An aggressive car needs an aggressive stance so custom Function and Form fully adjustable coilovers with Swift springs give the hatch that along with an adjustable ride height. A Miracle X bar, ITR antiroll bars, and Function7 lower control arms ensure stiffness for twisty turns in the Sierra Mountains. Brembo rotors and Project pads in ITR five-lug, 36mm caliper fitment increase braking along with Earl's steel braided lines, all of which keep the hatch from falling off the sides of cliffs. Raul also chose a DC5 brake master cylinder and booster for improved stopping.
While the brake department keeps the hatch safe, Spoon Sports 16x7 rims wrapped in Kumho tires transfer the 230 whp to the pavement. "I get so much sh*t from people about how ugly my wheels are," Raul says. "I don't know why but since I was 16 they've been my favorite wheel. I just love that plain flat black look." ARP extended studs and Buddy Club lugs keep Raul's favorite rims attached to the hubs.
After completing the outside and the engine bay, Raul moved onto the interior. An Autopower four-point race bar and harness bar stiffen the chassis while a Status Racing carbon-Kevlar bucket seat attached to a Bride seat rail and a Takata harness provide a bit of security. Also filling the interior are a Spoon Sports steering wheel and shift knob, NRG quick release and short hub adapter, Mugen ECU holder, JDM armrest, and an EG6 white face cluster. "I took the stereo out because the car is too loud," he says, so a block-off plate covers up the empty hole, although he still has Alpine Type S speakers in case he changes his mind. The door panels and armrest material are unique in their originality too. "I wanted to do a material for the panels that was never done before and I always liked that pattern from a hoodie I had, so I found some BAPE (Bathing Ape) material," he says. "Also, making the panels with my ex-girlfriend Raquel was pretty cool ... it felt good doing something you loved with the person you loved." Finally, making the car "straight OG" is an S2000 push start button in place of the original key ignition.
With plans of selling the current hatch and working on a right-hand-drive, future K24-powered one, Raul had an epiphany: "You look back and realize the money you could have saved, but then you drive it once and you forget all about it." Vroom vroom.
Propulsion:
K20A
Hasport engine mounts
CTR crank pulley
C&R aluminum radiator
Samco radiator hoses
Hondata intake manifold gasket
R Crew Racing fuel rail
Earl's steel braided lines
Earl's fuel filter
Aeromotive fuel pressure regulator
AEM cold-air intake
R Crew Racing header
R Crew Racing 3-inch testpipe
R Crew Racing 3-inch exhaust system
Type R six-speed transmission
Buddy Club shifter box
Karcept shifter box adaptor
R Crew Racing axles
Hondata K-Pro ECU
NRG battery
Stance:
Function and Form coilovers
Swift springs
Miracle X bar
ITR antiroll bars
Function7 lower control arms
Resistance:
Brembo rotors
Project pads
ITR calipers
Earl's steel braided lines
DC5 brake master cylinder
DC5 brake booster
Rims & Rubber:
16x7 Spoon SW388 (+45 offset)
205/45-16 Kumho V700
ARP extended studs
Buddy Club lug nuts
Five-lug conversion
Outside:
Porsche Carrera GT3 White paint
Spoon Sports duckbill spoiler
Spoon Sports towhooks
VIS Spoon-style lip
Vision teardrop mirrors
Vision hood dampers
FAL rear windows
R Crew Racing custom diffuser
OEM mudflaps
Inside:
Status Racing carbon-Kevlar seat
Bride seat rail
Takata harness
Spoon Sports steering wheel
Spoon Sports shift knob
Mugen ECU holder
NRG quick release
NRG short hub adapter
Autopower four-point rollbar
EG6 white face cluster
S2000 push start button
Bathing Ape door panels and armrest fabric
JDM armrest
Bolts & Washers
I.C.E.:
Python two-way pager
Alpine Type S speakers