ragansy

Hello all. I am in the market to buy another honda. My previous was a 98 prelude sh. loved the car but it was getting to the point where everything was breaking and when you would finally get one thing fixed, another would break.

At this point i am looking for a honda to build / rebuild, to keep as a daily driver and road trip kind of car. i do not intend to do any auto cross or drag races. nor any form of street racing by any means.

I always loved the whole "Jekyll and Hyde" feel of the h22. I would hopefully like to have something with a similar feel to that in the end, but still be very streetable and good for stop and go driving.

The two cars i am trying to decided between are an EP3, or an EK hatch with the intent to swap in a k24.

For the most part i don't intend on doing much work past stage 1 mods and a very proper tune. I would like to keep this car for 10+ years, so time and effort put into it will all be worth it in the end. The cost difference between the two isn't much of an issue.

My questions are, which will be the better highway feeling car, mpg is somewhat important (within limits). And will it cost more to get the k24 properly in the ek than it will to get the ep3 to out handle an ek hatch with a proper suspension set up.


thanks for taking the time to read this.

B serious

iTrader: (1)

The EP already has a K series...so the swap is easier. A proper K swap in an earlier chassis is aleast an $8-10k ordeal (in parts alone) that requires fabrication and welding. Its also difficult to keep PS/AC and the hatchbox doesn't come with cruise, power windows, etc.

MPG is going to be better in the 96-00...because it's lighter. But its not a huge difference.

What's the point of the swap, though?

Why are you doing either? Buy a TSX. It has a K24.

Or buy a RSX-S or 06-11 Si and forget about swapping it.

ragansy

Well basically im quite aware that the factory motor in the ek is subparr for what I would like. Im sure id be content with a b series in the ek as well.

As awesome as the tsx is in its own right, its not the kinda car I am after. I love the honda hatch look.

As far as the newer si's, I hate the coupes. I love the sedan ones and think id enjoy one, but cant get past the interior and dash. I feel like im driving a minivan.

Ive spent the last 12years working on motorcycles and rebuilding wrecked cars. Im interested in gettin an unmolsted ek and doing all the mods myself. I did a ton of bolt ons and full suspension plus bushings on my 240 hatch and loved every minute of it.

The ep3 I really like the look and fact it has a k20, im just not sure how viable it is to do suspension work on to get it to handle as well as an ek with good tires and mild suspension work.

Also power windows and cruise are not remotely needed imo. Ps is needed ac I can take or leave

B serious

iTrader: (1)

The FG gives you a minivan vibe....but the EP does not?

Well, the 96-00 has advantages and disadvantages....just like the EP does.

The EP is surprisingly fun to drive when its stock. It already handles better than a mildly modded 96-00 hatch. The suspension setup is a little dumb....but you can get it to handle even better with tires and careful suspension tuning. But...if you're not going to the track, the EP will always seem to handle better on the street. It has a faster rack ratio and more direct steering feel. You're not going to explore the limits of handling of any car on the street. Its next to impossible.

A K24 swap in an earlier civic is much more involved than a suspension/bushing swap on a 240. The cost is a factor as well. Its a $15k+++ car to build. Then...once you're done putting it together, you'll sell it for $6-9k like everyone else does.

So...why not buy a swapped K24 hatch that someone else did the work on/took a loss on.

A B18C-R swapped 96-00 hatch would be cool. Simple and cheap to put together. Easy ability to retain power steering and AC. Total DIY bolt-in swap. No need to use polyurethane mounts....so it drives like a car vs a vibrator.


If you're looking for a hatch with a similar driving dynamic to the prelude...a RSX-S is what you're after. Why not buy one of those for $5-10k and just drive it? Its missing the LSD trans that's in the FG Si that you feel is minivan like. But...if you're not actually doing anything with it, then its not a big deal.

ragansy

Yea im aware any swap is going to be much more involved than my previous efforts. The s-type probably is my best bet. Im sure its not but the whole engine removal and swap seems like a fun project.

mustclime

get a 05-06 rsx type-s...or a fg2....after that, its all down hill....

B serious

iTrader: (1)

Driving a car that makes you happy without having to do anything seems fun to me.