A car this light with nigh-300 horsepower is something to behold, especially when it’s accompanied by that wonderful VTEC bark. With a K24A3 motor fresh out of a JDM Accord, this featherweight EK Civic struts its stuff on the Nurburgring, easily spinning the semi-slick tires with an incredible amount of torque. Light, nimble, and very responsive, this budget track terror shows that turbos and four-wheel drive aren’t necessary to put together a quick lap on the circuit.

High-Revving, N/A Power

The K24A3 motor is mated to an EP3 gearbox with a 5.1 final drive, which helps keep the mill in its peak rev range. However, there’s plenty of power low-down, so even with sticky track tires, the Mfactory helical LSD struggles to put all the power down – and the engine makes 210 pound-feet of torque from low in the rev range, so it’s not hard to envision some traction problems.

That power comes from bolt-ons, mostly, though the head was augmented slightly – the bottom end was left untouched. RDX injectors, an RBC ported intake mated to a K-Tuned 80mm throttle body, and an ASP custom header were added, as well as a set of Drag Cartel cams capitalize on the engine’s high-revving nature. For the head, Supertech valve seals and spring seats got thrown in.

The engine looks at-home in the bay, with the only stand-out feature being a midnight blue valve cover.

A K20A2 oil pump helps the mill buzz to the desired 8,000 RPM, where the engine makes its peak power – an incredible 291 ponies. Making that power more usable on the circuit is the torque and the spread of it. With mild modifications, the K24 makes 210 pound-feet of torque, and most of it is available from 2,500 RPM onwards! The curve is broad and progressive, making that motor a perfect fit for a lightweight track toy which constantly challenges the front tires’ limits of adhesion.

Footwork is Half the Battle

While that power is impressive, the Civic had to improve upon its suspension design to corner well and apply that grunt to the pavement. The EK is equipped with Tein Monoflex coilovers, EK9 swaybars, D2 camber arms, adjustable toe links, SPC front camber and caster arms. Even with a proper race alignment and everything dialed in, the car still relies on a staggered offset to get the most out of the powerplant.

Volk Racing TE37s mark each corner, and each of them are shod in Advan AD08R tires. However, the front tires are a 225-section while the rears are a mere 205. This stagger improves upon rotation and helps the front-drive EK pivot nicely into the corner. Ideally, the car is well settled and straight by the apex, because that low-end torque can quite easily break the fronts away with a light prod of the throttle.

Lacking any big wings or splitters, the modest build relies on the EK’s handling prowess and the K24’s low-end torque.

Brakes are Spoon 4-pots up front and standard Type R brakes in the rear, all fitted with Goodridge brake lines. All in all, it’s a well-sorted setup, with plenty of potential. While that engine provides ample poke, it’s still light enough to not upset the incisive handling of the EK.

With that short wheelbase, adequate stopping power, a progressive power delivery, and few pounds to push along, it’s this sort of modest build which shows how a clever tuner can remain competitive among fields of factory-backed teams, blowers, and carbon composite.