The brief bio of the man who created the LS VTEC. See how Steve’s presence has impacted Honda Motorsports.
Who, what is Omniman? Here is some back ground info to give the Honda racing community a better understanding of one of its greatest pioneers. I have had the pleasure of knowing Steve “Omniman” for the last few years and he has always been there to lend a helping hand. He is willing to share and teach whatever he can when he can spare a free moment. I bug him here and there for his opinion because I know he won’t steer me wrong and he never complains even with his busy schedule. Steve is a natural pioneer and teacher as you will soon learn.
Paris R. Jackson
Moving from California to Colorado seemed like the best plan in the world; I mean he was going to work at a Ferrari dealership and what gasoline blooded person wouldn’t want to go work on the pinnacle of automotive achievement?? Well, some times the best laid plans just don’t work out. After working at the Ferrari dealership in Colorado , and not being able to pay his rent, due to the very slow winters, Steve was working part time to help pay bills at the shop in Denver where he originated the LS/VTEC called Speed Image. After working there and learning many of the tricks he now employs daily, he was lured back to California to work on some other exotic cars in the form of Lamborghini`s and Ferrari`s. But again, the Honda scene lured him back, but not before bestowing upon him, some great knowledge to be tried in the Honda world.
Steve had wondered how to build a “stroker” motor (adding stroke to the crank throw to gain more displacement) without ruining the rod ratio. The only problem was you could only move the wrist pin up so much before you ran out of room. Not really an option back in the late 90`s, if you wanted a good rod ratio . In 198 4 Lamborghini wanted to come out with a new bigger motor, using stroke to increase displacement they faced a similar problem, but not having the money to have a new block casting made, Lamborghini designers decided to add stroke, by adding what`s commonly referred to as a deck plate to their motors. Steve had seen this when working on the 85 Countach and decided that he wanted to try it out for himself on a Honda motor. However, no one had ever tried it, so once again our famed engine guru is treading on thin ice. He had Advance Coordinate technologies in Denver make up a CNC program for $375 and took that program to Denver Mill and Lathe to have some plates made. With these in hand, he called Crower to get some rods. The guy on the other end of the phone (Brian Crower) must have thought Steve was out to lunch when he asked for a rod that long for a Honda motor. AS his reply was something to the effect of %u201CYou want a rod how long for what motor? Son, you do realize that it`s going to stick out the top of the block right??%u201D Never the less, Steve persevered and built his stroker motor, which was used in the Skunk2 drag car from 1999-2002 and made some ridiculous power with them, too bad the NHRA later banned the deck plate idea.
After working for Ferrari for nearly 4 years Steve ended up at Speed Image in Denver Colorado , to find his true love, Honda engines. After 3 years there and wanting to get back to California Steve took a job at Milano Imports (the largest and oldest Lamborghini tuner/dealer in the world). While there he again realized his passion for Hondas and was offered a job at group-a-auto sports/skunkworks. Later to be renamed Skunk2 after Lockheed got a little tense over the use of their name. In the 4 years that he worked for Skunk2 Steve helped the Drag racing team to 2 National Championships in 1999 ( when they became the first all motor car to hit 10`s and break 120mph) and 2000 and went completely undefeated in 1999 as well as the longest winning streak ever in all motor history with 9 straight wins. They also were runners up in the national points chase in 2002 in the NHRA series . Also while Steve was there, Skunk2 sponsored a few road race cars compet ing in SCCA’s speed world challenge, and were quickly realized as a force to be reckoned with, such as Roger Fo0’s rookie of the year achievement in 2001 . Steve helped develop most of the products that we have all come to know from Skunk 2 in the 4 years that he was there, but in the end, it was time for Steve to move on to bigger and better things. As Steve found out that working for someone can only get you so far, before you have to take matters into your own hands.
In 2004 Steve decided to start Omnipower ( http://www.omnipowerusa.com ) which will engineer, and design new products specifically geared towards making cars go faster and handle better. Omnipower is truly dedicated to serving the enthusiast so Cost will ALWAYS be considered , to give the average guy the chance to buy well designed and functioning parts . After watching our industry price parts go higher tha n they should , Steve has decided to go against the mold and price parts fairly. With an ever expanding line up of products, which at the time of printing included: Valve springs, valves, Front and rear Camber kits, full coilover shocks and a new exhaust system aimed at high output all motor cars and turbo cars . There are many other products that are on the drawing board, and will soon be released. So be sure to check http://omnipowerusa.com/ often for new product information from one of the brightest minds our industry has to offer. I have to say a big thank you to Steve for letting me tell his story.
Clayton Harmer
Read more about Steve Omniman
1 Comment