With 2020 finally behind us, we’re starting to see what everyone has been working on while most of the world has been on lockdown. New projects are to popping up on Instagram and Facebook, and while most of them are pretty standard builds, we are finding some that are not of the norm, like this Honda Civic owned by Thomas West. We first met West at LS Fest East back in 2019 with another interesting vehicle. He had an LS swapped Chevrolet service truck with a ProCharger supercharger and a Nitrous Outlet nitrous system. This vehicle was undoubtedly unique and a crowd favorite on and off the drag strip. And while the truck was cool, it’s hard to compare it to his latest build. 

Photos By: Top End Fabrication

Ls-swapped sport compact cars are not a new thing. Over the years, we have seen just about everything imaginable, including Subarus, Hondas, Mitsubishis, and even Teslas housing GM’s famous LS engine. However, West decided to take his build a little further. Instead of just sticking an LS engine in a Civic and making it rear-wheel drive, he decided to transplant a Corvette C5 drivetrain under the import and he calls it the Civette. 

The 1996 Honda Civic has a full tube chassis built around the C5 Corvette torque tube and transaxle. While the car was built by another shop, Top End Fabrication updated the suspension and rebuilt the rear cradle to hold up to the grueling demands of the new powerplant. The Honda has a ton of custom touches, including custom TRZ control arms, a narrowed rear end, custom enclosure, and custom Hudlow axles. 

A stock LS 6.0-liter block was used but not before Tommy’s Auto and Machine punched it out to 427 cubic-inches. The LS has a set of Haymaker Heads, twin Precision 76/78 ball bearing turbos, Nitrous Outlet direct port nitrous system, Holley modular intake, Dominator ECU, 7-inch dash, and 102mm throttle body.

Since West is planning on racing in the stick shift class, the T56 needed to be modified. For that, he went to Tick Performance for a clutch and short-throw H-pattern shifter. Other modifications include Wilwood brakes, Weld wheels, Corbeau seats, and an 8.50 certified Chrome-moly cage. The LS-swapped import will have full interior, glass, and all-steel body panels except for the hood and trunk hatch upon completion.  

Currently, the Civette is being finished up, and the crew is hoping to have it ready for TX2K in March. West expects the little street car to weigh in at just 2600-pounds and make over 1,650 horsepower. When asked why he decided to build a Civic, West said, “I have no clue.” Regardless of why we can’t wait to see this car rip down the 1/4-mile this spring. You can follow this build on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube @civettelsx.