EP3 owners. Need some info.

[YamahaV8]

I may be picking up an EP3 this Saturday and wanted to know from owners of any odd quirks with the car. I have done a lot of research and have found nothing really bad at all about the car. So any advice or information you could give me from your personal experience with this car would be greatly appreciated. Even if it just a cool story or something, all input welcome.

Thanks

[88CRX]

I have over 8x,xxx km's on mine and have had zero problems relating to anything OEM.

Suspension was replaced shortly after buying the car, but the engine has remained relatively stock for the entire time with no issues. Brakes had zero issues and were just recently upgraded and overhauled. Zero electrical issues, no tranny issues, nothing.

[revelations]

Nice, a local EP3? What year?

Good cars generally, some people complain about the 2-3 gear crunch and minor electrical issues...other than that I;ve seen or had any problems.

[Eken9]

Originally posted by revelations
Nice, a local EP3? What year?

Good cars generally, some people complain about the 2-3 gear crunch and minor electrical issues...other than that I;ve seen or had any problems.

Test drove two EP3's when shopping for one. Both had 2nd or 3rd gear crunch problem. It's was apparent on one. The other was less but you can tell it was on its way there.

Just test drive OP, you don't even really need to drive hard to notice the problems. I drove both cars normally.

[403ep3]

Steering rack creak is really all I can think of.

Good reliable cars when mine was stock :)

[mdeluxe]

agreed, nothing wrong with mine either... has been perfectly reliable in the 4 years I have had it

[Redlyne_mr2]

130K on mine, super reliable all these years. Check for rust in the normal places. No issues with anything though.

[YamahaV8]

All really good things I am hearing from you guys. Has anyone had to replace a clutch yet. I am looking at SiR's around the 100k-120k kilometer range and was hoping the factory clutch would be good until 180k-200k. How do the factory struts hold up as well. Anything specific that I should look for when I go to look at one other than the 2-3 gear crunch?

[403ep3]

Ummm I've replaced my struts with coils because they were leaking at around 75k I think. I'm at around 108k and my clutch is fine

[Redlyne_mr2]

Still have the original struts on mine, seem to be doing just fine. I would imagine the clutch is only as good as the person driving the car. Should be able to get 200K plus out of it as long as the car wasn't raced every weekend.

[403ep3]

We need to get that ep3 meet planned. Everyone is getting one now or soon heh. First -jl- then nissan_fanboy and now you yamaha

[revelations]

OP.... EPhatch and clubep3 are both dedicated boards for the car.

[YamahaV8]

Originally posted by revelations
OP.... EPhatch and clubep3 are both dedicated boards for the car.

Awesome I will check those out. Well it looks like I don't have to worry about much. I will keep you guys posted if I go ahead and buy one.

[Travel_Dude]

1. Aftermarket exhausts are brain-exploding loud.
2. When it rains I get some bad back pressure through the exhaust.

No other issues.

[simonseys]

I have about 120K on mine and I haven't had any mechanical problems at all, I find that the seats are really uncomfortable during long rides, I don't know if theres just something wrong with my seats, or if its just like that..:dunno:

[revelations]

^ odd... I drove 10hrs to Vancouver and the seats were awesome :dunno:

[simonseys]

^^ Really? I feel like my seats have to cushioning..if thats a even word..

[Redlyne_mr2]

Any tips for preventing the black seats from wearing on the boulsters?

[revelations]

^ I washed my seats recently, it really brought the black out again.

There is a whole DIY on EPhatch.com

[Redlyne_mr2]

OK ill check it out thanks.

[YamahaV8]

I am in talks right now with a seller so hopefully it works out. I have heard that those k20's really eat the oil? What are your opinions on this?

[Redlyne_mr2]

Mine doesn't, all engines use oil but not to the point that it, s noticeable.

[revelations]

The factory required 5w20 back in the day but many users discovered cam lobe wear from the oil becoming too thin.

Most EP3 people now use 5W30.

[YamahaV8]

Well I bought one last night. It's a 2002 silver with only 108k on it. I will have to post up pictures later.

[beyond_ban]

^^ Congrats! Pick it up for a pretty good deal?

[403ep3]

My guess is they were asking for somewhere around 9.5k but you got it for around 8.2k

[YamahaV8]

They were asking 9.5k but would not go lower than 9.2k. It did come with new winter tires though which is a nice bonus. I could have gotten another car for around 8k but it has 150,000km and It didn't ride as nice as this one did.

[YamahaV8]

Here's a question for you guys. Does the stock stereo come out of the dash like normal or does the stock system have a remote amp that makes installing a deck a pain?

[revelations]

Mine came out normal.... just about to drop a DD NAV unit in there.

[.jl-]

congrats, another 02 ssm =)
That black one on beyond that was just sold recently looked like a GD

[403ep3]

We definately need to set up a ep3 meet soon. July!

[.jl-]

Originally posted by 403ep3
We definately need to set up a ep3 meet soon. July!
+1 I'm gonna get my front lip really soon

Either walker or mugen..hmmm

[YamahaV8]

I was looking under the hood today and noticed that I can see the front wheels from under the hood. It seems like I am missing the rear half of the wheel well liner on both sides. I can understand one side maybe falling off but both sides? Am I actually missing the liner or is this normal for this car?

[Moe Man]

^ probably in an accident and they didnt replace the wells. It is common on front end hit vehicles to be missing the wells.

Mine was for sale for 6900. with 140km.....

dont know how you missed it in market place. just sold it a few days ago.

[88CRX]

Originally posted by YamahaV8
I was looking under the hood today and noticed that I can see the front wheels from under the hood. It seems like I am missing the rear half of the wheel well liner on both sides. I can understand one side maybe falling off but both sides? Am I actually missing the liner or is this normal for this car?

That's normal. They're all like that.

[drtoohotty1]

Originally posted by 403ep3
We definately need to set up a ep3 meet soon. July!

come on our Honda cruise next Saturday :D

[YamahaV8]

Originally posted by Moe Man
^ probably in an accident and they didnt replace the wells. It is common on front end hit vehicles to be missing the wells.

Mine was for sale for 6900. with 140km.....

dont know how you missed it in market place. just sold it a few days ago.

I called you from your kijiji add but you said you had a deposit on it already. My name was Kyle and you took my name down just in case. I tried dude :D

[YamahaV8]

Originally posted by 88CRX


That's normal. They're all like that.

Really? It is such an odd design. The steering rack on the firewall is covered in dirt and rocks. I can't imagine all the salt and snow that gets in the engine bay. Can anyone else confirm this?

[Disoblige]

Yeah it is normal. I remember being to see through from passenger wheel through the engine bay to the other side of the driver side wheel as well haha. And yes, the steering rack does have rocks and gravel and shit on top. Oh and if you winter drive... it will be covered in snow.

[YamahaV8]

Originally posted by Disoblige
Yeah it is normal. I remember being to see through from passenger wheel through the engine bay to the other side of the driver side wheel as well haha. And yes, the steering rack does have rocks and gravel and shit on top. Oh and if you winter drive... it will be covered in snow.

Why do you think Honda decided to only cover half the wheel well and leave the engine bay exposed to the elements?

[Disoblige]

No idea, but honestly it did not affect me at all. If anything, one time I went through a giant puddle by accident and it folded my fender liner inwards letting water into my headlights, which I had to wait weeks and weeks before it evaporated out. Other than that, no issues lol. Those plastic fasteners (though expensive as fuck) are pretty stable.

[Moe Man]

Originally posted by YamahaV8


I called you from your kijiji add but you said you had a deposit on it already. My name was Kyle and you took my name down just in case. I tried dude :D

oh damn, It was online for a while tho. No one called. Then I lowered it to 6900 and 20 phone calls in one day.

didnt know 500 bux made that big of a difference.

[revelations]

Originally posted by Disoblige
No idea, but honestly it did not affect me at all. If anything, one time I went through a giant puddle by accident and it folded my fender liner inwards letting water into my headlights, which I had to wait weeks and weeks before it evaporated out. Other than that, no issues lol. Those plastic fasteners (though expensive as fuck) are pretty stable.

The gap is there to help remove heat from the engine compartment.... I asked the same question on EPhatch.com when I got the car.

[YamahaV8]

Originally posted by revelations


The gap is there to help remove heat from the engine compartment.... I asked the same question on EPhatch.com when I got the car.

The gap is big enough I can see half of the entire wheel from the engine bay. They could have put up mesh at least lol. How do you guys keep the engine bay clean then. Is it just going to require constant attention?

[403ep3]

Ohhh you should see my engine bay. I'm embarassaed by it though lol. I'm missing my splash guard and one fender liner. Fucking pieces are expensive from honda and those tabs, don't even get me started on those lol.

[revelations]

I hose mine off (gently) with a garden hose every time I wash the car.

[YamahaV8]

Another question for you gurus. When I bought the car it had a pull to the right. I took it to Honda and they performed an alignment. They did say that the toe was out and the alignment was adjusted and everything was in the green. I took it for a short trip to Lethbridge and it still pulls to the right. It may have been a little better but not by much. Do you guys have any pulling issues with your car that you can't get rid of? i am trying to get carfax done but I am pretty sure it was not in an accident. Also I am sure that if the tie rod or something was bad that the tech would have noticed since they are supposed to inspect that stuff before an alignment to make sure they aren't wasting their time. Let me know what you guys think.

[revelations]

The cars are not supposed to pull if they are setup right.

Dont forget that a SLIGHT pull to the right is common because of how some roads are crowned. But on a flat piece of road... no

[YamahaV8]

Originally posted by revelations
The cars are not supposed to pull if they are setup right.

Dont forget that a SLIGHT pull to the right is common because of how some roads are crowned. But on a flat piece of road... no

I know but even on a left crown like on the left lane of a highway I am still getting a little pull to the right. I am going to call Honda and see if they will redo the alignment.

[revelations]

Originally posted by YamahaV8


I know but even on a left crown like on the left lane of a highway I am still getting a little pull to the right. I am going to call Honda and see if they will redo the alignment.

Check your tire pressures as well.

[YamahaV8]

I finally have some pictures of the new car as promised. Just finished a little detailing by the car wash when I took these.

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/Kone_01/IMG_1302.jpg

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/Kone_01/IMG_1303.jpg

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/Kone_01/IMG_1304.jpg

[KRyn]

Did the car come with the pooch? Haha, congradulations on the purchase.

[YamahaV8]

Originally posted by KRyn
Did the car come with the pooch? Haha, congradulations on the purchase.

Thanks! The dog belongs to the woman and I felt that I might as well take her out with me while I cleaned the car.

[.jl-]

congrats..looks exactly like mine haha

[Jeremiah]

K Next step. Drop

[.jl-]

Originally posted by Jeremiah
K Next step. Drop

+1, get rid of that hideous wheel gap. You could put 2 fists in it on stock.
Get aggressive springs like skunk2. I put tein s tech on mine for 1.5" drop and I barely notice a difference. That is if you are planning to drop

[YamahaV8]

Originally posted by Jeremiah
K Next step. Drop



Originally posted by .jl-


+1, get rid of that hideous wheel gap. You could put 2 fists in it on stock.
Get aggressive springs like skunk2. I put tein s tech on mine for 1.5" drop and I barely notice a difference. That is if you are planning to drop

I do want to drop it some. This vehicle will be winter driven so I don't want to slam it. I was looking at Eibach pro kit springs but they only drop the car 1 inch which doesn't seem like much for how much wheel gap there is on this car. I will look into Tein springs. I don't want to spend a thousand on coil overs or anything like that because this is just going to be a DD and won't see any track time at all. Anyways, none of this will happen until next spring because I have other things to pay for first that aren't car related :( Oh well such is life.

[.jl-]

oic, 88crx has a set of eibachs for $100. I'm not sure if they are still available though but they were last time I asked. Coilovers aren't that expensive cause if you plan on riding springs on your stock struts, they'll blow pretty fast and you'll need new struts anyway. The only bad thing about coils in winter is they may seize =(

[revelations]

If you drop the car 1" ... and then get some 16" wheels with a slightly upsized tire.... you can easily get the desired "tight" look...thats what I am doing.

(I'm actually RAISING my car as its slammed into the wheel wells right now).

[.jl-]

This is how skunk2 will look like.
http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=1601349

That's sick