There are many reasons why people gain a passion for cars. For instance I was inspired by my father and Gran Turismo. For Dante it was his older brother Andy that led him into the automotive world. Andy is one of the original founders of Team Emotion and has done an abundant amount of features for magazines such as Honda Tuning, Super Street, Import Tuner, Modified Mag, Turbo, and a few more. Dante like most younger brothers want to grow up to be like their older brothers. Andy had built a clean white ’96 EK Hatch back in 2003, so it was only fitting that ten years later Dante would construct a very similar build to that of his brother.

Words by: Josh Smylie

Pics by: Jason Scott/Josh Smylie

Dante had picked up his CRZ with the idea that he wasn’t going to change anything on the car. That didn’t last long and soon enough the building began. One of the first things Dante had done was fit the car with the C-West ZF1 Full kit. To complete the flow of the kit he added on the C-West Version 2 Wing. A C-West Carbon fiber hood was added to complete the collection of C-West goodies. From there the car needed a new set of wheels. Dante had picked up a set of red Work Rsz-r’s wrapped in 235x40x17 Falken rt453’s and bolted on with Mugen lug nuts.

Dante went with a what I consider a classic way to build his car. He didn’t want to stance out the car with a crazy negative camber number. It isn’t his style and he wanted to build the car more to what he enjoys rather than to what is popular at the moment.

You wouldn’t think that if you are buying a CR-Z you would be that interested in making power. One way of making power and killing the gas mileage of your hybrid is by adding a Top Secret turbocharger off of Smokey Nagata’s Supra. This CR-Z now makes an insane 220 whp. Also causing his MPG to drop down to 32.

The interior is fitted with a non giant friendly 8-point Cusco roll cage for when you have tall friends that you do not want to ride in your car with you. Also inside are some Recaro seats from a DC5-R and ready to strap you in are some Takata harnesses for when you press that sport mode button and unleash all that power.

All joking aside. Dante is great friend to have. He is welcoming and polite to everyone he meets. Even when he is falling out of friendships with people over random bull shit, he still won’t say bad things about them and just parts ways if he has to. He was one of the few people that I have met who puts as much effort and time into his friendships as he does his build. I can not wait for him to start on a different platform and see where he takes it.

Exterior:

C-West Cr-Z/ZF1 Full Body Kit, C-West Version 2 Wing, C-West Carbon Fiber Bonnet, C-West Carbon FIber Rain Protector, Turbo Charge Emblem, JDM Red Honda Emblem, JDM Rain Guard Door Visor, Mugen Carbon Fiber Mirror Covers, Mugen Hydrophilic Mirrors, Mugen Gas Cap

Wheels / Tires:

Work RSz-R (17 x 8.5), Falken rt453 (235 x 40 x 17), Mugen Lug Nuts

Suspension / Brakes:

Cusco Strut Bar Front, Cusco Strut Bar Rear, Tien Full Coilover, Stop Tech Slotted Full Big Brake Kit, Eibach Camber Bolts, Mugen Rear Rotors

Engine:

Top Secret/GReddy Stage 1.5 Turbo, Top Secret/GReddy Intercooler, Top Secret/GReddy Header, Top Secret/GReddy Down Pipe, Top Secret Custom Exhaust System, Top Secret Oil Cap, Top Secret Oil Catch Can, Mugen Radiator Cap, Mugen Reservior Cover, GReddy Sandwich Block Adapter, NRG Hood Dampers, GReddy Hose Water Sensor Adapter, Password JDM Battery Tie Down

Electronics:

GReddy E-Manage ECU, GReddy F-Manage ECU, Hondata Flash Pro, Defi Guage Boost / Water / Oil Pressure, Defi Controller Unit Version 2

Interior:

Mugen Mirror Cover, Mugen Floor Mats, Mugen Trunk Mat, JDM Hazard Button, Mugen FIt Shift Knob, Recaro DC5 Seats, Recaro Fabric Door Panels, Recaro Fabric Armrest, Recaro Fabric Rear Panel, JDM Red Honda Steering Emblem, Takata Harness, Cusco 8-point Roll Cage

Full Res Pictures Can Be Found Here

And Here

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