On March 3rd, 2021, I attended my first Honda Acura Meet (abbreviated as HAM). I had recently acquired my 2007 Honda Civic SI (FA5) and my introverted self decided it was time to engage with other Honda enthusiasts. In preparation of the meet, I gave the Civic’s Fiji Blue Pearl paint a quick polish. To this day, I haven’t touched the paint because of the peeling clear coat – which is notorious on the 8th and 9th gen Civics; the previous owner didn’t do the paint recall so there’s that. March 2021 was also around the time I got my Advan RG-II wheels mounted and balanced so it would be the unofficial debut of my take on the 8th gen Civic chassis. The original zenki or 2006-2008 USDM headlights were oxidizing so I bought and installed a pair of kouki or 2009-2011 USDM headlights with HIDs retrofitted. Spoiler alert: those HIDs did not significantly improve night time vision over the halogen bulbs. Nothing too crazy modification-wise as it was (and still is) my clean daily driver but with some elbow grease, the results of the car came out really nice.

It was a nice spring day and the HAM meet took place at the San Leandro Marina in the Bay Area, California. There was a big turnout and you’ll be amazed to find a handful of clean Integra (DC2) and Civic (FA5) builds. This was also among the time of the COVID lockdown parameters being lifted so you’ll also see glimpses of fellow enthusiasts wearing masks. The timing of the event was perfect. People were still a bit socially awkward but being able to connect with other Honda enthusiasts was invigorating. It’s the passion that keeps the community alive. I can attest that during the lockdown of COVID, people took advantage of the free time they had by reengaging with their hobbies. It allowed people to work on their cars in isolation and this gathering allowed enthusiasts to show off all the work, time, and money they’ve put in, in order to get their cars where they wanted it to be.

On the same day, Christian Ngo was also hosting a meet and greet in Cupertino, California. I won’t spoil much! I didn’t capture a ton of pictures so I’m throwing in that content at the end of the post.

(Photos captured in 2021-03-07)

First, we have a 3rd generation Honda Civic Hatchback (E-AT) repainted gray with a set of SSR MK-III wrapped in thick Falken tires.

Secondly, we have a pair of Acura TSX’s (CL7). The Nighthawk Black Pearl TSX is lowered on a set of Work Meister CR2P 2-piece wheels with some stretch on the tires. In contrast, the Artic Blue Pearl TSX has an OEM+ approach and sits on a set of Work Emotion XT7 wheels in bronze.

This Integra Type-R (DC2) is super clean and wears a set of red Volk TE37 OGs.

Right next to the previous ITR was this red Integra with Mugen MF-10 wheels.

Continuing on this chain of Integras, we have this Integra of the previous generation. Withstanding time, this Integra (DA9) has held up and contains a half-cage and Recaro seats in the interior. I spent considerable time finding out the company who manufactured the front lip. With limited search results, I believe the front lip is from Chargespeed. Besides that, we see that it is turbocharged as evident from the intercooler peaking through the grill. Complimenting the Aztec Green Pearl Paint are the Mugen M7 wheels.

As mentioned in the beginning of the post, there were a handful of 8th gen Civics. Starting with this FD2 converted FA5, we can see the owner added a Mugen front lip, fender lights, and Spoon CR93 wheels in a blue colorway.

Towards the rear of the vehicle, this FD2 converted Civic has the circle taillights, Mugen GT wing, HFP (Honda Factory Performance) rear bumper garnish/lip, Mugen sideskirts, and Mugen window visors.

A couple cars down was another FD2 converted FA5. This particular one runs Mugen-style aero and an airbag suspension setup. This allows for the Desmond Regamaster wheels to sit tucked underneath the fenders.

Similar to the previous Civic, here we have a 9th gen Civic sedan (FB6) on a set of Desmond Regmaster MP wheels.

Rolling back 2 generations, we have this Civic Ferio Vi-RS-inspired EK sedan utilizing a set of Kosei K1 wheels.

Besides clean street-built Hondas, in attendance was this track focused Honda S2000 (AP2) and a JDM-faced Integra (DC2). I haven’t researched much of the aero pieces on the AP2 but I was able to breakdown bits and pieces of the DC2. Although both don red Honda badges, the Integra dons an “H” tribute emblem from Rival Machine on the carbon fiber hood.

More details of the Integra can be seen at this angle. It was departing from the San Leandro Marina and you can see the: Sparco bucket seats, First Molding Flugel Plate/Lip, Mugen Gen 2 wing, Volk TE37 Saga wheels in black, and Wilwood brakes. Super clean example of a DC2 from the South Bay.

The HAM meet wasn’t exclusive to Honda’s as there were other manufacturers present like this Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X rocking a set of white Advan GT wheels.

In my experience, FK8’s that I’ve came across in the Bay Area are mildly modified. They’re usually owned by some tech person who daily drive the 10th generation Civic Type-R. Who knows if this person is some techy but this is nothing close to mild in terms of tuning. Starting with the front of the FK8, aero includes: Mugen front garnish pieces/lip, J’s Racing grill, and Varis Arising I bonnet. The sideskirts are also from Mugen.

Transferring to the rear of the FK8, we can see the Mugen rear bumper diffuser. To put the cherry on top, this FK8 is nicely perched on a set of bronze Volk CE28 wheels. The overall flow of the car is so seamless and that’s to be attributed to the owner’s selection of parts.

Super clean and simple DC2 in Milano Red. It sports Desmond Regamasters in a Gloss Gunmetal colorway and peaking through the 5-spoked wheel are a vibrant set of blue Wilwood brakes. At a glance, you would think they are Spoon calipers but I was mistaken.

Representing the East Bay is this iconic Civic and Integra duo from SEIKERS. These were owned by 2 younger enthusiasts and they have multiple videos on their YouTube channel. Watching their personalities grow, as well as their channel, is inspiring and it gives me faith that Japanese-automotive tuning, or even West Coast Honda tuning, is still heading in the right direction and growing among younger enthusiasts. I had a pleasure of exchanging a few words with them – in fact, it might have been my only interaction with people that day… hey, I’m trying! If you’re a fan of DIY-content, Honda content, or GT Channel content click here.

From SEIKERS, this is Jacob Benz’ FD2 converted FA5 Civic. His Civic is fully converted to a JDM Civic Type-R as it utilizes OEM pieces from front to back. Often overlooked in FD2 conversions are the sideskirts specific to the Type-R. These sideskirts, as evident on Jacob’s Civic, require drilling into the body to install plastic fasteners and clips to secure the sideskirts to the body. He even went great lengths of retrofitting a JDM CTR cluster to replace the USDM SI cluster in the interior. Aside from that, he’s running a set of Advan TC-4 wheels in a black colorway. Meeting Jacob was dope experience and I appreciate the time and effort he’s put into doing it right. I mean, I love this car because of that.

Also from SEIKERS, is Andrew Ling’s JDM-faced Integra (DC2). It is really subtle exterior wise but there is a mod list of his engine that you can find on the SEIKERS’ YouTube channel. On the front, we have a Mugen-style front lip. For the wheels, he’s running Takata Green Volk TE37 Sagas. Lastly, for the seats are Recaro SR3 seats in red.

Ending the HAM 2021 coverage, here’s my FA5 in its untouched USDM state in contrast to Jacob’s FD2*, . It’s all original besides the add-ons such as the HFP lip kit and Advan RG-II wheels. In comparison, they’re both in Fiji Blue Pearl and wear Advan Racing wheels.

Approximately 45 minutes later, I drove from the East Bay to the South Bay and ended up in a strip mall of Cupertino, California. I was able to attend a meet and greet hosted by Christian Ngo and the folks at Poke-Nomics. I’ve had a few exchanges with Christian at prior WekFest events so I didn’t do the whole meet and greet stuff. I was just interested in the cars – and yeah yeah, I didn’t forget that I mentioned how I was going to interact with others but (another VALID excuse) my social battery was depleted, honestly!

Christian was previously known for his stanced WRX hatch. He started getting into grassroots drifiting, welding, and fabricating. His work is evident in this widebodied Sil80 that he built himself. It has came a long way and this rendition features Ishikawa fenders. I believe at the time, Christian was one of the first persons state-side to obtain and to install the Ishikawa fenders. Along with the fenders, he recieved instructions and guidance from Masaru Ishikawa, himself. Ishikawa is known in Japan for his well-executed S13’s that he showcases at WekFest Japan. Furthermore, complimenting the widened Sil80 are the bronze Volk TE37V wheels.

A couple cars down is this street-sweeper BMW E36 on a set of chrome Work VS-KF wheels. If you don’t know the motto I say when I really like a car, let me reiterate: this car f*cks!

The biggest surprise was this extremely loud Toyota Corolla Levin (AE86). I remember I was by the Poke-Nomics storefront and about 2 blocks down from the strip mall, I heard a high-pitched buzz/growl coming up the block. I start walking towards the sound and I spot this golden Levin. As the car and I get closer I can see the owner, Instagram: @rikos_way, wearing a set of noise cancelling earmuffs. It was loud from the outside so I couldn’t image how loud it was in the gutted interior of the AE86.

This Levin is reminiscent of the Corollas in N2 Cup race class. In its golden paint, like the rest of Rikos’ fleet of cars, the TRD N2 bodykit shines beautifully. Even in the engine bay, the valve cover of the BEAM’S 3SGTE is also golden. Contrasting the valve cover are the silver individual throttle bodies (abbreviated as ITBs). Underneath the TRD N2 fenders are Work Equip 40 wheels.

What can I say? This thing F*CKS!

Thanks for tuning into this coverage of the 2021 Honda Acura Meet with a bonus feature of the meet and greet! As the season changes from fall to winter, I’ll be updating the blog with more car meet coverage from 2021 to 2022. In this time frame, car events were few and far between but there were a handful of car gatherings which you’ll see in the upcoming content. Stay tuned and remember to embrace all possibilities!