Building a Road Racer in Eight Easy Steps

[Editor's Note: This article was origannly appeared in June 2006. Some information and prices may be different today]

Story by Scott R. Lear • Photography as Credited

You’re killing your street car. That’s okay. We all do it—you’re among friends here. You started off with some perfectly good personal transportation, maybe something that was even a bit sporty from the factory. 

And you couldn’t wait to start cutting into it and changing things to make it faster.

It starts off simple enough, with a few upgrades here and there. A cold-air intake helps produce a few extra horsepower. Cool, it’s loud under throttle, an added bonus.

Stiffer springs, firm dampers and some anti-roll bars would sure help the car through the cones in that slalom, right? Who cares if it rides more firmly on the street? So what if you lower the ride height just a little? “Interesting,” you note, “now I need to enter my driveway at a 45-degree angle to avoid taking the nose off. ”

A few modifications later, your car has evolved to perform competitively in your chosen arena. It’s fun at the limit and never misses a step. At the same time, it’s no longer comfortable in day-to-day traffic.

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I wonder where that car is today, 14 years later, and if it is still racing?

In reply to pinchvalve :

That's a really good question. I'll ask around the office and see if anyone knows.

In reply to pinchvalve :

From what I remember, the car is much flatter now. I kept the shift knob, though. 

(And, yes, the top of my bookshelves are a little dusty.)

"From what I remember, the car is much flatter now. I kept the shift knob, though." 

Well, that is a shame about the car.

BTW, nice Carrera and Scaley cars in the back round on your shelf.

In reply to noddaz :

Thanks. Pretty sure that Civic was a crusher. 

Was a crusher or was in a crusher?

^Yes, but do you ship by canoe?