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By Daijiro Davila
Photos: Daijiro Davila and Jorge Davila
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Two years after my first encounter with Wekfest USA, I returned to witness the annual spectacle of Japanese performance engineering, a long-standing hallmark of this esteemed event. Founded by Kenneth Li in 2008, Wekfest has become a cornerstone of the international tuning community, recognized for its dedication to JDM culture and its consistency in showcasing some of the most exceptional builds in the automotive world.
This year’s New Jersey installment witnessed a significant evolution in the event’s curation. The dominance of Honda vehicles was striking. For every Toyota, Nissan, or Porsche present, there were several Hondas, each exemplifying the immense versatility and engineering prowess inherent in the Honda lineage.
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As a lifelong advocate of the Honda brand, I felt an immediate kinship with the automotive philosophy on display. Below is an in-depth review of the most prominent examples that commanded attention at Wekfest USA 2025, each representing the passion and precision that continue to define this iconic gathering.
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The Enduring Appeal of the NSX
The 1992 Acura NSX owned by Marby Enriquez since 2014 serves as a paradigm of the evolution of Honda’s landmark mid-engine sports car into a dedicated time attack machine. Having initially experienced the NSX in its stock configuration, Enriquez embarked on a transformative journey aimed at elevating both its performance metrics and its visual presence. The vehicle now sports a captivating blue wrap and incorporates a classic Comptech Whipple supercharger, a Walbro 255 fuel pump, and a snorkel intake system inspired by the Japan-exclusive NSX-R GT. A carbon-fiber hood with a functional air duct immediately captures the eye, effectively channeling cool ambient air to the powertrain.
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A Curated Performance Philosophy: The Honda and Acura Lineup at Wekfest NJ 2026
The automotive exhibition circuit across the United States has long been a crucible for innovation, particularly within the realm of Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) and tuner culture. Among the most revered events, Wekfest has cultivated a reputation for showcasing vehicles that bridge the gap between engineering artistry and raw performance. The New Jersey stop of Wekfest 2026 continues this tradition, presenting a showcase dominated by the Honda marque. This extensive review delves into the diverse roster of Honda and Acura vehicles that defined the event, analyzing the engineering choices, aesthetic transformations, and cultural impact of each noteworthy specimen.
The Honda and Acura Legacy at Wekfest
Wekfest USA, established by Kenneth Li in 2008, has matured into a cornerstone of the global tuning community. Its adherence to the philosophies of JDM excellence and import-oriented modification distinguishes it from many mainstream automotive shows. This 2026 iteration in New Jersey highlighted a profound shift in the event’s focus. Where past shows might have featured a broad representation of Japanese manufacturers, this year’s lineup was unequivocally Honda-centric. The sheer volume of Honda vehicles far outnumbered those from Toyota, Nissan, Porsche, and other brands.
For an automotive journalist who has dedicated the past decade to chronicling the evolution of the Honda and Acura lineup, Wekfest 2026 offered an unparalleled opportunity to observe the depth and breadth of the Honda modification scene. The meticulous care invested in these vehicles, many of which are years or even decades old, demonstrates a level of dedication that transcends typical automotive enthusiasm.
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A Comprehensive Overview of the Showcased Vehicles
The Pinnacle of Precision: The 1992 Acura NSX
Among the exhibition’s many highlights, one vehicle stood out as a testament to engineering aspiration. The 1992 Acura NSX, owned by Marby Enriquez since 2014, has undergone a complete transformation from its original factory state to a purpose-built time attack machine. Enriquez’s journey began with the vehicle in its stock form, but his vision led to a comprehensive overhaul aimed at enhancing both performance and visual presence.
The car now wears a striking blue wrap and features a classic Comptech Whipple supercharger, a Walbro 255 fuel pump, and a snorkel intake inspired by the Japan-exclusive NSX-R GT. A carbon-fiber hood with a functional air duct immediately captures the eye, effectively channeling cool ambient air to the powertrain. The car currently produces 380 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque at the wheels, supported by KW Clubsport coil-overs, titanium chassis bracing, Volk Racing TE37 wheels, Toyo Proxes R888R tires, and StopTech brakes with Hawk pads. A large Voltex Type 4/5 GT wing ensures high-speed stability on track.
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While the car has undergone further evolution since its feature in a 2020 magazine spread—now adorned with white wheels and a subtler front spoiler—Enriquez’s NSX remains a striking build that showcases the meticulous craftsmanship and precision that define these amazing Honda and Acura vehicles.
The Unexpected Star: The N-BOX
The Honda N-BOX is one of many JDM Honda vehicles that the brand has produced over the years—small, efficient cars designed to adhere to strict, Japanese-mandated size and engine regulations. Even the largest kei cars remain smaller than a Mazda Miata, with displacement capped at approximately 660cc.
This particular N-BOX fully embraces its minivan-inspired form, offering a distinctive blend of practicality and character. Finished in the sportier Custom trim, it features an assertive front fascia and a boxy silhouette reminiscent of Honda’s earlier Element. A standout detail is its license plate reading “K24 NA.” Whether or not the owner managed to stuff a version of Honda’s 2.4-liter K24 inline-four engine, one nearly four times larger than the stock N-BOX powertrain, under its hood remains unknown, but the car stood out as a uniquely Japanese creation showcased on American soil.
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Vehicles like this N-BOX highlight the diversity and creativity that defines Wekfest. Alongside the kei car were other unexpected builds, including a lowered Element with a blue interior and an oversized rear speaker, as well as a pair of modified Acura MDXs, rare sights that underscored the broad range of modified JDM Honda vehicles on display.
The Precision-Built Machine: The S2000
This S2000 exemplifies precision and purpose, showcasing a build executed with remarkable attention to detail. Under the hood, its F22 engine is enhanced with a curated selection of components from Mugen, ASM, and HKS, crowned by a distinctive Jun valve cover.
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The meticulous approach continues beyond the engine bay. The car rides on Advan wheels and features Renegade brakes, a Voltex rear wing, and an ASM steering wheel, each element chosen to balance performance and aesthetics. Among the many S2000s on display at Wekfest 2025, this example stood out as the most complete and cohesive build, a machine that would feel equally at home on a Tokyo Auto Salon display stand as it would be carving up a circuit.
Other visual highlights included scale model cars displayed in front of their full-size counterparts and a liveried-up Motocompacto electric scooter parked beside a sixth-generation Civic (that sixth gen came complete with an original 1960s Honda emblem on its rear, the same wide-top “H” design that inspired the brand’s new 0 Series EV logo).
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The Fusion of Power: The Civic with an H22 Heart
Among all the wild builds and glowing LEDs, one humble silver Civic stood out, not for its looks but for what was under the hood: the only H-series engine we saw at the show. The H-series, often overshadowed by the legendary B-series, was Honda’s torquey workhorse that powered cars like the Prelude Type S and Accord Euro R. Seeing one swapped into a modest EG generation Civic hatchback was rare and refreshing. Not only has the owner of this Civic had this EG for over two decades, but the H22 motor you see has also resided in it for almost the exact same amount of time. This build wasn’t trying to be flashy, just pure function instead.
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The Unicorn: The Mugen RR
And finally, the crown jewel Honda of the show. Positioned near the far end of the Wekfest floor was a pristine FD2 Civic Type R in Championship White, but alongside it sat something even rarer: the Mugen RR.
Regarded as the ultimate Type R, all 300 Mugen RR units sold out within roughly 10 minutes, with 299 remaining in Japan and a single car exported to Malaysia. This example was later imported to the U.S. and features Mugen camshafts, ECU tuning, and an upgraded exhaust, bringing output to 237 hp. Carbon-fiber bumpers, an aluminum hood, and the signature 18