lowlife9

be that as it may but body kits and vented hoods dont hinder performance.

Mad Dog Tannen

My car is slow.

I would rather have a slow car that looks slow, or a fast car that looks slow.

But a slow car that looks fast gets no respect, essentially it is just a poser.

Therefore my money is better spent under the hood, to improve the driving experience.

Mad Dog Tannen

It finally got here from 3000 miles away, so I won't have a check engine light anymore!...

Mad Dog Tannen

I got the Emulator installed today, I had to bend the header to the left so that it would not hit the axle shaft. I cleared the codes and the O2 code has not come back.

I also wired the Tachometer, it is really cheaply made, but it is kinds cool with the ability to color change the backlight. I haven't figured out how to set the shift light.

Mad Dog Tannen

I figured out how to set the shift light now. I set it to 5k because that is the top of the torque curve and this car has no top end power. I know redline is 7100 rpm and power curve is around 6500rpm so I will have to change it if I ever race it. The main reason for having it, is so I can bump the stereo without stalling the car lol.

I also found out yesterday that someone had a free tachometer cluster they would have given me... doh!

Mad Dog Tannen

I am out of parts to install. I am looking for a roof rack, so that I can get a Kayak for fishing and carry it atop. I really would like a boat, but my 2300 lb civic, just cannot tow that much.

The "angry bees" exhaust sound is still there, I will fix it in a couple of weeks, when I have a garage. I am 95% sure it is a heat shield on the muffler.

I am still looking for suspension stuff, but it is low priority.

Mad Dog Tannen

I exited the freeway last weekend, and noticed my temp gauge was creeping upward as I sat still. I turned on the heater full blast and it went back down to normal. The fans are not kicking on, so I need to start diagnosing, it is cold outside right now, so I may just run the heater for a couple of days until I can use garage, last time this happened it was the temperature sender. So I plan on testing the fans, then the sensor. A fluid flush and thermostat change couldn't hurt either.

Mad Dog Tannen

I jumped the fan, it works. I jumped the relay, it did not work. Got a new relay, still did not work. Got a new temp switch, still doesn't work. So I am down to rechecking the fuse. I will report back when I get some needle nose pliers, (I lost my old ones while fishing).

So it still is over heating, while at stoplights, and sitting still or pulling up hills.

On a side note I have been window shopping swaps that would be frugal. I have decided, after this engine blows, I would like to do a J30A4 (240hp Acoord V6 swap). It looks like it would be cheaper than B or K series swaps and it would have nice torque for the street. Plus a USDM should be more simple to swap in California. I have been searching local salvage yards for swaps, so I can start tuning-up and polishing the block. I can get the transmission later on, when I actually need to swap...

Mad Dog Tannen

I think I have found to culprit. There is no coolant flowing, the radiator is clogged!

I ordered a brand new brand-X all aluminum radiator to replace it from Amazon. It will arrive next week after Wednesday.

I am looking at savage yard right now for a J30A4!

Mad Dog Tannen

I did a little more research. It looks like $450 is about the cheapest J swap mounts and I either have to build a axle to fit or buy the $400 set from Hasport. I read that I can use a b series outer with a TL inner, so that may be a mire frugal route. I was also considering having a friend of mine fabricate some mounts, so that is another option too. Either way I estimate that, at most it will cost $2500-$3000 to do the whole swap (if it,s just a swap with not tuck/polish/etc). I think this is a good way to go instead of dong a long block replacement/overhaul and I will be pleased with the added acceleration. I am curious what kind of mileage the 3.0l engine would make too. I estimate around 25-30mpg. Vtec would be kinda cool too.

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

J-Swap would be awesome!! That's a great engine with some nice torque. I think it would be worth the effort.

Mad Dog Tannen

I think so, it's the classic formula for going fast. Big engine + light car = fun

I am going to see what parts I get for Christmas. I am also trying to get a Kayak for fishing right now too.

I am going to have to fins the engine myself, it looks like they are all over and modestly priced compared to K or B series. I will also have a B16 that I can mess with/rebuild/race out/sell.

Mad Dog Tannen

My new radiator arrived today, it is cheap and, so I had to make it fit...

But now that fans kick on and no more overheating!

Mad Dog Tannen

I got the rad in, it looks nice and works well. The stock hoses where a very tight fit.

Mad Dog Tannen

While changing the radiator I saw that the front passenger side strut was leaking. Since I wanted to change the shocks to something a little more sporty. After the new year I will be getting these and lowering at least one inch...

https://progressauto.com/products/sf.../productID/779

Mad Dog Tannen

So ironically right after I decided that I want to lower my car, my apartments decide to install 4 tall speed bumps between me and the gate (yes literally yesterday they put them in). So I may be going the other direction and raising it a inch instead. I think I can get rubber spacers to accomplish it, camber bolts and maybe I can shim something in the rear when I raise it. I drive on crappy city roads and rough rocky off road sometimes, so I think raising it is the most functional option, it would only cost about 80 extra dollars atop doing a strut change.

I am looking at KYB GR-2 struts, reusing the old springs, with 1" risers, new shock mounts and dust covers, shims for rear (if I can) and camber bolts for the front... and maybe mud flaps if I can afford them (lol).

Mad Dog Tannen

I've been doing a lot of research. So when I get some $ for maintenance in January. I am going to get a couple of things that will help with auto X and still be my commuter car.

For reliability, legality and to plug all exhaust leaks I am going to get a new exhaust manifold.

$500 Magna flow cat/manifold (OEM style)


$220 KYB GR2 struts w/ bearings (OEM style)


$200-300 performance sway bars (performance)


I also put my subwoofers up for sale for $200, so that should offset some cost.

I am going to replace the Clutch master cylinder tomorrow (leaky, but functional).

Since I want to go "fully legal", I am going to get the window tint removed from doors and get sill shades for doors and visor for the rear window. I want my car to look/sound all stock and well maintained on the outside and in the engine. I am only modding suspension and interior for my own pleasure while driving.


After all of that is done, I will attempt to learn how to do some body work, because every panel has some type of damage. I would like to paint it flat sand.

Mad Dog Tannen

So far this week, I have done a lot of work...

On the car (Toshi):
changed brake fluid
changed clutch master cylinder
adjusted valves
full interior detail
full engine detail
removed the subwoofers
detailed trunk/spare area

Motorcycle (Aretha)
finished rebuilding brakes
R2 rear wheel bearings
torque triple tree and front axle
mounted controls/bars

I hope to get her running next week

I also cleaned out/organized/searched tools/garage (a lot of stuff/work).

Mad Dog Tannen

After getting some Christmas $, I just ordered KYB GR2 struts for all four wheels, new shock bearings, new catalytic converter/manifold (BOSUL stainless steel kind), A/C idler pulley.

I am still shopping for sway bars and possibly a roof rack for kayak/snowboard/fishing poles.

This should cure the exhaust leaks, and the blown shocks. Will be installed next month.

Mad Dog Tannen

Roof rack ordered!... $70 on Amazon, we will see if it is as cheap as I think it is.

It should all be here by tomorrow.

maxtierney

iTrader: (5)

$70 for a Rood Rack? Wow!

Mad Dog Tannen

So everything came yesterday. I went over to the garage this morning and installed all 4 shocks and a new header/cat.

Success!

Exhaust leaks are gone, low end power feels stronger!... so quiet.

The shocks feel great, much smoother than the worn/blown stockies.

I am so glad I fixed the 2 most irritating issues with the car. It no longer sounds like poop or rides like a wooden wagon.

I found that most of the bushings are worn or blown, so I plan to get a poly master bushing kit, start with the rear trailing arm bushing, because they are both torn and are highest priority. I will also be shopping for sway bars around February.

PS I am pretty sure that BOSAL and MAGNA-FLOW are the same company.

Mad Dog Tannen

lol I was so concerned with the header and shocks that I forgot to bring the roof rack with me. I did not even open the box to look at it. I will pick it up soon.

Mad Dog Tannen

I reviewed the recommended service table in the manual and in the Haynes manual. It seems my car does need a PCV valve during tune up. So I will go get one today.

Question: Do I need to service/clean the PCV breather box? (I am assuming it is a air-oil separator) I think it needs regular cleaning, and I will do it anyways this time around.

Mad Dog Tannen

Energy Suspension master kit and PCV valve grommet ordered!

The trailing arm bushings are torn badly and the whole chassis could use a little tightening.

The old PCV valve grommet is leaking and AutoZone wanted $14 for a special order replacement, so I ordered a $3 one from partsgeek.com

Mad Dog Tannen

I never got a good header pic without the heat shield, but here she is with the heat shield.

The heat shield got a little cleaning up before installation too.

Toshi also got her roof rack installed, I will post a pic laters.

Phillip123

I came a little late to this thread, but I love all the projects you've had! Nice work!

Mad Dog Tannen

Thank you.

Mad Dog Tannen

Roof rack is on! It howled like a wolf until I put the fairing on. I also used my old ski/board/pole rack. I can finally store my fishing poles out of the way and not have to fold down the rear seat as much.

My car is pinging, so I am going to investigate this weekend. I suspect the fuel system has low pressure, maybe a bad pressure regulator or clogged fuel injectors? I will also adjust and check plugs for gap and insure they are the right ones. I checked/adjusted ignition timing with no effect. It may be a air sensor as well. we will see


My suspension master bushing kit and pcv valve grommet are on their way...

Phillip123

I came a little late to this thread but caught most of it. Great project congratulations on it, I'll stick with this thread from now on