Alex Dang 2019 Honda Civic Type R
Honda has a polarizing name in the car world. Known for easy power and often high milage, every once in a while, you can find a pristine condition, or tastefully modified Honda, of any year. With the Type R introduction in the Honda NSX, this high-end trim remains to this day in the 11th generation Honda Civic.
Owner: Alex Dang
Socials: @offwhitefk8
NA1 NSX-R and Co.
The world was introduced to the Type R trim level with the 1992 Honda NSX, the NA1 generation. Honda was known for their economy cars, or low thrill driver centric cars. Though, the NSX (New Sportscar eXperimental) had lots of innovations and never seen features in any Honda. During the prototype stage of the NSX, the chassis handling, stiffness and other driving aspects were heavily advised by the legendary Formula 1 driver, Ayrton Senna. He provided feedback to Honda to create a near perfect driver’s car. The shell of this car was a full aluminum monocoque body. The choice of aluminum over steel saved this car almost 500 lbs. (200kg) of curb weight. Aside from excellent performance, handling and weight, this car was amazing in terms of aerodynamics. Slightly resembling other famous cars like the Ferrari F40, the NSX and its mid-engine layout give it an impressive drag coefficient of 0.32.
Behind the driver in the NA1 Honda was a 3.0L; dual-overhead-camshaft (DOHC) V6 engine with Hondas renowned VTEC technology. This engine was known as a C30A, and it sent power to the rear wheels through an optional 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. This car put out a modest 270 horsepower at 7,100 RPM and 210 lb-ft of torque at 5,300 RPM.
Aside from the famous NSX-R, Honda produced other cars with the Type R trim as well. The chassis code DC2 for the Honda Integra Type R. This car ran from 1995-2001 and was only available in the U.S, Japan, and Europe. Though the U.S market saw the Integra nameplate under the Acura sub-brand. The Honda Accord also saw a Type R trim in Europe only with production from 1998-2002 as the CH1 chassis code.
FK8
The Honda Civic, perhaps Honda’s most well-known model, has seen the longest run of the Type R trim. Initially paired to the Civic in 1997 in the EK9 chassis, this trim level was only released in Japan. In fact, all Type R Civics, from the 1997 all the way until 2011 were only available in Japan. Though in 2015 and until 2017, the Type R Civic was brough to the United States. It was somewhat of an experiment, with that generation not setting records by any means.
Though, in 2017, Honda revised the body style, the market and the drivetrain of the Honda Civic Type R. This is the first look we had of the FK8 chassis code. This car came paired with a Honda K20C1; a 2.0L DOHC inline-4 with their VTEC technology and a turbocharger. Putting out a good 300+ horsepower at 6,500 RPM and 295 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 RPM. This Type R was the first out of the 20+ years of it’s introduction to be setup with a turbocharged motor. It came factory only available with a 6-speed manual transmission.
“Well Dang, that’s a Honda?”
Alex Dang found this 2019 Honda Civic Type R as a certified pre-owned through Jay Honda with just 7,800 miles on the odometer. Dang had a very clear goal of what he wanted with this car, “to make it the awesome road car that Honda had intended.” That’s how he ended up buying chassis No. 34,764.
Dangs’ Dang Ricer
Factory Engine: Honda K20C1, 2.0L; inline-4; DOHC; VTEC; Turbocharged; 306 HP @ 6,500 RPM; 295 lb-ft torque @ 2,500 RPM; Left-hand-drive; front-wheel-drive; 6-speed manual transmission.
Engine/Drivetrain Modifications: PRL Motorsports high-volume-intake (HVI); PRL Inlet-pipe; PRL intercooler; PRL Charge-pipes; PRL down-pipe; PRL front-pipe; HKS Legamax exhaust; Perrin rear-motor-mount (RMM) inserts; 390 horsepower; 390 lb-ft torque; Phearable Stage 2 Tune.
Factory Braking/Suspension: Front vented and cross-drilled 350mm disc brakes with 4-piston aluminum Brembo calipers; Rear 305mm solid disc brakes with single-piston calipers; ABS; Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD); Front MacPherson strut with dual-axis suspension; Adaptive suspension with comfort, sport, +R drive modes; factory negative-camber; Rear multi-link rear suspension; adaptive suspension like front.
Braking/Suspension Modifications: Spoon Rigid Collars.
Factory Exterior: Painted Championship White NH-0; Untinted glass; OEM 20x8.2” +60mm 5x120 wheels and Continental SportContact 6 245/30Z tires.
Exterior Modifications: Aeroflow Dynamics (AD) front splitter; AD side skirt; AD rear diffuser; Racing J’s carbon fiber hood; APR carbon fiber side vents; SUMA side mirrors; HiREV sport taillights; LowGlow under glow kit; Window tint all around; Chasing J’s titanium engine dress-up kit; VR Forged D09 Satin Bronze 18x9.5 +45 wheels; Michelin Pilot Sport 4 All Seasons
Interior modifications: Custom wrapped A-pillars; Acuity Stage-2 shifter; JBL center console speaker.
Future Plans
Dang spoke to his exciting plans for this sweet sedan “Bigger turbo, upgraded fuel system and more suspension mods to make it a daily/cornering beast.”
