The Story Behind Skunk2

About Us

All Skunk2 products are carefully planned and designed in-house using the latest computer simulation and modeling techniques, followed by careful testing in controlled laboratory environments using state-of-the-art equipment. Each product is then subjected to rigorous dyno, street, and race track testing to ensure proper performance in the most extreme conditions. For these reasons, top street cars and race cars worldwide rely on Skunk2 products.

As part of Skunk2’s commitment to developing industry-leading products, we’ve remained actively involved in various forms of motorsports through technical partnerships, sponsorships, as well as with our own race vehicles for more than 15 years. We’ve gone on to secure a number of drag racing and road racing records and championships, including earning the title of the world’s first 10-second naturally aspirated Honda. Racing provides us with the data necessary to produce high-performance parts utilizing innovative designs, advanced metal alloys, cutting-edge manufacturing methods, and stringent quality-control measures.

Driven by the desire to make things go faster, Skunk2’s staff is comprised of industry leaders, racers, and enthusiasts who are passionate about what they do and understand what other enthusiasts want. Our perspective is shaped by real-world racing experiences as well as by practical science, and that's precisely what makes Skunk2 products so good. Firmly grounded in our understanding of engineering, we make every effort to embrace advanced technology. Our goal is to make performance and technology accessible to other enthusiasts through innovative manufacturing techniques.

Since 1994, we’ve released a number of industry-leading products, including the first cast aluminum, high-performance intake manifold, cutting-edge composite fuel rails, and valvetrain components made from premium materials. Skunk2 is acclaimed as being the first U.S.-based sport compact parts manufacturer to offer CNC-machined, adjustable cam gears in 1995 as well as billet camshafts in 1999. As a result of continually pushing our engine development capabilities in the racing world, we’ve discovered a number of exciting “power secrets” that are incorporated into every Skunk2 product.

Today we continue our tradition of creating leading-edge products through a state-of-the-art engineering and R&D department as well as through extensive engine development and testing both on the race track and the street.

1994

Skunk2 (Group-A Autosports) is founded in Northern California.

1995

Skunk2 begins developing and innovating high-performance engine parts. Such notable innovations include the release of the first CNC-machined, adjustable Honda camshaft gears from a U.S.-based sport compact performance company.

1996

Skunk2 begins developing parts for several championship touring car teams in Asia, supplying them with high-performance camshafts, valvetrain, and various suspension components.

1997

Skunk2 begins supplying parts to Honda touring cars competing in the U.S.-based Speedvision World Challenge series. Skunk2 later begins building its second-generation Integra road racing project, later converted into a record-setting, naturally aspirated drag car—Project Beta. Little did we know that Beta would later help pioneer the sport compact all motor class and revolutionize import drag racing.

1998

Beta continues to be used as a test vehicle for many Skunk2 products that will later be used on professional race cars worldwide.

1999

Piloted by Tony Shagday, Project Beta becomes the first 10-second, naturally aspirated sport compact; it will take another year and a half for the competition to do the same. Skunk2 also becomes the first U.S.-based performance company to offer chill-cast, billet camshafts for Honda engines.

2000

2000 marks the beginning of Skunk2's active involvement in World Challenge racing, where each Honda with podium finishes utilizes Skunk2 parts or engines. Skunk2 also introduces the first cast-aluminum, high-performance intake manifold for Honda engines.

2001

Skunk2 dusts off Beta for an NHRA World Finals win.

2002

Honda releases its K-series engine lineup to the U.S. and Skunk2 begins its engine development program.

2003

Skunk2 moves into its new state-of-the-art facility in Southern California that marks the birthplace of the potent Civic RR and Civic SiR v1. The introduction of Skunk2’s RSX, Project Delta, and K-series performance marks the return of Skunk2 to drag racing. The team goes on to finish the year with four wins out of five races, setting four new records.

2004

Skunk2 introduces the world to Project Delta. Piloted by Dr. Charles, Delta sets and re-sets records at five out of six races and wins the NHRA Finals, NOPI Finals, and Battle of the Imports Finals.

2005

Skunk2 returns with Project Beta, once again redefining the standard of speed and performance by smashing its own records.

2006

Skunk2 introduces its M3 Killer TSX, its 650whp RSX-T, its race-bred Civic SiR v2 time attack race car, and its wicked, turbocharged Fit R.

2007

Skunk2 unveils several new and exciting project vehicles.

2008

Skunk2 releases several exciting new products, including its MegaPower Headers and a complete lineup of parts for the latest-generation Honda Civic.

2009

Skunk2 and longstanding technical partner Compass360 Racing secure the Grand-Am Koni Sports Car Challenge Street Tuner class championship, taking home wins in Driver, Team, and Manufacturer categories.

2010

Skunk2 and Compass360 Racing repeat last year’s win in 2010.

Today

Skunk2 continues its tradition of innovation by introducing several new engine components, like the first-ever, big-bore, drive-by-wire throttle body for Honda engines and a line of camshafts utilizing proprietary Amax and Fast Ramp technologies.