Interviewer: Tell us a little about you, who you are, why you’re here, etc.? 
Matt: My name is Matthew Kellogg, I am 27 years old and a college graduate from MSU in Morehead, KY; per 2004. I love cars, computers and anything that requires a lot of thought/creativity being put into it, thereby giving great rewards afterwards.

Interviewer: So what made you a tuner fanatic?

Matt: I caught the tuner bug around 1997 when I bought my first tuner car; a 1984 Mazda RX7 GSL and began to learn all about modifying and customizing. I modified it over the 5.5 years until it was a fully SCCA ready car minus the roll cage. The reason why I sold it and bought my current hatchback in 2002 was the fact that finding parts for the RX7 was a very stressful endeavor as well as a costly one to maintain. Another deciding factor was the fact that with the dual 36DCD Weber carburetors there was a major step-up up to a much more stable and easily tunable EFI system, which was a break for me.  I decided to purchase the hatchback partly for cost savings as well as the easier aspect of finding  parts for that specific platform. I always loved the 96-00 Civic lineage; the hatchback by far being the best looking as far as I was concerned. I then began my quest to be original, taking my artistic talents and creativity and blending them into my work. I taught myself to paint, to be a mechanic, and to install audio/video systems. Basically I have taught myself to do everything I will ever need, purely from observation and cooperation of skilled individuals.

Interviewer: When did you make your first win and how did you feel?

Matt: My first major win was at NOPI in Britsol, TN 2004. I won first place in my class at this show ironically  this was not only my first attended big time show, it was also my first time painting an entire car, first time swapping motors (SOHC VTEC from EX Civic) and the first time I really felt like I was getting into something wonderful in my life.

Interviewer: What are your thoughts of the NOPI Nationals?

Matt: LOL. Ok, the best way to sum this show up is like this; Try eating a whole chocolate cake in 20 seconds……done yet? I didn’t think so. That’s how rich and full of life the NOPI Nationals is. You can walk all day straight never stopping to breathe and still miss ¼ of the show. With over 7,000 cars and some 70,000 odd people showing for both days, all I can say is; “major overload of the senses”. As with all shows (only this one a bit more) I always leave feeling like I am leaving my own home and as usual I feel a longing to rewind the weekend over and over again. Between the cars, the models, the vendor alley, and the overall sensory overloading, this show is an absolute rush! The fact that your ride is being recognized by hundreds and thousands of fans as well as the vendors and magazines, is pure enlightenment. Walking around and seeing others sharing the same passion as yours, is enough to make you wish time would freeze….at least for a few weeks!

Interviewer: When did you gain your sponsors and how hard was it to do so? 

Matt: Well before my 1st place NOPI win I had called about 20 different companies and of course then received the cold shoulder. I decided that if they wanted me to change something, I would do just that. So for the next 6 months (mid 2003) I made major changes to the car. Complete color changeover to rally blue, body kit, hood, wheels, interior design changes, audio upgrades, etc. After winning 1st in the Bristol show my first sponsor Nology climbed on board and the rest soon followed. ABS Dynamics with the aerodynamics aspect (and the sponsor of the current RSX conversion), Red Line Tuning with the hood lift supports, Holley Performance with the then D series headers, APEX Brakes for stopping power, and now JSA Motors with their generous 50/50 sponsorship so I could finally put a “real engine” in the car, a JDM B18C swap. I am very grateful to all of the sponsors who were willing to entrust me with their products as well as trusting enough to realize that I had a lot to offer them for advertisement as well as daily exposure; yes it is a “daily” driven car.

Interviewer: How would you rate JSA Motors as far as the sponsored swap and customer service?

ENGINE/ENGINE BAY

·  B18C GSR swap from JSA Motors

·  Nology, Inc. Hotwires, Silverstone plugs, cap/rotor with external coil output, and their external high voltage coil

·  Unorthodox Racing lightweight crank pulley

·  Energy Suspension torque mount (motor) inserts made of red polyurethane

·  Powder coated 3” intake tubing with K&N filter element

·  OBX 4-2-1 stainless headers

·  Magnaflow cat back exhaust system

·  2” core racing radiator

·  Powder coated valve cover

EXTERIOR

·  Full 2004 RSX conversion front end from ABS Dynamics

·   JDM Type black headlights and tail lights

·   Carbon fiber Type R style spoiler (ABS)

·   Buddy Club II side skirts and rear bumper

·  Euro side markers

·  Upper strut tie bar and rear lower tie brace

·  Carbon fiber locking hood pins

·  Fully shaved side molding and roof antenna

·  Spoon style side mirrors

·   Samba Green Pearl (Del Sol) paint job

INTERIOR

·  Black racing seats with 4 point harnesses

·  Leather steering wheel with billet frame

·  Billet center shifter plate with race inspired design

·  Single bend short shifter with Type R Style shift knob

·   Energy Suspension shifter stabilizer bushings

·  Aluminum race pedals

·  Euro dash bezel with EX (tach) gauge cluster (GSR later)

·  Diamond plate aluminum floor mats

·  Pioneer Premier DEH6400 CD player

·  Blaupunkt door speakers

·  Pioneer 3 way 6X9 rear speakers

·  Mini dome tweeters

·  12” Audibahn DUB’s SE subwoofer with “wheel grille”

·  A2002T chrome 400watt AMP with cooling fan and blue internal lighting

·  Fully blacked out interior (vinyl) with exterior green accents on dash and center console.

SUSPENSION

·  Tokico HP shocks/struts

·  Tokico 1.78” lowering springs

·  Ingalls front/rear camber kit

·  Cross drilled/slotted front rotors

·  APEX F/R race pads (red)

·   Del Sol Si rear disc brake swap with ’99 Civic Si e-brake cables, master cylinder and booster

·  Energy Suspension trailing arm bushings for extra grip in the rear

·  Enkei RP-02 15.2lb race rims wearing General 215/40/17 tires

·  Gorilla spline drive locking tuner lugs

·  Stainless braided brake lines