[Auto] Putting the “Fun” in Functional with a K24-Powered Civic Sedan

[Ga[M]er]

For those that embrace the art of car building, settling is never an option. The urge to take on a new project and improve in areas that might have been lacking on a previous creation, as well as applying new skills and techniques learned along the way is always a factor. Take Donnie Cristobal, owner of this 1999 Civic sedan, for example. The car he'd completed and enjoyed prior to this LX was almost perfect, but that "almost" just didn't cut it, so he set out to make things right.
"Three years ago, I built a red '94 EG sedan and it was a success. However, I was eager and excited to build another car with a vision in mind: a clean white EK," Donnie states. Successful is an understatement as that bright red four-door consistently made the rounds on social media and garnered substantial recognition for his skills. Rather than opting for the more common hatchback or coupe, Donnie once again stuck with the sedan platform.

Four-Door Folklore
Always a Honda enthusiast, a CRX build that began right out of high school kicked off a long list of Honda and Acura builds over the years, but it's the sedan body style that managed to hold his attention the longest. He adds, "I've always been a four-door guy and I've gone through about five of them. Hondas have just always been in me, and I think as I get older, I'll always have one."

After taking hold of this 1999 model, the very next day began a complete teardown as the car was stripped bare before sending it to E_N_M Paint Correction for a fresh coat of Honda's Taffeta White. During that downtime, Donnie took to the web to source the parts needed to construct exactly what he'd been mentally planning for months. "Putting the car together was the most exciting part of the build, as I saw my vision coming together. It was a lot of time and sweating in the garage, but all worth it."
Simple & Timeless
Compared to his red Civic, this build adopts a tamer approach from the outside. The clean white paint is contrasted by JDM thin moldings and a unique honeycomb pattern carbon fiber lip, with carbon MRacing diamond-shaped mirrors added to the mix. Civic Type R headlights and an upper grill replace the factory pieces and the deep side skirts and fender cut-outs found on the previous build weren't carried over this time, resulting in an exceptionally clean OEM-plus approach.

On this day, 16x8.5 Volk CE28N wrapped in meaty 215/45 Falken Azenis RT660 were on board, but the sedan has also worn custom Work Meister CR01. Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings replace the aged factory rubber and Function & Form coilovers allowed Donnie to dial in his ideal ride height. Having rolled the fenders to allow for adequate clearance, the wheel and tire specs completely fill the fender arches without the need for excessive camber or the sound of constant rubbing; hopefully new builders will take note.

Under the hood, Donnie's engine bay represents a direction that many seem to be striving for: well beyond stock without leaning too far toward a show car. Yes, there are smoothed over portions and plenty of unnecessary bits deleted, but it maintains complete functionality and is driven consistently, regularly making appearances at local events.
The K24 swap uses a factory bottom end complete with a Type S oil pump swap, while the top end was treated to a 50-degree VTC and Supertech valvetrain. A large 4-inch titanium intake tapers into a 74-mm Skunk2 throttle body mounted to an Ultra Street intake manifold, with a 1320 header leading to GReddy's Supreme SP 3-inch exhaust system. It's a proven set up that provides a healthy 240 hp at the wheels and is entirely turn-key friendly.

In order to maximize space, a Speedfactory tucked radiator sits in the pocket under the core support up front, and a Stash Auto brake line kit eliminates much of the firewall clutter. A Chasing Js titanium coil pack cover tops the candy red valvecover, and you can find G Development titanium hardware used generously throughout the entire bay.

Driver Focused, Street Friendly
All of the interior is intact and in excellent condition, though there are some aftermarket changes focused on the driver. An ICB Motorsport bucket seat is joined by a Spoon Sports steering wheel and Checkerd Sports extended hub, and the factory tachometer was replaced by an Omni Power version that includes a discreet shift light. Donnie moved the radio down, just in front of the Hybrid Racing shifter assembly, so that the upper portion of the dash could be fitted with wideband and oil pressure gauges. It's clean, simple, and functional, and has all the makings of a proper, performance-minded streetcar that can certainly take advantage of a weekend track day.
"Now that the car is done (but it's never really done), I always see something different and want new parts." Typical of guys like Donnie who are constantly thinking about that next potential upgrade, making some sort of change to their build, or even moving on to a new challenge. For now, he seems content with the project but expect at least a few changes the next time you see it.
1999 Honda Civic LX

Owner Donnie Cristobal

Instagram K_Rarri

Engine K24A2; Hasport engine mounts; RSX Type S oil pump conversion, 50-degree VTC; Supertech valvesprings, retainers; Skunk2 intake manifold, 74mm throttle body; Kuya Fabriction tapered titanium intake; 1320 megaphone header; GReddy Supreme SP 3-in. exhaust w/V-bands; AEM 340lph fuel pump; ID1000 injectors; Hybrid Racing fuel rail, pressure regulator.

Speedfactory tucked radiator; 16AN radiator hoses/fittings; Chase Bays overflow tank; KTuned water neck, oil pan; DTR oil catch can; Wireworx engine harness; relocated fuse box, battery; GDevelopment titanium hardware; Chasing Js coil pack cover; Checkerd Sports idler bracket, oil cap; Hondata KPro V4

Drivetrain Euro Type R transmission w/LSD; Action Clutch stage III, chromoly lightweight flywheel; Hybrid Racing shifter box; S2000 clutch reservoir

Suspension Function & Form Type 2 coilovers, lower control arms; Energy Suspension bushings; Truhart camber kit front/rear

Braking ITR 36mm 5-lug conversion; R1 Concept Geomet drilled/slotted rotors, performance sport pads; Stoptech stainless steel brake lines; Stash Auto hardline brake tuck kit; Wilwood adjustable proportioning valve

Wheels & Tires 16x8.5 +30 Volk Racing CE28N; 215/45 Falken RT660; Project Kics R30 lug nuts

Exterior Taffeta White respray by E_N_M Paint Correction; MRacing mirrors; PhantomEG honeycomb cabon fiber lip; OEM thin side moldings, CTR grill, CTR headlights, Ferio stickers; Rival Machine front/rear Honda emblems

Interior ICB Motorsport bucket seat; Buddy Club low-mount rails; Spoon 350mm steering wheel; Checkerd Sports steering wheel hub, shift knob; Chasing Js titanium gauge cluster bezel; Omni Power tachometer w/shift light

Thank You Shout out to my fiancée for dealing with car parts problems. Christian at Gdevelopment for supplying me with all the titanium bolts/nuts I needed. Broll at Kuya Fabrication for always making my intakes and exhaust. Function and Form for the suspension. All the homies that helped me with build.
https://www.motortrend.com/features/1999-honda-civic-sedan-tuner-build-fun-functional-k24/