brandonsnethen

Hi, The name is Brandon and I live in Smiths Station, AL. The purpose of the thread is to basically reach out for ideas and help. I don't mind constructive criticism, but at the same time, be an adult. I use to be big into Hondas and the whole tuner/import scene. I stepped away to grow up as a person, due to having two children and getting married. I recently got that urge to get me a decent daily/fun to drive at the same time civic.
I bought a 94 civic ex from a guy in town. I sold a computer I wasn't using and used the money to purchase the civic for $290.00, running, but knocking of course. I drove it home and immediately started getting ideas. So, as I move along with my rebuild/overhaul, I will be posting things to the thread, along with pics. I am not looking to make my car a show car or a beast by any means. Mainly looking to inspire some others in the future, and look for knowledge from some of you guys along the way.
My goals for this car would be a D16 turbo, not built, but safely turbo on 7-10lbs. HP goals would be nothing past 200. I want to keep ac and ps, and may keep cruise control as well. ABS is in the car, and honestly, I don't know if I want to fool with deleting it. I am not sure how to, but will look up on it. I am doing all of the work myself, other than painting the car. Will be painting the bay myself though.

brandonsnethen

Posted some pictures of the car before I got it, the bay when I took the motor out, and the y8 with transmission I picked up. The new motor has 120,000 miles on it and I bought it at a great price. The z6 that came with it, was knocking. I pulled it, the thrust washers were out of place, shavings were all in the oil pan, and some of the bearings didn't look so well.

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brandonsnethen

Going to be here a week or so. I need to get the bay cleaned up well and ready to paint it. I also want to figure out if I should leave the ABS or not. I personally don't mind it, but its just a thought. Will be doing a mild wire tuck, but nothing extreme. Like I mentioned before, it's not for show or anything, it's personal preference, and I am doing this for a daily with just a little more power. If I decide I want more down the road, I will purchase another shell for that.
Question- The old z6 has a rebuilt and clean head. I was told by the previous owner, that it had brian crower valves and springs in it. Anyway to tell if this is true by the eye? Should I just keep the y8 like it is? Going to do gaskets and water pump/timing belt as well.

brandonsnethen

few more pics before I start to actually work on the motor/car and things start to change.

brandonsnethen

Still prepping the bay for a good painting and all. Should be laying the paint down by Saturday/Sunday if time is on my side. Bought new tail lights, fenders, a hood, and bumper. I also picked up a full ac setup. Pulled the y8 apart that I bought. Everything looks better than I expected, but will be going through everything I can. I have all new gaskets, seals, water pump, and timing belt on the way. I am debating on the oil pump. I would like some suggestions on whether or not, taking it to get ported is a good idea! I have read and read about it and I am still on the fence. More pics and updates to come!

bks84

iTrader: (9)

dang, it used to be a good color...

brandonsnethen

I agree, but some people just don't understand when to leave stuff alone.

All new gaskets and seals are on here. First, I am going to have the head and all checked out, then I will most likely be pulling the oil pump, so I can port it. I will post pics along the way. I just don't want to take that little short cut and it doesn't seem like a hard job. Thanks for checking my post out.

brandonsnethen

engine bay primered.

Steven2013

the bay looks awesome. best of luck and im looking forward to this trash to treasure build, theyre the best. i bought my 96 DX for 400. it didnt come with PS, although I didnt even know until after I got it running and drove it. but when i did drive it i thought "well at least the power steering isnt hissing". not that you should, but you would be able to drive this car easily without the PS. keep the AC tho, it gets hot in south. and is that the Milano red or was the car repainted? mine is Milano and I'm thinking it would be a sick color to keep

brandonsnethen

Thanks for the comment on the bay. It is just some spray paint that the previous owner did. If it was Milano, I would definitely just bring it back to life. I am thinking of just doing a root beer or dark charcoal color. I am keeping AC and PS, simply because I want it all there if its ever sold. I will be doing a mild tuck, but simple.

brandonsnethen

I ported the oil pump over the weekend. I will probably take pictures, but I know there is a diy thread, so I didn't want to make a big deal about it.

brandonsnethen

brandonsnethen

Ordered a clutch, some head studs, and a few other items. When they come in, I should be assembling the engine and hopefully will have it going in this weekend! More pics along the way, thanks!

EJ1 LS guy

Nice start. Looks like your heading in the right direction.

brandonsnethen

brandonsnethen

put the motor into the bay yesterday. I did decided to keep ABS since I didn't want the headache of tracking down everything I need. I don't think it looks bad sitting in there though. Tore the dip stick top, by not paying attention to it when the install was going on. So far I am happy with the results. Staying on a simple budget to have a decent daily driver.
Going to be working on wires for the next few days and hoping to get the ac and all fitted when I at least fire it up once. Thanks.

EJ_ALLMOTA

nice start..

Mac2118

iTrader: (1)

What paint did you use in the engine bay? I was thinking of using tractor paint since its pretty durable until I feel like firing up the paint sprayer in the spring.

austinkli

Looking great. Did you paint the motor or just polish it?

brandonsnethen

As far as paint on the bay, I used a Rustoleum. I have painted a few things with it, for example, a trailer that was rusted and a small dirt bike I re-done. I like the way it holds and I also like the way it looks. I used some pretty good primer, that sticks to metal great. I am a firm believer that prep work can make almost anything work. I did decide on clearing but I only did it once. The paint was a little too glossy for me and I think the clear brought it back down a notch. The most I may do is hand buff a little just to take care of it.
For the engine, it was completely apart. I cleaned up everything by hand before doing gaskets. I used aluminum paint for engines. A friend of mine uses this stuff on anything he decides to redo. No problems from it yet.
Keep in mind before any criticism comes. I didn't want any paint work done at a paint shop. I am happy with the outcome. The paint is holding up well on the bay and I don't plan on spilling fluids everywhere. After this is done, I don't intend to touch anything in the bay unless someone wants to see or it needs maintenance.
If anyone is interested in trying the paint I have used, feel free to PM me.

brandonsnethen

So far, I am about $1,000 into a car that I am trying to completely redo. I could've just decided to spend $1,500 on a daily, but I am positive I would've been spending more trying to repair stuff later. I am looking at getting this done in under $2,000, paint and all. I do not mind sharing my budgets and what I have spent. That pricing could change if I sell parts that I have left over. The only thing I have sold is the old head. Thanks guys.

Mac2118

iTrader: (1)

I've read of quite of few people using the Rustoleum paint. I'm looking at giving Majic Tractor paint from Tractor Supply a shot in my bay later this week. I heard its very durable as well.

brandonsnethen

brandonsnethen

Motor is in and I am pretty much done with that. I have to install axles, put some fluid in the trans, bleed the brakes and clutch. The motor fired right up and runs good. I didn't know the throttle cable for the ek was longer than the eg. I have to pick one up this week and will hopefully drive it by the weekend. I am going to have some updated pictures as soon as everything is installed.

Plans this week:
Get it ready to be driven
Clean up the wiring that I did leave in the bay
Hopefully have the exhaust put on
Have the front end on by Sunday

Ready to move on the the actual body and interior, which is mainly cleaning and repainting the car. I am pretty pleased so far and just hope I don't run into any issues.

ayohchik

very nice hands jobs n the colours also looks so nice/matched. but i think, if u change the colour of head cover would be better.. its just my opinion.