for very long and found ways to acquire more funding for his dream build. He was still living out his days as being a high school senior and spent every dime he earned on parts. Like a lot of us, he would sacrifice an effective meal in the interest of his ride and whenever the holidays or a birthday rolled around, he just asked for money to put into the car. Shortly after, Ethan found himself with a nice group ofto be effective so he could fund his automotive addiction. Every paycheck went into the car and all seemed well-that is, until he took a fateful drive with his friends that might ultimately alter the entire direction of his build. I was cruising around with some friends and my buddy Paul was begging me to have on the car to see how quickly it was. Such as an idiot, I downshifted to First and hammered on the gas. I went full throttle into Second gear, then tried going into Third, but missed and accidentally downshifted to First. For any college student with limited funds, it wasn’t the best scenario to be in, although that was basically the end of my K20 motor. He can laugh about it now. Hamilton’s mom saw how hard he worked and how much he loved his car, so she gave him the green light to use his school credit card to finance his engine build so long as he paid it off with time.

Ethan opened the motor to find that he or she had dropped three valves and ruined the cylinder head. Before installing some 11.7, the bottom end was still okay so he machined it to 87mm: 1 Wiseco pistons. He then acquired a new K20A cylinder head and upgraded all of the valvetrain components to back up a collection of Kelford 179-B cams. He’d taken a ride in certain other cars equipped with the same cams and loved how they performed. While the motor was out of his RSX, Hamilton also spent the time to cleanup his engine bay. He shaved some parts of it allow it a cleaner appearance and opted to remove his powerheat and steering, air-conditioning, and ABS system before re-spraying the bay. After the motor went back in, it looked such as an entirely new car beneath the hood.

In hindsight I can’t claim that I totally regret blowing my motor. Obviously, it would have been better if I had just built my motor later but things just happen. I took it as a learning experience and I’m proud to say which i built my own motor and did basically everything to the car on my own. I started out as simply a high school kid with a dream and now I am just a technician for a Honda dealership. The automobile is tuned now to I’m and 230whp getting used to generating power. I still drive my RSX all the time and i also find myself falling crazy about the car yet again. I have some big plans for it, including a new aero kit and all of, so I’m excited for what’s ahead.

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