What did you do to your civic today?
Re: What did you do to your civic today?
It's been a tumultuous month. Car was running a few degrees hot so I changed the radiator. She then started misfiring like crazy when cold and I was losing coolant. I had been suspecting the head gasket for a while now, but it had become painfully obvious now. Unfortunately, I lacked the equipment to do a leakdown test, and both combustion gas tests I did yielded no positive results. Just in case it was a fuel issue, I changed the fuel filter and strainer. I had been meaning to do that for years anyway.
I finally bit the bullet and got the HG done. Went to a shop because I don't have the garage or time to do it myself.
It was expensive, but definitely cheaper than my backup plan... I was looking at used Accords 
She was still idling a little rough afterward, but it was nice to be able to accelerate smoothly again. After another new set of plugs and a tank full of Techron, my scanner has been clear of all codes, pending or otherwise. Now I just need to get the EVAP system to finish its cycle so I can get my emissions testing done. Ugh. In the near future, I'm planning on removing and cleaning the throttle body and IACV. Eventually I'll get a new O2 sensor, since it is probably contaminated with coolant.
I finally bit the bullet and got the HG done. Went to a shop because I don't have the garage or time to do it myself.

She was still idling a little rough afterward, but it was nice to be able to accelerate smoothly again. After another new set of plugs and a tank full of Techron, my scanner has been clear of all codes, pending or otherwise. Now I just need to get the EVAP system to finish its cycle so I can get my emissions testing done. Ugh. In the near future, I'm planning on removing and cleaning the throttle body and IACV. Eventually I'll get a new O2 sensor, since it is probably contaminated with coolant.
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Re: What did you do to your civic today?
ouch, so that's why you have been quiet?
eyouch! that's bad too...
Replaced the front motor mount with Energy Suspension Engine Mount Polyurethane inserts.
While cranking the car up, my spare jack (rated for a quarter ton truck) decides to break, Jamming the lower radiator support upwards, shoving the upper radiator support up 2 inches. Not a happy camper at that little stunt... Beat that bad boy into submission with a 4x4 & a BFH.
THIS is why we can't have nice things...! Shoddy domestic jack, is my guess.
While cranking the car up, my spare jack (rated for a quarter ton truck) decides to break, Jamming the lower radiator support upwards, shoving the upper radiator support up 2 inches. Not a happy camper at that little stunt... Beat that bad boy into submission with a 4x4 & a BFH.
THIS is why we can't have nice things...! Shoddy domestic jack, is my guess.
Re: What did you do to your civic today?
Finally installed my DC Sports 4-2-1 header with O2 defouler. Unfortunately I popped a p0134 so either I jacked up my AF sensor or it's not plugged all the way into the extension harness. I will find out tomorrow.

Also removed my front sway bar the other day, couldn't take the clunking anymore. I must say I enjoy how it handles without it! Thanks for the removal tip, sdaidoji!
Also removed my front sway bar the other day, couldn't take the clunking anymore. I must say I enjoy how it handles without it! Thanks for the removal tip, sdaidoji!
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Re: What did you do to your civic today?
hahaha, now if you change the tie rods, we have almost the same work done 
glad the twisting the bar worked to pull it out
Good luck on the 4-2-1 - I did not have that problem because i took the 4-1 header
Possibly you might notice a little more mid-range than I did (although I have the AEM CAI + Crower stage 1 cam, so not sure how that is playing into my results)

glad the twisting the bar worked to pull it out

Good luck on the 4-2-1 - I did not have that problem because i took the 4-1 header
Possibly you might notice a little more mid-range than I did (although I have the AEM CAI + Crower stage 1 cam, so not sure how that is playing into my results)
Re: What did you do to your civic today?
hahaha, now if you change the tie rods, we have almost the same work done 
glad the twisting the bar worked to pull it out
Good luck on the 4-2-1 - I did not have that problem because i took the 4-1 header
Possibly you might notice a little more mid-range than I did (although I have the AEM CAI + Crower stage 1 cam, so not sure how that is playing into my results)

glad the twisting the bar worked to pull it out

Good luck on the 4-2-1 - I did not have that problem because i took the 4-1 header
Possibly you might notice a little more mid-range than I did (although I have the AEM CAI + Crower stage 1 cam, so not sure how that is playing into my results)
I swapped to this from a Chinese no name 4-1 and I really like the smoothness and midrange power.
Ordering a stage 1 tomorrow with my tax return! And a new af sensor too I suppose...
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Re: What did you do to your civic today?
ouch, sensor on a 05 is steeep price...
You will like the stage 1 cam - I can guarantee it
My tax return went almost all to my water heater at home... sniff...
You will like the stage 1 cam - I can guarantee it

My tax return went almost all to my water heater at home... sniff...
Re: What did you do to your civic today?
Can't wait to get the cam! Gonna do the crank seal while I'm at it as I neglected to do so a year ago when I did hg/timing belt etc.
Damn, nobody likes a bad water heater!
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Re: What did you do to your civic today?
any other suspension mods?
no front anti roll bar works nice with rear progress or RSX antiroll bar
if you lower, recommend using front camber bolts (ingalls or similar - good vendor please, they are under great stress) but more importantly reducing the rear camber with a set of upper adjustable control arms (I simply got the skunk 2 - not many available at the time) - that made night and day difference on my civic
now I don't have the dreaded understeer peering at me all the time, robbing power by spinning the wheels in smoke out of the corner... Like the old tire ad did say, "power is nothing without control". Suspension mods are even better than engine mods 
I run -1.5 camber front -0.5 rear
toe adjusted when going to autoX (haven't hit one forever, though...)
no front anti roll bar works nice with rear progress or RSX antiroll bar

if you lower, recommend using front camber bolts (ingalls or similar - good vendor please, they are under great stress) but more importantly reducing the rear camber with a set of upper adjustable control arms (I simply got the skunk 2 - not many available at the time) - that made night and day difference on my civic
now I don't have the dreaded understeer peering at me all the time, robbing power by spinning the wheels in smoke out of the corner... Like the old tire ad did say, "power is nothing without control". Suspension mods are even better than engine mods 
I run -1.5 camber front -0.5 rear
toe adjusted when going to autoX (haven't hit one forever, though...) Re: What did you do to your civic today?
any other suspension mods?
no front anti roll bar works nice with rear progress or RSX antiroll bar
if you lower, recommend using front camber bolts (ingalls or similar - good vendor please, they are under great stress) but more importantly reducing the rear camber with a set of upper adjustable control arms (I simply got the skunk 2 - not many available at the time) - that made night and day difference on my civic
now I don't have the dreaded understeer peering at me all the time, robbing power by spinning the wheels in smoke out of the corner... Like the old tire ad did say, "power is nothing without control". Suspension mods are even better than engine mods 
I run -1.5 camber front -0.5 rear
toe adjusted when going to autoX (haven't hit one forever, though...)
no front anti roll bar works nice with rear progress or RSX antiroll bar

if you lower, recommend using front camber bolts (ingalls or similar - good vendor please, they are under great stress) but more importantly reducing the rear camber with a set of upper adjustable control arms (I simply got the skunk 2 - not many available at the time) - that made night and day difference on my civic
now I don't have the dreaded understeer peering at me all the time, robbing power by spinning the wheels in smoke out of the corner... Like the old tire ad did say, "power is nothing without control". Suspension mods are even better than engine mods 
I run -1.5 camber front -0.5 rear
toe adjusted when going to autoX (haven't hit one forever, though...)Corners are definitely my favorite part about driving the civic! Hoping to make it to an auto-x event this year!
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: TN
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Re: What did you do to your civic today?
LOL, just checked your albums, my first civic was a green sedan LX just like yours 
hit me or golnat when you looking for upgrading suspension (I only have experienced the eibach pro and KYB AGX so far, though...) but I think I learned a thing or two on setting it up after I blew my synchros for spinning the wheels too much due to bad alignment after lowering the car... (in controlled autoX events, I mean - couldn't have blown them in the streets)
You should make a Member's ride thread too
here's mine, as example:
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/4...s-stories.html

hit me or golnat when you looking for upgrading suspension (I only have experienced the eibach pro and KYB AGX so far, though...) but I think I learned a thing or two on setting it up after I blew my synchros for spinning the wheels too much due to bad alignment after lowering the car... (in controlled autoX events, I mean - couldn't have blown them in the streets)
You should make a Member's ride thread too

here's mine, as example:
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/4...s-stories.html
Re: What did you do to your civic today?
LOL, just checked your albums, my first civic was a green sedan LX just like yours 
hit me or golnat when you looking for upgrading suspension (I only have experienced the eibach pro and KYB AGX so far, though...) but I think I learned a thing or two on setting it up after I blew my synchros for spinning the wheels too much due to bad alignment after lowering the car... (in controlled autoX events, I mean - couldn't have blown them in the streets)
You should make a Member's ride thread too
here's mine, as example:
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/4...s-stories.html

hit me or golnat when you looking for upgrading suspension (I only have experienced the eibach pro and KYB AGX so far, though...) but I think I learned a thing or two on setting it up after I blew my synchros for spinning the wheels too much due to bad alignment after lowering the car... (in controlled autoX events, I mean - couldn't have blown them in the streets)
You should make a Member's ride thread too

here's mine, as example:
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/4...s-stories.html
I actually just read through your thread the other day, good story!
Re: What did you do to your civic today?
Finally installed my DC Sports 4-2-1 header with O2 defouler. Unfortunately I popped a p0134 so either I jacked up my AF sensor or it's not plugged all the way into the extension harness. I will find out tomorrow.

Also removed my front sway bar the other day, couldn't take the clunking anymore. I must say I enjoy how it handles without it! Thanks for the removal tip, sdaidoji!

Also removed my front sway bar the other day, couldn't take the clunking anymore. I must say I enjoy how it handles without it! Thanks for the removal tip, sdaidoji!
Re: What did you do to your civic today?
Thanks man, I got an adjustable 90 one. Everything I read seems to say that the p0134 is for the upstream sensor though, the defouler is on the downstream.
Re: What did you do to your civic today?
So I got her jacked up today and found that I apparently hadn't tightened down the defouler and it was loose 
Tightened it up and secured it properly, reset my engine light and it's been good so far, about 15 miles anyway but it came back in immediately after reset yesterday so I'm hoping that's all it was, we shall see.
Gave her a quick wash when I was finished.
Also ordered my stage 1 cam from summit racing, supposed to ship direct from crower in about 2 weeks.

Tightened it up and secured it properly, reset my engine light and it's been good so far, about 15 miles anyway but it came back in immediately after reset yesterday so I'm hoping that's all it was, we shall see.
Gave her a quick wash when I was finished.
Also ordered my stage 1 cam from summit racing, supposed to ship direct from crower in about 2 weeks.
Re: What did you do to your civic today?
Installed a set of those wonderful Chinese eBay fog light kits today. Damn near have to disassemble the entire car to do it, according to the instructions in the DIY section.
Re: What did you do to your civic today?
Finally got around to cleaning my throttle body and IACV. Replaced the gaskets too, since they were dirt cheap. Also took a little bit of the slack out of my throttle cable!
Re: What did you do to your civic today?
Replaced catalytic converter, both lower control arm bushings, exhaust, new OE steel wheels with 3 good wheel covers (one on parts car was pretty well beat up so skipped on that one until i buy a used one soon, new rear struts, new rear sway links, new front tires, and a new windshield.
Re: What did you do to your civic today?
Refurbished the entire front suspension. Polyurethane Control Arm bushings, Moog LBJs, Outer tie rod ends, and sway bar Linkage. New Strutts installed. Thanks to my Bro Jeff. PWWRFFPWWR
Re: What did you do to your civic today?
After i got all the suspension changed out, i took the car out and put it through its paces to test it out. When i got back i saw tell tell signs that the head gasket had breached. White, sweet smelling, moist smoke from the tail pipe. And sputtering on startup. Still have to do compression test, but I suspect it head gasket went bad.
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Re: What did you do to your civic today?
Yesterday: Found my old Alpine Type-R 10" sub. Installed that kinda ghettoly, since the box I fabbed up is designed to go in the opposite corner than it is (it's sitting in the rear driver's side corner of the trunk, amps currently mounted in the passenger corner of the trunk). Hopefully I don't blow the coil on this unlike what happened to my JL 13TW5. I don't quite blast my music like I did back then, though, so there's that.
Today: got bored and made a car holster using some go-pro mounts and a lefty holster my buddy gave me when I bought the gun from him. Whenever I carried, I'd usually unholster and put the gun between my seat and the center console, near my seat belt buckle. I'll take pics eventually. lol
Today: got bored and made a car holster using some go-pro mounts and a lefty holster my buddy gave me when I bought the gun from him. Whenever I carried, I'd usually unholster and put the gun between my seat and the center console, near my seat belt buckle. I'll take pics eventually. lol
Re: What did you do to your civic today?
Today: got bored and made a car holster using some go-pro mounts and a lefty holster my buddy gave me when I bought the gun from him. Whenever I carried, I'd usually unholster and put the gun between my seat and the center console, near my seat belt buckle. I'll take pics eventually. lol

I just realized this is even more ghetto than usual with the 550 cord
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Re: What did you do to your civic today?
hey man, don't knock 550 paracord. That **** is awesome. That AR15 mount is quite ghetto, though. Effective, yet ghetto 
I just took pics, I'll upload here in a bit
edit: PICS!
Dunno why this came out so potato quality, but you get the idea

Top view to show you where I have it. Don't mind the trash on my passenger side

To show you placement, I'm able to get a full grip on the pistol to pull it out of the holster. It's a tension set holster that holds the trigger guard, no secondary lock
I just took pics, I'll upload here in a bit
edit: PICS!
Dunno why this came out so potato quality, but you get the idea
Top view to show you where I have it. Don't mind the trash on my passenger side
To show you placement, I'm able to get a full grip on the pistol to pull it out of the holster. It's a tension set holster that holds the trigger guard, no secondary lock
Last edited by xRiCeBoYx; Mar 29, 2016 at 07:18 PM.
Re: What did you do to your civic today?
Removed the rear deck (with help from the DIY thread) in preparation for some window tint. I may just order some new 6x9 speakers, and replace those junky stock speakers while it's out.
Re: What did you do to your civic today?
Removed and cleaned the VTEC solenoid for gits and shiggles, Replaced the gaskets and strainer there as well. Also replaced the O2 sensor with a DENSO one... there's no telling what all that coolant did to the old one.
Finally, my 8+ year-old windshield is getting replaced as I type this. Full glass coverage in Arizona is awesome!
Finally, my 8+ year-old windshield is getting replaced as I type this. Full glass coverage in Arizona is awesome!
Re: What did you do to your civic today?
Replaced those rear deck mounted factory 6x9's with some Rockford Fosgate ones, and got my windows tinted, then re-installed the rear interior panels/seats.



