Our second installment is out and I must admit that photographing my personal car has been one of my wishes since Matu Photography started. I always had excuses of why not to do a shoot, "mmm, my car still needs a drop...a duckbill spoiler..." the excuses go on. I dropped the BS and there you have it.
Hope you guys enjoy it.
Owner: Matias Pravia
Article by: JDM Import - http://www.jdmimport.co.za/
Photographer: Matu Photography - http://www.matuphotography.com/
JI: Matu, Good meeting up! You're no stranger to the JDM scene but some people may not know much about your ride. Tell us a bit more on why you chose the EK9 as a basis for a project?
MP: Likewise guys, honestly though this project was not so much a choice. You know the feeling when you see something you want - that desire to make it happen? - well that's exactly what happened here. I've loved this model since the word go. The lines, the stance - that engine note... I really could go on.
JI: No really, go on... we know exactly what you mean :-)
MP: Let me start by saying I waited four long years before I finally got my hands on a clean Civic VTEC - these vehicles are difficult to find in good condition.
JI: Four years is a long time to wait - it's tough to imagine how you lasted so long?
MP: I know :-) I remember driving between Johannesburg and Pretoria looking for one. I wasn't successful back then and had to settle for a 1998 160i SOHC Civic. I drove my silver monster-wannabe everywhere - my passion grew for the brand while my search for a clean VTEC continued...
MP: Likewise guys, honestly though this project was not so much a choice. You know the feeling when you see something you want - that desire to make it happen? - well that's exactly what happened here. I've loved this model since the word go. The lines, the stance - that engine note... I really could go on.
JI: No really, go on... we know exactly what you mean :-)
MP: Let me start by saying I waited four long years before I finally got my hands on a clean Civic VTEC - these vehicles are difficult to find in good condition.
JI: Four years is a long time to wait - it's tough to imagine how you lasted so long?
MP: I know :-) I remember driving between Johannesburg and Pretoria looking for one. I wasn't successful back then and had to settle for a 1998 160i SOHC Civic. I drove my silver monster-wannabe everywhere - my passion grew for the brand while my search for a clean VTEC continued...
JI: ... and a noble search it was. It was fitted with one of the pioneering motors within our industry.
MP: It definitely was. This car was originally released in South Africa in 1996 and continued sales well into 2000. The B16A6 engine came stock with 118kw and a torque figure of 160nm. This engineering shocked the local market not to mention the world. I mean where could you find a little 1600cc engine pushing out the same (and sometimes even more power) as some 2ltr engines on the roads?
Being able to take the motor clean into 8200 territory was rare on most vehicles - and let's not forget the VTEC engage point, music to anyone’s ears.
JI: Definitely! nearly 30kw per cylinder was nothing to laugh at back then (and even now). You eventually found one though, tell us more?
MP: I was so lucky! (laughs) One day I popped into JDM Tuning's garage and met a forum member who owned an immaculate 2000 Civic VTEC. He was as crazy in power as he was about his car’s condition. At that stage he was running a 300wkw B20 turbo!
Well - that same day he mentioned he was immigrating and needed to sell his car. My jaw dropped... I had to have it.
MP: It definitely was. This car was originally released in South Africa in 1996 and continued sales well into 2000. The B16A6 engine came stock with 118kw and a torque figure of 160nm. This engineering shocked the local market not to mention the world. I mean where could you find a little 1600cc engine pushing out the same (and sometimes even more power) as some 2ltr engines on the roads?
Being able to take the motor clean into 8200 territory was rare on most vehicles - and let's not forget the VTEC engage point, music to anyone’s ears.
JI: Definitely! nearly 30kw per cylinder was nothing to laugh at back then (and even now). You eventually found one though, tell us more?
MP: I was so lucky! (laughs) One day I popped into JDM Tuning's garage and met a forum member who owned an immaculate 2000 Civic VTEC. He was as crazy in power as he was about his car’s condition. At that stage he was running a 300wkw B20 turbo!
Well - that same day he mentioned he was immigrating and needed to sell his car. My jaw dropped... I had to have it.
JI: So you bought it right there and then?
MP: Not exactly - he wanted too much for the turbo setup but after some discussion (and persuasion) he sold the motor to someone else and sold the rest of the vehicle to me.
I finally got my hands on my dream car :-)
JI: What a great turn of events. What modifications followed?
MP: Without hesitation I went the CRVTEC route (B20VTEC for those not sure). We left the bottom end and head stock, fitted a great quality exhaust system and had the car dyno'd - we made 109 wheel kw that day*
*5800ft above sea level.
MP: Not exactly - he wanted too much for the turbo setup but after some discussion (and persuasion) he sold the motor to someone else and sold the rest of the vehicle to me.
I finally got my hands on my dream car :-)
JI: What a great turn of events. What modifications followed?
MP: Without hesitation I went the CRVTEC route (B20VTEC for those not sure). We left the bottom end and head stock, fitted a great quality exhaust system and had the car dyno'd - we made 109 wheel kw that day*
*5800ft above sea level.
JI: The bug bit - I'm sure it didn't end there?
MP: (laughs) Yes, around three months later I was back for more, except this time we fitted SCAT rods and some ARIAS high compression pistons. These two modifications alone pushed up CR to a healthy 12:1 and after some tuning hit 114 wheel kw.
JI: That's a healthy number, how does she drive on a day to day basis?
MP: I would go as far as saying that it’s a bit of a hardcore ride. The Skunk2 suspension is beautiful but very firm on our stunning South African roads, every bump and crack on the road is felt and now and then the kidneys take a shot. I prefer this though because you feel one with the car and road - the car really goes where you want it to go and it is so predictable in the corners.
MP: (laughs) Yes, around three months later I was back for more, except this time we fitted SCAT rods and some ARIAS high compression pistons. These two modifications alone pushed up CR to a healthy 12:1 and after some tuning hit 114 wheel kw.
JI: That's a healthy number, how does she drive on a day to day basis?
MP: I would go as far as saying that it’s a bit of a hardcore ride. The Skunk2 suspension is beautiful but very firm on our stunning South African roads, every bump and crack on the road is felt and now and then the kidneys take a shot. I prefer this though because you feel one with the car and road - the car really goes where you want it to go and it is so predictable in the corners.
JI: You mentioned a company called JDM Tuning earlier, they helped a bit?
MP: A bit would be an understatement :-) without their help the vehicle just wouldn't be at the level it is today. The owner, Jakes, has helped me every time I needed advice and has been more like a friend than a guy trying to run his business. Service has been great time and time again.
Second thanks go to the forum that made everything possible and has kept me addicted to my tec, www.myhonda.co.za. I remember being a noob and getting all the tips and opinions on different matters from experienced members.
A big thanks to www.jdmimport.co.za for making this feature possible and showing the world what South Africa has to offer.
And last but not least let's not forget the family that had to deal with me over this past 4+ years, I think they know as much about Honda's as I do by now!
MP: A bit would be an understatement :-) without their help the vehicle just wouldn't be at the level it is today. The owner, Jakes, has helped me every time I needed advice and has been more like a friend than a guy trying to run his business. Service has been great time and time again.
Second thanks go to the forum that made everything possible and has kept me addicted to my tec, www.myhonda.co.za. I remember being a noob and getting all the tips and opinions on different matters from experienced members.
A big thanks to www.jdmimport.co.za for making this feature possible and showing the world what South Africa has to offer.
And last but not least let's not forget the family that had to deal with me over this past 4+ years, I think they know as much about Honda's as I do by now!
JI: So when you hitting the track?
MP: (laughs) I've taken part in a few events already :-) I earned 4th place in a gymkhana event last year with my old setup, felt I could do a lot better attempting it again but not bad considering some of the 20 odd participants had some great vehicles to compete with.
I've also taken part in a recent open track day with my first session seeing a best time of 1:27 around the Z. With the help of a friend, Neal, we played around with tire pressures and managed a 1:25!
Unfortunately I did push a bit hard the second session spinning out twice coming hot into some corners but that said I'm officially hooked now...
JI: What's in the pipeline for this project?
MP: Definitely more gymkhana's and track day's. In terms of the vehicle itself a good set of camshafts and thinking of running an ITB setup. We need to improve my acceleration a bit - a shorter final drive with LSD is something we looking into. The exterior will see some attention with the fitment of a Spoon Carbon Fiber Wing and some EK9 Type R headlights.
JI: Good to hear the project continues - we'll definitely be watching your progress out on the track. Thanks again Matu, we appreciate your time mate!
MP: It's been great, we'll definitely catch up soon.
MP: (laughs) I've taken part in a few events already :-) I earned 4th place in a gymkhana event last year with my old setup, felt I could do a lot better attempting it again but not bad considering some of the 20 odd participants had some great vehicles to compete with.
I've also taken part in a recent open track day with my first session seeing a best time of 1:27 around the Z. With the help of a friend, Neal, we played around with tire pressures and managed a 1:25!
Unfortunately I did push a bit hard the second session spinning out twice coming hot into some corners but that said I'm officially hooked now...
JI: What's in the pipeline for this project?
MP: Definitely more gymkhana's and track day's. In terms of the vehicle itself a good set of camshafts and thinking of running an ITB setup. We need to improve my acceleration a bit - a shorter final drive with LSD is something we looking into. The exterior will see some attention with the fitment of a Spoon Carbon Fiber Wing and some EK9 Type R headlights.
JI: Good to hear the project continues - we'll definitely be watching your progress out on the track. Thanks again Matu, we appreciate your time mate!
MP: It's been great, we'll definitely catch up soon.
The mod list
Engine
B20B block with B16A head
SCAT Rods
ARIAS High CR Pistons
S4C gearbox 4.266 final drive
Competition Clutch Ultralight Flywheel
JDM Power Chamber induction
Dicktator engine management
Energy mount inserts
Brakes / Suspension / Chassis
Skunk2 Pro S version II Coilovers
5-piece strut bar combo kit
Megan Racing control arms
Wheels
15” Spoon SW-388 reps
Interior
Stock VTEC seats
Momo Race 3000 steering wheel
Skunk2 short shifter and weighted gear knob
Sparco pedals
Exterior
OEM EK9 Type R grille
OEM EK9 Type R front and rear lip
The figures
Power 114 kw at the wheels (7500rpm).
Torque 188 nm at the wheels (6000rpm).
The Gallery
B20B block with B16A head
SCAT Rods
ARIAS High CR Pistons
S4C gearbox 4.266 final drive
Competition Clutch Ultralight Flywheel
JDM Power Chamber induction
Dicktator engine management
Energy mount inserts
Brakes / Suspension / Chassis
Skunk2 Pro S version II Coilovers
5-piece strut bar combo kit
Megan Racing control arms
Wheels
15” Spoon SW-388 reps
Interior
Stock VTEC seats
Momo Race 3000 steering wheel
Skunk2 short shifter and weighted gear knob
Sparco pedals
Exterior
OEM EK9 Type R grille
OEM EK9 Type R front and rear lip
The figures
Power 114 kw at the wheels (7500rpm).
Torque 188 nm at the wheels (6000rpm).
The Gallery
Wallpapers
1440 x 900:
1920 x 1200:
1 comments:
Great shots mate! Still one of the neatest EK's I've seen locally. Keep it up.
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