1989 Honda Civic Si OEM Restoration
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1989 Honda Civic Si OEM Restoration
A special Thanks goes to:
My girlfriend first and for most
Mauro Castro from EFparts.com
Danny Carlson from NW Classic Honda
Thomas Strom
Nick Gilmer
Towing her home to begin work. I purchased the car with a "bad motor". The engine would still start but had a terrible sound like something was about to fall apart. Once I dropped off the car at my mechanic we found out the water pump was about to fail so she received a new Honda water pump and timing belt. The stock motor runs perfect and smooth as though it has been babied its entire life.
Here she is awaiting a new timing belt and water pump parked next to my daily at the time, Blade silver metallic 1989 DX
After the snow melted I could see how straight the body was and I knew this was a good starting platform for the restoration
What 1989 Civic Si would be complete without Mint 89' Si seats
I started out with a few used Honda Accessories. As you can see this is before the tear down
My new parts collection grew over time and is still evolving
OEM SH3 EF car cover BNIB
Brand new Honda OEM Si muffler
NOS(New old stock) 1989 Civic SH3 front air damn
Also some new rear speaker pods, this is the early collection so bear with me
The only Non-OEM part on the car
Parts collection kept getting bigger so I had to move to a bigger garage
BNIB (Brand new in box) SH3 Armrest purchased from a private collection in Germany for way too much $$$ but it's a nice piece
Very nice Black Civic HB floormats
Brand new PFL (Pre-face lift) 88-89 Civic Fog lights
Brand new USDM SH0 Fog lights for 90-91 Civic (maybe for a future build)
NOS 1989 USDM Honda Access CD player made by Alpine
NOS Civic Si 14" Hubcaps
New Timing belt cover sticker
New Honda Access Window visors and sunroof visor (both 88-89 and 90-91 hb)
There are a lot more New Honda parts to come but how about some progress shots on the car first
First I had the car fully cut and buffed. This is still the factory Polar White which as you can see is kind of an off white pearl. This car looked amazing!!!
Hard to tell in some photos but the only flaws on the car were some rock chips on the front, and the passenger side fender was dented. I replaced the fender when I bought the car but the fender was from a 90-91 which is the wrong color white. I had a Paintless dent repair guy try to fix the old fender but in the end I decided to replace the fender and repray the front bumper and filler too
So now lets start the real tear down and prep for paint
Even though the new OEM fender and bumper/filler are being resprayed, I'm having the door and hood blended to make sure there would be a seamless color and no Butt-match
Here she is awaiting her new spray. I wanted to keep as much of the paint original as I could to attempt to retain as much originality as I can.
Progress photo
Getting just a few of the new parts ready for reassemble
Finally got the car back in pieces (I told them that I wanted to re-install all of the parts with new OEM hardware)
just hanging the fender to check color
Came out really good
Why O Why would I put old used parts back on this beauty?
I got these brand new 88-89 USDM side moldings from a friend who purchased one of the last sets back in 2005 and has been storing them ever since. They are long gone discontinued now
He added the pin-stripe but I decided to remove so the car still looks OEM USDM
New bumper lip hardware for the new 1989 Civic Si front lip. The lip is long time discontinued, I found this new one in the back of an old Honda warehouse in Alabama.
NOS 88-89 civic hb door lower window trim
So plush and soft just like new from the showroom
Out of order but the side protector moldings when on first. Very bright and hard to see in the light how clean they are
Bumper back on. Looks like I need to try and track down some new Stanley bumper lights (dealer said discontinued)...Discontinued just gives me an excuse to go treasure hunting lol
I decided to only go with the window visors only at this time since the sunroof visor can damage the paint over time
I'm holding off on installing the new roof gutters until I install the new windshield molding so all of them match
Finally got a new order in
Windshield molding finally came in
Rear hatch struts
New emblems? why not
Discontinued? HA!!! I laugh at the word unobtainable lol
random new bolts for the radiator support and headlights
New Cigg lighter, sure why not
A pic before installing most of the new hardware and misc parts under the hood. Most of the new parts just look the same as the old parts but I replaced anyways.
Still need to install these new Fog lights
Here are a few older pictures of the interior but not much has changed inside except the radio CD and glow ring cigg lighter but aside from that these are pretty up to date
My girlfriend first and for most
Mauro Castro from EFparts.com
Danny Carlson from NW Classic Honda
Thomas Strom
Nick Gilmer
Towing her home to begin work. I purchased the car with a "bad motor". The engine would still start but had a terrible sound like something was about to fall apart. Once I dropped off the car at my mechanic we found out the water pump was about to fail so she received a new Honda water pump and timing belt. The stock motor runs perfect and smooth as though it has been babied its entire life.
Here she is awaiting a new timing belt and water pump parked next to my daily at the time, Blade silver metallic 1989 DX
After the snow melted I could see how straight the body was and I knew this was a good starting platform for the restoration
What 1989 Civic Si would be complete without Mint 89' Si seats
I started out with a few used Honda Accessories. As you can see this is before the tear down
My new parts collection grew over time and is still evolving
OEM SH3 EF car cover BNIB
Brand new Honda OEM Si muffler
NOS(New old stock) 1989 Civic SH3 front air damn
Also some new rear speaker pods, this is the early collection so bear with me
The only Non-OEM part on the car
Parts collection kept getting bigger so I had to move to a bigger garage
BNIB (Brand new in box) SH3 Armrest purchased from a private collection in Germany for way too much $$$ but it's a nice piece
Very nice Black Civic HB floormats
Brand new PFL (Pre-face lift) 88-89 Civic Fog lights
Brand new USDM SH0 Fog lights for 90-91 Civic (maybe for a future build)
NOS 1989 USDM Honda Access CD player made by Alpine
NOS Civic Si 14" Hubcaps
New Timing belt cover sticker
New Honda Access Window visors and sunroof visor (both 88-89 and 90-91 hb)
There are a lot more New Honda parts to come but how about some progress shots on the car first
First I had the car fully cut and buffed. This is still the factory Polar White which as you can see is kind of an off white pearl. This car looked amazing!!!
Hard to tell in some photos but the only flaws on the car were some rock chips on the front, and the passenger side fender was dented. I replaced the fender when I bought the car but the fender was from a 90-91 which is the wrong color white. I had a Paintless dent repair guy try to fix the old fender but in the end I decided to replace the fender and repray the front bumper and filler too
So now lets start the real tear down and prep for paint
Even though the new OEM fender and bumper/filler are being resprayed, I'm having the door and hood blended to make sure there would be a seamless color and no Butt-match
Here she is awaiting her new spray. I wanted to keep as much of the paint original as I could to attempt to retain as much originality as I can.
Progress photo
Getting just a few of the new parts ready for reassemble
Finally got the car back in pieces (I told them that I wanted to re-install all of the parts with new OEM hardware)
just hanging the fender to check color
Came out really good
Why O Why would I put old used parts back on this beauty?
I got these brand new 88-89 USDM side moldings from a friend who purchased one of the last sets back in 2005 and has been storing them ever since. They are long gone discontinued now
He added the pin-stripe but I decided to remove so the car still looks OEM USDM
New bumper lip hardware for the new 1989 Civic Si front lip. The lip is long time discontinued, I found this new one in the back of an old Honda warehouse in Alabama.
NOS 88-89 civic hb door lower window trim
So plush and soft just like new from the showroom
Out of order but the side protector moldings when on first. Very bright and hard to see in the light how clean they are
Bumper back on. Looks like I need to try and track down some new Stanley bumper lights (dealer said discontinued)...Discontinued just gives me an excuse to go treasure hunting lol
I decided to only go with the window visors only at this time since the sunroof visor can damage the paint over time
I'm holding off on installing the new roof gutters until I install the new windshield molding so all of them match
Finally got a new order in
Windshield molding finally came in
Rear hatch struts
New emblems? why not
Discontinued? HA!!! I laugh at the word unobtainable lol
random new bolts for the radiator support and headlights
New Cigg lighter, sure why not
A pic before installing most of the new hardware and misc parts under the hood. Most of the new parts just look the same as the old parts but I replaced anyways.
Still need to install these new Fog lights
Here are a few older pictures of the interior but not much has changed inside except the radio CD and glow ring cigg lighter but aside from that these are pretty up to date
Last edited by jdmboyef9; 05-18-2013 at 10:15 AM.
#3
Re: 1989 Honda Civic Si OEM Restoration
This is so awesome. My very first car was a '91 Si. Brings back great memories. You've found a lot of really rare yet mint condition parts. Looking forward to your restoration!
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Re: 1989 Honda Civic Si OEM Restoration
Some old action shots. My good friend Nick before his accident going on an 18 hour road trip to help me pick up a CRX. He is now Paralyzed from a dirt bike crash, one of the best mechanics and friends I have ever had
Nick replacing the axles after the long trip
All of these pictures are before the restore
Nick replacing the axles after the long trip
All of these pictures are before the restore
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Re: 1989 Honda Civic Si OEM Restoration
Some Pictures of my old CRX and Civic (after restoration) at a car meet summer 2012. This is the only time I have driven the white Si so far
Most people were interested in the CRX
I sold the CRX
and now drive this as my daily
Most people were interested in the CRX
I sold the CRX
and now drive this as my daily
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Re: 1989 Honda Civic Si OEM Restoration
They were purchased brand new from the dealer and stored for 8 years. Those wheel and tires only had around 3,000 miles on them from new. Sold them with the car for too cheap
#12
Re: 1989 Honda Civic Si OEM Restoration
What's ironic is that in 1999, when I had my 91 Si, I bought a mint set of EM1 wheels for $600. Fast forward to 2012, and I bought another set for $400, still in good condition.
$200 depreciation in 10+ years isn't bad
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Re: 1989 Honda Civic Si OEM Restoration
EFparts.com has helped out a lot. I have also had some good luck from NW Classic Honda. All in all it's a lot of work and dedication. The more money I spent with my parts guys the more time they were able to devote to helping me locate parts. I cannot begin to imagine how Moe from EFparts was able to juggle his other customers and help track new parts overseas but after months and months of searching he has come through on a lot of thought to be extinct parts.
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Re: 1989 Honda Civic Si OEM Restoration
You have yourself a very clean and beautiful SI. I can imagine you are your Honda dealership's best customer!!!
I hate to hear about your friend!!! I broke my back in a motorcycle accident back in 08 and it is def a hard road to recovery!!
I hate to hear about your friend!!! I broke my back in a motorcycle accident back in 08 and it is def a hard road to recovery!!
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Re: 1989 Honda Civic Si OEM Restoration
Still awaiting more BNIB New Old Stock (NOS) parts as always but a few items have arrived.
I was able to track down a mint 1989 Civic Si door panel. My original one had a small seat belt rip which was not bad, but enough to replace. Only took about 30 emails to wreckers in USA and Canada to track down
I also found the last complete set of SH3 88-91 hb front mud flaps. This is the last known NOS set in the World. One side came from Belgium and the other side came from Spain. These were not as easy to track down as I had to deal with numerous dealerships in numerous countries using a translator for many different languages. But for me the thrill is in the hunt
I also managed to track down two sets of New Old Stock Rear mud guards for 88-89 hb SH3. One set from Belgium and the other from Indonesia. One has arrived and I'm still waiting for the other to show up. I will take pics when everything shows up. Also waiting for one last order from Vintage Honda USA for some small parts and accessories but nothing too fancy (block heater, cass cleaning kit, new antenna, ect.)
Here are the NOS 88-89 hb rear mud guards SH3
Also picked these up, not USDM but still pretty cool. Came from Australia
I was able to track down a mint 1989 Civic Si door panel. My original one had a small seat belt rip which was not bad, but enough to replace. Only took about 30 emails to wreckers in USA and Canada to track down
I also found the last complete set of SH3 88-91 hb front mud flaps. This is the last known NOS set in the World. One side came from Belgium and the other side came from Spain. These were not as easy to track down as I had to deal with numerous dealerships in numerous countries using a translator for many different languages. But for me the thrill is in the hunt
I also managed to track down two sets of New Old Stock Rear mud guards for 88-89 hb SH3. One set from Belgium and the other from Indonesia. One has arrived and I'm still waiting for the other to show up. I will take pics when everything shows up. Also waiting for one last order from Vintage Honda USA for some small parts and accessories but nothing too fancy (block heater, cass cleaning kit, new antenna, ect.)
Here are the NOS 88-89 hb rear mud guards SH3
Also picked these up, not USDM but still pretty cool. Came from Australia
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Re: 1989 Honda Civic Si OEM Restoration
Wow. Amazing restoration! You are a master in new oem parts hunting! I'd always had a hard time justifying spending loads of cash on my 94 DB8, but seeing how clean an example you've set and all Netherlands hard work you've put into your Si is inspiring. Keep up the great work!