Philip's 2004 Civic EX Coupe

Give us a brief description about yourself?
My name is Philip D'Andrea, I am 24 years old, and I have lived in Phoenix, AZ for the past year and a half since I got out of the Marines.

Were there any previous project cars? Any future ones picked out?
I have been holding on to a 1966 Porsche 912 since high school. It runs and is in good shape. I plan on putting a bigger engine into it in the near future. I havent researched it a whole lot though. I am planning on building a second k24 for this car (for boost)...and when that is done I would like to swap my current powerplant into a true RHD EG Hatch.

When, why and how did you first pick up this civic?
I bought the EM2 about 2 years ago after I was absolutely sick of my 96 camry. When I bought the civic I was actually looking for a hybrid. Fortunately I was talked out of getting a hybrid and ended up with the EM2.

What were your original plans for the car? Have they changed since?
Initially I wasn't going to do anything to the car. I never really had any interest in japanese imports before then. The car came with an obnoxious fart can muffler that I had planned on putting back to stock asap...I actually ended up getting a ticket for the muffler about a week after I bought the car. Hmmm have my plans changed? I'd say yes...

What influenced you the most during this build?
Ricers influenced me the most during this build. I am very particular about how my car looks. I like simple and clean. I have always hated the stereo typical rice burners so I made a point to stay as far away from their stereo type as I could.

What was the hardest part/decision of this build? The easiest?
Before I swapped the k24 I was on my second d17 (first one threw a rod) and second transmission before I had hit the 75k mile mark. The hardest part for me was spending the money on motors and transmissions that I knew I wouldn't be keeping for much longer. The second motor was only in the car for a month or two.

What is your favorite feature on the car? Your least favorite?
I have been thinking about this question for a couple days now. But I think my gauge cluster is my favorite part. Mostly because I have yet to see anybody with the same cluster in a non civic hybrid. I know it is from an auto but I still love it.
Least favorite...my paint. To most people it looks good, But I know of all the imperfections and they drive me crazy since I always look for them.

Looking back at your build is there anything you would have done differently?
Yes, I would have made my swap the very first thing I did with the civic.

Do you have any future plans for the vehicle? Is the car complete or is there still work yet to be done?
Is a project ever complete? The list of things I want to do to the car increases everyday. I have a rear disc conversion, CF hood, 4 point Sparco harnesses, and a stereo sytem that all need to be put on/in the car. In approximately 6 months I would like to have my rear seat delete/trunk enclosure completed and be boosted on 10-15 lbs. Oh yeah and I need a new windshield.

Do you have any advice for someone just starting out in the scene?
Yes I do...build your car how you want it, don't try to fit in with everybody else, don't be afraid to learn something by getting your hands dirty, and be patient.

How and when did you find out about clubcivic.com?
I found out about clubcivic from someone mentioning it on a different forum. I think it was about 6months ago when I actually decided to take a look.

Any additional comments you would like to make?
Except for KPro tuning and the touchscreen molding, all the work on my car I have done myself or with the help of my dad. I have done a lot of subtle custom modifications to make my car different from everyone elses.

Modifications

Engine Modifications:
K24 Frankenstein Swap-k24a8 block/k24a2 internals/k20a2 head
6spd k20a2 tranny
Hondata KPro ECU/EMS
Exedy 8lb flywheel
Custom Intake
OBX RSX-S Race Header
Custom 2.25" Headerback Exhaust with Burnt Blue Tip Megan Racing Muffler
PowerRevRacing Thermal Intake Manifold Gasket
PowerRevRacing Thermal Throttle Body Gasket
PowerRevRacing Throttle Body Spacer
1983 Nissan 720 Dual Core Radiator
Revo Short Shifter w/ Strut King Lateral Short Shift Adapter

Suspension Modifications:
16" Drag DR31
Falken ZE512 205/45/16
Tein Basic CoilOvers
Powerstop Drilled/Slotted Front Rotors
RSX-S Rear Sway Bar
DC5 Mugen Replica Front Upper Strut Bar

Exterior Modifications:
99-00 Type-R Front lip
04-05 Acura EL Sideskirts
04-05 Type-R Rear Lip
Custom Blacked Out Tail Lights
Custom Blacked Out Headlamps with Clear Reflectors
Custom Black Emblems
Custom Painted Blue & Black Calipers
Custom Painted Black Rear Drums
Window Tint 35%front 20%rear
EK4 Smoked Side Markers
2004 Civic Sedan Grille
Smoked Fog lights
8000k HIDs

Interior Modifications:
Blue Lighting under seats
Blue LED dome lights
Buttons Retrofitted with blue LEDs
Evo 8 Recaro Racing Seats
RSX-S 6spd Shift Knob
2004 Civic Hybrid Gauges
Dual Pod Gauge Cluster Bezel (Oil Temp, Water Temp)
Custom Blue LED shift light
Custom Black Suede Headliner
Black Powder Coated Sparco Pedals
Black Autopower Roll Cage
6.5inch Alpine Type S door Speakers
Legacy 800w 2-channel Amp
12inch JBL Subwoofer
3Ghz dual core carputer
7" Lilliput touchscreen molded into the stock bezel

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