SP Rides: Back in the Game
BY MICHAEL KITCHENS
Name: Christian Joaquin
Age: 31
Occupation: Healthcare worker
Hobbies: Cars, video games
Year/Make/Model: 2005 Acura RSX
Color: Nighthawk Black Pear
Engine: Ingen Short Ram Intake, Buddy Club Spec II Cat-Back Racing Exhaust (Type-S).
Exterior: ASPEC front lip, side skirts and rear lip, STI V-Lip (custom wrapped), DC5 Type-R front and rear red emblems, Tail-lights, brake duct shields, DC5 Type-R tail-lights, DC5 Type-R brake duct shields, JDM Honda Access window visors, JDM DC5 Integra emblem, JDM DC5 amber side markers, JDM OEM rear wiper delete plug, Type-S rear deck lid spoiler, King rear window spoiler, Takata tow strap, RSX OEM hood bra, Rolled front and rear fenders, HID low and high beam lights and LED reverse light bulbs.
Interior: Recaro DC5 Type-R racing seats (Driver and Passenger), DC5 Type-R door sills, DC5 Type-R Momo steering wheel, Takata harness 4-Point (Driver and Passenger), Takata Alternate harness bracket, NRG Titanium harness n-bar, GoPro roll bar mount, GoPro skeleton frame, JDM shift knob, JDM Broadway mirror and interior LED lights.
ICE: Pioneer double din, Rockford Fosgate Prime amp, Rockford Fosgate P3 Punch Subwoofer and subwoofer ported enclosure.
Wheels and Suspension: Airrex Digital Suspension System, Airrex Air struts with front camber plates, Airrex Digital Gauge (Custom Mounted), Airrex Manifold, Airrex Brain/Wireless Receiver, 5-Gallon Tank, Double Viair 444c Compressors, ESR SR02 Wheels, Ingalls Rear Camber Arms, 326 Power Spiked lug nuts and Beaks tie bar.
Christian Joaquin first became a car enthusiast in high school, keeping close tabs of the import scene while working to modify his own ’91 Honda Accord. This way of life continued for several years until he bought this 2005 Honda RSX and, in an unusual turn of events, simply quit following the import scene. His reasons?
“Cops, at first,” Joaquin said. “Plus, the scene was all about neon body kits and Lamborghini doors. I wasn’t into that so I took a break.”
Ten years later, the modification scene began to resonate with Joaquin once again. His daily driver had been stock since he purchased it off the lot, but a change in the scene, as well as having a little extra cash, became the catalyst for his return. After joining Team Showcase, Joaquin started making changes to the Honda RSX to his previous expectations.
Among his modifications, the biggest change was the addition of an Airrex Digital Suspension System. Joaquin’s Honda used to run static coil-overs, with just 2 inches of clearance that made life absolutely miserable. A custom install was completed that involved adding air struts with front camber plates, a 5-gallon tank, as well as Double Viair 444c compressors. The trunk setup is nicely accented and kept very clean, per Joaquin’s usual preference.
This RSX is dropped on to 17-inch ESR SR02 wheels and capped by statement-making 326 Power Spiked Lug Nuts, which were sourced directly from Japan. Joaquin said the wheels are much easier to clean than his previous set and the directional blade design is unique compared to most other choices. Ingalls rear camber arms keep the wheels tucked nicely while a Beaks tie bar holds it all together.
Exterior-wise, this ride rolls with an ASPEC kit that is clean and authentic with a sweet front lip, side skirts and rear lip. An added STi V-Lip has been custom-wrapped to match. The entire car gets the Type-R treatment — both inside and out, while goodies such as the front and rear emblems, the tail lights and brake duct shields have been dropped in to replace the USDM versions. Additional JDM components grace both the exterior and interior.
Carrying over the Type-R theme are Recaro DC5 racing seats, Type-R door sills and the pure white MOMO steering wheel. An NRG Titanium harness bar allows the matching twin 4-point harness a secure mounting point to hold its occupants in place. Musically, a Rockford Fosgate P3 Punch Subwoofer kicks out the bass while more JDM components fill the cabin with subtle touches such as the shift knob and Broadway mirror.
Being the car’s first owner means Joaquin has taken his time in modifying the car to extremes. He’s left the engine relatively untouched for reliability reasons, but that doesn’t change the fact that this car is an inspiration. “I’m just here to inspire people to build and keep the scene growing. Props to my team for the support and motivation,” he said.
