Wilbert Latorre | 22 | New London, CT
@fe1.will
It All Started with a Beat-Up Corolla
My journey into Honda ownership started at 19 when I picked up a 2014 Honda Accord LX. Funny enough, my original plan was to buy a 2022 Civic Sport, but with no credit history at the time, I had to settle. Looking back, it ended up being a blessing in disguise.
Fast forward to now: I’m the proud owner of a 2024 Honda Civic Si. I never originally planned to buy an Si, but I figured if I was going to finance my first brand-new car, I might as well go with something fun and engaging. The day before I picked it up from the dealership showroom, I learned how to drive manual using my dad’s old, beat-up Corolla around the neighborhood. No pressure, right?
What really sparked my love for modifying cars was my dad’s old toy: a 1983 Mazda RX-7 FB. I was just a kid when I first experienced the joy of hearing it pull through the gears, and those memories have stuck with me ever since. That same excitement is what I’ve poured into my Si & and the 11th Gen community - especially watching how far Savannah has taken hers; that continues to push me to go even harder.
Modifications
PRL High Volume Intake
PRL Titanium Turbo Inlet Pipe
PRL Front Mount Intercooler Kit
27WON Catted Downpipe
Thermal R&D Exhaust System
KTuner V2 w/ TSP Stage 1 Tune
RV6 Retro Flywheel + Clutch Kit
Hybrid Racing Short Throw Shifter
Silver's NeoMax Coilovers w/ Swift Springs
PRL Adjustable Shift Knob
27WON Air Intake Snorkel
OLM Rear Roof Spoiler
SiriMoto Front Strut Tower Bar
Konig Countergrams
Continental Extreme Contact Sport 02
Galaxy Tint
GF Front Lip
YOFER V2 Side Skirts
YOFER V2 Diffuser
Type R Style Grille w/ Fog Lights
Red Type R "H" Badges
Black & Red Diamond Floor Mats
Sequential DRL Fog Lights
From Turbo Whistles to Backroad Bliss
What I love most about this car? Easily the induction noises from the 1.5T; it sounds incredible. Plus, the sleek styling turns heads everywhere I go. If I had to nitpick one thing, I do miss the days of the K-series and that classic VTEC crossover… but the Si still delivers smiles in its own way.
I’ve done a lot to this car, but my favorite mod has to be the Thermal R&D Exhaust paired with the 27WON Downpipe. Zero drone, great tone, and some tasteful burbles - it just makes the car that much more enjoyable. Most of my mods have been installed by me and my dad (okay, mostly my dad), which made the whole process more meaningful. It’s the most time we’ve spent together in a long time, and we’ve both learned a lot about the 1.5T platform in the process, even though he’s a rotary guy at heart.
My favorite memory so far? Definitely cruising through the backroads with my girlfriend Angelis, just enjoying the drive and each other’s company. Shoutout to her: I love you, babe. 🖤
Building for the Future: Big Plans and Balance
On the flip side, the worst memory would have to be when I scraped the paint and curbed a stock wheel after a long day at work. I wasn’t paying attention and it cost me...but hey, it’s all fixed now and looks good as new.
Biggest challenge with this build is the fact that it’s my daily. I rely on it for everything, so pushing the platform can be nerve-wracking, especially knowing the 1.5T has its limits. That’s why I recently picked up TSP's Head Stud Kit to ease my mind. I'm aiming for a full bolt-on setup soon with a 27WON GIN BB Turbo, 27WON 4 Bar MAP Sensors, and a custom e-tune from Derek at Innovative MotorWorks.
I’d describe the car as a practical daily with a street-oriented setup. I drive it nearly every day - or at least I did, until I started trying to preserve miles. It’s sitting at 16,000 miles after a year and a half of ownership and has recently become more of a weekend warrior.
Inspired by the Scene, Built to Be Different
When I first saw the 11th Gen Civic in person, I instantly fell in love with Honda’s new design direction. What really makes my Si stand out are my wheels, Konig Countergrams, which I’ve yet to see on another 11th Gen. I’ve been inspired by others in the community when it comes to performance, but I’ve definitely added my own flair to the aesthetic side of things.
I’ve taken my car to THE LAB, Honda Fest, and my favorite event to date: Broke East 2025. Of course, I still make time for local meets too.
If money wasn’t a factor? I’d go all-out and rotary swap this thing. Wild, I know, but it’d be the ultimate fusion of my childhood dreams and modern Honda reliability (sort of).
A lot of people hate on the newer Si for not being K-series or “real VTEC,” but this car holds its own. It’s fun, affordable, and has an aftermarket scene that continues to grow. As long as you know what you’re doing and respect the platform’s limits, it can still pack a punch and be reliable.
Built with Heart, Funded by Hustle
No brands sponsored me; everything’s been paid for out of my own pocket. But I want to shout out the brands I trust: PRL, 27WON, Thermal R&D, Silver’s Suspension, RV6, Exedy, Swift Springs, Hybrid Racing, and KTuner. Everything was purchased through Two Step Performance, using Savannah’s TSP FE1 build as a huge reference.
This car means more to me than just transportation. It taps into my inner child - the one who grew up watching Fast & Furious and dreaming of driving something special. But at the end of the day, it’s just a car. What truly matters are the people around me: my family, my loved ones, and most importantly, God - who’s made all of this possible.
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