This Tuner Is Putting a Honda Civic Type R Engine in a 1996 Accord Wagon
This humdrum ’90s station wagon is being transformed into a hyperactive track demon.
The recent hoopla surrounding Honda Performance Development's Civic Type R crate engine and controls package is certainly warranted. If you're not in the know, cross-platform engine swapping in the Honda aftermarket community is as common as blinker-less BMWs. Honda's modular powerplants have been plucked and repurposed in home garages around the globe since the late '80s, but having the ability to order a crispy new K20C1 Civic Type R turbocharged engine (which puts down 306 hp in the stock Civic Type R) right from the manufacturer is something fairly new.
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Unboxing the Potent New Engine for Something Old
The Type R crate engine program was actually introduced a few years ago during the massive SEMA gathering, but at that time it was only available to registered and active race teams. In addition, it left the end-user to figure out their own wiring and opt for a stand-alone engine management system. This latest iteration makes available not only the complete engine with accessories, but also an HPD-tuned ECU, universal wiring harness, and even CAN data output.
To help get the word out about the crate engine program, HPD supplied three different tuner outfits with the complete package. One of those engines will end up in a CRX, another in an S2000, and the engine that ended up withFifteen52will be shoehorned into a 1996 Honda Accord. Not a likely chassis for such a swap, as most would expect an older Civic or Integra to be the lucky Type R recipient, but this group wanted to do something unique and to drive their point home, so it's using an old Honda wagon!
Keeping It Wheel
Fifteen52, if you're not already familiar, is a wheel brand based in Southern California. Started back in 1996, today the group offers a long list of performance cast and flow-formed wheels, as well as off-road options for the truck and SUV crowd. You've certainly seen their wheels used by high-profile builders such asBisimoto and rock star-level wheelmen like Ken Block. In February of this year, the group announced it would embark on a Japanese Touring-inspired Accord wagon build dubbed "Project 96" in a collaborative effort with engine performance specialist Mountune USA, which is also an official dealer for the HPD crate engine and controls package.
