Mad Dog Tannen

I have posted a bit about my cars in the past.

Since my recently purchased 97 Civic DX will inevitably become a project, I decided to start a thread for her.

Her name is Toshi ("mirror image" in Japanese). I had the same make, model, color, everything a few years ago when I lived 3000 miles away. This one is a little more beat up, and that is why it is a project.

139K miles, base model. Basically the whole thing has been neglected, but there is no rust and the engine runs strong. It is my DD!

I bought her, because I wanted the legendary D16 engine.

Work I have done in the 2 weeks I have owned her...
Timing belt/water pump/tensioner
Valves Adjusted
Cap/rotor/wires/plugs/timing
All Engine/trans mounts replaced
Oil change
Coolant change
Entire Custom Stereo. Polk Audio 6.5 and 6x9 component speakers, 2 ten inch Infinity subwoofers (350RMS each), twin MTX AMPS one for each speaker.
Trunk mounted second big battery.

List of things to do right away...
Replace leaky clutch slave cylinder
Find/fix vibration when braking...Brake/wheel inspection
Passenger side window crank
Driver side sun visor
Full interior detailing
Full Exterior Detailing/paint polishing/paint fixing(some small dents/dings)
Suspension (probably an Eibach kit)
Window tint
...then who knows?...

Mad Dog Tannen

Mad Dog Tannen

Trying to go to College and install my stereo was a challenge this week, but I got it done (almost). Everything is hooked up and working, except one of the subs. I need one RCA splitter so I can send the audio signal to both amps, it's just going to one of the amps right now, I will have to stop at a store and get one tomorrow. It still sounds great even with only one sub running, it will hit hard with both!...

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

Looking good so far! You have been busy the past few weeks.

Mad Dog Tannen

Thank you, I have been super busy and I want Toshi to be mechanically tip top before I get suspension or anything else fun for her.

Today I installed my $10 eBay short throw shifter. I adjusted the timing (it was way advanced). I installed some nice new Bosch wiper blades. I R2'd the slave cylinder and flushed the clutch fluid. Everything went in and out smoothly, the clutch feels much more crisp and solid, the short throw shifter is everything I hoped it would be.

Next is finding the vibration when I brake (I suspect warped rotors).



I also degreased a bit under the hood so it was easier to work on, and so it looks better.

Mad Dog Tannen

I ordered new pads and rotors for the front brakes. After doing some research I decided to just throw parts at the most likely issue. I know it could be the drums in the rear also. I ordered powerstop pads and rotors sold as a set for about $75 from Amazon.com. They are going on Friday.

Mad Dog Tannen

I finally did a thorough inspection of Toshi's undercarriage. I am not sure what it is called, but the big rubber bushings on the rear lower arms are deteriorating and will need replacement soon. And the shock bearings in the rear are rattling a bit.

The vibration was from the rear drums being warped, they where in surprisingly good condition otherwise. They had no lip on them at all and the shoes where very worn, but evenly worn. I am ordering a rear drum rebuild kit from rock auto for about $80. I put the new pads and rotors on because I had already bought them and the old ones where about 60% worn.

Re torquing the lugs seemed to help the vibration a little, but it's still there until the drum kit arrives. I also want to flush the brake fluid, the lines look ok still.

If I just lower it a inch or 2, do i need camber parts? what parts would I need if I did?

maxtierney

iTrader: (5)

Personally, I would install camber Arms, but it's not absolutely required. My friend's EM1 is dropped about 1.75" R / 2.25" F, on Neuspeeds. She has no tire issues, just more rear camber than front. Opposite of what you want for optimum handling.

I'm not as well versed on EKs, but from what I know... there are complete front upper "wishbones" with camber adjustability or a replacement adjustable upper ball joints.

Rears adjustments would be made with a new upper control arm.

Good luck with the project. Keep us posted.

Mad Dog Tannen

Where do I adjust the fronts? I did't see a front adjustment, but I have missed them before. I saw the rears can be adjusted with spacers that they sell, or a new mount for the upper arm that sticks out more. Will those work? They do the right thing, but do they do it enough?

Mad Dog Tannen

I have heard an exhaust leak, so I took off the heat shield today, and this is what I saw...



So I did what any respectable garage mechanic would do and I JB welded it lol

Needless to say it did not last very long, but I ordered a $54 eBay tri-Y header to replace it. I think I will need a O2 emulator to avoid any codes on the downstream sensor, but we will see.

It also has a check engine light, right after putting the jb weld on it, so I may have got some of that chemical stuff may have messed with the cat or O2 sensors, I'll see tomorrow when I run the codes...

Mad Dog Tannen

This is the super cheap header I ordered...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271823969331?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Mad Dog Tannen

She popped a p1337 and a p0135...

Camshaft sensor...
The wire was never put back into the clamp and rubbed the insulation off a couple of wires. I will be fixing it on Wednesday along with replacing the rear brakes.

02 sensor...
As I predicted the fumes form the JB weld messed with the sensor. I reset it and will see if it comes back.

...off to class. Cheers

maxtierney

iTrader: (5)

I don't think you can adjust the fronts until you buy some aftermarket parts. As for the rear, I'd go with an adjustable arm vs. spacers. How many spacers / what size will get you to the camber you want/need? No idea.

Like I said, I have a limited knowledge of the 6th gen. In the past year, I've installed engine mounts, struts/springs, rear lower control arms, sub-frame brace, headers, axles, brake calipers/rotors and bumpers. No idea about camber adjustments, except for what I've seen/read. Sorry.

maxtierney

iTrader: (5)

Good luck.

sdaidoji

iTrader: (1)

not much adjustments on stock parts, sorry to say...
mostly ride height changes that acts on the camber curves...

but a rear camber adjustment (more to positive side) does wonders to the piggy understeer issues that plagues FWD cars. I say piggy because the front tires will go squeeeeeeee, squeeeee, squeeeee!

Mad Dog Tannen

I did the rear brakes today. It went pretty smooth considering I haven't touched drum brakes in a few years.

My header will be here on Monday.

I reset the crank sensor code and it has not returned. The wires looked like they where still functional and might just need some insulating. She is now running pretty smooth, It does tend to have a fluctuating high idle when it's warming up, I am not sure what that is so I need to do a little research.

Mad Dog Tannen

So this just arrived in the mail...

Mad Dog Tannen

I finally got the fiber wrap for the exhaust yesterday. So today I installed the header...















It leaks where it connects to the stock mid pipe, I think I know how to fix it.

Mad Dog Tannen

The frreshened hubcaps looked so good I had to take some pics...

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

Looking good. Little stuff like that goes a long way. Headers look good too!

Mad Dog Tannen

Thank you.

Mad Dog Tannen

This weekend was very busy for me. However I still got some little things done on Toshi.

There was a exhaust leak on the cheap eBay header I bought, the two surfaces that meet at the coupler where not flat and leaked worse than the manifold I removed. However, this one was at a connection, not a crack. So I ended up throwing the gasket in the garbage and getting the highest temperature exhaust repair paste that I could find at Auto zone. I made a gasket out of it and cured it with a heat gun for hours. It worked great, no more leak during the 200 mile drive home.

I also painted the sun peeled windshield wiper arms and door window sills. It really freshened up the outside cosmetically. I am really trying to make it look stock on the outside to avoid police attention, so I am trying to make it look factory fresh instead...

Mad Dog Tannen

The DX does not come with tachometer, and I find it hard to hear my engine revs with the now sealed exhaust and booming stereo.

...So I ordered a cheap afterglow tach (because I can make it blue like the rest of my dash).

The stick-on badges ("CIVIC" and "DX") fell off on their own, and I cleaned off the adhesive and foam residue. But the build up dirt deteriorated the paint down to the metal underneath.

...So I am going to seal it up a bit (so it does not rust) and hide it with a decal. Probably something to do with fishing.

Mad Dog Tannen

My tach came in the mail, it looks pretty cheaply made, but then again I don't need it to function, so I justify cheaping out on the tach.

I also put a Gamakatsu Decal on the trunk to cover up the "scars" that the OEM badge left. I need to find a Grey decal for the DX scar as well. I was also thinking of plasti-dipping the bumpers and lower doors black because they are so scratched. I also live in the city, so it's not worth getting it painted, only to have a door opened into it...

Mad Dog Tannen

And here is a pic dump of some of my other projects from the past/present in chronological order...

Mad Dog Tannen

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

You are a busy man!! Thats a lot of projects that you have had. Hopefully soon I will have some to do some fun stuff like that.

Mad Dog Tannen

I only have the Civic and the GoldWing right now. One to drive, one to tinker on.

lowlife9

and to think just a couple years ago people would talk **** about body kits and vented hoods being all show and no go and now hellaflush is in ???

Mad Dog Tannen

In my opinion, both are pointless, and look ridiculous. I would rather not attract police attention.