Here is a classic from the archives. These humble and concise paragraphs summarize Mugen's origins (and is even written in first-person). The MF-318 was the first true Mugen engine. Designed in 1973 and based on the Civic 1200 block, this engine was extremely successful in both open and closed wheel catagories.
Here is the transcribed text:
MUGEN'S BEGINNINGS
In 1973 Hirotoshi Honda decided to start his own race engine manufacturing company with Masao Kimura. This sparked an interest in racing from a few people in Honda's Research & Development group. Working with Hirotoshi and without pay, we formed Mugen. We all had one thought in mind; to be involved in racing and to manufacture the best race car engines. Our first project was an engine based on a Honda 1200cc Civic engine. We either modified or completely remade everything on the engine, including casting the main bearing caps on the oilpan, in order to add stiffness to the engine, which is required for a Formula race car engine.
The engine was bored out to 1300cc and was entered in the Formula FJ 1300 Racing Series. The engine was very successful, the car won its first race. The success also sparked Honda to return to racing and new Mugen and Honda work side-by-side in many racing projects. Mugen has grown and is involved in manufacturing the highest quality racing and performance parts.
Engine Design Specifications:
Name: Mugen MF-318
Type of Engine: In-line 4 OHC 8-Valve
Displacement: 1273cc
Bore x Stroke: 73 x 76 mm
Compression Ratio: 11.0 : 1
Horsepower: 135 ps/8000rpm
Torque: 12.8kg-m/6500rpm
Carburetion: Keihin CR-35mm Carb
Ignition: From Honda Motorcycle
More goodies from the archives! Here's Mugen's BB4 Prelude, based on Honda's fourth generation coupe. You don't see these Mugen parts from the '90s very often today.
Here is the promotional card we printed up years ago, describing our #64 King Motorsports / Mugen RSX World Challenge RSX.
Here's the back of the card with driver info and build specs (Right-click to see it full size).
KMS/Mugen RSX World Challenge RSX at Sears Point in 2003- What a great race series this was....
The KMS/Mugen WC RSX used custom fabricated Alcon brake caliper and rotors- front and rear. The chassis was seam welded and suspension pickup points altered for best geometry. Moton triple adjustable shocks controlled wheel motion. Trick from top to bottom!
Here's what our "home" looked like during a typical World Challenge weekend. Oh-do we ever miss setting up that awning :)
Our Mugen built K20 World Challenge race engine on the dyno at Mugen in Japan. While we were running this engine on the dyno, the Mugen JGTC NSX engine was being prepared to run on the dyno cell adjacent to to ours and next to that a Mugen F3000 engine was being run on dyno cell specific to that series. Quite an experience to have all that technology everywhere you look!
We had to share Mel Diego's 2003 Mugen EP3- Love it!!! Thanks Nosilla Yo for this pics! See the full write up of his incredible build over at Honda Tuning!
The interior of Mel's EP3. Nicely done!
One of our favorite parts of Mel's EP3 build is the Stack dash....
Mugen EP3 Civic aero body parts are still available (except for the radiator grill)!
http://www.kingmotorsports.com/e-DM_ProductsPerSecAndCategory.aspx?CatID=241&SecID=276
After the 1984 SCCA race season we turned our attention to the IMSA Radial Sedan series. This is our RS Prelude pictured at Daytona in 1985. Champion Spark Plug sponsored this series. Champion ran full page ads promoting the series. They featured our car under the heading "World's fastest Prelude" which was very cool. Gotta find that ad........
We recently came across a 3D artist from Australia via smcars.net who took it upon himself to craft a digital version of the venerable Mugen CR-X PRO.2, using only reference photography and mad artistic skill. The results are beautiful and take us back!
His model even has a full interior.
Here is one one his near-final renders with textures, lighting and a ton of detail tweaks:
See the full thread of his virtual build here:
http://www.smcars.net/forums/smc-top-gear-challenge-2011/36533-honda-crx.html
If you've been eyeing a genuine Mugen body kit for your DC5 RSX, now's the time to act! Supplies are limited on these amazing pieces. We carry the front lip, side skirts, rear lip, adjustable wing and more.
Here is our store link for all DC5 RSX aero kits and spoilers.
As with most Mugen body parts, fitment is OEM-quality with all necessary hardware included.
The front lip continues the center line crease and flows into a splitter-inspired contour at the outer edges.
The rear lip has a chiseled flare that lines up perfectly with the rear lip. The rear lip adds lines and a center cut out that evoke F1 diffusers and tail lights.
The aggressive Mugen wing is adjustable and combines superior engineering, style and function.
This is a classic print piece designed and distrubuted by Mugen, circa 1990. This tidy introduction gave the American market a glimpse into Mugen's reach and set the stage for the next decade.
Right-click the image to see a larger version.
** The following was sent in via our Facebook page by YAWSPORT -- thanks guys!! **
1984 Honda CRX built from the ground up for SCCA C-Street Prepared battles.
Mugen header, Mugen Limited Slip, all Mugen suspension bushings and engine mounts. The EW1 Si motor was meticulously blueprinted and balanced by King Motorsports. Other modifications include TWM individual throttle bodies, Electromotive Tech 2 engine management, YAWSPORT adjustable pan hard rod, YAWSPORT adjustable rear sway bar, custom camber/caster plates and 27.5mm front torsion bars, 13x9" Panasport wheels.
Nearly every part of the car was new, refurbished or modified. The entire uni-body was stripped, powder coated white, then all seam filler and undercoating reapplied. It scaled in at well below 1600 lbs with 3/4 tank of gas. It was complimented by many to be the cleanest, most thoroughly prepared autocross CRX's in the country and the car and its drivers accumulated numerous Regional, Divisional and National podium finishes from 1996-2001. This included an open class win at the 1998 SCCA Pro Solo finale and a second place finish in Open and Ladies class at the National Solo Championships in Topeka Kansas. The car is still alive and well with its new owner and the original King-built motor is still running as strong as ever.
King Motorsports is excited to announce the first shipment of Mugen XJ wheels will arrive at the end of this month to our facility in Wisconsin. These amazing new wheels have a distinct chiseled design that balances performance and style-- all built to Mugen's legendary standards of quality, strength and finish. The Mugen XJ wheel will be available in 16, 17, 18 and 19" sizing. Call us at (262) 522-7558 for more information and to order!
The wheels are currently available at special pricing until September 31, 2012.
http://www.kingmotorsports.com/search.aspx?searchTerm=mugen+xj
This Mugen XJ wheel is pictured in Black Metal Coat finish.
Here is the Mugen XJ wheel in Spark Silver finish.
Mugen TSX equipped with Mugen XJ wheels.
Mugen Fit with Mugen XJ wheels....
