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Honda Civic SI: Track-Accessory Trailer Andrew Totolos fashions a custom trailer for taking the tools in tow when headed to the drag strip. From "Tricked Out" episode DTRK-412

	The completed trailer

In this Tricked Out project, a Honda Civic SI gets the hook up — literally — as host Andrew Totolos designs and builds a compact race trailer for carting tools, tires and supplies to the track.

This Civic serves as a daily driver during the week, but on weekends the owner heads to the drag strip. Before he goes, he has to load his gear and tools into in the car — which can be awkward and take a while — and when he gets there, he has to spend time unloading it. As a result, he ends up spending more time managing the pits than honing his track skills.

We help him out by building a custom track trailer so he can just hook it up and head to the strip at the drop of a hat. The custom trailer will have everything he needs — including a lockable tool box, tire rack to hold racing slicks and even a high pressure nitrogen tank so the owner can run his air tools and tweak his tire pressures right there at the track.

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	With the tool box securely mounted on the trailer, and fully stocked, the owner is ready to head to the track at a moment's notice.
	The tank is mounted securely and will enable the owner to use air tools and adjust tire pressure at the track.

Materials and tools for all modifications in this project:

standard shop tools
small trailer
mini-truck toolbox
drill with bits
heavy-duty rubber mat
utility knife
two-by-four
measuring tape
marker
square-tube and channel steel stock
compressed air or nitrogen tank
mounting brackets for tank
welder with safety gear
clamp
pressure regulator
saw
fire-resistant welding blanket
PVC pipe
blue painter's tape
padlocks
jacks
hitch
electrical tape
split loom

Important: Included in this summary are the steps in this automotive procedure as shown in the episode. These steps are general guidelines that are applicable to most vehicles. With any particular car or truck, there may be procedures, specifications, settings, tolerances, components, etc. that are specific to that vehicle. There are also variations according to the type and brand of upgrade-kit or replacement part that you select. Always consult your vehicle's service manual when undertaking significant automotive repairs, and read and follow the manufacturer's directions and precautions that come with your kit or replacement parts.

Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection and follow proper safety precautions when working with power tools or pneumatic tools.

A Note About This Project: Building a custom track trailer not that difficult, but it takes some basic fabrication skills, like cutting and welding. If you're a veteran welder, you'll have no problem. Be sure to take all the standard safety precautions for welding, and wear protective clothing and face shield.

	The project car: Honda Civic SI special edition

The Project Car: 1999 Honda Civic SI

On the outside, the special edition electron-blue pearl paint sets this SI model apart from standard Civics. The owner has chosen to keep the appearance of this one mostly stock, with the standard alloy wheels hiding a set of upgraded brakes, and a set of custom yellow-lens fog lights.

Inside, factory sport bucket seats provide comfort and control. Upgrades include a white-face gauge package, a custom stereo and a short throw shifter to take full advantage of the 5-speed's upgraded flywheel and clutch.

Under the hood, the 1.6 liter 4-cyllinder engine is held tight by a set of upgraded motor mounts, and a strut tower brace helps to keep the chassis in line. The potent VTEC engine pushes even more than it's stock-rated 160 horses thanks to a cold air intake, a high-flow intake manifold and fuel rail, upgraded ignition and spark plug wires, and performance headers, feeding hot exhaust gasses through the carbon fiber muffler at the rear.

Want to find out how Andrew Totolos outfitted this Civic with take-along track accessories? Keep reading.

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