Bolts & Washers
Norris Prayoonto's 2004 Insight
Propulsion
Prayoonto and company rely on a naturally-aspirated K20A2 for motivation. While the stock K20A2 netted 10-second timeslips for the Insight, the current K under hood is anything but stock. Both bore and stroke are upsized to 89mm and 95mm respectively, resulting in 2.4-liter displacement. AEBS ductile-iron sleeves were installed by Z10 Engineering to accommodate the large-bore, high-compression CP pistons. Custom-sized connecting rods from Crower mate to the modified, factory-issued forged crankshaft.
Before bolting on the Type-S noggin, R&D Dyno in Gardena, Calif., reworked the ports via a CNC process. Crower Stage 3 camshafts dictate a combination of Supertech valves, springs and retainers. The results after fastening the top and bottom ends together with AEBS head studs are a 15:1 compression ratio.
Prayoonto employs TWM individual throttle bodies for induction duties in lieu of a more conventional intake manifold. We're told the throttle bodies work seamlessly in conjunction with RC Engineering 1000cc/min injectors teamed with a Weldon fuel pump and Hondata K Pro ECU. Methanol is the fuel of choice for this K-series.
An MSD ignition paired with individual coils handles spark duties while an exhaust manifold custom fabricated by Ultimate Performance Company expels burnt fumes. All is cooled by a Fluidyne radiator and oil supply is kept in check with a Z10 Engineering oil pump.
The combination is good for upwards of 300 hp at 9000 rpm and more than 210 lb-ft of torque as measured on a Dynojet.
Power is transferred to the ground through a Clutch Masters flywheel/clutch combination teamed with a RSX Type-S six-speed gearbox and Quaife limited-slip differential. Driveshaft Shop Stage 5 axles replace the factory-issued twigs
Stance
KW Suspension supplied a set of coil-overs specific to Prayoonto's Insight. Since the company doesn't make Insight-compatible components, modified RSX pieces were outfitted up front featuring custom valving and ride heights. Weight bias was set up in a 70/30 fashion for improved front-end traction. A custom fabricated wheelie bar designed by Gerber plants the Insight's front end down upon hard launches and while traveling down the strip.
Resistance
The Insight's rear brakes were scrapped in favor of custom components from Strange Engineering. The front brakes house beefed-up Insight and RSX components.
Rims & Rubber
The Insight gains traction with the help of 26x8.5-inch Mickey Thompson slicks wrapped around 15x8-inch Weld Alumastar wheels.
Fashion
Body: The Insight's paltry weight was left uncompromised with the addition of a one-piece fiberglass front end and Lexan windows. Despite the roll cage and larger drivetrain the chassis weighs in at just over 1,700lbs.
Inside: The Insight's interior is race-bred and emanates nothing less. The Ultimate Performance Company-fabricated, chrome-moly roll cage spans throughout the Insight, not only to protect Prayoonto but to stiffen up the unibody structure as well. A series of chrome-moly plates fasten the roll cage to the body and frame. A carbon fiber seat courtesy of Jerry Bickel Race Cars and Stroud harness plant Prayoonto firmly in place. A series of carbon fiber Autometer gauges monitor vitals.