In The Clutch

USDM is short for United States domestic market, where as JDM is Japanese domestic market.

Both the USA and Japanese are major players in the modified car industry in terms of their tuning and styles. Hellaflush, low and slow, stretch and Camber are terms that are known very well by these enthusiasts that adopt the USDM style.

USDM is often described as where a Japanese car that is specifically marketed for the USA is mixed with Jap performance parts and Euro styling.

J.R Clutch’s Civic SI Sedan fits the USDM logic rule perfectly. He took a stock 2007 Civic Si and totally transformed it into a show stopper of a car that turned heads everywhere he went.

Clutch has owned the car for about 5yrs now. He started modifying the car within the first year of ownership. ’’Took me about a year to get the front and rear done’’, Getting hold of a genuine Mugen RR front and rear was a waiting game as they are expensive and take a long time to ship from Japan.

Once here they needed modifying to fit.

But this is the same for most Jap car enthusiasts, getting parts shipped from overseas; it has got better over the years though.

Next was the engine work that followed months after sorting the body out. Wheels were the last modification Clutch did to the car he explained. He eventually settled for the gold standard, a set of BBS RS’s in 17x9 ET15 wrapped in Yokohama premium rubber.

Clutch has had a lot of fun building this very unique Honda and there are plenty of stories to tell.

Having multiple people coming up to me asking me "Are your wheels broken?’’ Because of the negative camber, the tyres had to be changed within 2 months but I still love it seeing people's reactions to the camber and the overallness of the car as well. Seeing people "break their necks" driving by. Getting stuck on speed bumps! Having someone ask "Do they make those models here in the U.S.?". Having a female pose in front of the car without knowing I was in the car until I turned it on. When I turned it on, her reaction was that she jumped and her flip flops flew in the air. Having 6 cops to pull me over!! Only bad points are - mostly the bumper falling off and always changing the tyres.

Not only does Clutch’s car look good it had a CV of its own and has won a wealth of trophies at car shows/events:

• Best Import Best Honda,

• Best Honda Civic,

• Best Honda Civic 4dr,

• Best JDM,

• Best Wheels to name a few,

I’d like to thank my friends that have helped me with the build and big thanks to Morice Colon for the awesome photos.

Engine:

K20Z3 motor, Skunk2 Alpha Headers, Skunk2 76mm Megapower RR exhaust system, AEM Short Ram Intake, Japan Rising Sun Valve Covers,

Exterior:

JDM Mugen RR front end conversion, JDM Type R rear end conversion, JDM Amber Sidemarkers, JDM Front H Emblem, Dry Carbon Fiber Grill, Carbon Fiber Hood, Carbon Fiber Trunk, Tinted (black) Rear Roof Whale Tail Spoiler,

Interior:

JDM Steering Wheel Emblem, JDM Broadway Mirror, Red suede Door Panels, Shift Boot, Red and Arm Rests, Dry Carbon Fiber Door Sills, Dry Carbon Fiber Upper Dash Gauge Trim, Dry Carbon Fiber Shift Box Cover, Dry Carbon Fiber Emergency Brake,

Audio:

Pioneer Sound System, 12'' Pioneer Rear Dash Sub Woofer,

Wheels:

BBS RS 17x9 +15 offset with Yokohama Tires 205/40,

Suspension:

Tein Full Basic Coilovers, Skunk2 Camber Arms,