At big car events there are always a few rides that I realise I never pay enough attention to until after the show, especially when there is so much awesomeness in one place at one time! After the Nationals comp there was one car that really stuck in my mind, so over the weekend I took a trip down to Hamilton to take a closer look at Anthony Wong’s immaculate ’97 EK sedan.

Seeing the custom paint in the sunlight made a huge difference to the overall appearance of the car since last time I saw it under dark artificial lighting. This is definitely one of the cleanest Civics I’ve set my sights on.

Digging Wong’s reverse faced BBS LMs (17×8.5 and 17×9.5) bolted to Civic Type R 5-stud hubs, and the Spoon carbon front lip.

Damn I wish my engine bay could look this tidy!

The EK runs a K20A 2-litre DOHC VTEC from a DC5 Integra Type R, I’m loving the imposing intake manifold and the super-clean, super-simple seam welded and shaved bay.

Interior features a custom ‘Wong’s Engineering’ harness bar too.

It only took Wong 7 or 8 years of jerking around to get the car to how you see it here today. At one stage he threw in the towel and even sold it to someone else, but last year he had a change of heart and bought it back, finally finishing what he started. The main thing I really enjoy about this build is the attention to detail and the quality parts that have been put into it. Everything has been replaced, repainted and re-done and it really shows – this photo will give you some idea. Mad props to Wong for doing things once and doing them right. It was worth the wait!

1997 Honda Civic LXi (NZDM)

Motor:
K20a (JDM DC5R)
6 Speed

ALL in Fabrication Intake Manifold
ALL in Fabrication Velocity Stack Intake
ALL in Fabrication / Hybrid Racing 70mm Throttle Body with Vibrant Clamp
ALL in Fabrication Header
ALL in Fabrication Tucked Radiator
Hybrid Racing Fuel Rail with AN Fittings and Braided Lines
Hybrid Racing Fuel Filter
Hybrid Racing Short Shifter box
Hybrid Racing Conversion Harness
AEM Fuel Regulator
Wongs Engineering Custom Radiator and breather Can Set up
Wongs Engineering Custom Battery Box
Buddy Club Dry Cell
Sinco Customs 3in Exhaust
Hondata K-Pro Engine Management

Brakes / Suspension:
Skunk2 pro-C Full platform coilovers 14kg /10kg
Progress Front and rear Swaybars
Buddy Club Raised Ball Joint kit
Buddy Club Front Camber kit
Buddy Club Rear Camber Kit

CTR 5 Stud hub Conversion
Willwood 310mm Front Brake Kit with 4pot Superlite Calipers
Goodridge Braided brake lines all round

Wheels:
17″ BBS LM Reverse Face
Goodyear Eagle F1 205/40/17

Body:
Full panel and paint by Paul Swanson @ Terry Andrews Carpainters Hamilton, Custom Mix: “Wongs Kitchen Red”

Brand New OEM Front End:
EK9 Front bumper,
EK9 Front Grill
EK9 Guards
EK9 Bonnet
EK9 Headlights
EK4 Foglights
Spoon CF Lip
Modified Strut Towers
Shaved Engine Bay
Modified Flared and Pumped Guards

Interior:
Bride Stradia Low Max Front Seats,
Bride Low Max Rails
Momo Steering wheel
Mugen Foot pedals
DB8R Rear Seats
Flocked Dash
Defi Gauges Oil Temp/Oil Press/Water Temp
EK9 Guage Cluster
Takata Harness
Wongs Engineering Custom harness bar

Audio:
Honda K20a @ 9000rpm = Bliss

Antz would like to thank:
Ian James, Coach, Made it all work for me,
Derek @ ALL in Fabrication, Oregon, USA.
David @ Hybrid Racing
Paul Swanson @ Terry Andrews Panel and Paint,
Bevan Wong @ Wongs Engineering
Pwizz, VTEC22, Hayce, Roge, Weeman, OhGee! DSigns,
and the rest of the Wong Fitment Crew, and Circle Jerk Crew (www.cjc.org.nz) who have helped out in the project one way or another.
Melissa 🙂
George @ advanced plating and polishers Hamilton
Bruce @ Mag and Turbo Hamilton
Kelvin Taylor – wrinkle paint man
Caleb Wong @ Honda NZ
Rocky Ali @ buddy club NZ
Colin Abah @ JTUNE,
Chris @ Strong for Honda