Plugging and Playing with AEM's Series 2 ECM and B-Series Coil on Plug Kit

by Joe Popovits

In this installment of Project Honda Civic EJ, we tell our factory ECU to take a hike and get engine management fit for this build through AEM's Series 2 Plug and Play EMS.  In addition, we also bring our B18C1 into the new millennium by tossing out the outdated factory ignition system in favor of AEM’s B-Series coil on plug conversion kit.

Project S2000: Part 19 - Ram Air!!! Plus Hot Air Testing!

By Khiem Dinh

Did I mention there would be more hood hacking? Why yes I did. Somewhere along the other 18 parts of this project, I noticed the stock air box looked relatively well sealed along with having a location ideal for ram air. Ram air is used on practically every sport bike you can buy to coax as much power as possible from the engine. Even cars such as the Corvette Z06 and Dodge Viper use ram air.

Project S2000: DIY Vented Hood

By Khiem Dinh

The destroyer of all track vehicles is excessive heat. Whether it is the coolant, various oils, or brakes, too much heat will lead to failures. On Project S2000, we’ve already addressed the engine coolant and oil temperatures with an upgraded Koyo radiator and Earls Temp-A-Cure oil cooler. These heat exchangers depend on airflow to in order to remove heat from the coolant and oil. No airflow means no cooling, hence the need for fans when the car is sitting still. One way to improve the airflow through the heat exchangers is to minimize the resistance to the air exiting from behind the heat exchangers. For the vast majority of street cars, all the air has to dump out the bottom of the engine bay. So how do we minimize the resistance to airflow? By increasing the area the air has available to exit. In this case, we’re venting the hood.

Project Honda Civic EJ: Building the B18C1 Part V

By Chuck Johnson

In our last installment of Project Honda Civic EJ, we thoroughly explored the Harlem Shake phenomenon and also partially completed the assembly of our B18C1’s valvetrain.  Now equipped with Skunk2 valve springs and titanium retainers; the cylinder head of our B18C1 engine is ready for completion.  Next on this list? A set of Pro1+ camshafts, Skunk2 adjustable cam gears, and an ARP stud kit. 

Project Honda Civic EJ Gets a Full Body Makeover

By Annie Sam

What was supposed to have only been a simple six month project to boost Project EJ Civic's performance with basic bolt-on applications has turned into a two year journey down the long, long rabbit hole. Fast forward two years, and the light we were wondering if we would ever see finally manifested itself at the end of the proverbial tunnel. Project Honda Civic EJ was finally turning the corner to focus more on finishing the build. But then again… as any gearhead would question, are you really ever finished?

Project Honda Civic EJ:  Building the B18C1 Part IV

By Chuck Johnson

In our last installment of Project Honda Civic EJ, we had just begun the assembly of the bottom end of our B18C1 engine.   With the bottom end complete, we could now shift our attention towards the assembly of our B18C1’s cylinder head and the completion of Project Honda Civic EJ’s engine build.

Project S2000: Testing Temps and Tools (Replay Camera and IR Pyrometer)

by Khiem Dinh

Project S2000 - Testing Track Upgrades and Custom Brake Ducts

By Khiem Dinh

All of the stars aligned a few weeks ago and I took Project S2000 to the track.  Centerforce clutch and AP1 flywheel – installed and broken-in, Hasport engine mounts – installed and broken-in, custom brake ducts – prototyped and test-fitted, K.R.O.P.S holding track day at Willow Springs – scheduled, other MotoIQ project cars going – check.  Custom brake ducts?  Let's start with those.

DROWsports Grand Axis Two Stroke Powered Ruckus

By Mike Kojima

The Honda Ruckus is a small 50cc scooter that has for some reason become the darling of the modified car crowd.  You would never think that car people would have become enamored of a 100 mpg, 35mph small scooter but nevertheless the Ruckus is huge.  MotoIQ has a project 50cc Ruckus that is probably the fastest stock engined Ruckus built so far.  

Of course in our circle, if some is good, too much is always better.  Andrew Horn, owner of DROWsports in Signal Hill is part of the MotoIQ crew and has helped us with many of our small powersports projects.  We helped him with the construction in his quest to build the ultimate Ruckus, check it out!

Project S2000 - Making a More Responsive Drivetrain

By Khiem Dinh

The AP2 generation of S2000s were made a bit cushier and street friendly compared to the AP1s for the general American consumer.  A larger displacement engine along with shorter gearing were specified to give more torque at the wheels which Americans desired.  However, Honda also matched a heavier flywheel and modified the clutch system with both negatively impacting the level of track aptitude.  Step 2 of Phase 2 is to shift the drivetrain bias more towards the track side of the equation compromising some everyday livability for better performance.