SP Rides: The Loud, Proud Rocket
BY MICHAEL KITCHENS
Name: Shawn Stillman
Age: 31
Occupation: Mechanic, Tow Truck Driver
Hobbies: Cars, RC
Year/Make/Model: 1997 Honda Civic
Color: Milano Red
Engine: B18C5, bored out 20 over, JE Pistons, Crower Cams, Skunk2 (springs/retainers/intake manifold/radiator/hoses), 1320 Ramhorn header, RC injectors, AEM fuel rail, Password JDM carbon fiber intake, Nugen valve cover, Innovative motor mounts, all anodized Downstar hardware, wires and brake lines tucked, shaved engine bay
Exterior: EM1 grill and front lip, CTR mirrors, CTR headlights, Password JDM fog lights, shaved moldings and antenna, carbon fiber Spoon duckbill, 2,000 tail lights
Interior: EM1 gauge cluster, EM1 seats, CTR shift boot, Skunk 2 shift knob, red Type-R carpet, Miracle X bar, NRG quick release wheel, power window conversion
Suspension: Tein N1 fully adjustable suspension, CTR 5-lug conversion, drilled and slotted rotors, Blackworks lower control arms, Skunk 2 camber kit front and rear, beaks lower tie bar
Wheels and Tires: CTR Wheels, Nexen Nfera tires in 225/45R/15
The sixth-generation Honda Civic is probably one of the most well known cars on the planet. It’s certainly one of the most popular vehicles around and has been since 1997, when Honda rolled the compact beauty off its production line. And yet, Shawn Stillman has found reason to alter things — the result of which is one heck of a red rocket.
Stillman is no stranger to modifying cars. He’s a mechanic by trade and has spent most of his adult years building and flipping rides of all types. He’s actually owned more than 50 vehicles at one time or another and has tinkered with them all. His preference, however, has always been Hondas.
This car was purchased as a beater, but like most things, Stillman couldn’t keep his hands off of it once the keys were in hand. The motor was bad, though, so an engine rebuild was in store. It was supposed to be a quick swap, but one thing led to another and what we have now is something that has gone way beyond what was originally intended.
The engine is the showpiece for this ride. It has to be one of the best engine bays I’ve ever seen on an import. The attention to detail and the quality of his modifications are simply stunning. The entire bay has been shaved and repainted in white with red flakes. The strut towers have been reworked and welded, and every component has been given a once-over or replacement.
The bay features a B18C5 bored out 20 over with JE Pistons and fitted with Crower cams, skunk two springs and retainers. A Skunk 2 intake manifold, a stunning 1320 Ramhorn header, and Password JDM carbon fiber intake handles the in and out while new Innovative motor mounts, RC injectors and an AEM fuel rail GIVE even more performance. Every single component has been upgraded. It’s practically a work of art.
This beater needed extensive bodywork and shaving to bring it to its current luster. Stillman was resourceful and handled all the repairs in his garage with his main man, Israel Morris, who was instrumental in the car’s transformation. A paint booth was rented and the entire body was sprayed down in Milano Red, leaving this drop-dead gorgeous ride with a fiery exterior full of enhancements. As for the interior, the seats and gauge cluster have been swapped out with Si components.
Tein N1 coilovers as well as other suspension modifications such as Blackworks control arms and a Skunk 2 camber kit handle the drop while a Beaks lower tie bar helps with the car’s rigidity. A 5-lug conversion, as well as drilled and slotted rotors, allows the CTR wheels to contrast well with the red exterior. 225-45-15 NEXEN Nfera tires are wrapped all around.
A man of few words, Stillman firmly believes in letting his work speak for itself. And this stunning car, which possesses a mod lineup of desirable components that any Honda enthusiast would love to own, does that in spades.
