With the fuel and spark taken care of, all that was left to sort out before oodles of linear iVTEC horsepower could be enjoyed was to hook up the intake, exhaust and cooling systems. On the intake side Harjono opted for a Fujita short ram intake designed for the RSX, while on the exhaust side a custom header was built using a Burns Stainless merge collector. For those in-the-know, a Burns merge collector is a serious piece of go-fast voodoo that allows exhaust gases from each cylinder to merge smoothly and escape to the atmosphere via a Fujitsubo Power Getter catback, Vibrant Performance metal core catalytic converter and Ultra Quiet resonator while robbing the engine of as little power as possible. With a Koyo full width aluminum radiator and Samco hoses completing the coolant system’s loop, Harjono plugged in the Hondata K-100 ECU and rolled the local DynoJet to the tune of 205whp and 150 ft-lbs with his internally stock K20A2. Making that kind of power out of a fully built B18C was a major challenge only a few short years ago, which just goes to show how big a step forward the K-unit really is. With this challenging engine swap completed in fine style, the rest of the build came together comparatively quickly and easily. After having Velocity Autobody coat his Del Sol in Titanium Grey Metallic paint, including the Mugen front bumper and M-Speed side and rear skirts and rear spoiler, Harjono installed all new OE moldings, strips and fasteners as well as an OptionAero OE style carbon fiber hood held in place with OMP hood pins, one-piece black chrome headlights featuring an Ignited 6000k HID kit, JDM EG2 side markers and fog lights, and a Golden Eagle tow hook. Completing the striking exterior package is a set of gold 17-inch Rays Engineering Gram Light 57C, which Precision Rim Repair enhanced by custom-machining a polished lip onto. With Buddy Club Racing Spec coilovers, a full compliment of SPC control and camber arms, JDM DC2 front and rear sway bars, Energy Suspension bushings and an ETD traction bar system, this Del Sol now has all the right ingredients to allow the Fuzion ZRi 205/40-17 tires to put that naturally aspirated K-juice to good use.
This little Honda isn’t just a trick engine swap and pretty face though, with interior and audio upgrades to match the under-hood and body improvements. With a decidedly JDM influenced cockpit, Harjono’s Del Sol keeps the clean and purposeful theme going strong with Recaro SRII reclinable seats, a JDM DC2 ITR Momo non-ABS steering wheel, JDM EK9 CTR shift boot, and Spoon titanium shift knob. Complimenting the carbon hood and front strut tower bar is a WoodView carbon fiber dash trim kit, while the black Alcantara wrapped door panels mimic the Recaro’s texture perfectly. And when he’s stuck in traffic and the roar of his K20 can’t be let loose to nurture his tuner soul, Harjono can always fall back on the impressive sound system Innovative Audio installed, including a Pioneer head unit, JBL 6-channel amp, Infinity component and coaxial speakers, JL Audio subwoofer and Tsunami 1.2 farad capacitor, all housed in custom fiberglass enclosures.
Having won his class at SCN Montreal and representing SPC at SEMA IAS, there’s little question that Harjono has fulfilled his goal of building his version of an “end all be all” project car. Having kept costs down by picking up a lot of the parts on internet forums and eBay and by doing a lot of the wrenching himself with the priceless support of his boys at A.R.T. Motorsports (where Joee and Pat gave him free access to their shop), there’s little question that, whether he knows it or not, Harjono has built a perfect example of what Honda’s little targa top two-seater can become and in the process has inspired dreams and nurtured more than a few souls. And so it would seem that you really don’t have to make a trip to the south to find some seriously tasty Sol food!