Well first of all they started by modifyibg the lowest end honda engine you could get for that car, D157b. That engine is useless. For as much as they spent...they could have swapped a 200hp engine in there....But for the money............You are definately right...You get more for what you pay for with american muscle. Even though I actually own a vehichle on both sides of the spectrum, and love them both. A 93 Honda Del Sol and a 79 Bronco XLT Ranger with a 400M.