Ignition chores have been left to the tried-and-true 7AL-2 from MSD. The MSD box intensifies the spark charge to two Braman coils (one for every two cylinders). The coils deliver the highly juiced charge to the NGK plugs through Magnecor wires.
Directing the highly pressurized...
Directing the highly pressurized air into the head is a modified STR sheetmetal intake. Look closely and you can see the intake has eight injectors plumbed into the runners.
Monitoring engine parameters...
Monitoring engine parameters is a plethora of Auto Meter gauges mounted in the custom Rasado Racing dash.
There is a very fine line between producing a high horsepower powerplant and a high horsepower metal shredder. Making sure the engine produces single-digit timeslips and not pieces is a stand-alone Haltech engine management system that has been installed in place of the factory ECU. The Haltech was chosen because it was rather simple install and has remarkable tuning flexibility. Rosado Racing installed the Haltech system and tuned it to perfection. Rosado Racing was able to extract over 500-plus horsepower to the wheels on the dyno.
A lightened Clutch Masters flywheel and heavy-duty clutch transfers the power from the engine to the wheels. The clutch spins the spline of a factory Integra Type-R transmission equipped with a Phantom Grip differential. A set of custom racing axles torque Bogart one-piece aluminum racing wheels wrapped with Mickey Thompson rubber. Making sure the speedster comes to a halt after reaching a terminal velocity of 145-plus mph is an enhanced braking system featuring Power Slot rotors at all four corners.
For better weight distribution,...
For better weight distribution, the water cell and pump for the intercooler is mounted on the passenger side of the vehicle.
The interior features an NHRA-certified...
The interior features an NHRA-certified cage and sheetmetal dash constructed by Rosado Racing.
As mentioned earlier, a high-horsepower engine is only half the battle when it comes to building a Quick Class racer. Getting all the power to the ground is a whole other story. The Blue Bomber utilizes a hybrid Braman motorsports suspension system. Tokico shocks and Skunk2 coilovers replace the factory units. Out back, a custom fabricated wheelie bar prevents weight transfer to the back.
To make the Civic stand out from the rest of the field, six layers of BASF blue was applied meticulously to the Honda's sheetmetal. The interior of the Honda has also been augmented with immaculate tin work performed by Rosado Racing.
Out back, Braman Motorsports...
Out back, Braman Motorsports constructed wheelie bars to prevent any weight transfer off the front wheels.
One would think that after breaking the 9-second barrier a racer's life would be complete. But for John it has only begun; John has sold his radical drag sled to Angel Robles and plans on building another Quick Class car. He hopes to construct an even faster vehicle utilizing all the knowledge he has picked up from his first project. Don't worry-you can still catch a glimpse of this Blue Bomber; it will be campaigned throughout the country at various race events by its new owner. So John, are you gonna sell the next race car?