If I told you to expect to see engine-swapped Hondas at SEMA this year, you might not bat an eye.
I would be surprised if there were more Hondas with their original engines than ones with a swapped engine. K20, K24, B18 and B16 engines are everywhere these days as if there is a secret team at Honda keeping the production lines alive.
And we’re not even talking about Honda swaps with other brands. Whether it’s FWD, RWD, AWD, naturally aspirated or turbocharged, there’s bound to be someone who has completed some form of conversion. There is even someone designing a ‘K36’ straight-six engine. Pure madness.
It’s hard to stand out with a Honda build these days, but Ryan Basseri and the team at Rywire Motorsport Electronics are doing just that with not one, but two The outrageous Civics headed to the 2024 SEMA show in November.
Let’s first take a look at Ryan’s Milano Red EK Civic hatchback, which is still in the early stages of construction.
How did this project come about? “I’ve always wanted to build an EC for myself, so this was a great way to kill two birds with one stone: easy brand recognition and development (of electric drive systems),” says Ryan.
This isn’t Rywire’s first foray into electronic systems or electric cars. The company has built a reputation for its expertise in electric vehicle work; browse the product catalog and you will find it hundreds of applications.
With so much variety (think wiring kits for power distribution modules) it’s no surprise that Ryan and his team are always developing their expertise.
Enter their most ambitious project yet: an S2000 retrofitted with a Tesla engine and a Chevrolet battery. Ryan explains: “The S2000 was a bare chassis that I got from a friend. I first wanted to build a Civic, but the S2000 was the path of least resistance.”
“I wanted to learn how EV systems work, and the S2000 was a good choice given the engine choice and installation,” Ryan recalls that he clearly learned a thing or two from the project and ultimately applied that knowledge to a Civic.
While the EK has timeless customizations, the S2000 looks like something from the future, tucked away in Rywire’s headquarters.
“The goal of the S2000 was to make it ‘electric!’ to scream! says Ryan. And Rywire has done it with radical custom bodywork. But that’s not the purpose of the hatchback. The 16-inch Desmond RegaMaster EVO wheels, wrapped in Toyo Proxes R888R tires, add a fantastic touch.
Those with a keen eye may have noticed the 5×114.3 hub conversion that accommodates the five-stud wheels. Behind it a large brake set from Spoon Sports and custom KW Motorsport coilovers all around.
At this stage of the build, the suspension components have had their initial assembly, the setup featuring PCI control arms and links and S1Built rear control arms for AWD.
Yes, you read that right – AWD. You are looking at the basis of an EK Civic with two engines and four-wheel drive.
I’ll share more details once we have the full build, but expect around 600 hp from the twin motors, with an 85 kWh battery good for a range of around 600 kilometers, and a 0 to 60 mph time that I don’t know can completely contain.
The engine compartment is fascinating, even in its semi-complete state. There’s something so strange about a huge electric motor located where you’d expect to see a recognizable B-series motor.
Funnily enough, however, the most interesting details are the ones that can be recognized. The purple splash of the KW top mounts is one thing, but beefy CSF race radiator is something completely different.
You’ll find CSF cooling solutions in many high-performance builds, but these products almost seem wrong in an EV. However, remember that electric motors and batteries generate energy lot of heat.
As with the coilovers, brakes and chassis components, Ryan sourced parts from the top of the aftermarket world to create this wild Civic. I’m excited to share the progress of construction, especially given the innovative approach being taken.
With classic touches from US and JDM EK Civics, combined with cutting-edge EV swap parts, this build is a labor of love for Ryan.
As previously mentioned, this isn’t the only Civic the RyWire team is preparing for SEMA. Honda enthusiasts, watch this space…
Mario Christou
Instagram: mcwpn, mariochristou.world
mariochristou.world
Photography by Darrien Craven
Instagram: _crvn_