1997 Honda Civic Turbo — CODE RED

THE BUILD

New colour. Same CODE RED.

CODE RED is our 1997 Honda Civic turbo project, documented from its original red finish to Midori Green with a contrasting dark hood. The build specifications list a B18 Dart block, an 81.5 mm Wiseco piston and Carrillo rod combination, a ported P72 cylinder head and a Precision 6768 ball-bearing turbo.

The journal follows the car through workshop development, driving and the Midori Green photoshoot, then into its next refresh after 13 years of running solid. The detailed parts list separates the current equipment from work in progress, including the ECUMaster Black EMS and drive-by-wire upgrades, as well as planned suspension and rear-brake changes.

CODE RED / PARTS LIST

Build specifications.

The hardware behind CODE RED, with current upgrades marked as work in progress.

Engine & cylinder head

Block: B18 Dart block
Rotating assembly: 81.5 mm Wiseco pistons and Carrillo rods; fully balanced
Cylinder head: P72 cylinder head, ported by Canadian Cylinder Head
Valvetrain: Complete Ferrea valvetrain
Camshafts: GSC Power T1 camshafts

Intake & fuel

Intake manifold: JG Edelbrock intake
Throttle body: 75 mm Edelbrock throttle body
Throttle body upgrade: Bosch 75 mm drive-by-wire throttle body — in progress
Fuel system: Dual fuel rails with 1,000 cc primary and 2,000 cc secondary injectors

Turbo & exhaust

Turbocharger: Precision Turbo 6768 ball-bearing turbo
Exhaust: 3.5-inch exhaust

Ignition & engine management

Ignition: Coil-on-plug setup
Current management: Hondata S300
ECU upgrade: ECUMaster Black EMS — in progress

Drivetrain

Clutch: Exedy twin-disc clutch
Differential: Quaife limited-slip differential

Wheels & tires

Current wheels: Silver Enkei RPF1 — 17 × 9 inches
Current tires: Toyo R888R — 245/40R17
Earlier test setup: White Superspeed wheels — 17 × 9 inches, used for testing and shown in the workshop photos below

Suspension

Current coilovers: Omni Power coilovers — over 15 years in service
Planned upgrade: Fitted Suspension coilovers with custom spring rates

Brakes

Current front setup: Acura TL Type S four-piston calipers with 12-inch rotors — recently upgraded
Current rear setup: DC2 Integra Type R 10-inch rear brake setup
Planned rear upgrade: 12-inch rotors with Tesla Model 3 rear calipers

CODE RED / BUILD JOURNAL

The red beginning.

Before Midori Green, the build started in red.

CODE RED / BUILD JOURNAL

Red to Midori Green.

A new colour for the same turbocharged Civic.

Midori Green Civic with its contrasting dark hood

CODE RED in the workshop after the colour change

CODE RED / BUILD JOURNAL

Turbocharged & driven.

Workshop development and action shots of CODE RED.

Turbocharged Civic with the engine bay open in the workshop

CODE RED in Midori Green: side-view action shot

CODE RED photographed in motion at night

CODE RED / PHOTOSHOOT

Midori Green in focus.

Featuring Melissa Danielle. Photography by Manuel of Racing Souls Photography.

Melissa Danielle beside CODE RED in Midori Green

Melissa Danielle with CODE RED — a closer look

Melissa Danielle beside the open turbocharged engine bay

CODE RED / THE NEXT CHAPTER

13 years strong. Time for more.

After 13 years of running solid, CODE RED is getting a major refresh. The update brings a Fenderist widebody, a five-bolt conversion, new wheels, interior updates and bigger brakes, alongside a new turbo and engine bay setup — and, of course, more power. These workshop photos follow the work in progress.

New turbo and engine bay setup taking shape

Engine and turbo assembly during the refresh

Midori Green engine bay with the new turbo setup

Fenderist rear widebody fitment in progress

Hub and brake assembly during the conversion

White 17 × 9-inch Superspeed wheels fitted for testing

Rear fitment of the white Superspeed test wheels

THE PEOPLE BEHIND CODE RED

Acknowledgements.

Thank you to the people and businesses who have had a hand in this build.

Tito Toro
CP Auto Collision
Mike — DL Motorsports
Nick — Tuning By Nick