M-EJ1

Ok, I'll start with the pics and specs first... sorry they're so bad... I took them this evening as the light was fading, and my camera isn't so good, so they look kinda blue and kinda blurry.

95 EX Coupe, Black with Black interior, SOHC 1.6L. Stuff I've done so far: Cheap CAI from eBay, modified (hacksawed) into a short-ram, B&M Edge short shifter with ES shift stabilizer bushings, ES motor mount inserts (fronts and rear). Intrax Sport springs - dropped a little under 2" all the way around. Also, as you can see in the pics, some cheesy clear corners that are leaking already, and a mesh grill, cause I think it makes the front-end look a little cleaner... I think I'll take it off and paint it black though.

Stuff I have planned: TURBO! Hopefully before the end of summer I'll have the scratch to put something together... running some low boost for now, since I plan on getting it up and running with stock internals first. Also, exhaust, probably before the turbo happens... any suggestions are welcomed, I want quiet, straight-through, not chambered.

Man, I sure wish I could get rid of the front plate. I had it off for a few months then I got pulled over two weeks ago for not having it on.





Now, on to the other part. Does anyone else here get as much satisfaction from doing all the work on their car as I do? I know it's not possible for some people (no time, no tools, lack of knowledge, etc), but I really get a sense of pride when I finish something up and I've done all the work (with a little help from a friend occasionally too). So far, the small amount of mods I've done to my car have all been done by me (man, those motor mounts were a bitch and a half too!). I've also done all the routine maintenance as well. Currently my car is sitting on jackstands in the garage... in the middle of a timing belt replacement.

I don't know what it is, but I just really enjoy working on my car, even if it's boring stuff like timing belts, valve adjustments or oil changes, I'm game. Anyone else like this?

Oh yeah, and if you have any suggestions or criticisms, feel free to let them be heard. I'll probably ignore the ones I don't like though.




[Modified by matt-eg, 9:05 AM 4/28/2002]

underrated99si

Clean car but can I make just one suggestion. "Loose the 5 star chromes"

EVIL Hx Coupe

Nice car, Get some diffrent rims as soon as you can. I'll look alot better.

M-EJ1

haha... i was waiting to see how many posts it would take before someone would mention those rims. They were on the car when I bought it, I didn't get any stock steelies with it, otherwise I'd be running those, because I'm not fond of the (very corroded and uncared for by the previous owner) "Eagle Alloy" wheels.

However, ATM, they're all I've got, and the tires still have some good tread wear on them, so I figure I'll drive on these until I need new tires, then I'll be looking to get some HX wheels maybe, or some rotas, since they're light and cheap.

To be honest, they're not top priority right now. Exhaust is

5 watt

Nice civic, but what kind of classic car do you have in the background








[Modified by 5 watt, 2:15 PM 4/28/2002]

khoalie

you could always go pick up some krylon and make your own spoons

hybridcivic93cx

Matt, where are you from? I have 4 13 inch steelies from my hatchy i am trying to sell. Im in New Jersey though.

gamby

Krylon isn't such a bad idea for those hideous things.

'quiet' and 'straight through' don't really go together, unfortunately. I don't have any suggestions there--maybe look into what GReddy has to offer.

Painting the mesh balck also sounds like a good idea.


[Modified by gamby, 11:36 AM 4/28/2002]

black2kcivic

car looks good, like everyone else says get rid of the rims or paint them, it would be interesting to see them flat black. Oh and as for doing your own work, I enjoy doing just about everything for my car that I can. There are few things that I havent done on my car and the reason is lack of certain tools and time.

M-EJ1

5 watt: I was waiting to see if anyone would mention that too. It's actually a 31 Ford model A. It's one of my dad's projects. Needs lots of little body work stuff done and paint right now, and probably should have an engine rebuild too, cause the 4cyl in there is getting kinda tired.

khoalie: that's not such a bad idea... I'd probably pick up some gunmetal (not rota gunmetal) or graphite paint, since I'm not a big fan of black wheels on black cars. We'll see, probably have to be done next weekend, as I don't have much time during the week.

hybridcivic93cx: I'm in Washington (the state, not the district ), so that's gonna be a long way to ship, unfortunately.

gamby: yeah, that's kind of the answer I was expecting. I guess I'll have to compromise with a little noise, since I'd eventually like to run a turbo setup, and I don't want to have to change exhausts. I watched a video of a GSR with an Apex'i N1 the other day, and man that thing is loud! I guess i'll have to do some more research on what the most understated straight-through system is gonna be. That mesh is gonna come off when the wheels do for a good coat of satin black next weekend

black2kcivic: yeah, so far I haven't run into anything I haven't been able to do. But that's probably mainly because my dad is really into classic cars, and he does all the work on my mom and his daily drivers as well, so he has collected just about every tool under the sun over the years. Only thing I run into sometimes is the lack of a metric socket in the right size, but that's what the auto parts store is for.

owen_the_soyboy

looks pretty good, keep it clean lookin' !

I LOVE working on my car, it not only saves me a LOT of loot but I have learned so much about how our cars work and how the systems operate, what to mod an dwhat to not even bother changing. I wouldnt have done it any other way.

civicboy95

what kind of grill is that on your car? looks sweet.

M-EJ1

civicboy95: It's actually a cheap kit I bought off of ebay. I was expecting much worse, but for 30 bucks I can't complain. I considered just buying the mesh and cutting it myself, but it would have been more trouble that the money saved, so I just grabbed one of the many auctions up for the kit. It came with some instructions, the (really thin and almost unnoticeable wire) to wire it to the current grill, and the mesh of course.

civicboy95

that looks so tyte. Is it really different material than home depot stuff? how does it install? i'll get one if i dont have to drill holes or screw anything in. thanx for your help. ALso, could u get a link on a current ebay auction that shows the exact one u got? thanx man.

M-EJ1

civicboy95: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=1823753748 <-- that's an auction for a grill mesh kit. I think it's even by the same person I got mine from.

As far as installation goes: no drilling or cutting, just fits over the top of the stock grill. I took my bumper off to make it easier to wire the grill... also makes it cleaner if the twists are in the inside, obviously. Good luck!

civicboy95

wow, thanx man. So do u think its worth getting? how well does it fit and hows the quailty of it?

ejprimo

nice rims and grill

M-EJ1

civicboy95: yeah, I wish I had painted mine before I put it on though, but I was in a hurry. I had to trim the middle section a bit cause it was slightly too tall, but other than that the fit was great. I'm not sure how it will stand the test of weather (no rust yet), since I've only had it for a week or so.

civicboy95

i see. i hope it does. i'm in WA so i'm gonna get taxed if i buy it from them. But, you know that WIRE? what kind is it? do u know if i can get it at home depot or is it some kind of special wire? cuz i dont know how normal wire can hold that up. sorry for these lame questions, but i like to do my research before i get something, even if its just a grill.

agent87

I don't necessarily like working on my car when I'm doing it but I'm happy when I successfully complete a task. Unfortunately, I don't have all the tools I would like to have so I tend to be stuck with simple tasks like swapping suspensions and wiring stereo stuff. One day, when I have more space, I'll get air tools...

About the painting rims thing, call me crazy but it seems like it's getting out of hand. People are painting anything black or gunmetal and the results aren't exactly always beautiful... Of course this is just my opinion but a lot of what's being done seems tacky to the point where silver or even (gasp) chrome rims seem like a refreshing change. I haven't always thought this way but lately I have been. Your car looks perfectly fine to me as is but good luck with your future plans. It's nice to see that you enjoy working on your car!