BUILT CIVIC

Words By Mike Centola / Snaps By Mike Centola

Being different in the world of Honda's is like being emo because you hate conforming. For Dan Leone, building his 1994 Honda Civic accomplished this feat while staying extremely clean, with some very distinct features.

Dan Leone, plumber by day, owner of Built Motorsports Wear by night, has spent nine years building this civic. According to Dan, it has gone through many different changes and stages along the way, however, he has stuck to his plan to be different and stay clean.

Some of the most unique features of the vehicle are the full sheet metal wide body kit and the custom Honda S2000 tail lights. Along with some various carbon fiber bits, including Vision mirrors, the body modifications include a C West front bumper, Buddy Club side skirts and rear bumper, as well as a custom GSXR Gas Cap.

For performance, Dan chose the B16A2 motor and modified it with a Gude Head Package, port and polish, re-ground cams, bored throttle body, and JUN cam gears. In addition to these motor-specific mods, he added GReddy headers, a Land Speed Racing catalytic converter, JIC full exhaust, AEM adjustable fuel regulator and rail, and a Skunk2 ECU to control everything.

The interior complements the car nicely with the addition of red JDM ITR Recaro seats, an EG6 gauge cluster, thermo controls, and clock, ITR shift boot, Spoon shift knob, and a MOMO steering wheel. Custom additions to the interior were added in the form of black suede door panel inserts and matching black vinyl headliner and pillars.

The civic rolls on 18 inch 5Zigen Pro Racer GN+ wheels wrapped in Yokohama Parada Spec 2 rubber. For suspension, Dan added Function/Form 24 way adjustable coilovers and lower control arms, a Skunk2 camber kit, a JIC front strut bar, and a J's Racing rear pillar bar.

Although the build took 9 years to get to this point, Dan is very happy with the outcome, and hopes to continue with the vehicle into the future. He has learned from this build many things not to do, and to always have a plan from the start. His advice to others building the same vehicle is to "know what you want and don't cut corners."

We certainly appreciate Dan taking the time to let us here at rspeed.org feature the car!

Special Thanks:
Tom Feher (Paint / Body), and Team MCM for riding with me.

Quick Specs:

1994 Honda Civic

MOTOR
B16A2
Gude Head Package
port and polish
re-ground cams
bored out throttle body
Skunk 2 ECU P28
Greddy Headers
Land Speed Racing-high flow race cat.
J I C - full stainless Bullet Exhaust
Exedy Stage 1 Clutch
Buddy Club racing spec battery
Injen Cold Air Intake
AEM Fuel Rail
AEM Adust. Fuel Pres. Reg.
Marshall C.F. Fuel Pres. Gauge
JUN Cam Gears
CTR N1 Crank Pully
Fluidine Radiator
Place Racing Motor Mounts - for auto/manual conv.
Mr. Alex Engine Torque Dampener
Vision Oil Cap
Earl's Inline Fuel Filter
Spoon Carbon Kevlar Plug Cover
Spoon Rad. Cap
STR Batt. Tie Down
DC Sports short shifter
Built Motorsportswear Tank Res. Covers (shameless self promotion)

INTERIOR
JDM ITR Recaros (red)
EG6 Gauge Cluster
EG6 Therm. Controls
EG6 Amber Clock
HOP Center Console
HOP Center Armrest
ITR Shift Boot
DC2 Type R Pedals
Spoon Titanium Shift Knob
MOMO "Race" Steering Wheel
Honda MOMO Horn Button
Custom Black Suede Door Panel Inserts
Custom Matching Black Vinyl Headliner and Pillars

EXTERIOR
C West Front Bumper (authentic)
Buddy Club style side skirts
Buddy Club style rear bumper
VIS OEM C.F. Hood
Custom Sheetmetal Wide Body
S2000 Tail Light Conv.
Black Housing Headlights
Amber Corners
Vision - Type DC - C.F. Mirrors
Custom GSXR C.F. Gas Door

SUSPENSION
Function/Form - 24 way adjust. coilovers
Function/Form - lower control arms
Skunk 2 - camber kit
J I C - C.F. Front Strut Bar
J's Racing - Rear Pillar Bar

WHEELS / TIRES
18" 5Zigen Pro Racer GN+
Buddy Club Extended Lug Nuts
Yokohama Parada Spec 2


Link to gallery of photos.