Feature Ride - A.C.S. Drag
A.C.S DRAG's turbo charged Honda CRX
Ozhonda Feature Car #8
Hi John, just like our previous article, a member of OH has nominated you to be featured. That person also told me your car was featured in Fast 4's. At what calibre does your car need to be in order to get featured?
I think it just needs to be a complete combination of power, looks and handling. It’s no good looking like you’re fast and not having the power to back it up, and there is no point having all that power if you can’t stop or negotiate a corner.
When I saw pictures of your car I was very impressed with the amount of detail it had. you covered almost every inch of the car and left nothing unturned. Can you tell me what the biggest joy and biggest gripe was that you had when building it?
My car has had a lot of low and high points. It’s been over 10 years and I can finally say it’s finished. My last set of modifications are happening this weekend (at time of interview) and that’s it, this book is closed. I have a new project car now. My biggest gripe with my car is how much police attention it has attracted in the past. I’ve received 7 defects, been through multiple EPA stations and even had it impounded. I hope that now I have changed the appearance and curbed some of my less desirable driving habits; it will get me into less trouble.
Wow you had your car impounded? How long was it gone for? Did you ever think it was worth the hassle of modifying your car only to have it taken away?
Yes, she was taken away for 48 hours. My mistake- did the crime, so I had to pay. Was it worth it? Not really. I didn’t realise he was serious, and kept thinking he was just saying that, he wasn’t going to take my car away. When the tow truck arrived it then sank in. Lesson learned is all I can say. Never again, will I be that stupid.
So you have built the car over 7 years, were there any periods (eg. sexspec, all motor, nitrous, air bag suspension) where you went down different paths before you are where you are now?
Nope, after my initial, stereo phase it was all power. Only recently with all the police hassles did I decide to take off the cyber kit and put on something more sedate, I lost the big wheels for something more practical, less attention and more purposeful. But all along, it’s been about performance. My car had to have the power to back up its looks, and although I drive it less these days, when I do drive it I’ll drive it hard, its only seen a couple of laps at QR as circuit racing is new to me, but she’s a veteran at the drag strip. I smashed my PB at Jamboree last weekend, went from 12.7 to an 11.6 making the Street Compact semi finals, finishing equal third out of 108 cars, my biggest accomplishment yet.
How much power does this car produce?
It was tuned initially by Maztech in Melbourne about 8 years ago; it produced 247 FW KW’s back then. Recently I had it retuned here at Hipower Racing and we got 200.5 fwKW, then to top it off a couple of weeks ago went to the OzHonda dyno day at 101 Motorcafe and pulled 205 FW KWs when everyone’s car was getting a low reading, my reading was up so that threw a spanner in the works. Just goes to show, a dyno reading isn’t everything.
The half cage is a sight to behold, how strong is it? Is this car built for track use?
My Chassis is braced up pretty hard. I have braces to make sure things don’t move unnecessarily. I didn’t really build this car specially for track, I just wanted something strong that I can street, strip, or circuit. The CRX chassis is very light and there’s a lot of flex in its stock form, so all this bracing is necessary for any sort of track work.
If I didn’t see the inter-cooler in the front bar, I wouldn’t pick this car to be turbocharged at all. Look at the engine bay; its inconspicuous! What are you running under the bonnet?
Yeah which reminds me, I really need to black mesh that up so that it will be harder to spot! I’ve been in trouble with the police too many times about my car. I’m over it LOL. I don’t need to show off my hardware, as long as its quick and it does the job i'd rather it be hidden.
My motor was built over 7 years ago, only recently have added little bits n pieces to make it better but internally it's still the same. I’m really quite surprised she’s still going strong after the flogging I given her over the years. She sports an old school t3/t4 Turbonetics turbocharger, Turbonetics Deltagate Mk2, the pistons are forged and oversized, Crower conrods, the block has been sleeved and honed, all the usual stuff. Some headwork has been performed too. I still can do more of course but she makes good power and is reliable so I’m not too fussed at the moment.
How well does the car handle? I would imagine it would hold onto the road like dog shit stuck on your shoe.
Yeah she handles great, so nimble and quick around the corners. I’ve got her setup for drag use at the moment for Jamboree, but after that I think I’ll do some adjustments for some circuit work to see what she’s capable of. I got dinner riding on me doing a sub 65 second lap at Queensland Raceway too!
Does the car have an audio system or did you remove it in favour of a spooling turbo and screaming engine?
A big stereo was a must when I first bought my car, but as you get older you realise that having thumping bass sitting at the lights rattling your car just isn’t cool. The stereo lasted about 3 years and I do much regret it now as my car is weighed down with sound deadener. So I gave up the stereo for performance, the rush when you're pushing your vehicle to its limits is unbeatable. I love speed and the adrenalin rush it gives. I don’t even think my car has a head unit in it at the moment… My house mate borrowed it 6 months ago and never returned it!
Your username A.C.S DRAG, what does that mean? Do you build drag cars for a living?
Back in 2003 when I registered it was the peak of our drag racing ventures. The engine was freshly built and enthusiasm was at an all time high. A.C.S is my brother’s company. He built the engine and helped me a lot with my build, so I was proud to wear his name on Ozhonda. He has been working with cars since he was 16, currently working in the automotive industry in the electronics field and still builds cars as a hobby. His 2nd CRX build is now 80% complete. Stay tuned for that one, it’s going to be a monster. I’m talking ground up rebuild. Two motors, one for strip and one for track; Turbo and NA!
Why did you choose a CRX? It's not often you see them on the road any more.
I’ve stuck with the CRX because of its rarity and classic shape, being a great platform for drag or circuit. With the right modifications it can be up there with the best of them. CRX for life…
Is there any one you want to thank for helping you create this Mona Lisa?
My brother for everything he has done for me and my car, we are each other’s bad influences. My Girlfriend Nikki who puts up with so much of my shit, also because she is my parts locater too J not to mention she’s put some blood sweat and tears into that car. All my boys at CRXAUSTRALIA.COM, Chris for taking the best photos in the world! And lastly my new family, the OZH@#O boys for taking me in and showing me a good time in Brisbane.
I won’t ask anymore questions, the pictures really do speak for themselves. Awesome car, awesome photography by Chris_F
Edit: See this post for 3 minute video clip of the car from some time back.
