Anatomy Of A Time Attack Car
Having competed in the JGTC and Formula Nippon series, as well as sponsoring numerous Honda Challenge and other club
racing series competitors, 5Zigen is no stranger to the racetrack. The wheel and hard parts manufacturer has been hitting
American soil for the past couple of years to participate in the Super Lap Battle time attack competition held at Buttonwillow
Raceway in Buttonwillow, California. Using a naturally aspirated Super Taikyu N+-class JDM Accord Euro-R at the 2006 event,
5Zigen turned in a lap time of 1:57.544. The car used star driver Ryo Michigami, big Brembos, Ohlins dampers and Toda Racing
engine parts, but was only pushing an estimated 275bhp at the flywheel, which makes that time all the more impressive.
For the 2007 event, 5Zigen decided to build a dedicated Unlimited-class time attack machine from the ground up, instead of
bringing a rulebook-limited racecar. Sticking to its frontdrive Honda formula, 5Zigen Japan built this FD2-chassis Civic Type-R
(CTR). We've been hearing nothing but praise and raves from across the sea about the latest four-door Type-R, which makes it
burn all that much more that the new CTR won't be coming Stateside.
Driving the car once again was Michigami, a factory Honda driver in Japan and one of the men behind the wheel of the Super
GT GT500 Takata Dome NSX. Although he has minimal experience driving on US tracks, Michigami set a best time of 1:55.427
in this Type-R, more than two seconds faster than the Accord Euro-R from 2006. The 5Zigen team clinched second place in the
Unlimited FF class at the 2007 time attack battle, roughly seven-tenths of a second behind the supercharged K-powered
four-door Integra of Hasport.
Even more interesting is the fact that this CTR was not originally assembled for any particular race series, or to even be a 'true'
racecar. 5Zigen Japan purchased the Civic from a local Honda dealership, with the sole intent of campaigning it in the 2007
Super Lap Battle series finale. Built over two months and run just once before being shipped to the US, this Type-R is a prime
example of a purpose-built time attack car assembled by a true racing team.
2007 Honda Civic Type-R
Engine
Engine Code: K20
Type: 2400cc (est.), in-line four, aluminum block and head, DOHC, iVTEC variable valve timing
Internal Modifications: Honda Step Wagon K24 short block, stock Civic Type-R cylinder head, Toda Racing camshafts
External Modifications: 5Zigen ProRacer exhaust header, Miracle Fireball exhaust, custom intake, oil catch tank, engine mounts,
crossmember mounts, ARC radiator, Odyssey LB680 battery
Engine Management Modifications: Motec M800 ECU
Drivetrain
Layout: Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Drivetrain Modifications: ORC clutch kit
Suspension
Front: Ohlins DFV coilovers, H&R springs (20kg/mm), 5Zigen custom six-point chassis brace
Rear: Ohlins DFV coilovers, H&R springs (22kg/mm)
Brakes
Front: Endless Micro-6 brake kit, 330mm two-piece slotted brake rotors, six-piston fixed calipers, CC-R brake pads
Rear: Endless CC-R brake pads
External
Wheels: ProRacer FN01R-C, 18x8.5
Tires: Falken Azenis RT-615, 235/40/18
Body: 5Zigen front carbon fiber undertray, Ings+1 body kit,Honda Veni rear carbon fiber wing
Interior: Custom roll cage, seam-welded chassis, carbon Kevlar Bride bucket seats, Takata four-point harnesses, Defi gauges
(oil temp, oil pressure, water temp, fuel pressure), Momo steering wheel, Works Bell steering boss, 5Zigen custom switch
panel, pedal box, fire extinguisher, brake bias adjustment knob.
* The stock hood has been retained. 5Zigen estimates this CTR to weigh about 1100 kilos (2425 pounds) with no driver.
* The Ings+1 body kit is used both for looks and aerodynamics.
* Compared to racecars, time attack cars abide by a fairly open rulebook. There are no rule sets for each base platform and
modifications that would kick you out of any 'normal' race class; body kits, aftermarket forced induction and engine swaps, are
allowed. There are no specific weight penalties or concessions made to level a car compared to those of other makes, of which
there are many. Time attack cars also don't need to be run that long and don't normally go wheel-to-wheel against each other.
* All glass windows have been retained by 5Zigen and all four doors are fully intact. There has been no cutting to allow the
intrusion of roll cage door bars.
* The carbon fiber rear wing is from Honda Veni, a Honda dealership in Osaka. This dealer also manufactures a line of
aftermarket parts for Hondas. Go figure.
* A lightweight, low-cost favorite, the ProRacer FN01R-C will be re-launched by the time you read this, with aluminum center
caps and embossed logos on the spokes.
* An Endless big brake kit is used up front, with 330mm (13-inch) two-piece slotted brake rotors and six-piston calipers. The
stock calipers and rotors are used in the rear, with Endless CC-R pads all around.
* Adjustable Ohlins DFV coilovers are used throughout, with H&R springs. Michigami tested and specified the use of ber-stiff
20kg/mm front and 22kg/mm rear springs, which should minimize body roll and bump steer considerably.
Although a popular mounting option in Japan, a safety harness using only four points is prohibited by many US sanctioning
bodies. We highly recommend the use of a six-point version if going with full roll protection and a bucket seat.
Contrary to a true racecar, time attack cars will often run without a full fire suppression system. In this case, rules stipulate that
a fire extinguisher should be within reach of the driver and fitted with a quick release.
* 5Zigen engineers fit this CTR with a ProRacer exhaust header and a Miracle Fireball exhaust system. The header is a
race-only unit and deletes the catalytic converter altogether for free flow and lots of noise.
* Time attack rules strongly suggest fitting front and rear tow eyes. The bright red tow hook sticking out of the bumper ensures
that the steep angle of a tow vehicle's strap won't rip into the rear bumper (as it would if using the stock rear tow hook that's
mounted deeper).
A Motec M800 ECU is used to control the hybrid K-series engine. 5Zigen Japan tuned the ECU in-house using the race gas
typically sold at JDM tracks, which is easily over 100-octane. Note the trick custom carbon fiber padded bracket holding the ECU
in place.
Naturally aspirated, the original 2.0-liter displacement has been enlarged with the swap to a Honda Step Wagon K24 short
block. The cylinder head is the stock Type-R piece, fitted with Toda Racing camshafts. Output is estimated to be around
276bhp.The factory fuel rail has been cut and an AN fitting welded on to allow use of a stainless steel braided line for fuel
delivery.The dipstick and oil filler cap have spring-loaded anchors to prevent movement and misplacement. Absurd as it may
sound, ejection of the oil dipstick under high cylinder pressure is an on-track issue with some cars. This raw carbon fiber air
duct feeds and directs cold air into the factory airbox, which was retained for driveability and tuning reasons.
