--- title: "There’s a Turbo AWD Honda CR-V Underneath This El Camino" date: "2024-10-29" modified: "2024-10-29" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/theres-a-turbo-awd-honda-cr-v-underneath-this-el-camino" categories: - "Builds" - "Culture" - "Honda News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "CR-V" - "honda" - "suv/crossover" --- # There’s a Turbo AWD Honda CR-V Underneath This El Camino ![An El Camino built on a Honda CR-V platform and powertrain, with the hood open showing off the engine.]() *\BodeVision via YouTube\* Here's a body and engine swap that no one asked for, and on the surface doesn't seem possible. And yet, it's one of the more interesting and most comprehensive swaps I've ever seen. Over at the [BodeVision]() YouTube channel is an *El Hondamino*—a Chevrolet El Camino body mounted to an all-wheel-drive [Honda CR-V]() platform and powertrain. The build started off as a stock first-generation CR-V and [El Camino]() shell. Then, most of the Honda's chassis was cut away, leaving just the floor, interior, engine bay, and suspension. All the pillars were sliced too, and the El Camino body was slowly fitted to the CR-V chassis, carving and modifying along the way to make it all fit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI2xf-ccUQo&t=1407s After getting the body on, and fabricating a front end around the Honda's transverse, four-cylinder B-Series engine, it was turbo time. A JackSpania Racing turbo, intercooler/radiator combo, and headers were fitted to make far more power than a normal CR-V and, as mentioned in the video, the *wrong* sorts of noises for an El Camino. But that's what makes it so much fun. And since the CR-V originally had a five-speed manual, this ute has a stick, too. So, to recap, we have a turbocharged, four-cylinder, manual, all-wheel-drive El Camino, which probably makes it one-of-one in the world. Die-hard American muscle fans won't be pleased with a Honda four-pot replacing a Chevy V8, or going from rear- to all-wheel drive, but this build is so unique and has clearly involved so much care that I think it'll win over the hearts of most enthusiasts. The build isn't finished yet, but it's close. The truck is painted and it runs, but it still needs a few final body tweaks. The white paint, with its brown, orange, and yellow stripes, gives it a '70s vibe in keeping with the El Camino body. However, the noises that come out of it won't sound '70s at all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rARhd-cYo-g *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()