Shaun’s 20‑year Honda Civic EK builds 440bhp

Shaun has owned a Honda Civic EK for twenty years, continuously evolving it into a 440bhp turbo‑charged widebody with custom air‑lift suspension and bespoke interior. The build highlights how a long‑term project car can retain market interest and generate resale value for dealers.

Key takeaways

• The Civic EK has been owned by Shaun for twenty years.
• It now produces around 440bhp at the crank.
• A 2.2‑litre Honda Prelude VTEC engine has been turbocharged.
• The build features a custom widebody, Air Lift suspension and hand‑crafted interior.

From first car to Fast Car cover star

Shaun bought the dark navy‑blue EK as his first vehicle after passing his test, despite a promise to his father not to modify it. Within a week he began fitting coilovers at college, starting a pattern of discreet changes that grew into a full project.

The car’s colour evolved from navy to pearl white and blue, then to a clean snow‑white that earned its first Fast Car cover. Later a purple stage left the original handles as a reminder, and a tenth‑anniversary green wrap marked two decades of continual development.

Custom widebody and bodywork

Rather than using an off‑the‑shelf kit, Shaun built the widebody around a set of SSR split rims, keeping the original centres and upsizing them to 17‑inch, wide‑lip wheels. Generic arch flares were blended into the shell, creating a smooth silhouette.

Side skirts were formed by merging original EK panels with sections from a Vauxhall Vectra C, while the front bumper was a composite of Honda S2000 components and other sourced pieces. An FN2 Civic Type R door‑handle section, stripped headlights with projectors, and a flush‑mounted motorcycle‑style fuel cap complete the eclectic bodywork.

Engine swap and turbo power

The original engine was replaced after a dead‑stop incident that traced back to a blown 40‑amp fuse. Shaun seized the opportunity to install a 2.2‑litre VTEC engine from a Honda Prelude, initially running naturally aspirated.

Over two years the engine was progressively upgraded: forged internals, revised compression, larger turbo, and bespoke inlet hardware. The result is a turbocharged unit delivering roughly 440bhp at the crank and just under 400bhp to the wheels, a formidable output for a lightweight front‑wheel‑drive Civic.

Interior, audio and suspension

The cabin has been completely reworked: original vents and airbags were removed, the dashboard smoothed and painted, and a tartan‑themed Bride‑style seat trim installed. Custom gauges sit where the factory stereo once was, and a rally‑style hydraulic handbrake housing adds visual aggression.

Air Lift‑based air management combined with BC shock components and air bags replace conventional springs, allowing the car to sit low when parked yet raise for road use. An eight‑inch subwoofer pair lives in repurposed wheel lips, while a removable six‑point cage provides a show‑car aesthetic without homologation intent.

What this means for dealers

Shaun’s two‑decade build demonstrates that a well‑documented, continuously evolved project can retain collector interest and command premium resale values. Dealers can capitalise on such builds by offering detailed histories, highlighting unique fabrication work and sourcing rare components for buyers seeking authentic, performance‑focused builds.

The project also underlines the commercial potential of offering fabrication services, as many of the Civic’s modifications were achieved in‑house. By positioning a workshop as a learning hub, dealers can attract hobbyists eager to develop skills while creating revenue streams from bespoke parts and custom builds.

Frequently asked questions

How long has Shaun owned his Honda Civic EK?

Shaun has owned the Civic for twenty years. He purchased it as his first car and has continuously modified it throughout that period, building an extensive history that spans two decades of UK tuning culture.

How much power does Shaun’s Civic make?

The Civic is reported to produce around 440bhp at the crank, with just under 400bhp reaching the wheels. This level of power is substantial for a lightweight, front‑wheel‑drive Honda EK, providing strong performance on both the street and the track.

What engine is fitted to Shaun’s Civic EK?

Shaun fitted a 2.2‑litre VTEC engine sourced from a Honda Prelude. The engine has been fully built, reinforced with forged internals and a larger turbocharger, transforming the originally naturally aspirated unit into a high‑output, turbo‑charged powerplant.