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Mazda wGM LS2 Engine vs 98 Honda Civic

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David vs Goliath
Featured Parts
PICS from PIPES - Polk Performance

David, meet Goliath. The fourth week of PIPES featured the fastest car going against the slowest car we've had so far on the show this year. The Polk Performance team brought a 1993 Mazda RX-7 with its rebuilt, domestic, small-block V8 engine. In the other lane, Team Ugly Car Racing put their 4 cylinder, 1998 Honda Civic EK on the line. Was this race even fair? The baseline handicap would determine that!

David vs Goliath

Ugly Car Racing vs Polk Performance

Team Ugly Car Racing received a whopping 4.47 second head start for the elimination races after the baseline ETs. With its record handicap, the team decided to lighten the vehicle and add horsepower through tuning. Team Ugly Car Racing's parts list was as follows: skunk2 throttle body 68mm, skunk2 intake manifold B18CL, AEM hybrid intake kit, Hondata intake manifold gasket, MSD ignition wires, spark plugs and an Apexi fuel management computer for a total of $1,440.

The Polk Performance team took a minimalistic approach to their modifications. The team had this car built beforehand, specifically for this show. In fact, this RX-7's baseline times were faster than the two winning Mustang's post-modification times from episodes 2 and 3. Their strategy was to simply increase traction and grip through lighter wheels and soft drag radials. Here's their parts list: Aluminum Racing Wheels, Drag/Street Radials, lug nuts, and valve stems for a total of $1,241.

After all the modifications were made, this David and Goliath story played out on the drag strip like it's played out throughout the ages. Team Ugly Car Racing cut a full 2 seconds off their time while the Polk Performance team could only muster an average of .63 second decrease in time. The modifications on the Civic proved to be the difference; thus, they advance to the next round.

NOTE: We are all sorry to report the loss of one our PIPES family members. After the initial airing of this episode, Don Polk of team Polk Performance lost his life in a tragic motorsports accident. We extend our deepest sympathies to the Polk Family and urge you to always keep safety first.

WINNER: Ugly Car Racing
MODIFICATIONS:
Skunk2 throttle body 68mm
Skunk2 intake manifold B18CL
AEM hybrid intake kit
Hondata intake manifold gasket
MSD ignition wires
Spark plugs
Apexi fuel management computer

Ugly Car Racing
Baseline 1: N/A
Baseline 2: 14.89
Baseline 3: 14.65
Average Time: 14.77
(1000 foot Track)

Ugly Car Racing
Elimination Race Times:
Race 1: 12.76
Race 2: 12.49
Race 3: N/A
Best Elapsed Time Improvement from Baseline: 2.28
(1000 foot Track)
Round 2 Baseline ET: 12.63

LOSER: Polk Performance
MODIFICATIONS:
Aluminum Racing Wheels
Drag/Street Radials
Lug nuts
Valve stems

Polk Performance:
Baseline 1: 10.37
Baseline 2: 10.23
Baseline 3: N/A
Average Time: 10.30
(1000 foot Track)

Polk Performance:
Elimination Race Times:
Race 1: 9.99
Race 2: 9.35
Race 3: N/A
Best Elapsed Time Improvement from Baseline: 0.95
(1000 foot Track)

Featured Parts

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Skunk 2 Throttle Body: Skunk2 Racing products are designed for enthusiasts by enthusiasts. Drawing on nearly a decade of experience in the sport compact industry, Skunk2 is able to create products that cater to the needs of the true enthusiast. As part of their commitment to continually build the best products, Skunk2 Racing remains actively involved in various forms of motorsports. Racing provides them with the data necessary to produce high performance parts utilizing innovative design, advanced metal alloys, cutting-edge manufacturing methods, and stringent quality control measures. All Skunk2 Racing products are carefully planned and designed using the latest computer simulation and modeling techniques, followed by careful testing in controlled laboratory environments using state of the art equipment. Furthermore, each product is subjected to rigorous road and race testing to ensure proper performance in the most extreme conditions. For these reasons, top street cars and race cars around the world rely on Skunk2 Racing products.
Skunk2 Intake Manifold