How to spend $15,850 on a new engine and run 13.9's

First, you start with a Honda Civic Si. Swap in a 2.4 liter block from
an Acura TSX ($2,000; includes 6-spd trans). Add an Acura RSX head CNC
ported by Skunk2 Racing ($2,400), a Hondata ECU flash ($995), Skunk2
cams ($850 (???!!!)), Cunningham connecting rods ($800 -- $200
apiece!), Wiseco forged pistons ($500 -- $125 apiece), RC Engineering
injectors ($450 -- $112.50 apiece), forged valves ($380), titanium
retainers ($150), Skunk2 header ($520) and Megapower exhaust ($490).
Fart can extra? I don't know. Also $4,900 labor from Skunk2 and
you've got a claimed $315 hp @ 7800.

No wonder the rice boys have to wear their big brothers' clothes: no
money left after shelling out prices like these.

These numbers are from the November Car & Driver rice burner tuner
face-off. I'm picking on the Skunk2 car because it's the only one that
had the breakdown for all the goodies. Note too that this itemized
list falls short $1,415 of the $15,850 total in engine upgrades that
C&D reported. The complete car was $53,199 as tested -- C6 Corvette
territory! All that money to run a best 13.9 @ 104, and 5.4 sec 0-60.

The others were just as bad, price wise. $39,184 as-tested for a 14.3
sec Si; $50,756 for a 14.5 sec Mini; $59,724 for a 13.9 sec Si; and
$43,153 for a 13.4 sec Neon.

The Neon builders, Howell Automotive, even clams that their "primary
clientele tends toward drag racing." Considering that Howell's turbo
2.4 package costs $15,404, someone please tell these riceboys that
$15,000 in engine upgrades is A LOT of money to spend to go 13.4's.
What is the deal, anyway? "I wanna go drag racing, I've got $15,000
for the motor . . . yeah, low 13's sound about right." Jeeze. Kids
these days.

180 Out

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