Finboy Buys a Honda

[finboy]

surprisingly I actually have a decent car again, so I thought I might as well start a thread on it. it will likely be a SLOOOOOW build as other aspects of life need money more than a car needs mods, but I am sure I will have trouble keeping it as is.

1998 Acura EL "sport" (how they equate a d-series with sportiness i will never understand)

it has 225,XXX km's on the body, but I bought it from a family member who was the second owner. It is a BC car, so it has ZERO rust, which is why I bought it.

mods currently on it (installed waaay back in '98 when it was purchased)
-CAI
-Lowering springs
-tint
-rims
-etc.

basically a late 90's typical acura.

Pictures of cleaner times, and the trip back today.

http://imageshack.us/a/img233/7079/acurafront2.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img35/7710/acurarear.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img832/9980/acuraside.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img39/9968/acurainterior.jpg

Winter Mode:
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/6022/69140101511501969479681.jpg

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/7748/37398010151150589552968.jpg

So, no idea what is next, I have a set of helios recaros from a vw, but they don't match the grey interior of this, so they may stay out for a while until I can figure something out.

Seats look like this now

http://www.a2resource.com/colors/samples/3.jpg

Seats could go better if recovered with leather trim, on bolsters like this (but black or dark gray)

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh110/wob2541/IMAG0713.jpg

[EK 2.0]

*GASP*

[flipstah]

Looking pretty mint!

Subscribed!

[Deetz]

oh yes, one of the good ones while they still made them. Those are old school TSW Blades for your summer wheels.

As for seats, you can always upgrade to DC Integra within a few mins, it makes a big difference!

[finboy]

Originally posted by Deetz
oh yes, one of the good ones while they still made them. Those are old school TSW Blades for your summer wheels.

As for seats, you can always upgrade to DC Integra within a few mins, it makes a big difference!

What about the rear seat?

[Deetz]

Originally posted by finboy


What about the rear seat?

Well, you have a couple of options.....

- you can actually find Integra seats very close to the color of the stock ones in your car now and not worry about them

- you can do some custom work, and remove the fabric from the foam on both seats and swap the DC rear fabric onto your EL seat

[finboy]

Good to know, also, what does a 5 lug conversion usually run for these things?

[Deetz]

Check with jdm source on that, he'd be one of your best opions

[spacerz]

Originally posted by finboy
what does a 5 lug conversion usually run for these things?

~1200.00 IRRC w/ itr wheels

[stevieo]

Haha Adam I saw your picture and wasn't sure if this is true. Welcome to the "HoMoCo" bastard guy. :thumbsup: Definitely reminds me of the days I used to come to your house and sit in your garage doing nothing haha

[Jsen-DC2]

best upgrade IMO : civic ek center console cupholders!

acura el has the worst cupholders, all you can hold are pop cans, i did this in my winter beater el. the civic cupholders are deeper and doesn't come with the shelf on top. you can actually fit water bottles in them, 16$ i payed at pick-n-pull

[finboy]

Good to know about the cup holders, I haven't been to p&p in ages, I will have to head down and look around. I still have to find a leather console cover, and possible black door panels/dash if I can find decent ones.

[88CRX]

Love EL's! Looks mint too.

5 lug and 16" itr wheels would look stellar.

[finboy]

Originally posted by 88CRX
Love EL's! Looks mint too.

5 lug and 16" itr wheels would look stellar.

If I go 5 lug I want these...BADLY

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbnjkgT0dj1qep75ho1_1280.jpg

[A3GTiVR6SC]

Clean lookin EL :thumbsup: Always wanted one for a DD.

[EK 2.0]

Originally posted by finboy


If I go 5 lug I want these...BADLY


You always have to go against the grain don't you adam??...haha...

[finboy]

Always, everyone has a Honda, gotta do something to make it different

[78si]

Keep an eye on the oil level. Ive replaced alot of D16Y8s with rods hanging out of the block.. BTW-- There are couple Els at pick your part.

[finboy]

Originally posted by 78si
Keep an eye on the oil level. Ive replaced alot of D16Y8s with rods hanging out of the block.. BTW-- There are couple Els at pick your part.

Good to know Darren, it has been kept up very well, but I will have to pay a lot more attention to this car than my standard vehicles over the past 8 years. Are you still In The swap business?

[BokCh0y]

Loving the TSW Blades :thumbsup:

[finboy]

so I did some detailing/cleaning today to get the road grime off of it and really get an idea of what I am working with as a baseline.

-removed front deflector, it has typical wear marks on the corners where it was pushed onto the hood over the years
-minor scratches by the driver rear wheel arch, likely hit and run
-2 door dings, one on each side, one with a minor chip so I am going hunting for some touch up paint
-very minor rust on the front of the passenger rear wheel arch, I cleaned a TON of dirt out from the liner, cleaned them, and sprayed them down with rust inhibitor

I've also decided to keep the rust bucket corolla around for winter service, at $10/month for insurance, why not.

pics of the above points...
Chip
http://imageshack.us/a/img818/8836/chipod.jpg

Scratches
http://imageshack.us/a/img209/490/scratches.jpg

Rust
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/3984/31718610151152144202968.jpg

The gunk from the rear wheel wells
http://imageshack.us/a/img255/3535/grime.jpg

a bit more about the crap from the wheel wells, I took two handfuls out AFTER spraying the hell out of the wheel wells at the car wash. I can see how easy rust could be caused on these cars, those lips hold a LOT of crap. One of the rubber strips was missing so I just took off the other one.

[jaylo]

Yup, those rear quarters hold a lot of dirt over time

[finboy]

Thought I found rims, but I am guessing 17x9 would be waaaay to cambered to be usable on the street, the search continues

[finboy]

Considering some new rims, have to go to Edmonton to get them, better than shipping from Australia and 1/3 the price. Updates when I get them, but seriously, fuuuuck that drive.

[Sentry]

Is that considered a long drive 'round these parts? :D

[finboy]

Boring drive, that's for sure

[alpha]

Originally posted by Jsen-DC2
best upgrade IMO : civic ek center console cupholders!

acura el has the worst cupholders, all you can hold are pop cans, i did this in my winter beater el. the civic cupholders are deeper and doesn't come with the shelf on top. you can actually fit water bottles in them, 16$ i payed at pick-n-pull

He's right about the poor cupholders but if I was you I would get the JDM EK cupholders, they are a nice touch and work incredible. they werent the easiest to find back when I had the EJ but who knows now?

next mod should be lips in my opinion.

BTW, youre a honda driver now, so forget about the ugly VW wheels and get some some JDM ugly wheels instead. Mugen CF-8's they look similar to the ones you posted and are :bigpimp: :bigpimp: :bigpimp:

[alpha]

also, JDM land (www.jdmland.com) is your friend :)

[finboy]

Unfortunately that tray is soooold out

http://www.icbmotorsport.com/usjdmek9city2.html

[finboy]

Found the tray, need to find a matching console at pyp from a civic to delete the el overhang bit. I was looking at grabbing some leather rsx seats but the guy wanted crazy money to ship across the country, and i would still have to find leather rears. I inquired while at jdm source, difference is negligible on itr Recaro's so I might just go that route (black, obviously). While there I also grabbed an itr rear sway bar and strut brace.

So tempting...
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/8315/imagepsj.jpg

Hopefully I will have info on a possible rim choice tmrw

[alpha]

the ITR recaros will bolt up for 3 out of the 4 bolts, I think you can make a bracket or modify the rail to accomodate the 4th.

and good choice :)

[finboy]

Or just find CtR rails, we'll see, likely wont be making decisions until the new year. Finding a urethane lip is proving to be a pain in the ass, looks like I might have to track down an oem sir lip and have it modded to fit. Everything else is fibreglass or abs, don't want to be using that shit.

[alpha]

wrecking a lip depends on how to drive the car, I had 2 cf lips on my EJ8 and I only screwed up the first one because I was blinded by some breezie in yoga pants and drove into a curb lol

[finboy]

Sir lip molded to fit el, just have to find one now

http://i44.tinypic.com/eg7fv7.jpg

[finboy]

Rims:
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/1006/imageghz.jpg

Going to need 5 lug, anyone know if I will need new shocks for that?

[finboy]

Today I installed the Jdm cup holders and civic console, the colour difference is a bit off so I might go back to the junkyard to get the rest of the lower dash pieces in the lighter grey. 2 tone dash but it will look somewhat stock as the top will be dark and the lower and all of the console will be light.

Pics:
http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/3945/imagenup.jpg
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/525/imagepby.jpg
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/6180/imageoyn.jpg
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/3969/imagevzg.jpg

[1-Bar]

Looking good. If you're gonna 5 lug swap, I'm pretty sure you're okay with stock suspension. Its been a while since I tinkered with a Honda, but IIRC you should be okay :thumbsup:

[finboy]

The more I read on it, I think I should be good, luckily it has springs and adjustable uppers so far, but I still need an asr rear brace for the type r sway bar.

Of course post Christmas budget is always a pain for car modding

[finboy]

Mo' parts!

Thanks deetz and jdm source, jdm itr rear sway bar, type r strut brace, and function 7 rear brace. I need someone to buy my VW Recaros so I can get an SiR rear lip.

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/1377/imagepdku.jpg

[finboy]

http://www.jhpusa.com/store/pc/catalog/asr/asr.24mmswbar3_d.jpg

Bought some of these, sold my recaros (vw) so hopefully I will have another update on parts tonight, suspension is getting there

Quick question for any Honda folks, will all of the bushings in a civic master kit work with a 5 lug swap, or do I need to buy other bushings as well? I am going to try for a 32mm setup but beggars can't be choosers.

[finboy]

http://www.adrianteo.com/ebay/eglca-r3/eglca-r3-Images/5.jpg

Though they really don't do much more than the stock arms, I decided to go with spats instead of a rear lip. If they are going to be on full display, might as well have them look nice.

[finboy]

Arms, braces, etc.

http://imageshack.us/a/img823/6387/imagenwqu.jpg

[finboy]

http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/2042/imagecmbc.jpg

I thought I found a good source for honda parts, but they ONLY ship UPS, looks like I may need to swing by a stealership for the last bits and pieces :banghead:

[SportEL]

Originally posted by finboy
Sir lip molded to fit el, just have to find one now

http://i44.tinypic.com/eg7fv7.jpg

That's my pic and lip. I sold it, but you can just get one made. Get an OEM 99-00 Civic SiR lip and have the sides extended. I had Screamin Paintworks do that for me. It came out great.


By the way. Just go to http://www.hondapartscheap.com/. I've used them a few times, and they ship with USPS.

[finboy]

Thanks for the heads up, unfortunately the body won't be getting much love this year, hopefully it will be next year along with the interior.

[J.M.]

hondapartscheap.com FTW

Nice build btw:thumbsup:

[finboy]

http://imageshack.us/scaled/landing/845/imagebuy.jpg

And thinking I will be staying 4 lug...

http://imageshack.us/scaled/landing/839/imagecrb.jpg

Wheel is in, now I just have to get cruise control wired up, uuuug

http://forums.tunedimports.net/showthread.php?35973-DIY-How-to-Install-Acura-RSX-Steering-Wheel&p=318657&viewfull=1#post318657

Good new is that I didn't explode the airbag in my face, silver lining and all that

[finboy]

Also found another picture of the bumper I want

http://imageshack.us/scaled/landing/405/c36020110802122829.jpg

[Disoblige]

finboy, I have the exact same wheels you had in 5-lug in 4-lug for my summer wheels. Mint condition, 10/10.

Interested? I paid a pretty penny for them across the border haha. I doubt there are many riding these in Canada, or any in Calgary at least.

[finboy]

Are they the hfp rim? 16"? Pics?

http://www.handa-accessories.com/08w16-s5p.jpg

[Disoblige]

PM'd.

[finboy]

Ditto

[SportEL]

Nice RSX steering wheel upgrade. If you need help on install and wiring, check my DIY. --->http://forums.tunedimports.net/showthread.php?35973-DIY-How-to-Install-Acura-RSX-Steering-Wheel&highlight=how+to+install+rsx+wheel


If the wheels are the HFP ones, be careful as that is a high offset wheel +55, and will need at least 10mm spacers.

[finboy]

Oooooo

http://imageshack.us/a/img542/3296/imagefby.jpg

[Disoblige]

HFP wheels are +45 offset, nothing needed.

[finboy]

Hmm...

http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo54/ex99_bucket/_MG_8369.jpg

Thoughts?

[SportEL]

Originally posted by Disoblige
HFP wheels are +45 offset, nothing needed.

Ooops, I confused them with the other 16" HFP wheels from a Honda Fit
--->http://www.hondapartsnow.com/genuine/2007-2008-honda-fit-hfp-16-alloy-wheels-4920.html

[SportEL]

Thoughts on the rims Finboy? Not a fan, but rims are personal preference.

[1-Bar]

I like those wheels :thumbsup:

[finboy]

http://imageshack.us/a/img402/8598/imagecmwf.jpg

+

http://www.gonecabo.com/store/images/thule_594XT%20Sidearm.jpg

no more greasy rear seats

[finboy]

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/9017/hardrace.jpg

[finboy]

Finally getting around to suspension instal this week, hopefully by Sunday I will have some new pics of the setup, and will finally have my winter tires off for the first time :rofl:

[finboy]

12 hours after a ton of help from a friend, the rear is done. Will post more when I get time, but here is a preview of the crap we were dealing with (and this was done by a local shop years ago, ugh)

http://imageshack.us/scaled/landing/694/ylpt.jpg

That is a upper control arm WELDED to the car because they were too lazy to extract the bolt, NOT what I would expect from a professional shop.

[marc]

wow that's slightly terrifying and depressing that there are hacks out there like that!
i mean who the hell welds that to the frame instead of taking 1 extra step and just welds a fastener to the broken bolt?

PS great build finboy!

[finboy]

I was dumbfounded when I saw it, here is more from the day...

The task was supposed to be a quick rear suspension and rear disc swap, but the hack work on the arm and seized bolts made it a looong day.

First off big props to deetz's friend Gary who worked his ass off to do things the right way, here are some shots of grinding and cutting out the arm so we could bolt in the new one...
http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/8604/a9gx.jpg

How it SHOULD mount, imagine that
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/852/d5rk.jpg

Complete
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/8295/u5zm.jpg

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/5917/j4d8.jpg

SiR rear brakes, stainless lines, new bushings all around, function 7 upper and lower arms with rear brace, jdm 23 mm sway bar, and I think that's it.

Next up is the front and rear tower braces, I am having an abs issue, the wires for the abs lines on the chasis were spliced with the lines on the hub, whit to white, colour to colour. Part of me thinks resetting the computer will clear the code, if not i am thinking I will run to the junkyard to get some new abs lines off of an integra, if that doesn't work I am running out of ideas. 78si suggested reusing the hubs from the drums as a possibility, but it seems odd that the sensors match up with specific years.

[finboy]

http://imageshack.us/a/img802/1175/xzx2.jpg

Don't think I posted the pic with the roof rack yet, will try to get wheels on this week

[finboy]

Strut braces installed, lower dash pieces installed, front calipers sprayed (suuuuper fast now!), summer wheels mounted. Will try to get pics tmrw, still have to readjust the e brake, and install the center console and new shifter/boot.

When the new bushings come in, the rest of the front suspension will go in and the work this summer will be over, thank god.

[finboy]

http://imageshack.us/a/img854/7926/akqt.jpg

http://imageshack.us/scaled/landing/28/b4b7.jpg

Still have to wash it off, but it is starting to look like a car again