Tribute to the Tank

One of my biggest downfalls in life is always wanting what I can't have. I'm sure I'm not the only one, as many of you readers out there can probably relate to the desire of thinking the grass is always greener on the other side. For many of us, our wants stem from vehicles that never make it over to the stateside: Skylines, Silvias, etc. For others however, it's the fact that the vehicle that they do have doesn't perform the way that they want it to. They get influenced and motivated by seeing others out there with the same car making tons more power, grabbing more attention and being peerless. As an EG owner, Mike G. experienced this time and time again when he first got his car. Hell, owning an EG must be difficult these days with so many out there done so beautifully well. We even have a hard time figuring out which ones to feature! So we could easily relate to Mike G.'s story when we first met him: "I loved the EG, but I started seeing some that were built clean for show, and some that were just putting out close to 500whp. I was amazed at the potential of the car and knew I wanted to do something different." Mike G.'s definition of different this time however was taking the best of all the EGs he had looked up to when he first got his car. Those that were filled with JDM goods and looking clean, and those that were tearing up the drag strip dropping 500whp out of their little 1.8L inline four. The end result is something that we wish we could all have, because the grass is definitely greener on the other side this time.

Like most EGs that are out on the street these days, Mike G.'s EG build started with the swapping in of a B-series transplant. The DOHC VTEC motor has become the perfect foundation for any Honda enthusiast and Mike G. was no different. What he did have in mind however was that the stock 170hp wasn't going to cut it. He was aiming towards the 500hp range and set a course full speed towards it. Starting with the bottom end, Mike G. had it reslugged with CP Pistons and ARP rods. The block also received an insurance policy in the form of a Nuformz block guard. In the head, Mike G. teamed up with Alaniz and all their valvetrain components. This sucker had to flow like no other and Mike G. was ready to do all it took to ensure that. Alaniz race valves, valve springs and retainers were fitted into a fully port and polished head. Stock GS-R cams stayed in the motor while a pair of Toda cam gears were bolted on to allow some adjustability.

Once the long block was reassembled, the B-series motor found its way back into the engine bay fitting snugly thanks to HAsport's motor mounts. Then the fun began. Mike G. had the task of selecting which parts to run and what components to help achieve his goal of 500hp. At this point he could've gone surfing through the Internet, but thanks to a long list of friends and his AMSEVEN crew, Mike G. had his work made slightly easier. Sportcar Motion in Southern California assisted in the task greatly, helping Mike G. decide that the Garrett's GT35R turbo would be ideal for his application. A Full Race exhaust manifold was needed for its top of the line quality and fitment, while a whole new fuel setup was also in the works. Starting with a Walbro 255lph fuel pump, RC 1000cc injectors were thrown into the STR fuel rail. An SX Performance regulator was bolted on to give full adjustment of fuel pressure. Opening everything up on the intake side is an HKS 4-inch filter, JG intake manifold and STR throttle body. Coming down the exhaust and out of a Burns Stainless muffler is a custom mandrel bent 3" exhaust system. The remainder of the turbo kit components included a TiAL 46mm wastegate, GReddy Type RS blow off valve and custom intercooler.

Having such a monstrous build in an EG now requires a lot of careful tuning to reliably drop that mythical number that Mike G. wanted to the front wheels. Starting with a P28 chipped ECU and Hondata S200, Mike G. went over to Sean at Church Automotive to get his car putting the power to the ground that he had anticipated. Through the careful utilization of an A'PEXi V-AFC2 and GReddy PRofec B boost controller, Sean at Church Automotive was able to make the VTEC scream as it pegged 477whp and 287wtq @ a meager 17psi. Considering that the Sport FWD cars out there are throwing down anywhere from 30-40psi, Mike G.'s EG has plenty of power for its use. Getting all this power to the ground as Mike G. used this car more than many would think on the streets, is a Clutch Specialties 6-puck clutch, JDM Type-R limited slip and ACT flywheel.

Handling the performance aspect was Mike G.'s primary goal and now that he had achieved it he looked towards making his EG one of the cleanest ones in Southern California. This is hardly an easy task, as the saying "small fish in a large pond" really applies here. If you just look towards our Honda Meet coverage at Eibach you can get a pretty good idea on how many modified EGs there are in Southern California. Mike G. started by cleaning up the entire body and getting it prepared to be painted at MOB Works. Knowing that one day the car would potentially compete as a Sport FWD drag car, Mike G. had a Chromoly 8-point roll cage fabricated to the chassis prior to paint. The stock headlights were replaced with JDM pieces and the stock mundane corners were renewed with Vision ones. The stock bulky mirrors from the factory are long gone and Mike G. now sports sleeker, sportier Vision ones. Lastly the rear taillights were replaced with JDM ones.

The car headed over to MOB Works where it received a complete overhaul inside and out with a shade of BMW Z4 Urban Green. This went with the theme of the car, as it quickly received the nickname of AMSEVEN Tank. Mike G.'s car was going towards the goal of being indestructible and it was fitting that the car would have an urban shade of green. Not just to envy, but to be covert. Once the car was out of the paint booth, Mike G. bolted on a Mugen front lip and rear carbon fiber spoiler from Benen.

Dedication to the suspension setup was next on the list as many front wheel drag cars make up most of their e.t. through their suspension setup. Mike G. started with a set of Eibach drag springs mated to Tanabe Sustec Pro shocks. This combination had a great balance for front wheel drive drag cars. Replacing the rest of the decade old suspension components is a Mugen front strut bar, Carbing rear lower tie bar and a pair of Function/Form rear lower control arms. This car was ready to roll.or so we thought!

How could we forget a clean set of wheels and tires? For the street, Mike G. demands plenty of grip and traction to those front wheels. Falken Azenis RT-615 tires were the perfect fit for his demands and wrap a set of 15x8" Mugen NR10R wheels. These unique wheels seem to be a perfect fit to the rest of Mike G.'s EG build, finally setting it apart from the rest of the EG crowd. Hardly noticeable behind the unique faced Mugen wheel are Rotora slotted rotors and AEM brake pads.

The last attention to detail for Mike G. at this point was the interior. Prepping it towards a race fixin' the stock seats were fed to the dogs as the Tank received a pair of Status Racing carbon Kevlar bucket seats. Sparco 3-inch harnesses are available to buckle Mike G. in prior to combat. A MOMO Monte Carlo steering wheel mated to an NRG quick release hub gives Mike G. the maneuverability he needs in tough terrain. A series of gauges from DEFI helped Sean tune the car, monitoring oil pressure, boost and exhaust temperature. Last noticeable amenities in the cabin are a JDM SiR gauge cluster, Mugen pedals and a Spoon Sports shift knob. The only upgrade towards the stereo Mike G. needed was a stock 2000 Civic Si CD player. We're willing to bet it's for the amber light up!

The EG Tank used to prowl and roam the streets of Southern California comfortably and often, but recently rumors have it that the Tank has gone covert for a while now. We confirmed with Mike G. these rumors and found out some classified information. Be on the look out as the Tank resurfaces through a transformation.in fact, rumor has it that it might be in the upcoming Transformers movie. Those are just rumors though, we all know how those spread!