Back to the basics

DC Sports has been one of the pillar companies of the import tuning industry since its inception and has earned a reputation for top notch exhaust products. The company’s heritage comes from tuning naturally aspirated Hondas, but has products for most modern import platforms. You can find the company’s products from the most basically tuned street Civic all the way to top level touring cars. For 2009, DC Sports decided to go back to its roots and build a relatable street driven vehicle to showcase the versatility of its products.

As the only currently produced Honda available in the Americas targeted for the driving enthusiast, the 8^th generation 2009 Honda Civic Si (FA and FG chassis codes) was a natural platform for DC to showcase its tuning products. Out of the box, the Si might fall short in power out when compared to other turbocharged or large displacement contemporaries, but the chassis has excellent dynamics. Along with that, Honda’s tradition of robust and race capable engines gives DC the opportunity to show off how good its products are.

The heart of the new Civic Si is the K20Z3 engine, an all aluminum, 1998cc, naturally aspirated inline-4 that is rated at 210hp at the flywheel and puts down 190 wheel-hp on a chassis dyno. The K-series engine has enormous power potential and as DC has shown through some simple bolt-on modifications. With the addition of DC’s short ram intake, 4-2-1 stainless-steel race header and exhaust, and a retuned ECU from Hondata, the car was able to make and additional 44 wheel-hp and peak out at 234 horses. That’s just a few ponies shy of a stock Lancer Evolution with the same displacement and a turbocharger!

With most of the power modifications under the hood and out of sight, DC threw in some inconspicuous cosmetic additions to give the car some flavor. A light weight Seibon Carbon Fiber Products hood, trunk lid and adjustable rear wing were added for looks and weight reductions. KW Suspensions was also approached to prototype a single low-speed rebound adjustable coilover suspension for the platform for an ideal street suspension that is also track capable. Brakes were upgraded with a big brake kit from Fast Brakes to make the most of the added grip of the new Toyo T1R tires and the light weight 18-inch Volk Racing RE-30 forged aluminum wheels.

There are plenty of other cars tuned to higher extremes, but DC Sports 2009 SEMA booth display vehicle is a great way to reach out to the average consumer and show what can be done with some simple tuning parts.    

View video interview at the SEMA Show 2009:

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Thanks for cooperation to www.tuningsuche.de