The Civic Racecar That Changed the Honda Game Forever

This car right here is an absolute game changer. For the first time in 20 years, legendary racecar builder Stephan Papadakis lifts the front clip of his legendary drag racing Civic for an unprecedented look at everything that made this car tick: the front wheel drive drag racer that blew minds and records. Big thanks to Steph for bringing this fine piece of equipment out to the Donut Garage!
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Papadakis Racing:
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First 9 Second FWD Quarter Mile - Battle of the Imports 1999 - Vintage Import Drag
• First 9 Second FWD Qua...

[@TheHoonigans]

Drifting or Import Drag Racing? Go!

[@NoName-hc8jr]

Both✋🏻🌚

[@toxicmasculinity7870]

Hoonigan why not both?

[@amoj2188]

Time Attack! E.O.D!

[@MrUnknown33-v5o]

Drag

[@originaldylanbaxter]

Yes please

[@DrSwiss-ym7kz]

Nad's favorite word is "Completely" change my mind 6:12 6:13 6:15 6:37 6:42 6:44 7:12 7:22 9:30 9:31 9:40 11:11 11:12 11:36 12:16 12:17 12:24 12:25 14:02 14:03 14:10 14:11 14:12 18:15 18:16 18:52 19:12 19:13 19:35 19:39 21:09

[@jono051283]

Thomas Salerno 😂😂👌🏻

[@bennicolson9370]

Thomas Salerno I completely agree

[@kapten-awesome]

Are you completely sure that is all of them?

[@DrSwiss-ym7kz]

@@kapten-awesome I took 45 min to find all of them, even making sure with .5 playback. I'm pretty sure.

[@adrianr7831]

How long did this take

[@Schroe.]

8 second legend... that was my nickname in high school

[@TheHoonigans]

Ha! That should be Nads current nick name.

[@parabola118]

Is the kid on your profile picture the proof of that? 😂

[@jacobj1517]

😁

[@KysZilla]

"Designated" (not just for parties 😉)

[@riothero313]

@Stephen Varthas My first time banged it out for quite awhile, I thought I was the champ. It wasn't until my second time that I realized it was because I was very drunk.

[@beeemdubau]

More Papadakis, please! The man is a certified car genius; love his enthusiasm talking about his builds.

[@TheHoonigans]

It's exciting to see Steph make that transition from Import Drag Racing to Drifting. He's been able to take that same passion and knowledge from Drag Racing and implemented it in to Formula Drift.

[@Sookigarage]

@@TheHoonigans And even cooler to see him wrench apart his old drag race car on camera!

[@Cijpher441]

@@Sookigarage he even has his own youtube channel where he does a lot of engine teardowns and builds and all his vids are crazy informative

[@Burley_Bert]

AMEN TO THAT!

[@jsleeio]

Do checkout his KZbin channel, then :-) and I love the enthusiasm and camera manner too, really engaging and informative.

[@slowbra94]

Seeing how jank some of this was back in the day is so great. The swapping the rear suspension for the front. Putting rear slicks on the front. Welding up the front suspension with solid bars. There's so much creative little things I think most people who want to go fast will never do or never think to do. And the fact that they did this 21 years ago is even better

[@basithph8958]

Man I miss those old days of Super Street Man those were the days of the original Fast & Furious

[@adampimentel9490]

So much fascinating builds back then. Pretty much pave the way for the import industry we have today.

[@TheHoonigans]

Rumor is Dom from Fast & Furious was actually based off of Steph... #funfact

[@qotsa1]

Sport compact car> super street

[@devianb]

Don't forget HIN, Hot Import Nights.

[@WereAllThatBored]

Yup. Back when John Brown was a name in the industry. A buddy had a Frankenstein motor built by him. Was unreal. 12.50 all motor in a 1991 full interior Civic.

[@Jim_M_75]

Yes, I remember this car from way back. This is the car that did what everyone said you couldn't do with a fwd car. Great to see Pap' the legend show us round his legendary Civic. 20 years ago, wow time flies.

[@CompressorSurge]

Jim M 75 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@kylem2010GT]

Its be said before but Nads always asks all the questions I want to know. Now add Stephan, a guy that automatically tells me what I want to know. Super informative. This is what I love Build Biology!

[@FXDGRND]

Shaun Carlson was a genius. From insane minitrucks to insane race car. Always on a different level.

[@nateking892]

RIP Shaun ❤

[@chrrtz_builds2018]

This man is a pure legend. That is it I am speechless.

[@TheHoonigans]

We were just going to hand him the mic and let him do a full episode on his own... We just wanted to make sure he didn't leave anything out!

[@Mr.Saephan503]

600hp back then is the same as 1,000 hp or more now

[@dj4monie]

Somewhat, turbo technology isn't where it is now. Fuel Injection has advanced greatly as well, really large injectors were not available yet. They would have made more power with staged injection. If built with today's knowledge base it would be 1200-1300 whp and run deep into the 6's if not faser, since Speed Factory makes 1,200 hp and runs high 6's/low 7's on a 24.5" tall tire in a Civic that still mostly uni-body per the rules.

[@shombiedixon7017]

Truth

[@Hellsatanx]

yeah the McLaren F1 was the ultimate hypercar of the same era and it made 618 hp

[@freedomfox8183]

@@Hellsatanx that still is the ultimate hypercar and some worth 20-25mil used that's a helluva investment

[@markmccaffrey4799]

In ‘99 of you made 500hp you were king of the skreets lol

[@Ymario37]

Nads: Fight me Me: Nah man you right

[@Lilmattw_freshoutdabox23]

This has to be one of the best break down videos you guys have done n I can't believe how much he broke the car down to show us how the car works. I was waiting for him to ask you if you wanted to pull the motor out to show you how simple but complex this car really is.

[@utbdoug]

Can we just take a moment to appreciate Stephan. He's so chilled and relaxed, and such a nice guy!

[@jkalash762]

I remember when this car was first put in all the mags and still have the issues somewhere. It was an and still is an absolute marvel of design.

[@TheHoonigans]

If you still have those mag's take a picture of them and DM them to us on IG!

[@Ja2808R]

I remember this car dearly, very early 2000s in Super Street magazine. Got my own 5 gen prelude not long after, was my first car. Still own it, 16 years and going.

[@austinsears1637]

This dude is super knowledgeable and humbling at the same time. A super rare combo you hardly ever come across these days. Congrats on Everything you've accomplished with this car and the engine modifications and whatnot!!! Keep on keepin on!!!

[@TheHoonigans]

Right on Austin, thanks for the comment!

[@draggonhedd]

I love how this thing is a full tube chassis custom build with huge fat slicks, and it ran high 9s. Then you look at the BoostedBoiz hatch and that thing is a full on street car built with ebay parts on the same engine, and theyre creeping up on the 9s too. It's crazy how far tuning and engine management has come, and how much better tires have gotten for FWD cars. It's so cool to see where it all started.

[@TheHoonigans]

People don't realize what Papadakis and this car did for the import culture. Those two combined really built a big portion of what the tuner scene is today.

[@messeduprex]

@@TheHoonigans I this car brings back soo many memories between Papdakis, Lisa Kubo, Ed Bergenholtz, Shaun Carlson and i would even included Bisi in that group. they framed the future. I still remember breaking a tps sensor at a race in the 2000 at englishtown raceway and Papdakis actually helped us get fixed enough to limp home from the track.

[@03canadianf5]

Love watching Nads nerd out on imports. You can see the genuine excitement at times, and it actually really draws you in to wanting to know more.

[@kyleupchurch6822]

Bruh!!! A double banger! And I was just sayin we need more Nads!!!!!

[@TheHoonigans]

We had to drop it on you guys, It's one of the only ways to make it through a Wednesday!

[@George0674]

I was active in the scene back in the late '90s to early 2000s bracket racing my H22 swapped 92 Accord. I remember when this car came out. Legendary!

[@SF_Native]

I remember these days, and definitely remember Stephen Papadakis. Man, what a legendary car/driver! Glad this car still looks/runs great after all these years.

[@pearlbluesoul]

Dude...remember this car on Super Street and Turbo magazine when it came out...so crazy after all these years getting to know it this way. 👍 Thanks for the video!!

[@cwbetb]

Thanks for the memories Stephan! RIP Shawn!

[@robertsouza8789]

Papadakis has literally mastered every import he touches, after conquering the Honda world he went on to kill it with the 2js and is already getting 1000hp outa stock block a90 supras, def a beast

[@spamcan9208]

I remember this car, it was a big step forward back in the day. I am amazed at how clever and straightforward it is. Glad to see Papadakis still racing. The guy really knows his stuff and is a capable driver. Awesome.

[@justRD1]

Shaun Carlson built a beautiful 7-second SRT4. RIP

[@stevenharpervw]

Not a Honda fan but that video was so interesting. And your guest was so passionate without being boastful. Just brilliant to watch 10/10

[@nateking892]

Iconic AF. I was there at the first shakedown runs I think I have it on VHS somewhere. Beautiful build! RIP Shaun

[@TType851]

I think I ran next to this car at a T&T at Pomona around 2000. I was in a 11sec Turbo Buick and cut a good light and then watched a yellow civic pass me like I was standing still and run a 9.xx. Damn impressive for the time.

[@haaaaaawtdaaaaawwwgggggpri1321]

Saw this car at the perterson museum, such an amazing car 🙏🏼

[@z31rider24]

I watched Stephen, Adam, Lisa Kubo and others drag race on cable TV channel. I would also buy many Import magazines. During those days I would go to street races in Southern Cali with my buddies Friday thru Sunday nights. This was back summer of 2000. What an amazing time.

[@jarekpszuk6944]

The moment i saw the car rolling into the garage I knew Nads will be in this video. He just wouldn't let it be reviewed by someone else XD. Not that I'm mad, Nads is cool, he seems like a guy that would make a great uncle lol

[@TheHoonigans]

Nads is an uncle we all wish we had....

[@boostedbuiltgarage]

Always love listening to Stephen talk, such a humble and highly knowledgeable guy

[@keepitgwithme]

You need ed bergenholtz crx in the garage!

[@77zrod46]

I may be miss remembering but I swear there was a yellow front drive car I seen on tv. It was a 6 cylinder turbocharged ( mabey twin) car, front wheel drive. I think it was made to run in a class just under NHRA but the goal was to hopefully create a class in NHRA. I swear it ran mid 6's in the 1/4. This is so cool being from '98. I wish I could recall the actual car and circumstances.

[@isaacshively6705]

I'd throw some lights and blinkers and street drive it... I used to drive a f250 I don't need turning radius

[@earnestbunbury2103]

Savage

[@Dukes3677]

Go drive a stock 2011 Colorado. Less than a diesel

[@JosephAlanOliveros]

this puts a fucking giddy smile on my face because i was there. not physically there when a mustachioed Stephan (with matching prodigious amount of hair) hit the 9s, but i was at THE moment when the news of a 9 second Honda hit the pages of Super Street, Turbo Magazine, Sports Compact Car Magazine. i'm amazed at how much i still don't know about this car! i really thought it was an EK! thank you for this video! truly appreciate it!

[@yocheckit1859]

Honda fans Were u att!!!!

[@TheHoonigans]

Where is our Honda Fans at?!

[@mycosys]

Not to start a holy war - but if that is a Honda so is an Ariel Atom

[@yocheckit1859]

@@mycosys 🤣

[@mycosys]

@@johnnaderi9105 Then so is an Ariel Atom 3 - it is a tube frame chassis with a civic drivetrain, apart from putting the drivetrain at the back they are REALLY similar. Thats why its funny ;)

[@Shepard_AU]

Mijc Osis And I think the Ariel Nomad as well.

[@TheRealKendrick]

What the? Flash backs of years gone by. Thanks for the memories. Back then all you needed was enough cash for gas in the Si and that was a weekend. Papadakis = Legend.

[@gerxiong6299]

Get all the wicked racing team on here! Lol grew up at the race tracks with these guys... even on the illegal street drags in OC

[@zandern9489]

Holy krap, talk about flash back! Nice to see this piece of history is still around and looking so great. Yup, Del Mar fair is where I saw it. Man I feel old, oh wait, I am. 🥴

[@AnalogAssassin1]

I was there...the golden age of the scene. Then they invented dirt the following year.

[@2_2_4_3]

Miss these days, my young 20s... Was into the illegal drag scene heavy back then, the last few years just getting back into Honda's once again. Pap was and is a Legend. Salute to him and the Legendary build 🙌

[@kirkarvint.2017]

Haven't even started the vid but I already know Nads will be hosting.

[@TheHoonigans]

How did you guess...

[@kirkarvint.2017]

@@TheHoonigans anything that starts with H and ends with onda, Nads and beer for sure.

[@luisvillarreal7781]

You know you built it right when it looks and work better then a lot of cars nowadays

[@user-vg1fu1xb5l]

No matter what type of car guy you are You will always find that respect on Honda's

[@OGHAuto]

Man love this, I found a full chassis civic here in Tampa sitting in a garage. No one builds them full chassis no more.

[@TheHoonigans]

Finding old EG EK Civics in decent shape is getting harder and hard. You might of just found a gold mine!

[@billymadison5984]

Bruh gotA give PFI Speed and Shaun some seious credit

[@ynots38]

I was there for the "2nd" 9sec pass at LACR Palmdale(closed now)... stil remember the announcer "in all my years of announcing I'd never thought I'd see a Honda in the 9s"... good ol days... wish I could find the video footage from back then do I could post it....

[@gerxiong6299]

The GOAT of import racing! 🙌

[@Ja2808R]

This car is a classic; and I’ve been into and driving Honda’s since 2004

[@epictestdrive7978]

Damn Stephen, This brings back some memories. Back then and a few years before I was running an MR2 in the 11s (which was fast back then). Using a Accel Engine Management system with get this.... a 16X16 fuel and Ignition map. I had the same 2 step with the pills, and Spearco Intercooler. We all hated you FWD guys with the "Wheelie bars" We thought it cheating that you were using a safety device to lengthen your wheelbase. :-) I miss the ingenuity of the days. Now I look back at the hacks we all did to make things go, and I laugh. You made me look back at some of the people I would see at the track, Adam S, Lisa K and so on... It's good to see you guys still around. I miss those days.

[@JMNTN]

nads before doing literally anything: hold on, this calls for a drink

[@earnestbunbury2103]

He's like a poor Richard Rawlings ...

[@iaial0]

Every video I watch from and with Steph makes me love him more. So knowledgeable and humble

[@edwinscott6225]

Fabulous car!!! Hey Steph, my son has the EG hatch that you and Viet had back in the day. Still have a lot of the parts but still in good shape. Great seeing a great piece of import history.

[@gestaltgaragellc.9893]

Man Nads, to see this car in person... 😮💥 Such a gorgeous build from 20 or so years ago. Papadakis is one of the godfathers for the Honda community. 👍

[@WhatPlantisthatPaul]

The Greddy PRofec b!!!!!! I had one on my 1995 Eclipse GSX with a 16 G turbo. That was a fun car...

[@MrCandytyper]

I remember seeing this car at Moroso in WPB Florida when i was a kid!Brings back so much memories!!

[@rogerserafin]

Totally remember this car. Also remember Steph's 91 black civic hatchback when he was with JG Engine Dynamics.

[@bonz424]

Hell ya. See Honda in pic. Know it will be Nads.

[@MILANOKIS]

Man I never get tired of watching this

[@thetreblerebel]

Stephan is really cool, his youtube channel explaining race development is great. Not to mention his Formula D team is one of the best

[@nos4me]

Get Brent from pfi on with his fwd civic with a t56

[@rickscott7438]

Yes, gotta love Brent and the Boostedboiz, his enthusiasm is off the chain. One wild and crazy guy. lol

[@chadalac1977]

I'll vote for that !

[@pbmaddhatter]

Brent was the first import in the tens. He has a plaque for it.

[@Neildo430ci]

I remember this machine. At a time when we was 4's vs V8's. I was a 8 believer. But thought it was cost a fortune to build. After so years it would take some time, but similar could be built. I turned out to be a 50's car person. thumbs up.

[@DiscoR53]

“ let’s go look for Import Models” you have to wonder how kind time has been to them.🤔

[@sarahdell4042]

Crazy he still has this!

[@thekiddupree5567]

Import Papi!!! Aka "Functional Alcoholic Uncle".

[@thekiddupree5567]

@@johnnaderi9105 #teamHondaholics 🍻

[@tonser316]

@@johnnaderi9105 lol

[@TheRipster777]

THANK YOU HOONIGAN. THANK YOU NADS. Steph is the guy I've been waiting to see on this channel. Now we need a field trip to his shop...

[@vtecfed420]

I saw this car run for the first in public back in the day. We were just f*cking blown away.

[@jakemj03]

Great episode! As soon as I saw the thumbnail, I knew it was the first 9 sec FWD car from reading it in magazines from back in the day. Awesome piece of history, thanks for the amazing content! When Nads mentioned Bergenholtz, I immediately thought of a blue and white CRX... Google confirmed my memories from 22 years ago - trip down nostalgia lane!

[@burnuts007]

Yep these Pro FWD streets are definitely making a resurgence. A bunch of them were at C&C.

[@bernercalito8422]

I was there when that car ran 9 second in palmdale for the first time. The crowd went crazy!!!

[@oldskool16V]

I ran at that same event but I broke out early. Still got some old pictures from that weekend. Good times

[@vitaltrina]

I love the fact that says the civic racecar, but has nothing to do with a civic

[@mrjohnnyk]

This is a completely custom race car, it has nothing in common with a Civic

[@Patrick94GSR]

@@mrjohnnyk It resembles a Civic, in the fact that it has a few Civic body panels on it. This has more to do with a Civic really, than NASCAR cars do with their road car counterparts.

[@mrjohnnyk]

@@Patrick94GSR Eh... it's basically the same exact kind of car. It's a custom race car meant to vaguely resemble a production car.

[@Patrick94GSR]

@@mrjohnnyk yeah that's what I meant, except this one has a few actual Honda body panels on it, whereas NASCAR cars are just completely custom fiberglass/carbon/kevlar bodies that kinda-sorta resemble the shape of the road car, with a few stickers that look like lights on them.

[@mrjohnnyk]

@@Patrick94GSR Yeah true, at least this has SOME Honda stuff in it, NASCAR has absolutely nothing to do with the cars they style their fiberglass after.

[@beegersoutdoors8861]

The car owner was great, very informative. In my top 3 build vids, for sure! Much respect from Detroit Michigan.

[@Pablocrz44]

Nads making himself looking like an alcoholic as soon as the video starts come on

[@YensR]

Not sure about cultural differences, but the whole cup-carrying while looking at a supercool car came across as a bit disrespectful to me. I know he wasn't, he was super excited, but it gave me a negative vibe at first.

[@furyofgungnir]

@@YensR I've always thought this. I know Nads gives his pure and truest focus to each person (vehicle) he interviews, but the cup always in hand has always bothered me.

[@jasonsmith2298]

I still have video's of this car racing back in the day.

[@leglesslex9738]

Honda , a true icon of the import scene

[@evanhasner]

Brent from pfi is probably creaming his pants over this.

[@tonydoityourself1831]

Didn't The bully go 9's before this ?

[@FuelSniffer]

haven't seen those sx pumps and filters in eons. had a couple of those on my mustang, good pumps, but ridiculously loud. fun to see the history of this car

[@ryancampbellsoupedtonuts3846]

How great would it have been to have the hatch and coupe in the same video to show the evolution. Ah hell throw in the rear drive civic as well. Saw him race all three at many races and was always a crowd favorite. Loved it! Certified legend!

[@scroob72]

My favorite build biology and I'm a muscle car guy. This Civic is innovation for it's time.

[@bbggakkba]

More nads please!! He is easily my favourite presenter on the show. No one else has the knowledge that he does

[@kevinhibbard320]

Nice to see Nads getting some love in these comments. Hes such an OG.

[@banzaibankai2671]

I remember seeing this car in person and talking to Steph back in 2001.

[@joshbsz]

They say to follow your passion. Steph Papadakis embodies that statement to the fullest. Rip Shaun Carlson, a fantastic fabricator.

[@ryanmoulds9225]

EPIC!! I appreciated the ingenuity of the Papadakis team so much. I would concur with Nads. “The most influential Honda”! Thank you for bringing this back Nads. You deserve no shit from anyone. Wealth of knowledge and connections.

[@sockerdood11]

Nobody should do “Build Biology” videos on Hondas other than Nads.

[@TheHoonigans]

This is 100% the damn truth.... Nads is our Honda Papi.

[@The90CivicSi]

Papadakis gunna bring this beast out to de-throne the Hoonicorn in THIS vs THAT?!

[@MarklandDesignsOfAtlanta]

Man thing brings back so many memories, who remembers Nopi nationals around 2000-2001

[@sammichmanjr]

Thanks for not letting Nads lead the way on talking about this car. Papadakis is a freaking genius and should be allowed to discuss his own car.

[@nextoneontothe4803]

I remember when Steph had his shop Hondapro in Santa Ana. He did a swap for me. Cool dude, real car guy

[@shawnjacobi8717]

Yea in have seen this car a few times in the late 90s pretty crazy it was in every Nopi adds. I am so glad it’s still looks super nice. Real legend.

[@TheHoonigans]

Have you ever seen this car run before in person? If you have you're a very lucky man!

[@jtsunami3932]

I wish Steph would remember his roots and rock a "Wicked" Sticker on all his race cars.

[@smith5796]

This is my absolute favourite vehicle since I was born.

[@AlphaMachina]

Incredible piece of history. Awesome, ingenious engineering for the time.

[@eg9549]

There’s so much potential for that car now, with all the new technology now

[@victorfranco5551]

seen these guys on ssc/ super street. they even made hotwheels on that car. i loooovvvveeee it thank you guys for making me the huge honda boi i am today

[@johnhornbrook4975]

Steph is the greatest, and Nads child like love for Hondas makes this episode amazing

[@TheHoonigans]

Totally agree John!