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Just thought I'd make an official build thread. I posted my introduction a couple of weeks ago. I bought my '98 about 6 months ago for $1500. I left it completely stock until just recently, I did restore the headlights and build a ghetto bumper lip since the replica that was on was busted. Current plan is to build a nice looking daily driven 4 door, and I plan to do it without spending much money.
Before and after the DIY Home Depot bumper build, and I epoxied on an Acura emblem I pulled off an Acura Legend in the junkyard.
I also experimented with various junkyards shift ***** until I settled on a 3rd gen Eclipse shift ****, due to its weight and comfort.
RECENTLY... I replaced the gauge lights with LEDs after they burnt out. Then I replaced the map and dome lights with LEDs, and put yellow bulbs in the high beams.
After that I picked up some EP3 rims for only $140, and finally got rid of those wack 14 inch Webs.
I also picked up a no name strut bar from a local tire shop that had it laying around. Not bad for $10.
Then I got an OBXr exhaust from a guy on craigslist for $30.
I also picked up some Tein lowering springs from a guy in Alabama, who was asking $50 but let me have them for $20 since I drove so far for them.
This week I have a few parts arriving from ebay.
A Speedzone Motorworks rear visor:
A front lip:
Some 6000k HIDs from DDMtuning
Rear towhook:
I also have an OEM bumper that I picked up on craigslist for $60, that I hope to get painted this week.
And I want to order some shocks to install my lowering springs with. Probably KYB AGXs.
And I plan on painting the valve cover. Either red or yellow, still undecided.
Last edited by 305_DB7ish; 02-17-2015 at 04:26 AM.
And today, after probably 6 months, I finally got my car washed so I took some pics.
I also did the rear signals as running lights mod today.
Not gonna lie. I didn't consider DBs had a different light pattern than DCs. Did the signals as running lamps mod. Not sure I like it yet, but it's growing on me. I'll keep it for a while before I decide if I want to revert or not.
So far I'm at about $500 total in parts (everything from LEDs to exhaust). Just need the shocks and have the bumper painted and I'll be set for now.
Got my OBXr exhaust installed today. Sounds pretty decent. Its loud. Took some getting used to. Car feels a little better (might just be in my head). I think the exhaust guy installed it a bit too low, but its cool. Not too bad.
I also got my Speedzone rear visor today. Took forever to install. Had to go to the auto parts store for 3 m tape and start all over again. Word of advice, have a partner and measure twice.
Thanks bro. Yeah, I can't wait. Really excited about lowering it too. I hate the wheel gap in the front. I think once I do that, I'm just gonna chill with the modding for a bit. Car parts add up quick. lol.
Nice to see another high mileage LS on here. I'm at 166k and climbing quick.
Dropped off my bumper and lip for paint and put on my towhook today. Should be ready in a couple of days. I also plan on lowering it on Tein S Techs next week. My HIDs should be here next week too. I'm really excited to get all this done. Towhook was about $16.
Got my OBXr exhaust installed today. Sounds pretty decent. Its loud. Took some getting used to. Car feels a little better (might just be in my head). I think the exhaust guy installed it a bit too low, but its cool. Not too bad.
Sorry, but it's all in your head. The muffler does nothing besides make noise and give your car "character".
I get you. Honestly, I think it was the wheels the made a difference. I used to shift into 5th at like 40mph (on my stock 14" webs) but now I can hold off till like 45-50mph without the rpms going too high.
But after carrying both the stock muffler and the obxr one, I will tell you that I did notice quite a big difference in weight. So at least thats a plus. And yeah, might not make a difference in power but its does sound better (doesn't have the rattlecan sound, actually sounds pretty nice). The factory muffler made it sound like a cheap little car. And I don't know what you meant by "character", but you can't deny that it does look nicer than the little, rusty 2 inch peashooter sticking out of the bumper.
What I mean by "character" is giving the car a different look that you personally chose. I suppose you're right on the difference of weight between the mufflers.
I think if I were to do something without spending too much to clean up my car, I would've just polished out my OEM peashooter. Just an opinion and throwing it out there.
Nevertheless, keep it going and lets see what we end up with here.
Is that your car, or a polished OEM muffler? Looks real good. The tip looks nice. I think my OEM muffler was well beyond the point of being polishable. It had like 17 years worth of dirt and rust and crap on there. The only things I don't like about my set up is the mark on the side where a hanger used to be welded on (muffler came off an Eclipse), and the fact that its a bit too low. Didn't fit right into the spot on the bumper, so the exhaust shop told me I could either have it lower or tucked in behind the bumper. But I think it'll hold me over until I do a full exhaust set up later on. Hopefully, I'll have some decent progress next week and finally be a lot closer to where I want to be with this car.
Its an example of an OEM polished muffler but not my car personally. Just threw that idea out there since you're looking to make improvements without spending a whole lot. In the event you want to go back your oem setup, you can consider doing that.
And a few hours of work with proper materials can get that grime off your muffler. The people that did this mod didn't have a muffler in perfect condition to start with. Just food for thought...
Wow, seriously? I just figured someone ordered a new OEM muffler and polished it up. I seriously didn't think it would be possible to bring back an old one from 17 years of punishment. Thats crazy. Looks real good. Maybe if someday I get sick of the sound and want to go back to stock I'll think about it, but damn, I can tell that would be a good amount of work. What about the tip though? Is that just some sort of aftermarket weld on or screw on tip?
The tip is from an OEM Acura Type R Muffler. It screws onto the original tailpipe of all OEM Integra mufflers.
All you need to do is use a good degreaser to clean the muffler, wetsand the muffler can with 120,400,600,1000, and 1500 grit wet/dryt sandpaper Once the metal is clear and smooth of all irregularities, polish it out with a quality metal polish. Mothers, Eagle, Flitz. and meguiars are a few companies that offer a decent product.
Looks real good. Doesn't sound too bad work wise. I had a rim for my F250 that good really scratched up, I sanded it down and polished it. Does the tip make it sound a little bit different that stock or is it just for looks?
I hate the allen key bolt on the strut. So easy to strip. Gonna try using an impact gun to put in my springs this week. Fingers crossed. Also hope my HIDs get here soon. Last I heard, they had left NY a couple of days ago.
Think I might have gotten ripped by a "painter". Took my OEM bumper. Not much money but a big PITA to find. But its cool. Located a '94-'97 OEM bumper so I'll just be going a different route now with the front end. I do like the '94-'97 front ends. Looks cleaner in my opinion. I'll just get a cheap ebay set of headlights and corners to hood me over until I can find some OEMs at a good price.
Looks real good. Doesn't sound too bad work wise. I had a rim for my F250 that good really scratched up, I sanded it down and polished it. Does the tip make it sound a little bit different that stock or is it just for looks?
Absolutely cosmetic.
If the OEM tip is hard to come by or costs and arm and a leg, look at aftermarket ones that bolt on and look similar.
I hate the allen key bolt on the strut. So easy to strip. Gonna try using an impact gun to put in my springs this week. Fingers crossed. Also hope my HIDs get here soon. Last I heard, they had left NY a couple of days ago.
Think I might have gotten ripped by a "painter". Took my OEM bumper. Not much money but a big PITA to find. But its cool. Located a '94-'97 OEM bumper so I'll just be going a different route now with the front end. I do like the '94-'97 front ends. Looks cleaner in my opinion. I'll just get a cheap ebay set of headlights and corners to hood me over until I can find some OEMs at a good price.
94-97 oem headlights shouldn't be hard to find. You'll be better off with oem versus ebay replacements. Should cost less for a set too.
Can you not get into contact with this painter you've hired?
An impact gun should get that bolt off the shock stem. I've had the same happen to me and an impact solved that issue.
94-97 oem headlights shouldn't be hard to find. You'll be better off with oem versus ebay replacements. Should cost less for a set too.
Can you not get into contact with this painter you've hired?
An impact gun should get that bolt off the shock stem. I've had the same happen to me and an impact solved that issue.
Thanks. I'll try to find some OEMs one locally. And appreciate the tip for the struts. I'll keep my fingers crossed. As for the "painter", its a confirmed scam. Unsubscribed number, and new ad on craigslist with different number. Growing up in Miami I'm usually a lot more careful (since I've seen or heard about just about every scam in the book), but the guy really seemed legit and I was just excited and in a rush to finish up my car. I've printed all my texts, as well as the old and new ads with the different numbers, and pics of my bumper and lip before I dropped it off. I'll be filing a police report today, and scanning craigslist for anyone selling my bumper. But though it sucks, I won't let it get me down. Just a minor set back in my build.
I've also done at least 50 craigslist deals so far with out ever getting robbed, jumped, scammed, or ripped off. Guess this will be my first.
Another legitimate craigslist deal done. Got my '94-'97 bumper with amber signal lights. Test fit on Wednesday (tomorrow I'll be installing my lowering springs). You better believe that only a legitimate paint shop will be painting this thing. lol.
Last edited by 305_DB7ish; 02-24-2015 at 05:19 AM.
I hate the allen key bolt on the strut. So easy to strip. Gonna try using an impact gun to put in my springs this week. Fingers crossed. Also hope my HIDs get here soon. Last I heard, they had left NY a couple of days ago.
Think I might have gotten ripped by a "painter". Took my OEM bumper. Not much money but a big PITA to find. But its cool. Located a '94-'97 OEM bumper so I'll just be going a different route now with the front end. I do like the '94-'97 front ends. Looks cleaner in my opinion. I'll just get a cheap ebay set of headlights and corners to hood me over until I can find some OEMs at a good price.
Dang that sucks, he just took your bumper and ran? Did he have a legit shop or just some dude on the internet? :/
If you're going to get the bumper resprayed, you could fill in the "Integra" logo on the bumper like in that picture and sand and patch up the license plate mount holes if a front plate isn't required in your area. IMO the bumper looks a lot cleaner that way.
Dang that sucks, he just took your bumper and ran? Did he have a legit shop or just some dude on the internet? :/
If you're going to get the bumper resprayed, you could fill in the "Integra" logo on the bumper like in that picture and sand and patch up the license plate mount holes if a front plate isn't required in your area. IMO the bumper looks a lot cleaner that way.
Yeah, a guy off craigslist. lol. I definitely should have seen it coming but he seemed really legit and I was just excited to finish up the bumper. He claimed he worked at a paint shop but did some stuff at home to make some money on the side. And he seemed really knowledgeable which is what threw me off my guard. He identified the paint as a pearl when I got there, looked for the paint code, called and got a quote for some paint and stuff, told me he was going to sand it down with 300 grit first, etc. I meet up with him at some house where we talked for a bit, then I left the bumper for him and he said it would be ready in a couple of days. I mean, I don't really blame the guy, scammers gonna scam. I just got careless and he caught me slipping. But I am trying to make sure it doesn't happen again (I saw he posted a new ad on craigslist with a new number). I went to the sheriff's office and spoke with a deputy and filed a report, I got some other stuff on the side, so I'm going to see if we can put an end to this guy.
As for filing in the Integra stamp. Hell nah, that's the whole reason why I hunt down these OEM bumpers. I'm dying to have that stamp on my ride and finally make it legit. lol. But thanks for the tip, I'll try to get the plate holes filled in. Might be a while before I get it painted though, since I know I'll be paying at least $150 to get it done now, and my modification fund is pretty much tapped out.
Yep, impact gun did the trick. I was surprised. I thought I had messed up the last few threads with the vise grip, but the nut came off and on pretty easily with the impact gun. Going to try to get my suspension done on Saturday. I also got the '94-'97 bumper on already, and my HIDs finally arrived today, so hopefully I'll be closer to where I want to be come Saturday. Pics coming soon.
02-17-2015, 03:48 AM
305_DB7ish's '98 LS Build
Re: 305_DB7ish's '98 LS Build
