Well here it is: Donavon’s Kemppainen’s latest build. This EF is just one of the many Honda’s he has built/owned. I have to say it’s definitely one of the coolest Honda’s in Saskatchewan. Packed full of rare JDM and custom one-off pieces, it’s a build you could classify as quality. Donavon spends his days working on Porsches as a journeyman technician, and he knows first hand that cutting corners doesn’t create real results. Needless to say, no corner was cut and you can really tell when you get up close and personal to the car.
Donavon, along with roughly 100 people, made the trip to Regina from Saskatoon to escape from the SPS and chill with us at our annual Fallout meet. These pictures were taken just behind the Bon Burger truck.
These photos don’t do Donavon’s bay any justice; when shooting, the purple is so dark it always comes out black. All the chrome bits and the white block is a great contrast. Seeing it in person is the only way to truly appreciate just how well this bay comes together.
Having hookups through Bolt Boys/Down Star, Donavon has spikes on pretty much everything he can. Not to mention he replaced a majority of the 20-plus year old bolts with brand new hardware.
The details are what make this car so amazing; a close-up reveals the woodgrain side moldings. These were finished the night before at his friend’s cabinetry shop, and they are like the icing on the cake. The first time I saw this EF it had nothing but holes for stock side moldings. Donavon texted me the night before telling me he had a new addition to the car I might like, but it actually took me a while to figure out what it was when he arrived. Apparently I was looking too hard, because it was only when I stepped back and looked at the car that it hit me. It’s hard to bring originality to the table with a Honda Civic, but Donavon brought it with some class as well.
Donavon mentioned he went through roughly 100 color swatches to find a stain that would match his side moldings with the steering wheel. They got it as close as possible and Donavon might be the first person to be able to say his wood grain steering wheel matches his side moldings.
He pointed out his coolant overflow to me and said he has to rep Saskatchewan somehow. I like it better than the cliched Monster Energy can or Gatorade bottle!
Now onto the text that really matters in a featured ride article: the SPEC LIST
Body:
Jdm EF9 Front end conversion, rear hatch w/spoiler, rear bumper and fill piece, doors with power windows power folding mirrors and bronze glass, rear tailights, front and rear seats, center console; Shaved Antenna; Door handles from rear of 4 door so no key holes, Custome side moldings made at KAD Millworks; Yakima roof rack w/bike mounts.
Engine bay/power house:
B18C5 Type R engine and transmission; JG Edelbrock intake; S90 70mm throttle body; Hondata intake gasket; Sard type R fuel rail; Bolt Boys tucked fuel line kit; OBX fuel pressure regulator; Mishimoto rad and rad hoses; Greddy oil cap; Skunk 2 spark plug cover, VTEC solenoid cover; NGK Apexi racing spark plug wires; Type R header; Tanabe medalion catback exhaust; Hasport motor mounts, shift linkage and cable to hydro conversion; Password Jdm shift knob, Bolt Boys EF version 3 fender kit, B series engine dress up kit with oil pump, water pump kit, transmission to engine kit, transmission case kit, engine mount kit; Wire tucked.
Interior:
Red CTR front mats; EF8 rear mats; Leonard wood steering wheel w/MOMO Course horn button; C’s shifter; Eclipse CD player w/Memphis 3way door speakers.
Wheel setup/suspension:
KYB AGX shocks with H&R coilover springs; Stance Encore 16×8 wheels; Federal 195/45r16 tires; Bolt Boys spike lugnuts.
Donavon wants to give a big thanks to Graham for all the help with the car, Clint for the polishing, Craig for the awesome side moldings, and a huge thanks to his girlfriend Kristin for understanding his addiction to Hondas.