When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
its bent because the PO installed it backwards, therefore hitting the map sensor. instead of flipping it around the decided to 'modify' it instead. thats my take.
That strut bar looks if it is bent. Look into the chassis. The stock is bent but not nearly as much as the image.
Read the actual post explaining why it's bent.
Originally Posted by tony_2018
its bent because the PO installed it backwards, therefore hitting the map sensor. instead of flipping it around the decided to 'modify' it instead. thats my take.
Yup. Talked to PO. He bent it to make it work/fit.
Sorry it's been so long, but I was out of the country for work for about a month. Finally got to work on the EM1 this weekend and did a couple things.
I got the car up on jack stands to inspect the bottom end. I knew there was damage to the oil pan, but wasn't sure how much/bad it was. My concern was damage to the oil pickup and the motor being starved of oil. According the the P.O (which I've been in contact with), it happened when unloading it from the flatbed, because the car was stupid low. Once I dropped the pan, I saw the extent of the damage. Pan was obviously scrap and the oil pickup was damaged. I replaced the oil pickup and pan with spares I had and let it set overnight to seal properly. The next morning, I put oil in the car to check for any leaks. Not a single drop. I primed her and let the oil pressure build up.
DC Sports Auto hooked me up with a set of Ceramic Coated Headers (PN: HHC5604) and their Cat-Back Exhaust (P/N: SCS7021) system for the EM1. The previous headers were also DC Sports, but they were smashed on the bottom and cracked right by the head bolt-on plate. The exhaust was some rusted eBay crap that was also pinched by the rear LCA from the car being so low. So major shout-out to DC Sports for hooking it up!
After installing the headers and exhaust, I needed to see if the car started with no rod knock and no apparent damage caused by the oil pickup being smashed. I turned the key (keep in mind I had already primed the oil) and she started right up!
I was so excited to see my $800 investment triple value right then and there. Motor ran beautifully and I was able to row through the gears without issue. There are things mechanically that need to be changed and I've already started purchasing some of them.
They are as follows:
New Clutch
New CMC
New Shift-Linkage Bushings
New Spark Plugs
New Spark Plug Wires
New Fuel Filter
Injectors Being Sent Out For Cleaning
New Injector Seals
New Distributor Seal
New Cam Seals
New Main Seal
New Rear Main Seal
New Timing Belt
New Loss-Motion Assembly
New Head Gasket
New Suspension
That's just a short list for now. Once I have my house, I'll be pulling the motor out for a rebuild. I'll probably end up going with CTR Pistons, Rods, Cams, new bearings, etc. But that will be done down the road. I was also able to pickup a set of mint PCI 4" Sideskirts for $100. The TE37's that came on the car are going to a wheel repair shop near me that says they can repair them like new. So we'll see how that goes. For now, she'll sit on my spare LS Meshes.
Security: Improvements were made.
I also cleaned the interior while I had the chance. I vacuumed the carpet which is in really good shape, wiped down the dash, cleaned the door panels (which need to be replaced) and made a list of things to replace.
Visors
Head-Unit
Steering Wheel
Sun-Roof Cover
Rear-View Mirror
Driver & Passenger Door Panels
Overall, there's minor things here and there that could be done better. But #1 priority was to get her up and running. Number 2 priority is getting her to the body shop to replace the radiator support and replace the passenger side damage. I am currently on the hunt for a clean fender and bumper, but I should be able to get those quite easily from the Junkyard, IG, OfferUp, FB Marketplace, etc. As for the hood, I'll be picking up a Seibon CF Hood. Also, does anyone know the part number for the EM1 Si Grill? I can't seem to find it.
Hey all, it's been a while since I've posted an update. It's been hectic out there, but I figured I'd post some updated photos of the EM1.
I picked up some Tein Coilovers off of CL to replace the ghetto rigged setup that was previously on the vehicle.
I made a thorough inspection of the vehicle to assess the damage. I was able to determine that the following needed to be replaced:
- Hood
- Bumper Grill
- Front Bumper
- Passenger-Side Fender
- Passenger-Side Wheel Housing
- Passenger-Side Lower Control Arm
- Passenger-Side Headlight
- Radiator Core Support
- Cold-Air Intake
I started by removing all damaged items and radiator core support.
Next, I began sourcing replacement parts. I got lucky with LKQ Pick-Your-Part getting a 2000 EM1 into the yard. This is why you always download the junkyard app and set notifications for the vehicles you're looking for. I got to the junkyard and it was very obvious it was a recovered stolen vehicle that the owner decided to part out instead of building it back up. I went with the intention of specifically picking up the trunk and spoiler, but they were gone when I got there. I did luck out with that car though.
I picked up the following:
- Rear Bumper
- Passenger Fender
- Replacement Radiator Core-Support
- OEM Tail Lights From Another 2-Door
After acquiring those parts, I setup a date to drop the car off at a body shop so they could weld in the new RCS and a brand new OEM replacement passenger-side fender skirt/wheelhouse.
I upgraded my Integra to a Hybrid Racing Short-Shifter, so I replaced the cheap dual-bend one in the EM1 with my Integra's previous Skunk2 Dual-Bend SS. I also cleaned the hell out of the interior, put my radio in from my Integra and added a NRG Short-Hub and QR.
I then dropped it off at a local reputable collision repair shop....
Two Days later, I picked it up....
They did an amazing job! Aside from the fresh paint, you can't tell what happened. They put the vehicle on a frame machine to check and make sure everything was good. My initial assessment was correct, zero frame damage. They even replaced the lower-control arm for me and didn't charge additional labor.
A friend of mine was able to get me a set of black-housing aftermarket head-lights. These are a temporary hold-over until I can get a clean set of OEMs.
The other day, I picked up an aftermarket bumper and CTR grill when I got tired of trying to find clean OEM ones at the junkyard. I also got a new set of 35w 5K HIDs since the previous ones were damaged and super old.
So, here's how the car sits right now....
The fitment needs a little work and I'm gradually massaging things back into place. Overall, I'm happy with the work that was done and it's starting to actually look like a car again.
Next steps are going to be to sand it down and get it repainted properly. It was, at one point, resprayed. But it was a garbage job and it shows. But, before it gets painted, the motor is coming out and the bay will be prepped for paint as well. I've already purchased all the outside decals (Rear Si Logo, DOHC VTEC, etc) so they can go on after they get painted.
The motor runs strong, but will eventually get refreshed with CTR Spec Traum Pistons, Eagle Rods, new bearings, new WP, new OP, ARP rod bolts, ARP Head Bolts, New Head-Gasket and a Head Rebuild. The trans is also going to be rebuilt with new synchros, seals, etc. This car has the original motor and trans and I want to keep it that way for as long as possible.
So, that's my update. It's a slow process due to work and other things going on, but it's progress. Thanks for looking!
09-26-2019, 07:54 PM
Re: Practically Stolen EM1
