UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Few cars have a cult following for one reason or another, and, for every fan base, there is the hardcore that would dare not tarnish their ‘perfect’ vision. But the Honda Civic is not one of those cars, and Cody Gibbs isn’t part of those fan bases, so slotting the V6 heart of the super-hyped NSX into an EG sedan body that’s been converted to rear-wheel drive with a complete disregard for the aforementioned fanboys was almost destined to be.

The project began as Cody tinkered with different chassis over the years, finding a favourite with the EG sedans, but, although he liked how they drove, he had the desire to do something different — rear-wheel-drive different. A bit of measuring and ‘creative’ research later, and a plan was set in stone that would later resolve itself into a Nissan R200 rear-end on a custom cross member — for the pure fact that it was an easy fit, with plenty of factory examples around, and a ton of aftermarket support in the way of upgrades.

Cody did the lot with the help of mates — he told us that it’s not a workshop build by any means, and that it has been slow and steady process to ensure that it has got done the way he wants.

The engine started out as a mystery, and it was only by chance that Cody stumbled across a C30A, which had been used in a powerboat and stripped back to pieces. It was sold with the knowledge that it had ‘issues’, so Cody decided to rebuild it inside and out. The bottom end was digitally balanced and specced, having been line-bored, honed, and decked, with new OEM parts installed throughout. An ATI damper puller was fitted, while the oil filter was relocated with a cooler paired up with the SOS uprated oil pump gears and a baffled sump. It also runs a Moroso oil accumulator to ensure every piece stays oiled.

Up top, the heads have received a mild porting, with bigger valves, double springs, SOS solid-spring LMA, and custom re-ground camshafts from Franklin Cams. The shafts were made prior to the individual throttle bodies that it now runs — which are custom 48-millimetre units from a Toyota 4A-GE — with a small sacrifice down low to chase potential power up top. As for what’s backing it, Cody will run a Honda S2000 six-speed box, which meant the tunnel and rear floorpan have been modified to allow for the new chunks of metal sitting under them, and a custom single-piece driveshaft was whipped up to deliver the power down. Integra Type R hubs and brakes make sure things will slow down when required, and suspension is under control through the use of BC Gold coilovers. Although it’s been fired up and rolls under its own power, there are still a few things left to sort before hitting the track, and Cody told us that “once it’s run in and I can get some good power runs in, we will know if we got it right … just need some time and money for the rest of the tuning.”

You’ll be sure to see a follow-up feature once everything is one-hunnit.