Sometimes being first sucks. Granted, finishing ahead of everyone in a race is generally a good thing, as is beating everyone to the end of a mundane task (like taking a gnarly test, or eating vegetables). Then there are those situations in life where being first is just an invitation for headache and frustration - like owning a car that is so new, the aftermarket has yet to cater to it fully.

Justin Fong from Diamond Bar, Calif., knows the disappointment that can come with owning a late-model vehicle. As the owner of a 2006 Honda Civic Si, the aspiring freelance graphic designer is all too familiar with the limitations that accompany modifying a newer ride. But the urge to be a pioneer outweighed any anxieties he had.

"It's an uncommon car to build," Fong explains. "I wanted to be different and unique."

When Fong picked up the FG-chassis machine in '06, he never imagined turning it into anything more than a modest daily driver. That objective changed after he got a job at AIT Racing, a leader in aero and body modifications. Working in an environment that promotes customization, his mind began wandering, and soon he was confronted with a decision that would alter the entire purpose of his Civic.

Fong's first steps into the wonderful world of tuning came when AIT accepted the Si as a test mule for purposes of prototyping and developing the first wide-body design on Honda's latest Civic coupe platform. Stoked on the results, Fong knew he was hooked and began devising the next steps for his whip.

"It was painfully obvious that the car needed a new set of shoes to go with the aggressive GT styling that it now adorns. That's when I picked up the set of Axis wheels and added a few accents like the LED lighting and ARC shift knob."

The AIT gig came to a conclusion when Fong had to return to school, but he stayed connected to the industry by taking up part-time work for parts distributor Spyder Auto. When his boss at Spyder caught sight of Fong's budding project, he offered yet another sponsorship, and the Civic took one more step toward becoming a fully-fledged show car.

It was after the Honda coupe's first show that Fong decided to join a crew, primarily to expand his social network and get some footing in the tuner universe. He studied the scene a bit and ultimately joined the ranks of Team RL2 out of Southern California.

"Everyone in the group is cohesive, dedicated and, most of all, loyal to each other," Fong tells us. "RL2 has become nothing short of my second family. They've helped me in more ways than I can count, and I owe much of this build to them."

With a vision, reliable sponsors, and a team of like-minded individuals in his corner, Fong set to finish what he had started. The interior was next on the agenda, and taking cues from other famous show cars Fong opted for Bride seats, a full rewrap of the door panels and rear upholstery in Bride fabric, and custom red carpeting. Needless to say, the cabin really "pops" in crimson now.

Skunk2 stepped in and upgraded the Si's suspension with their new competition Pro-C Series coilovers, complementing them with rear adjustable camber arms to allow for tighter response around corners. The aftermarket outfit also threw out the K20Z3 mill's restrictive stock exhaust and header for a more free-flowing Skunk2 racing exhaust, but the crowning power upgrade from Skunk is in the head. That's where one will find the Skunk2 Racing Stage 1 cams, Pro Series valve springs and titanium retainers.

Mishimoto was the next backer to contribute to the endeavor, bringing in a radiator, hose kit and carbon-fiber intake to free up even more horsepower. A few more accents from ARC found their way under the hood to complete the engine bay - that is, at least until Kraftwerks completes the intercooled supercharger that they've been developing for the FG Si.

Years and nearly $15,000 into it, Fong is pleased with how things have turned out so far, even if his beloved Si is still unfinished. He's fine with letting the tuning side of things catch up, and rather likes being a trailblazer in the development of parts for the FG Civic coupe. After all, building a project car isn't a race, and the best ones tend to have all kinds of tender loving care heaped on them - and that takes time.

"My car is my pride and joy," says Fong. "I'm going to continue fine tuning it and improving the dynamics of the car to make sure it outshines every other Honda on the West Coast."

Sponsor Call Outs:
AIT Racing (www.aitracing.com)
Bride [LOT-USA, (www.lot-usa.com)
Mishimoto (www.mishimoto.com)
Skunk2 Racing (www.skunk2.com)
Spyder Auto (www.spyderauto.com)
Touge Motoring (www.tougemotoring.com)
Toyo Tires (toyotires.com)

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