Building a Unique EP3: A Journey Through Passion and Gold Obsession
Discover the inspiring story of James P. Weimer, an active-duty Air Force member, and his remarkable journey of customizing his 2005 Honda Civic Si hatchback. From a small town in Artesia, NM, to Guam and New Jersey, follow his unique journey of turning his car into a work of art.
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JP Weimer
2005 Honda Civic SI
Instagram: @PureZef
Photographer: Wayne Hunter
Instagram: @Hunterseyephotography
Performance Stats:250hp 200tq
A Journey Through Passion and Gold Obsession
Hello, I'm James P. Weimer, an active-duty member of the Air Force. Since 2008, I've been on a relentless journey to build my EP3, a 2005 Honda Civic Si hatchback. This car has seen it all, from being shipped to Guam and then making its way to the Garden State, New Jersey. It's almost finished now, or at least it's getting close to a point where I don't feel the urge to throw more parts at it.
Discovering the Import Culture
I grew up in a small town in Artesia, NM, where spotting a clean JDM car was a rare sight. It was the influential magazines of the past that ignited my passion for the import culture. However, it was the internet that truly expanded my horizons. Before the "Fast and the Furious" franchise, there was a booming online community of blogs, pictures, and videos showcasing pristine JDM cars that I had never seen before. I was captivated by content like Team Rice videos, the Redline volumes, and the Last Race.
Choosing the Car and Customizing It
I initially owned a 1998 Honda Civic Ex for a few years, going through various engine swaps, including a b20b. When it started giving me trouble, I considered selling it. That's when a friend suggested I check out a 2006 Honda Civic SI coupe at a local dealership. To my surprise, it turned out to be a 2005 Honda Civic Si hatchback. It had a unique charm with its unconventional features, like the shifter on the dash and its distinctive exterior. Despite not being the fastest car, it offered exceptional comfort compared to my previous Civic.
In 2008, I shipped the car to Guam and began the journey of modification. Starting with simple bolt-ons, I cherished every moment of it. Unfortunately, the car was broken into, which left me disheartened. However, I saw an opportunity for improvement. I worked with a body shop to have the entire car repainted in Audi garnet red, and I added 17" 5Zigen fn01r-c wheels with coilovers, giving it an aggressive look.
The Gold Obsession
The turning point in my customization journey occurred when I moved to New Jersey in 2011. I met a fellow enthusiast named Brian, who also owned an EP3 but in blue. What caught my eye was the neochrome coating on his valve cover, which looked stunning. He directed me to Wayne from NeoChromeParts.com, and that's when my gold obsession began.
I started small, getting various components gold-plated, such as the dipstick, oil cap, hardware, and a Ktuned fuel rail. It took nearly six months to get these parts back, but the quality of the plating was unparalleled. During my time in NJ, I added numerous upgrades, including a Mugen front lip, grille, and a k24a4 engine with a DC5 transmission.
Japanese Adventure and Supercharger Upgrade
After leaving NJ, I had the opportunity to be stationed in Japan, but sadly, I couldn't take my Civic with me due to strict inspections. I stored the car at my in-law's place for four years until I returned to the States. During my time in Japan, I purchased a used Jackson Racing Supercharger, which became the centrepiece of my build. Gold plating it was a year-long project, involving disassembly, plating by Wayne, porting by Stiegemeier, reassembly, powder coating, and servicing. The final result was nothing short of spectacular.
The Joy of Driving
My EP3 is still a work in progress, with a few items left to address, but driving it is an incredible experience. It's been a long and rewarding journey, and I'm grateful to still own it and enjoy occasional cruises. The car has been stripped down and lightened, offering a raw and exhilarating driving experience. However, I've also purchased a daily driver, as driving a project car without creature comforts can be challenging. Nonetheless, those short cruises are an absolute blast!
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The uniqueness of My EP3
The EP3 is unique in its own right, especially in the United States, where it wasn't as popular. I was drawn to it precisely because it was less common, and that's what made it special. As I continued to build it, my journey took me from a show-oriented build to a track-oriented one.
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Build List:
Engine: 24a4,
- HondaKpro v4,
- DC5 LSD transmission,
- Gold plated Jackson Racing Suproil,
- Gold plated valve cover,
- Mugen oil cap,
- Mugen radiator cap,
- Mugen spark plug cover,
- Mugen bolts,
- Ktuned gold plated fuel rail,
- Ktuned gold plated shifter,
- wiper cowl delete,
- AMG custom titanium intake,
- Simple Speed RSX strut bar.
Interior:
- Recurs seats,
- Mugen steering wheel,
- Mugen pedals,
- Mugen shift knob,
- Haltech Digital display,
- Mugen mirror cover,
- PCI RSX race dash,
- RSX Ktuned billet shifting box,
- Ktuned shifting cables.
Wheels:
- 17" 5Zigen fn01r-c
Suspension:
- Buddy Club N+ coilers,
- Energy bushings all the around
Brakes:
- RSX AP Racing big brake kit,
- EBC rear rotors/pads.
Hands-On Work and Future Plans
I've been hands-on throughout this journey, from engine swaps to dashboard removal; I did it all. Of course, I couldn't have done it without the support of my friends. Painting, however, is a task I leave to the professionals.
Future Plans
My future plans for the EP3 include swapping in a k24a2 or f20c engine from an Honda S2000, installing a full Type R kit, and giving it a fresh coat of paint. While I haven't decided on the color yet, I'm leaning towards a pearl white finish. Lastly, after over a decade, it's time for a new set of wheels.
Advice and Shout-Outs
For anyone embarking on a customization journey, my advice is simple: do it right the first time, invest in quality parts, and exercise patience while building your masterpiece. I'd like to extend my gratitude to my wife, Wayne from NeoChromeParts.com, Brain from ShowStoppersNJ, Felix, and all my friends who've been there every step of the way.
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The Car Scene in My Life
The car scene has allowed me to express my artistic vision through my vehicle and forge meaningful friendships along the way. It's all about connecting with people who share the same passion and constantly improving the chassis.
Dream Car
As for my dream car, it's the Lotus Emira, a symbol of the endless possibilities in the world of automotive craftsmanship.
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