DIY Network

1993 Honda Civic: "Racing Diet" Andrew Totolos puts a '93 Civic — already partly race-ready — on a weight-reducing program, lowering curb weight by 325 pounds and shaving standing 1/8-mile track time to under 10 seconds! From "Tricked Out" episode DTRK-401

(Continued from page 4)

	Car owner Michael Henkel, wearing approved head gear, prepares to take his newly weight-optimized Honda for a very quick quarter-mile run.
	Figure O
	Figure P
	Figure Q

By removing some unnecessary parts and replacing other parts with lighter versions, Andrew has shaved about 325 pounds from the car's weight.

Track Test

At this point andrew jas lightened the load by removing the dash, the interior trim, the headliner, the carpet and the seats. replacements include a light weight racing seat, harness bar and harness plus a tachometer with a giant shift light. Now it's time to test the car on the track to see if how much differences our mods will make in a 1/8-mile run.

To get an accurate reading of the times before and after the weight, Andrew put in 325 pounds worth of sand bags back in the car (figures O and P). By making a baseline run with the sand, then removing the weight and making a second run, we get an idea of how much improvements our mods have made in terms of acceleration.

Track Tips

• There are a few things to check out before making your first run. Always check the oil, coolant and brake fluids. It sounds simple, but if you're after peak performance, every detail can shave seconds and keep things safe while you're on the track.

• Tire pressure can also make a big difference on the drag strip. We dropped the pressure down to about 20-25 pounds in the front tires.

• Inspect the wheels, tires and brakes for damage or excessive wear.

• Check the safety harness (figure Q) to make sure it's in good condition, with no frays or cuts, and adjusted for a snug fit.

• Once you've run down the track a few times, you'll see where you need to make adjustments to clock a faster time.

• Safety Alert: When you're on the track, be sure to wear a protective DOT-approved helmet.
  
  

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  	We install DOT-approved drag radial tires for optimal sticking power.

Materials/Tools:

standard shop tools
DOT-approved drag radial tires

• For the project car, Andrew decides to replace the street tires with a set of sticky drag radials. The treads on the drag radials are legal for street use — but just barely. They're made for short, straight runs, not extreme cornering or sustained highway speeds.

• Tricked Out Racing Tip: If you drive your car on the street as well as the track, always keep your streets treads on until you're ready to run.
  

The Results

Standing 1/8-mile with modifications: 9.29 sec

The Bottom Line

sport seats: $200
4-point harness: $90
harness bar: $390
oversized tachometer: $280
custom molded plastic windows: $350
black silicone sealant: $6

Total = $1316
Savings from doing it yourself: $300

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RESOURCES :

Special resources for DIY's Tricked Out 400 series

Racing Innovations
www.racinginnovations.com

Knoxville Dragway
www.knoxdragway.com

Wetherill Associates
www.waipowdercoating.com

SPC Performance
www.spcperformance.com

AEM
www.aempower.com

Kicker
www.kicker.com

Autoloc
www.thehoffmangroup.com

Killer Cans by Alsa Corp.
www.alsacorp.com

Rapido Group
www.rapidogroup.com

Stellar Security
www.thehoffmangroup.com

Dyno Dynamics
www.dynodynamics.com

Stillen
www.stillen.com

Skunk2 Racing
www.skunk2.com

Injen Technologies
www.injen.com

Nitrous Express
www.nitrousexpress.com

Synapse Engineering
www.synapseengineering.com

Air Ride Technologies
www.ridetech.com

Airgasm Kustomz
www.airgasmkustomz.com

Lincoln Electric
www.lincolnelectric.com

Mickey Thompson Performance Tires And Wheels
www.mickeythompsontires.com

Buggies Unlimited
www.buggiesunlimited.com