Keenan’s Midori Ek
October 23rd, 2007 • Related • Filed Under
Article & Photos by:
Manuel Manansala
º 99 JDM Itr Motor
º 2000 USDM Itr Transmission
º Hasport Motor Mounts
º Comptech Icebox Intake
º Toda Header
º T1R Testpipe
º Fujitsubo Rm-01 Full Exhaust
º Hondata Tuning
º Koni Yellow Shocks
º Custom Ground Controls 450 front 550 rear
º Civic ex front swaybar
º ASR Rear Lower Brace/ITR Rear Swaybar
º Rear Camber kit
º APR Extended Studs in front
º Benen Front upper 3pt Strut Bar
º Rear Upper Strut Bar
º 16" Spoon SW388's
º 205.45.16 Nitto Neo Gen
º GSR Front/Rear Brakes/Hubs
º Zenki Lug nuts
º 96-98 SIR Headlights
º 96-98 SIR Front Lip
º CTR Side Mirrors
º Half of my heart is in Iraq Magnet
º Momo Hub w/quick release
º Nardi Sport Type A 360mm Steering wheel
º Buddy Club shift knob
º JDM Del Sol seats
With so many people choosing a Honda to modify, it’s hard to distinguish yourself from the crowd. Keenan Holloway and his Midori Civic Hatchback show the qualities that sets his car apart among the others in the Honda Scene. His car is a perfect example of a daily driven weekend warrior setup.The interview with Keenan Holloway on his Midori Civic:
Manny: What is the year, make, and model of your car?
Keenan: 1996 Honda civic Dx hatch (HT says EK, correct is EJ6) even though we try to bring Japan here we’re not in Japan
Manny: What made you decide to get this car among others
Keenan: I like surprising people. I love the feeling of hanging with or performing greater than somebody’s higher costing car. It just shows that if you put enough time into anything no matter how small it is it can explode into something to be contended with. It’s rare in life that you get to actually see that dream come true.
Manny: When did you purchase this vehicle and where
Keenan: I got it in 2004 I think from a guy in Culpepper VA. It was first ripped apart by the owner before him (Champ). The owner I got it from just daily drove it pretty much. And then I came along and took it all apart.
Manny: Is this the only car you built or have there been others?
Keenan: This is the only car I built this far. But I have a close circle of friends and I have to say that we all share work on each other’s cars so I have to share the credit and thanks
Manny: So what is your automotive background?
Keenan: I started working on cars ever since I had a d16y7 that got a rock through the radiator on the way to an interview and actually called my mom in panic that I was quoted 1200 by a Honda dealership to replace it (my mom is the voice of reason) ever since then I started learning everything and did all the work on my car from there on out.
Manny: Did you have any influences in your past that got you interested in cars?
Keenan: I have to say Touch and Eric were the ones that brought me into the world. My first intro to the world was from doing promotions for this huge car show at a drag strip in Montgomery Alabama. I remember the first promo session we went on which was at the parking lot of this shopping center in the middle of the night. It was my first time seeing a car with a carbon fiber hood. Touch’s car was my first experience in a swapped civic EG hatch or what I knew as the fastest d15 VTEC everManny: I always wondered why in GT1 the Spoon Civic had a black hood when I was a kid
Keenan: don’t bring that game up, that game cost me 200.00 back then for buying a spoon N1and thinking my car would sound like a F1 car I overlooked the part where the car revved to 12k+ rpm’s in that game for some reasonManny: What was the first aftermarket part that you purchased for the car?
Keenan: Funny part is the day I got it the first thing I did was switched parts from my old civic hatch to this one (I really wanted the Midori color), so the day we got it, I put in the Tein SS’s (later to be replace because the were so soft), wheels/tires, interior, pretty much everything from my old setup but the motor ;p I think the first thing I actually purchased for this car was a GSR ECU, crank sensor, o2 sensor, crank gear with sensor teeth, VTEC solenoid, and a Carsound cat. Getting the JDM ITR swap (legally) through emissions if you didn’t get the drift
Manny: What is this car set up for? (Drag, Show, Auto X)?
Keenan: Auto-x with a hint of track which I want to get into but maintain a daily driver balance is what I think
Manny: How do you feel about your current setup?
Keenan: Like everything is perfect which means something is about to break soon. Power is perfect where I need it. Suspension, had to get it to rotate right. Went to a smaller sway bar in the front and a larger rear mixed with an 8k front 10k rear spring rate. The 16? wheel upgrade from 15? wasn’t so bad either
Manny: Glad I could help you on the wheels
Keenan: yes yes, as far as appearance I’m actually happy with that
Manny: Have you tracked the car before if so what were the times?
Keenan: I haven’t taken the car on a drag strip since the new motor/tune was done so I have no idea. Drag strip got kind of boring. Too much money for trying to get faster and faster times which means less time using it. Auto-x times are great though and I can get through the city like nothing now so guess all is well
Manny: Have you had any set backs during your build? (Stolen, Motor problems, etc) If so what made you continue finishing this current setup?
Keenan: My car has been broken into 7 times in 4 different states thus far, with just one actual attempt to steal it. As far as set backs I think that count. But in the end it’s always great to just come out through it. I’ve gone through about 4 radios, hella windows, 1 hatch, 2 ignition columns, 4 interior dash repairs, 5 body shop repairs, and endless police reports from the theft attempts. Every time it happens I look at all the options of getting another car, ending it all, getting something and forcing myself to forget the joy of driving something I feel I completely rebuilt, but just can’t do it. So now I just make sure insurance has all my information and enjoy the drive
Keenan: In the end, it’s something you put a lot of time into, but it’s still just a car. A friend of mine told me put your faith into friends and not cars. Best advice I got from him
Manny: What are your plans for the future with this car?
Keenan: I am going to try stop staying up so late the night before auto-x mornings and stop sleeping through them on the weekends. I guess now that it’s where I want it I want to get more seat time now. Besides city play that is.
Manny: Do you think you could ever sell this setup for a new build?
Keenan: I think I’ve been through too much with this car thus far. I guess after a while it would be nice to get something a little more practical for daily driving. But hey, this car is still great in snow too so it’s hard to say. Thus far the ride called life is still fun with this setup.
Manny: Last one buddy
Manny: Do you have anyone that you would like to thank in making this build possible?
Keenan: Damn, so many people, so many friends. Like an awards show right now. First I’d like to thank God. Seriously I would. My other half, Christina, for riding with me in this thing on so many romantic getaways and smiling through the bumps and loud exhaust. My mom and family for letting me bang away at all hours of the night in her garage. Friends who all gave information, sweat, and inspiration. Touch, Eric, Ed, John and his brother Kuya, Manny, Jee, Jomar, Tristan, Chris, other Chris, Brian, Sanders (for all your tuning needs :p), HT and all the great people on there, Champ, and everybody that purchased a used part from me so that I could keep going with my project.