The Mugen logo has always been to me a thing of beauty. I first saw it in the late 80's, on a white first-gen CRX that the popular kid at school owned. He had acquired a few Mugen parts and proudly showed off his Mugen badges. In those days, Robotech and Japanese anime culture were on the rise, so the Mugen logo represented a magic synergy of Japanese cool-factor and cache. The badge had it all: Power, bold kanji, simplicity and in "in the know" foreign flair; all built upon compact cars that were within reach to the average high-schooler growing up in Southern California. Come to think of it now, these elements make up a large part of the backbone of what we toss around these days as the definition of JDM car culture.

Nowadays we take it for granted that "imported from Japan" is synonomous with "high quality," "original" or "authentic" -- even if it isn't always true. But let's turn back the clock to the 80's, to a time when Japan was just starting to be seen as a country that produced high-quality, technologically-advanced goods, especially in the automotive and consumer electronics industries.

This newly-forged consumer credibility in Japanese-made goods was such a departure from decades past that "Back to the Future: Part III" pokes fun at how much things have changed. In the 1955 storyline, Doc and Marty dig up the USDM Fried-Time-Circuit-Spec DeLorean and have this memorable exchange:

Doc Brown: No wonder this circuit failed. It says, "Made in Japan."
Marty: What do you mean, Doc? All the best stuff is made in Japan.
Doc Brown: Unbelievable!

Can't blame Doc Brown for his incredulity. Let's put this in perspective for today. Right now, Chinese-made cars have the reputation of being low-quality, gaudy, inferior knock-offs hobbled together with shoddy workmanship, cheap labor and non-existent quality control standards. Whether that harsh reputation is warranted or not, when the Chinese car manufacturers show off their products at international auto shows, they make cringe-worthy appearances and somehow can't find a copywriter who helps their image instead of harming it. But you have to start somewhere, and in perhaps a decade a few stand-out Chinese auto makers will at last make a decent car, pay the big bucks for a proper ad agency to position and brand them, and they will eventually sell proper Chinese-made cars here in the USA. It sounds crazy now, but no crazier than telling 1955 Doc Brown that in just a few decades, Car and Driver Magazine would have a 10 Best Cars list that includes three cars from Japan (1985 Honda: Accord, Civic/CRX and Prelude). In my own lifetime I've seen Korean cars go from oddities to top sellers. So IMHO I'm betting the same can happen with China. Some day, your kids may want Chinese lettering on the vinyl stickers they proudly display on their super-smart, super-efficient CDM rides. Ni hao, mei guo!

All this automotive navel gazing spooled up within me this week when King Motorsports posted up a classic collection of Mugen logos and emblems from the mid 80's. This single full color catalog page reads a bit like the Rosetta Stone of the Mugen logo. The logos featured here bridge a certain visual branding language gap, capturing a precise moment of Mugen's visual identity transition from the 70's to what they would use in the 90's.

On this single page you'll find the well-established, classic kanji-focused stickers and emblems-- but you ALSO see some of their early uses of the red-gold-black stripes integrated with the logo. The san-serif version of the badge has transitioned nicely into the metal, tilted parallelogram badge they use today.

By the 90's the red-gold-black stripes were common in the printed logos, usually in the minimized dashes they still use today.

I love this terrific window banner that is properly curved to the shape of the glass and tucks the Mugen kanji into the black color bar.

Here is the full catalog page scan. Right-click to see the high res version.

And someday you'll have this exchange with your son:

You: No wonder the super e-motor volt booster you got off Taobao isn't working. It says, "Made in China."

Your kid: What do you mean, Dad? All the best stuff is made in China.

You: Dangit!

** Check out all of the currently available Mugen emblems and stickers at the King Motorsports online store. **

Today we're taking a look at the factory tuned Civic Type-R that Mugen unleashed on the Honda community in 2009. Based on the 2008 FD2 Civic Type-R, the Mugen Civic RR Advanced Concept was upgraded and enhanced to the point that its performance even rivals Mugen's Civic Type RR model released in 2007.

Basically every panel that could be removed has been replaced with carbon fiber. Engine upgraded. Suspension, brakes and tires beefed up. New aero created. Titanium components added. The result: 2414 lbs, 260 hp NA 2.2L K-series and a 1:04.096 lap run @ Tsukuba Circuit (YouTube video).

This page shows a closer look at some of the weight savings of the Advanced Concept. The CFRP doors are so light they are actually difficult to shut! Just amazing ...

So how does the Mugen RR Advanced Concept stack up on the track in comparison to a Civic Type R and Mugen Civic RR? Lap times for Tsukuba Circuit are below:

Civic Type R: 01:07"494 (March 15, 2007)

Mugen Civic RR: 01:06"688 (March 15, 2007)

Mugen RR Advanced: 01:04"906 (December 5, 2008)

Check out the Tsukuba Circuit time attack telemetry from the RR Advanced Concept. When Mugen say their parts are track-proven, they mean it. Right-click see the image larger.

The heart of the Mugen Civic RR Advanced Concept is the bespoke Mugen 2.2L engine producing 260 hp @ 8250 RPM! We like the Recaro/Mugen RR seats, yellow dash gauge and shout-out to the Mugen Time Machine Wristwatch. Right-click see the image larger.

How does horsepower compare?

Civic Type R: 225 hp

Mugen Civic RR: 240 hp

Mugen RR Advanced: 260 hp

Here's Mugen's display for the Advanced Concept at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon. The individual components are laid out in that familiar, meticulous OCD fashion we all love.

(Image courtesy of speedhunters.com)

See a gallery of detailed track and action shots of the Advanced Concept over at Nippon News.

Check out the currently available performance parts for the FD2 Civic and Type R at our online store!

It's EG Friday here at King Motorsports! Here's our roundup of Mugen EG models and the parts offered at the time! Above is the Mugen EG hatch with NR-10 wheels. Below is Mugen's red sedan with MR-5's.

The catalog offers additional details for the aero parts and a unique sports exhaust system called the Aero Exhaust.

More images from the catalog show wheel, valve cover, exhaust, steering wheel and suspension possibilities for both the EG hatch and sedan ...

This is the first-gen Aero Exhaust, which Mugen made specifically for the EG Civic. As usual, Mugen includes all the mounting hardware and bits to ensure a perfect fitment.

This streamlined and slim exhaust design was later replaced with the Mugen Twin Loop design around 1996. A version of the Aero Exhaust is also popular with the EF Civic crowd.

And here's how the Aero Exhaust looks bolted up under the EG sedan! We love how Mugen used to badge these exhaust systems. "If you care enough to look down here, then we want you to know this car is equipped with Mugen AWESOME."

And here's the exhaust on the Mugen EG hatch (thx Gerado D. for the find):

You can see all of our currently available performance parts for the EG Civic on our online store.

Earlier this week we finally rolled up the garage door and nudged our Prelude race car project out into the bright, gleaming light of the winter sun. "San Pedro" is the 4th gen Honda Prelude we've been re-building from the floorboards up, and it's shaping up to be a performer!

Here are some of the first pictures of San Pedro freshly hosed off and ready for a few more aero "details" before we get ready for spring testing!

Bonus picture! Merrit M. sent us this photo she took of San Pedro circa 2000 (or 2001) at the SCCA Runoffs at Mid-Ohio. Thanks Merrit!

There are cars that find new life as race cars, and then there are cars that are practically delivered straight to the track. This 4th gen Honda Prelude (BB4) is a very storied car that's been a race car its entire life -- winning a few championships in the hands of Bob Endicott (it was Bob's car). We are currently reinventing this thoroughbred race car for its next chapter -- which is sure to be very interesting! :)

Orange is the color of the year over here at King Motorsports. The Prelude race car project -- nicknamed "San Pedro" -- is geting a fresh paint job in a bright new color. Some call it Hugger Orange, we prefer to call it Daytona Yellow!! Here it is over at Don's Auto Body in West Allis, WI (Don does all of our paintwork, give him a call at 414-541-5155 if you need anything).

Next stop back to KMS for final assembly and setup.

Now that "San Pedro" is back from Don's Auto Body with a fresh coat of Daytona Yellow (some call it Daytona Red), Chad begins final assembly. Installing the fuel bladder, rear tin work and a set of freshly rebuilt and revalved Penske triple adjustable shocks are the first on the build list.

Fresh new parts and fresh paint-wonderful!!

Rear tin work-bead rolled to eliminate vibration noises. Dzus fasteners are used for easy access to the fuel systems.

We just installed the engine/transmission assembly into "San Pedro" Trick transmission with carbon synchro's and a Mugen limited slip (super rare). The engine is built to the limit of SCCA EP prep rules with a camshaft set ground to our specifications. We'll be using a Hondata S300 for tuning. Can't wait to get it on the dyno!

Getting closer to firing up San Pedro for initial engine break in on the dyno. The engine is now completely plumbed and the engine harness has been installed.

Fitting an oil catch tank on a Prelude is always tricky. We fabricated our own and plumbed it with Aeroquip -10 braided lines.

Here is where we vent the H series valve covers. Here the motor has a race header that DC built specifically for the car years ago. We will use it to establish a baseline before we start developing our own race header for it.

The fuel cell is completely plumbed. We ran a hard line under the car to the engine bay for the fuel feed and return. Connections are -6 Aeroquip.

The Penske triple adjustable damper canisters are mounted for ease of compression and rebound adjustments. Controlling wheel movement is the one of the most important considerations in making a race car handle properly.

Just started fabricating the dash for San Pedro. We use .080" sheet aluminum. We will mount an Autometer tach, oil press/temp and water temp gauge in this panel. Once fabrication has been completed we will send it out to be powder coated flat black to reduce glare.

View from the top of the dash.

San Pedro is alive!! The engine has been broken in on our dyno and we are now testing various intake and exhaust solutions.

It is critical that the initial start and break in of a new engine be monitored closely on the dyno with a wide band. We have seen far to many engines ruined by improper A/F ratios and poor "base line" tunes.

Chad is busy fabricating a new H23 dyno header for San Pedro...

On the dyno with San Pedro with our new H23 stepped race header.

Detail shot of the H23 header....

Finishing up TIG welding the 3" stainless race exhaust on "San Pedro" with a Magnaflow 3" stainless muffler.

Here is the header to Mid Pipe Flex Joint.

Some finishing details on "San Pedro" dash is in and gauges wired up.

Fuel filler fabrication.

Interior tin work completed and plexi windows fabricated and installed.

We rebuilt San Pedro's front suspension using new uprights, bearings, hubs and upper control arms. ARP extended studs were also installed.

More updates will be added to the blog as we go. Be sure to check out our Facebook page to see the updates on San Pedro as they happen!

Update 12/4/2012:

We haven't had an update on the progress of "San Pedro" in a while. Christmas came a bit early yesterday in the form of the correct steering hub to mount the steering wheel. We even hear a pair of factory side skirts are on their way to us. "All" we have to do now is fabricate a carbon front air dam to mount the splitter and it's off to the races!!

Update 12/13/2012:

Here's a picture of the newly-painted Volk TE37's with Hoosier race rubber:

Update 12/21/2012:

We are finalizing chassis setup on "San Pedro" -- this orange beast is on the scales and will soon be ready for testing!

Update 1/9/2013:

Finally... San Pedro gets a new windshield!

San Pedro sees the light for the first time in 2013! Spring testing is coming soon!

Clicky-click to see "Re-inventing 'San Pedro' Part 2" for a continuation of the build pics!

One of our favorite Hondas is the DC2 Type R (DC2R). Mugen fitted new aero and performance parts to improve upon Honda's already formidable track-worthy Integra Type R. The aero kit fits the JDM front clip and features an aggressive, taller wing. Bronze 16" MF10 wheels and suspension upgrades make sure this lightweight Integra transfers power from the Mugen-equipped motor to the pavement.

Three-quarters rear view: clean, simple and functional!

This Mugen sketch illustrates the aerodynamic theories supporting the bold design of Mugen's functional aero body parts for the DC2R. We love how the Mugen front bumper cover and hood work together to pull hot air out of the engine compartment.

Theory is put to the test in an aero analysis in a full scale wind tunnel. Form follows function!

The Mugen intake and exhaust manifold for the DC2R!

See our currently available performance parts for the 1994-2001 Integra (DC2) in our online store!

Poll any driver of a Honda B Series what their favorite exhaust system is and you're likely to hear "Mugen Twin Loop" as a top pick.

Here are a few rare pictures of the genuine Twin Loop as seen in Mugen's showroom in Tokyo.

In this cutaway you can see that the pipes are looped back through muffler chamber a second time. The theory behind this unique muffle is based on low frequency sound waves canceling the high frequency sound waves. Because this dampens the sound so effectively, the muffler can be very unrestricted and still be nice and quiet. The tone of the Mugen Twin Loop is truly amazing -- almost musical!

Here is a cutaway of the Mugen center resonator. The workmanship is brilliant!

You can check out the currently available Mugen exhaust components in our online store.

Today we're taking you on a short tour of the Mugen exhaust/header fabrication shop. Located behind the main showroom in Tokyo, this ultra clean and efficient facility is where all the Mugen headers and exhausts are fabricated.

All Mugen exhausts and headers are constructed from polished T304 stainless steel, including all attachment points. T304 is considered the best steel available for corrosion resistance and all-around toughness. The flanges are cast stainless steel and use OEM gaskets and hardware for a precision fit.

Each exhaust and header is TIG welded on an extremely robust jig to ensure absolute perfect fitment.

Here a center resonator is packed with sound deadening material before being welded to the B pipe:

The finished product is racked before being packed up for shipping. This represents a typical production run of B Series headers.

You can check out the currently available Mugen exhaust components in our online store. You can also order a custom header made by King Motorsports. In the tradition of the Mugen headers, the dyno-proven King headers are hand-fabricated with T304 steel for any H, B or K Series and built for perfect fit and maximum horsepower gains.

The single day that garnered the most "Likes" on our Facebook page was the same day that we posted some amazing motor images. These iconic Honda motors are disassembled and perfectly laid out like a vignette of some mad motorhead's secret underground lab. His workbench a clinical and spotless automotive gallery of every bit and bolt in these beautiful Honda motors.

If Dexter or Hannibel Lecter were Honda tuners, this is what their secret garages might look like.

K20A:

B16B:

F20:

All the King's Horses:

Update 1/8/2013:

NSX C32B:

B18C 96 Spec:

In late November we posted up pictures of the prep and loading of a special Mugen shipment leaving Tokyo. We're happy to say that the shipment has officially arrived to our facility here in Wisconsin, USA!

Although this shipment contains a variety of Mugen parts, the lion's share of the cargo allocation was for the FRP Mugen S2000 hardtops. We've already pre-sold most of this shipment's hardtops and they will head out to customers very soon. The remaining hardtops will go fast so if you've been eyeing one of these quality pieces, now's a good time to order since (for now) they are in stock and ready to ship!

Here are pics of this latest Mugen shipment, freshly unloaded in the warehouse area of our facility! You're looking at ten Mugen S2000 hardtops, Mugen wheels, Mugen SS S2000 bumpers, DC5 aero and more ...