PROJECTS

In 2021, we started an exciting project with a 2008 Honda Civic Si sedan, a popular platform due to its K-series engine, specifically the K20Z3, paired with a factory 6-speed transmission and LSD. This car already had a solid foundation, and the customer wanted us to help him optimize its performance.

When the car arrived at our shop in Lake City, FL, it had some basic bolt-ons like a cold air intake, header, exhaust, and RDX injectors. However, it was running rich and didn’t perform well despite making 201whp on our dyno. After installing a Hondata Flashpro, we dialed the car in, and it responded with over 20whp and 20ft-lbs of torque, making a solid 215whp and 152tq at the wheels. The car was running better than ever, and the customer was ready to take it to the dragstrip.

First Dragstrip Experience: A Pleasant Surprise

The customer had never been to a dragstrip before, so we invited him to a test and tune at Gainesville Raceway. He quickly took a liking to the track and drag racing, and on his very first attempt, he managed to run a 14.5 @ 98mph, an impressive feat for a full-weight Civic on all-season tires. His enthusiasm for the sport grew, and he was eager to take things to the next level.

Adding More Power: PRL Motorsports Turbo Kit

The customer was ready to push for more power while keeping the car streetable. We recommended the PRL Motorsports turbo kit, paired with a Precision 6262 turbo, Fuel Injector Clinic 1200cc injectors, and an AEM 340lph fuel pump. To display critical data, we chose the AEM CD5 Carbon Dash instead of the usual gauges. Additionally, we upgraded to a Competition Clutch Stage 4 and a **Competition Clutch Lightweight flywheel.

Turbo Dyno Results: 335whp on 93 Octane

When we hit the dyno with the new setup, the car made 335whp on just 5.6 psi of boost, running on 93 octane fuel. The car was clearly a force to be reckoned with, and it was ready to head back to the dragstrip.

Mileage and Boost: Playing It Safe

With the car having 249,000+ miles and still using the original engine, we played it cautious, opting to bump the boost to 7 psi for a final figure of 357whp. This gave the car plenty of power without pushing it too far, maintaining reliability.

Suspension and Dragstrip Performance

After the turbo upgrades, we took the car back to the track. With street tires, the car ran 13.86 @ 111.76mph, followed by 13.31 @ 113.17mph. While the times were impressive, we quickly realized that the 60-foot times could be improved. Despite the added power, we couldn’t get the 60-foot time below 1.9.

Tire Upgrade: Slicks for Improved Traction

In 2022, we made the decision to upgrade to slick tires on Jegs 15” wheels with MH tires (24.5” tall). The goal was to improve traction, especially with the added power. After the change, the car’s performance showed immediate improvement: a 12.87 followed by a 12.62 in the quarter-mile. However, the 60-foot times still weren’t where we wanted them to be, and upon reviewing the videos, we noticed the right rear tire was squatting during launches. After further investigation, we confirmed that the coilover was bad.

Suspension Overhaul and Further Upgrades

To address the suspension issues, we ordered custom-rate rear springs and new rear shocks. With the suspension sorted, we also upgraded the car’s engine management from the OEM ECU with Hondata Flashpro to a Motec M150 PNP standalone system. Additionally, we added a Magnus Clutch Slipper Valve to improve clutch engagement. All these upgrades were aimed at ensuring reliability and consistency in the car’s performance.

New PBs at the Track: 11s Are Here

With the new suspension, standalone system, and slick tires in place, we returned to the track. The car’s first pass after the upgrades was a 11.7 with a 1.68 60-foot. On the second pass, it improved to a 11.59 with a 1.702 60-foot. These numbers showed significant progress, but we weren’t done yet.

Import Face Off 2025: A Record-Breaking Run

In February 2025, we took the car to the Import Face Off event. Driving it to the track and switching to the slicks, we had a little more than half a tank of 93 octane fuel. We decided to add 5 gallons of 110 octane fuel to ensure the fuel system could keep up with the car’s power output (the car’s fuel system, with 1200cc injectors, can’t run E85 and support the current power levels).

First Pass: 11.47 @ 128mph

On the first pass, the car set a new personal best with a 11.47 @ 128mph on 18 psi of boost. The performance was outstanding, but the best was yet to come.

Second Pass: 11.31 @ 128mph

On the second pass, we bumped the boost to 20 psi, and the car ran a 11.31 @ 128mph, showing consistent improvement.

Final Pass: 11.19 @ 128mph

For the last pass, we achieved a new 8th gen stock engine/stock transmission record with a 11.19 @ 128mph. This was a huge milestone for the project, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results.

Unbroken Engine and Transmission: A Testament to Reliability

What makes this even more remarkable is that the engine and transmission have never been broken or damaged since we began this journey in 2021. Despite the added power and abuse of the track, the Civic Si has remained reliable and strong.

Looking Forward: What’s Next?

This project has come a long way, and we’re excited about what the future holds. The car has proven itself to be a capable and reliable machine, capable of running with some of the best. With more refinements, especially to the suspension and tire setup, we’re confident there’s still more to extract from this build.

Stay tuned as we continue to push the limits of this Honda Civic Si 2008 sedan and see just how fast it can go!

Mod List:

Engine- 

Radium Oil Catch Can

 Radium 10AN Press in fitting for valve cover

Fuel System-

1200CC FIC Injectors

Fuel pump hanger / regulators

0-150psi Fuel Pressure

Turbo Kit-

PRL turbo kit (discontinued)

PTE 6262 JB

Transmission- 

Clutch Kit Competition Stage 4

Electronics-

Another project car that we got involved in 2021 is a Honda Civic Si 2008 sedan. This cars are very popular platform since they come from the factory with the famous K series engine, specifically the K20Z3 with factory 6 speed transmission and LSD.

When we first received this customer [at our shop in Lake City FL] he asked us how we can help on getting his car dialed in since he started doing some bolt ons modifications that included a cold air intake, header, exhaust and RDX injectors. The car was running rich and poor but still managed to produce 201whp on our dyno. 

The first step was to get him on a Hondata Flashpro to get his car dialed in along with the modifications but with open options for the future mods. After installing and dyno tune the car with the Flashpro, with gains of over 20whp / 20ftlbs tq in the mid range and a peak hp of 215whp and 152tq, the car was working better than ever before.

He had never been on a dragstrip before and we invited him to one test and tune that we were attending at Gainesville Raceway. Instantly he liked the track and the drag racing. On his first time out he managed to run a 15.0 and then followed by a 14.5 @ 98mph! Is not an easy task on this heavy Honda Civic on a all season tire full weight and just his 2nd time ever practicing drag racing.

Then he asked us what will be a good option to get some more power out of his car while keeping the drivability and street able configuration. We recommended him to go with a PRL Motorsports turbo kit that was available at the time along with a Precision turbo 6262, Fuel injector clinic 1200cc injectors, AEM 340lph fuel pump. Instead of the common gauges that are usually used on cars we decided to use the AEM CD5 carbon dash to display all the data that we may need. In the meantime we also installed a Competition Clutch stage 4 with a Competition Clutch Lightweight flywheel.

The results? First pull on the dyno the car made 335whp at only 5.6 psi all this on 93 octane fuel.

One important note on this build is the mileage of the car- 249,000+ and still has the original engine.

That being said we don't want to push everything to the limits, we decided to bump the boost just a little more taking it to the 7psi area were the car made 357whp.

We also verified the actual weight and balance of the car after installing the turbo kit and with full interiors minus spare tire the car weight is- 2,854 lbs without driver. 

Now we know the weight and the power, is time to go back to the dragstrip and find out what is this vehicle capable of. We went again to Gainesville Raceway, knowing our limits- street all season tire, stock motor, stock transmission. We decided not to push the car to the limits and just do a couple passes to make sure that everything works as it should. With the weight of the car + the power we came to the conclusion that at least we should trap 110+ mph in the 1/4 mile. The time was not our main concern because depending on how good is the launch = 60ft, that can change a lot.

First pass ever on the turbo setup myself driving it ( Jorge ) and the car owner as a passenger to teach him how to properly launch a fwd on street tires at the dragstrip we managed to run a 13.862 @ 111.76mph with a weak 2.502 60ft and a 9.362 1/8 mile.

Second pass I drove the car with no passenger, full interiors minus spare tire, very soft launch, crossing the 1/4 mile mark at 13.318 @ 113.17mph with a 2.250 60ft, 8.910 to the 1/8 mile.

Third pass the owner jumped on the driver seat and on his very first pass on the turbo setup he ran a 13.892 @ 102.79mph (he let off early) with a 2.592 60ft and 9.364 to the 1/8 mile.

The results are promising with this project, we drove the car to the track and back to the shop after 3 successful passes at the track (btw- it was grudge racing, we got ourselves 3 wins on our first time out) There's room for improvement on the car even at the same power level if we change the tires for something like drag radials or even better- Slicks! Let's see we we take this project in the near future!