Story by Geet Madan (@geetsgarage) | Photography by Adam Gordon (@gordon.leadfoot)
Building your first car is a journey that you’ll always remember, and that feeling of satisfaction and success is incomparable. Many people only experience that once in their life, but not Frank Vitulli.
Vitulli has had the pleasure of building some beautiful cars in his lifetime, but this build holds a special place in his heart, a little different than his 1970 Nova. Frank was inspired by his son, Nick, and his love for Hondas, so they teamed up and built a 1989 Honda Civic Si together.
This EF9 is not your typical Honda build; form truly follows function with every tasteful modification from the body down to the powertrain. Frank and his son decided to take a more traditional approach with this build by keeping the D-series with a ZC head swap. The SOHC paired with a Kraftwerks supercharger enabled the motor to exceed its stock potential.
This beautiful set up is pushing 220 whp while breaking necks during any given casual Sunday cruise. With the upgraded Skunk2 intake manifold and throttle body, the supercharger is able to generate more efficient power with smoother airflow. Complemented with a Skunk2 Alpha header and 2.5-inch straight pipe set up, this father-son duo’s EF9 is able to evacuate exhaust gases from the engine with a signature, unmistakable Honda note.
This build is not only easy on the ears, but also on the eyes. The Vitullis decided to run Volk Racings TE37SL wheels wrapped in Kumho Ecsta tires. Beneath the wheel and tire setups you’ll find K-Tuned K1 street coilovers. This suspension set up not only eliminated wheel gap, and lowered the centre of gravity while increasing handling and further aiding performance, but also gives this EF9 a mean looking stance.
This mean machine was initially meant to be a daily driver, but the father-son duo decided on a different approach after they drove away with the Best Honda title at their very first show. “Our original intention with the car was for it to be a daily driver after we got it painted,” says Frank. “Our plans changed a lot when we went to our first show and won Best Honda, and also one of the biggest and baddest crews out there, Nextlevel accepting us to join their crew really made the difference.”
This “Kanjozoku” EF9 has solidified itself amongst many respectable custom builds in the tuner scene. Even though the boys are very satisfied with their build, it isn’t over just yet. The Vitullis already have plans for their next mods, which will continue to set them apart in the JDM Tuner scene.
ESSENTIALS
Owners: Frank and Nick Vitulli
Vehicle: 1989 Honda Civic Si
Location: Brampton, ON
Engine: Honda D16A6 1.6L I4
Horsepower: 220 whp
Torque: 170 lb-ft
SOCIAL
Facebook: /frank.vitulli /nicholas.vitulli
Instagram: @frankvitulli @nick_ef9
ENGINE
- D16ZC head swap
- Mugen valve cover
- Cometic head gasket
- Kraftwerk’s supercharger kit
- APR Head Studs
- AEM adjustable cam gears
- Garage16 fuel pressure gauge
- Golden Eagle Fuel Rail
- Skunk2 pro series 66mm intake manifold and throttle body
- Stage 1 exedy clutch
- Turbosmart BOV
- Vibrant Intercooler
- Fuel Injector Clinic 650cc injectors
- Grams 265 fuel pump
EXHAUST
- K tuned turndown muffler
- 2.5 inch straight pipe
- Skunk 2 Alpha header
ELECTRONICS
- P28 Chipped ECU
WHEELS & TIRES
- Volk Te37SL wheels - 15x8
- Kumho Ecsta tires - 205/50/R15
BRAKES CHASSIS & SUSPENSION
- OEM Honda Pads
- OEM Honda Rotors
- K tuned K1 street coilovers
- K tuned traction bar with stabilizer bars
- Function7 rear control arms
- Beaks rear crossbar
EXTERIOR
- Black pearl custom paint
- Chargespeed front lip
- Chargespeed rear wing
- Carbon fibre antenna delete
- Carbon fibre mirrors
- Carbon fibre Kevlar hood
- Custom front splitter with Devsport winglets
- Canards
- PCI sideskirts
- Rear diffuser
- Rear lip
LIGHTING
- Clear marker lights
- Clear bumper lights
- JDM rear fog lights
- JDM taillights
INTERIOR
- Auto Power full roll cage with custom harness bar
- 5 panel wink mirror
- JDM ITR Recaro front and rear seats
- Custom Recaro door panels
FAVORITE MODIFICATION
- Kraftwerks supercharger
FUTURE MODIFICATIONS
- S2000 cluster
- Spoon calipers
- Rear disc conversion
SPONSORS
- Garage16
- Printmii Custom
SHOPS/MECHANICS
- Splitfire Performance
- Elite Auto Collision
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