Owner: clean2draccord
Name: Michael Choy
Car: 2001 Honda Accord EX 4cyl (2DR/MT)

MODIFICATIONS:

Exterior:
*Buddy Club II Full Body Kit
*Buddy Club II Carbon Fiber Splitter
*Buddy Club II Aluminum Stabilizer Bars
*TYC Black Housing Headlights
*Type-R Grill

Engine/Performance:
*AEM Cold Air Intake
*DC Sports 4-2-1 2-Piece Ceramic Header
*Magnaflow Dual Exhaust System
*Comptech Oil Cap
*Battery Tie Down
*IK16 Denso Iridium Spark Plugs
*NGK Spark Plug Wires

Interior
*Acura CL/TL Type-S Perforated Black Leather Steering Wheel
*Carbon Fiber Dash Kit
*DC Sports Short Shifter Adapter
*ITR Shift Knob
*ITR Shift Boot
*V6Performance.net Brushed Aluminum Door Locks

Wheels/Suspension:
*Primax Type 077 Wheels
*Yokohama ES100 225/40ZR18 88W Tires
*TEIN S-Tech Springs
*Eibach Springs Strut Tower Bar
*KYB GR-2 Gas Shocks
*Specialty Product Rear Camber Kit

Sound/Video:
*Pioneer DEH-P7300 Head Unit
*(2) 12" Audiobahn AW1251T Subwoofers
*(2) Infinity KAPPA 63.5I
*(2) Infinity KAPPA 693.5I
*Audiobahn ACAP4 1 Farad Chrome Capacitor
*Kenwood KAC-929 1000W 2-Ch Amplifier
*Kenwood KAC-649S 320W 4-Ch Amplifier
*Rockford Fosgate Wiring Kit
*Dynamat 10455 Xtreme Bulk Kit

The Story:
Prior to my coupe, I had driven my mom’s 2001 sedan for quite some time. I began to modify it after I had heard that my parents were thinking about handing it down to me. My first modification was a blue AEM Cold Air Intake, followed by a set of Eibach Prokit springs. Being a novice in the import tuning scene, I noticed some major camber wear in the tires and later found out that I needed a camber kit. I came across a friend who knew a local shop that could get good deals on wheel and tire packages. So I saved up and bought some 18” Primax Type 077 wheels wrapped with Yokahama ES100s.

The import scene in my area began to skyrocket and my ambition was to get either a 2000 Civic SI or an Integra GSR. At the time, they were a bit pricey and my insurance quotes were outrageous for the particular models. I later decided on an Accord coupe with a manual transmission. I found a local seller and in March of 2003, I received my 2001 Accord coupe (43,000mi) as a graduation present from my parents.

When I picked up the car from the dealership, (the same day) I drove straight to the shop to have my wheels and suspension swapped from my mom’s car to my new coupe. Several hours later, I picked it back up and installed the intake. At this time, I was eager to modify my car more but my bank account was at its low. I searched on Google for some ideas for modifications and I found a DIY tutorial on how to make black housing headlights. After almost giving my mom a heart attack by putting my head lights into her oven (thanks Mark for the help), I successfully black housed my head lights. My search continued and I came across V6Performance.net; where I learned most of my import tuning knowledge.

My friend Mark had introduced me to a local import car club (Team XLR8SHEN) that he had joined up with. I began to follow them from show to show, and it inspired me to create my ride into a show car. I went all out on my audio system, and put it in the shop for a full custom installation and setup.

I slowly gathered some cash over the summer and bought a carbon fiber dash kit, ITR shift knob and shift boot as well as my DC Sports short shifter adapter. My first semester was college began, and my financial priorities changed. My car stayed the same until I began working again in the winter. I ordered a set of real black housing headlights, a replica Mugen lip (with a 2000 bumper swap), a DC Sports header, and took advantage of the Magnaflow group buy on V6P. I was going for a clean and simple look, and decided to get a Mugen replica front lip. Afterwards, I was voted into Team XLR8SHEN as an official member.

School started back up, and little modifications came here and there. Spring break started and I stayed at home so I could save up for the Wings West, Kaminari, or OEM lip kit. Unfortunately, my car was struck by an old high school acquaintance. To make a long story short, he ended up not paying for the damages and I was forced to drive around with a damaged car. Months passed, and school had a big influence on the halt of my show car project. In 2004, my car was (once again) hit and run while I was at work one day. This time, the damage was pretty serious and I couldn’t even open my trunk and was forced to repair the car.

I was more interested in a clean and simple lip kit but, I realized that a subtle and aggressive body kit was the more “show car” approach. I ordered the authentic Buddy Club II body kit from the Buddy Club II website along with a carbon fiber splitter from a V6P member.

Today, big changes are on the way including a new set of wheels, custom interior, and a Garrett T3/T04e turbo kit (thanks to Tuan). Team XLR8SHEN strives to hold the reputation of one of Atlanta’s most popular and well known import car clubs for 2005.

Thanks/Shout outs

Mom and Dad – Thanks for the car and support in school. Nothing could be possible with out you.

My little brother – Thanks for supporting me and not telling mom and dad about putting all of my money into my car.

Team XLR8SHEN (acceleration) – Not only classified as my teammates, but my true friends for years on end. They’re always there to support and help me, and to give honest opinions. “High five for ’05!” There are too many to list, you know who you are. Thanks to the team girls, Lisa, Lynn, Theary, and Christy for keeping the guys under control. Team website: www.XLR8SHEN.com

My friends – Fred – my roommate and “big brother,” Chris – one of my first friends when I moved to Georgia, always there to make fun of how Asian I am, and how “ricey” my car is. Derrick – ridin’ clean on campus. Craig – my cruising buddy in his Mercedes, R.I.P. my friend, we will never forget you.

V6Performance.net – members and staff, thanks for all the hard work to make V6P what it is today. Without V6P, my car and tuning knowledge wouldn’t be possible. Thanks SIRSIG and nominees, as well as everyone that voted for me. Moatassim and Francis for putting together the Ride-of-the-month, allowing members to get exposure, and the motivation to get to the top.