Every time a new Civic is released in the Americas, a better version is released in Japan. It's no surprise then that everyone with a USDM or CDM model wants to make theirs look as good as or better than the JDM equivalent. Thankfully we've got access to dozens of distributors and importers willing to accept our hard earned cash in exchange for bits and pieces of these fine automotive works.
For your convenience, we've compiled several builds that have already inspired thousands of Honda owners to take their cars to the next level. Check out some of the finest JDM builds this side of the Pacific and then some.
Sickyute was a pioneer when it came to converting his FA5 to a Mugen sedan. In fact, he was the one who wrote the guide to JDM/CDM conversions. For the past several years, he's been helping others work towards their goal of completing their own conversions, which is why we couldn't help but share his car with the rest of the world (or the few of you who still haven't seen it).
FA5 Build Thread | FG2 Build Thread
Transforming an FA5 to an FD2 is no simple feat, but that wasn't enough for foDOfaSHO. No sir, after completing his FD2 conversion, his next move was to take it a step further with a Type R front fascia and a J's Racing rear diffuser. Unfortunately, like mmany cars on this list, she's in the process of being decommissioned. It appears that these rare breeds are cursed with a short life span.
Member #1 of the JDM Crew, Jackolee's story is one of great success and great tragedy. After an exhaustive uphill battle to get his car to look just the way he wanted it to, it was marked and broken into. As you can tell, the car was a prime example of what a "clean" JDM conversion should look like.
Both a band name and a member of 8thcivic, Implosive Disgorgence lays claim to one of the only 400 horsepower Civics on the planet. Pictured below pulling his own fenders using only his little pinkies, we can't tell which has more power - the car or him.
Listen to Implosive on Last.fm | Build Thread
This FA5 is clad from head to toe in carbon fiber and is modded with some of the finest parts that the industry has to offer. The Type R bumper is the only thing forward the cabin that isn't made of carbon which, aside from the Mugen RR, makes this a next to impossibly rare car.
It requires massive huevos to take a limited edition car, completely disassemble it, and reassemeble it into something else. Doing something that extreme definitely earns you a spot in the top ten builds you need to see. We here at Yospeed salute you Wilbert for having the guts to take one of only a thousand Mugen Si's on the planet, and adding a little bit of yourself to the car.
This one isn't located in the Americas but it's worth an honorable mention. Civic owners in the Philippines are just as adamant about modifying cars as we are as can easily be seen below. This car's far from finished, as its continual evolution has since made these photos obsolete. It still retains the Ings+ kit and the owner has since upgraded from replica TE's to Work CR-Kais and added a GT spoiler.
This car absolutely exudes everything that is JDM. Starting at the J's Racing aero package and continuing on to the Spoon Monoblock brake calipers, it's easy to see that literally every detail on this car was meticulously chosen for a specific purpose. I could go on forever talking about Ping Ping's fine taste in modifications but I'll let the photo speak for itself.
Another not-so-American but oh-so-desirable Civic - Henskem equipped his FD with VTTR 6-pot brake calipers and dumped it on GAB SS coilovers with SSr type C shoes. Delicious.
This was what many would consider to be the king of all conversions. Notoriously famous in the West Coast show scene, K20SDN, was one of the pioneers that began the JDM conversion trend. Able to source many hard to find parts and even prototype a few products for Japanese companies, this car was able to set trends, win shows, and raise to the top of the internet popularity ranks almost immediately.
After going through several changes, the car ultimately ended up with a Type R body accompanied by a few Mugen accessories. The engine bay was adorned with a one of one ARC manifold cover, a Gruppe-M intake, and Spoon throttle body. Leading out from the engine was a TODA header, test pipe, and exhaust while Project Mu and Spoon supplied the stopping power required to halt the Volk TE-37's in their tracks. Yes sir, this was one mean Civic. I am speaking in the past tense of course, because like all great Civic builds, it eventually met its match and now grazes in the big parking lot in the sky. Rest in peace, oh great one.
Feel free to explore the site, enjoy the event and feature content, and look through our product line for anything that may interest you.
© David Yonehara 2010