n the import tuning scene, boost is best in the quest for straight-line performance gains. Many a modified Japanese car will have had an exhaust-driven turbocharger installed where there wasn’ t one before, or an existing unit replaced by a larger

one.

Phil Penny’ s Honda S600 project is right up there with the most radical engine conversions. To say it runs a turbocharged engine is a bit of an understatement; protruding out of its bonnet is a turbine slightly larger than each of the S600’ s headlights.

Weighing 1,000kg all in, the little Honda produces roughly 870bhp at the wheels from 28psi of boost according to Phil, and there is room for boost to be wound up to 35psi. In its current guise it can produce 1,650bhp.

Put together by engine builder Dave Stevens, the powerplant has propelled the

car to a quarter-mile time of under nine seconds.

Drag racers may never have enough horsepower.

“ My goal is to run in the low seven seconds at 185-plus mph. It’ s a reality; the power is there … It’ s still very early days,” Phil told United Kingdom-based speedhunters. com.

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