Written by Anson Hsu/Chris Montgomery
Photography by James Soriano

Name: Tony Garcia
Location: Anaheim, CA
Age: 32
Car: Honda CRX

Some of you may have noticed, in the past few years, that drifting has taken over the import car scene.  Drift movies featuring young rap artists haven’t helped our cause either.  But take solace in the fact that the days of drag racing are not over.  Drag racing is NOT dead; it’s waiting for the right time to come back to power.  Granted, cruising down to the local street races seems to be a distant memory (as does the time when we cringed at the possibility of gas prices exceeding $2.00/gallon); but guys like Tony Garcia (and his Honda CRX, now owned by George Ahad) have kept the spirit of drag alive.  And if this car doesn’t fuel the flames of drag race love in your heart, check for a pulse (you might be dead).

The top-side is built with a Portflow head, Supertech valve train, Ferrea roller rockers, Although your friendly neighborhood Honda-head wouldn’t look twice at a CRX with the heart of an Integra, this B18C is something to be admired and respected.  The block has been reinforced with Benson sleeves, and the stock internals have been replaced with CP pistons and Pauter rods to withstand the added pressure of the Garrett GT4294 turbo.

Crane cams, and T1 cam trigger kit.  It’s bolted up to the block using a Cometic head gasket.  Garcia has also installed a PWR intercooler, attached to an Accufab throttle body, a Venom intake manifold, Tial wastegate and blow off valve, (8) 160 lb/hr Bosch injectors, Waterman mechanical fuel pump, Petersen dry sump and MSD HVC2 coil.  In short, the engine’s had some work done.  This humble Honda CRX’s powerplant has been stripped down and re-built like an 830 WHP bionic woman.

Now getting 830 HP down to the ground isn’t easy so a Xtrac transmission, AP clutch and Driveshaft customs axles aid in the process. KYB adjustable shocks and Ron Lummus racing bars are responsible for the cars rigidity. All this power is sent through a set of Circle racing wheels and a massive set of Mickey Thompson 28x9x15 slicks.  The car’s stopping power is created with Strange brakes and a Simpson parachute.

The interior of the car has been gutted, leaving only the bare essentials – a custom race seat, some electronics, and various safety features.  The gauges consist of Autometer tach, water temp, oil temp, boost and fuel ratio.  It’s all controlled by a Motec M48 , Racepack V300 data logger, MSD digital 7 ignition and Enginuity boost controller. And just in case something ever goes wrong there is a Safecraft fire suppression kit.

The car’s body has been designed for maximum aerodynamics, using Frank’s custom fiberglass front end, Ron Lummus Racing custom wing.  Its carefully engineered form allows this beast to cut through the air, posting nine-second runs.  Lummus Wheelie bars have also been installed for added safety.  Garcia’s car is easily identified by its stunning copper paint.

The journey for Garcia’s CRX has not been all fun and games.  The 2007 season saw some electrical problems for the car; shorting out the electrical system twice.  With the problem limited down to the battery, Garcia switched to a dry-cell.  He’s confident that the car will be ready for the 2008 season.   George Ahad, the original purchaser of the CRX, will be driving in 2008.  You can still see Garcia heating up the track in his new project car – a Pontiac Sunfire.

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Exterior: Frank's custom fiberglass front end, Ron Luumus Racing custom wing, Ron Lummus Racing custom wheelie bars, Simpson parachute

Interior:Motec M48, MSD digital 7 ignition, Enginuity boost controller, various autometer gauges, Safecraft fire kit, Racepack V300 data logger, cnc staging brake

Engine: : b18c, benson sleeved, CP pistons, Pauter rods, Cometic headgasket, Portflow head, Supertech valvetrain, ferrea roller rockers, crane cams, T1 cam trigger kit, Venom intake manifold, PWR intercooler, accufab throttle body, Garrett GT4294 turbo, Tial wastegate and blowoff valve, (8) 160 lb./ hr. bosch injectors, MSD HVC2 coil, Waterman mechanical fuel pump, Peterson dry sump, Xtrac transmission, AP clutch, Drive Shaft shop custom axles.

Suspension:KYB adjustable shock, Ron Lummus Racing traction bars

Wheels/tires/brakes: Circle racing wheels, Mickey Thompson 28x9x15 slicks, strange engineering brakes

Numbers:   830 whp on the wastegate (tuned on 19psi, 43 psi at the track)