KELFORD CIVIC TO RETURN

New Zealand’s most hardcore Honda drag chassis is currently being dusted off in anticipation for a return to the strip following a seven-year hiatus. Built by the team at Kelford Cams in 2009, the ex cover car ( NZPC 104) weighed in at 750kg and sported a very serious H22A. At the time the car ran a best of 10.88, and the team is keen to see how much faster the package can go with some modern tweaks — as you can imagine, technology has moved on a lot since then. The H22A will remain along with the PPG gearset, although as Josh from Kelford explained, the engine is now a 2.4. “We are still using the same H22A sleeved block we had last time the car ran, we are increasing the stroke to 97.5mm and using lighter-weight alloy con rods that will give us just over 2.4 litres, the head has had days spent on it pulling every CFM of airflow it can breathe. The cams and valve train parts have been redeveloped, and only the rockers are left from the old set-up.” The plan is to run either methanol or E85, the injectors have been upgraded and the same 60mm Billet throttle bodies will stay.

The suspension package will also remain, with a double A-arm up front end with chromoly arms, although the brakes will be upgraded and a line locker added to help heat those front slicks. A new Link ECU will be installed so the team can make the most out of the new features like flat shifting and launch control. The project is coming together slowly in-between their regular work load, but they plan to have the car out at Ruapuna this coming summer season with an all new look, and hopefully a ton more pace.