C Meets West: A True Honda Aftermarket Throwback

Hondas have a weird way of sticking to people who’ve enjoyed driving them growing up. You’d think that these cars would be best for young guys working their way up and starting their careers, and eventually they’d move up to another platform and forget their front-wheeled roots. Pay enough attention though and you’ll notice an interesting trend with these vehicles: The guys who could afford ‘better’ cars are instead circling back and going all out with their H builds instead. Such is the appeal of nostalgia and the glory days of modification that there are now several builds in town that take these pocket rockets towards another level of quality.

Now armed with deeper pockets and more knowledge, those who can afford a proper Honda now go for the top of the food chain: The Type R. Type Rs have always been on a pedestal as far as the hierarchy of Hondas are concerned. Being the limited, race-oriented version of otherwise pedestrian vehicles, this vividly red R badge has inspired generations of enthusiasts to emulate and extract the true performance potential of the rest of Honda’s lineup. Seeing as Hondas comprise a healthy portion of our local community, original Type R models in town are revered and coveted by many. You’d think though that those who bought these special models would be content with a few choice modifications, but let’s face it: that just doesn’t make for a ‘complete’ Honda ownership experience, does it?

The pair of Type Rs you see here are owned by folks that have been there and done that as far as the aftermarket scene is concerned. Over the years they’ve honed and perfected the art of the build with a healthy sampling of other platforms, yet eventually they went back to their Honda roots; But this time with none of the shady backyard modifications or sub-par parts. Going about a Honda build while making the effort to stand out and be unique can get quite difficult, but if you know your aftermarket there’s always bound to be a different option – as this pair demonstrates.

Our main gripe with your average Honda is the fact that modifying it can get a little bit too ‘cookie cutter’ as far as exterior choices go. It’s almost always predictable to see a Honda with Rota Slipstreams, a scavenger pipe, speedholes, or worse, a deleted rear bumper for “drag reduction”. These cars all end up looking the same and uninspired despite all the aftermarket parts thrown in. On the flipside, there are guys who truly dig into their catalogs, do their research, and pick out certain pieces that make for a unique look. Beyond the textbook Spoon or Mugen pieces, Honda tuning in the late 90’s to early ‘00s have a treasure trove of other parts; And these two Type Rs both took to a much-underrated aero shop for most of their exterior bits: C-West.

This white EK9 Civic Type R has been with JP Pangilinan for the longest time. Being one of those OG builds that’s done its rounds in shows, meets, and funruns alike, the Type R hatch deviates from the typical Type R ensemble with its menacing C-West front bar as well as the Monster Sport CF Bonnet. Out back a Cusco GT Wing is mounted on a custom wing base and makes for a distinct look versus the usual ducktail wing you’d find in this area.

Despite the predominantly C-West theme, this EK is a good example of mixing-and-matching parts from various manufacturers to create a cohesive specimen of a tuned japanese vehicle from the mid-‘00s era. The C-West pieces are then complemented by signature original Desmond Spoon SW388 wheels as well as a Spoon N1 muffler to match the aggressive styling with an aggressive exhaust note.

The semi-stripped interior wraps occupants in a Cusco roll bar matched with a complete Next Miracle Cross Bar set while the occupants are held snugly by Spoon Carbon Kevlar seats. The spoon theme continues with a Spoon steering wheel to point this hatch where it needs to go. A set of Defi BF gauges mounted on the 2-DIN pocket were also the go-to meters for the mid ‘00s, further adding to the popular parts from that era.

As if the exterior isn’t much of a talking point already, one peek underneath the Monster Sport hood gets the conversation flowing much more. Sporting a fully tucked bay healthily displaying a built B20 in all its glory, you could easily tell the extent of work that’s been put into this vehicle throughout the years. Looking into this bay you would think that JP’s done away with amenities like AC or power steering, but you’d be glad to know that this car still has fully functioning creature comforts – with all lines neatly tucked away from sight. The B20 itself has been completely reworked by JP’s shop, Goldstar Turbocharger, from top to bottom, just peep the long spec sheet below.

This silver DC2 Integra Type R on the other hand is a fresh build from a rather familiar face here at Street63. Making for an interesting build to flank his all-original Evo VI TME, Law Go has paid just as much attention to curating this build and gearing it towards a certain look.

The choice of color and the full C-West aero kit for the DC2 were all taken after pieces of C-West’s demo car in their catalog. Sticking to the era-correct theme are a set of gold Advan RG1s, again another detail that gives this Honda further authenticity.

The B18C gets a little bit more lift once VTEC kicks in (yo) by way of TODA Camshafts and Cam gears while more air is fed into the motor thanks to a Spoon throttle body and an Edelbrock Victor X intake manifold. On the other end a Mugen header takes care of hastily moving exhaust gasses to match all the work on the intake side. A Koyo Aluminum Radiator keeps things in check to prevent overheating with all the added performance bits in place. There are plenty of complaints about Honda motors being gutless and lacking torque across the powerband, but this particular DC2 gets around this hurdle by using a Spoon close-ratio transmission for better acceleration and overall response.

The interior has been properly restored with OEM USDM Integra type R parts, and a few choice pieces in there speak volumes about this car’s true worth. If you know the going rates for a Mugen FG360 Steering Wheel and a Mugen Cluster these days, you’d know that they’re probably already worth one decent car on their own. These are then flanked with a pair of Recaro SPG Wildcats, another rare piece in an already-valuable interior.

It’s very easy to follow the trend and stick to off-the-shelf parts especially for a popular manufacturer like Honda. But for those who truly want to perfect their craft and build something different, the road is not as easy as walking up to the shop and checking out with all the parts on hand. Those who take their time to identify, source, and wait for the right parts end up with a car that stands out as the fruit of years of labor and patience – a testament to the dedication that is put into something that otherwise has plenty of temptation to take short cuts with.

Good thing too, because there’s now a couple more Hondas in town to show everyone else how it’s done.

Words by Aurick Go

Photos by Jose Altoveros

Honda Civic Type R (EK9)

Engine and Driveline:

Blue-printed and built B20 Motor by Goldstar Turbocharger

Arias High comp piston

Brian Crower Sportsman Rods

ARP Head Studs

Skung 2 Pro-2 Cams

Skunk 2 Valvetrain

Ported Head and Ported Type R Manifold by Winsport

Golden Eagle Camgear Pro series

Golden Eagle Fuel Rail

Fuel Lab Fuel Regulator

TODA Headers

Jun-themed Valve Cover

Jun Oil Cap

Hasport Engine Mounts

Spoon Baffle Oil Pan

Spoon N1 Muffler with Midpipe

Spoon Throttle

Spoon Hi-Tension Wires

Spoon Radiator Hose

Spoon Reservoir Socks

Spoon Radiator Cap

MSD Coil Pack

Speed Factory Breather Tank

2-Row DC2 Radiator with Fal Fans

Full wire tuck, brake tuck, and aircon tuck by Goldstar Turbocharger

HONDATA tuned by Joel Zapanta / ZAP Tuning

Wheels Brakes and Suspension:

Desmond Regamaster/Spoon SW388 17”

GT Radial SX2

Spoon Brake Calipers

Spoon Rotors

Spoon Brake Lines

Dynamics Circuit Spec Coilover

Spoon Front Strutbar

Hard Race Front Camber kit

Hard Race Toe Kit

Hard Race Rear Camber Kit

ARP Extended wheel Studs

Works Bell Brake Pads

BWR Lower Control Arms

Energy Suspension bushing kit

Cusco Front sway bar

Cusco Rear sway bar

Exterior:

C WEST Fully Body Kit

Cusco wing

Monster Sport Hood

Cusco Hood Pins

Craft Square Mirrors

ARC Winglets

Circuit Hero Tow Hook

Interior:

Spoon Steering Wheel

Spoon Gen 1 Seats

Worksbell Rapfix tilt release

Cusco Shift Light

Cusco Harness

Cusco 6 point roll cage

Next Miracle Crossbar

Defi BF Gauges

EK9 Gauge

Monster Sport Shift Knob

Ktuned Shifter

Circuit Hero Shifter Console

Do Luck Floor Bar

Race Day Battery Box

Cusco Battery Cut Off

Honda Integra Type R (DC2)

Engine and driveline:

B18C Type R engine

Spoon throttle body

Spoon close gear transmission

Toda timing belt

Toda cam gears

Toda camshafts

Aem fuel regulator

Aem fuel rail

Russell braided fuel line

Edelbrock Victor X intake manifold

Custom airbox

Samco radiator hose

Mugen headers

Jun plug cover

Mugen oil cap

Greddy radiator cap

Koyo aluminum radiator

HKS full exhaust

Wheels, Brakes, and Suspension:

Omni racing camber kits

Spoon lower tie bar

Zeal coilovers

Spoon monoblock calipers

Mugen braided brake lines

Advan RG 17x7.5

Exterior:

Oem sunroof

Full C-west Aero Kit

C-West Spoiler

Usdm taillights

Interior:

Mugen Gauge Cluster

Mugen FG360 steering wheel

Mugen shift knob

Recaro SPG wildcat

Alpine 9887 with morel separates

Restoration and proper conversion done by Splitsecond Autoshop

Special thanks to JP of Goldstar Turbocharger for the engine build.