Oldschoolguy

Hello all. This is my first post.. It was 24 years ago and 1 day- December 31st, 1990 that I purchased my first car from Honda of Newton Centre in MA- a red 1991 Honda Civic Si. I promised myself that 10 years later I would begin to modify my Civic starting with the suspension and that all the upgrades would be tasteful and serve a real purpose- which was to make my Si simply perform better while keeping her looking as clean as possible.
Fast forward 24 years later and I got only as far as a complete suspension upgrade. Some downgrades, and quite a bit of restoration work.
My Civic SI has served me well after 217,000 miles as a second car. Three cars later I have decided to sell my first car as I recently purchased an FRS and I have 2 VW's that I have to maintain.
The car is in pretty damn good shape. Mechanically the suspension has been completely rebuilt. Last year I had a mechanic who worked at Toyota change out all every single bushing in the suspension and reinstall with a complete pic performance PIC/Suja 1 Motoring Hard Rubber Bushing (HRB) Kit. (The good stuff ) Also I purchased last year 2 OEM Honda trailing arm rubber bushings and had those replaced as well. These are the reinforced bushings Honda created for these models I think some time in early 2000 as the original design was known to fail at a faster rate. I think they are the same bushings sold by Mugen.
Around 1997 I upgraded the suspension with complete Suspensions Techniques front and rear anti-roll bar. A neuspeed front upper strut tower rod, a rear upper strut tower rod, and a neuspeed rear lower strut rod. When I purchased the PIC/Suja bushings I purchased a stock 91 front anti-roll bar and replaced the Suspension Techniques front anti-roll bar with the stock one (for more balanced handling) but utilized the pic performance bushings in the OEM Honda anti-roll bar. The rear roll bar remains the 22mm ST bar but I replace the rear endlinks last year as well.
The shock absorbers are Koni KYB/AGX (Reds) adjustable about 10 or 11 years old, but holding up very well. I used to have eibach pro-line springs on the car but changed them back to new stock springs when I got married. ( I don't know why I threw them out, but when I built my new home I didn't want clutter- oh well and shucks). Needless to say the car rode like it was on rails and that was a decade before replaced the bushings. I also used to have a stainless steel Thermal Research Exhaust from cat back but replaced that as well back to stock when I got married as well. I replaced the pipes from the cat back to the muffler about 2 years ago, the stock muffler is still in fine shape. I kept the Thermal Research Exhaust and will throw that in as well for free. If you have ever heard this exhaust it is sweet and deep but purrs like a kitten at rest. It has some reverse baffle technology, or something like that, that keeps it quiet.
Restoration wise, the car has been repainted with the original OEM color and clear coated but looks fantastic. There was some rust in the left and right rocker panels that have been repaired, but they are not perfect in my mind, but can easily be replaced. There was mild rust on left rocker panel that required a small section of the floor board to be fiberglassed. I can't tell where the repair was made, but needless to say the chassis is solid. There is mild rust over the brake light areas that can also be rectified easily. The car had new engine mounts and a new transmission mount put in last year. The rear metal bumper stabilizer bar was rusted and was replaced by my mechanic last year as well. There is a new hood that was in fabulous shape and blends in flawlessly with the rio red that was replaced last year and give the car an even cleaner look. The timing belt, water pump, and clutch plate were replaced at least 5 years ago or earlier. The air conditioning is working and the last time I used it was ice cold. I believe there is a small leak in the system but if you evacuate it and reacharge it every 2-3 years it will run very well.
The interior is not bad for a 24 year old car. The usual suspects are there. The driver's side seat bolster is worn out. I have replaced the damn glove box THREE times and after the last one broke again, I gave up. I have the box, but I keep it in the trunk. The sunroof works. Not much to brag about here, but not much to cry about either.
The engine is stock and pulls fine. Burns a little oil as any 24 year old car would but it is still strong and times I swear it runs the same as the day I bought it, but time has a way of confusing one's memory, so let's just say it runs great. I replaced the valve cover gasket, spark plugs, and ignition wires (supposedly surpasses OEM quality- I'm ****) last month.
So my vision for this car 24 years ago was to improve the suspension using hard rubber bushings, beefed up suspension components while maintaining a balanced comfortable but "tight" handling. There are no stickers, clear corner lights, weird sounding mufflers on this car. It looks like a stock 1991Civic Si. I had planned to either replace the motor with a B16 or rebuild the original motor with oversized pistons. I never got to this step as my business took off and I don't have time for such a neat hobby. I purchased 4 genuine oversized Honda pistons and rings in 2004, but never installed them. I also have most of the gaskets for a complete rebuild ( I bought the package from Honda in my travels to Southeast Asia), and I'll throw those in as well. I also have an unopened Eibach camber correction kit for this car that never got installed as I removed my Konig Monsoons and went stock when I got married. I even have an original Thule bike rack that goes with this car that is in mint condition (pretty cool looking) as it mounts to the rear bumper and hatch door that I will throw in as well.
So bottom-line I have a never abused "original owner" close to stock, reconditioned red 1991 Honda Civic Si with a completely rebuilt suspension using a complete pic performance suja hard rubber bushing set, and new Honda "Mugen" trailing arm bushings, a complete 3 piece neuspeed tower strut bars, a rear 22mm suspension techniques rear sway bar, strong engine with only mild oil consumption (no blue smoke out the tail pipe etc...). Reconditioned/fiberglassed chassis wherever worrisome rust may have accumulated. Air conditioining works. I'm throwing in 4 new Honda OEM oversized pistons and rings, a stainless steel Thermal Research Exhaust with a gorgeous "quiet" deep tone, a Thule Bike Rack, a genuine Honda gasket set for a rebuild, and freshly tuned motor... The car's suspension, engine, and transmission all work like a dream and this is a much better driving experience since I replaced all the bushings with new high end rubber bushings last year.
I'm offering this car at what I think is a fantastic deal for $2100 or best offer above that. Cash or credit card only. I don't know how to provide pictures but I can email some for you if you are interested. I hope the next owner would be to replace the stock springs with Eibach Pro-line springs, do the complete engine rebuild with the parts I supply or replace the engine with a B16, do a little paint conditioning over the small rust spots and BE DONE WITH IT then take a picture of your new ride and post it here. That's all the car needs and you have a world beater in your garage. You're buying this car not only for how great it looks on the outside, but more importantly for the quality work that was done on the chassis and suspension. I imagine this car "should" move fast, so please make your decision soon. If I don't get back to you as quick as you like it is because I am a busy guy with a busy work life, so please be patient and watch this thread to see if it was sold. I live in the Tampa region.

I will have additional photos with username, dates, and hondatech this weekend. I am at work right now, but hope somebody will want to pick it up this weekend.

RotiEatter

iTrader: (1)

wow cool.

I'm slightly interested, but would like to see a lot more pictures.

Either way - bump and good luck.

Oldschoolguy

Yes, will send more pictures out of the car with the appropriate signs and dates, username etc...

I will show the car from all angles, the refurbished suspension and all new Pic Performance/Suja bushings, Neuspeed/ Suspension Techniques suspension components, engine bay, the stainless steel exhaust (Thermal Research), 4 brand new pistons and rings (oversized I think .25), Thule Bike Rack.

The car runs strong and solid and it looks exactly as it does in the picture. It was my first car, now I have 3 and a new FRS. Unfortunately never got to that engine rebuild mostly because the engine still runs great.

Someones going to get a great deal.

Will post this weekend.

sjoback

Sounds like a cool car. Please post or email pictures when you can - definitely interested (slmcgra@gmail.com).

Fibercation

iTrader: (5)

Nice

Presidential_Detail

Nice EF, GLWS!

subtlecuddle

iTrader: (6)

Very cool. im sure you will miss it.

Oldschoolguy

BUMP, $2100 or best offer above that base. Firm at $2100. As the pics show you get car, stainless steal thermal exhaust, four new pistons and rings (Honda) not needed but available for rebuild, eibach camber kit (new in package 4 wheels), Thule Bike Rack and a spare AGX right rear shock (don't know why I bought this spare, but as you can see it's still in the bag.

The car runs fine, sorry didn't clean the interior and I don't clean engine bays.

There are some minor rust spots above the rear tail lights as 88-91's are prone to, but these are cosmetic and can easily be repaired if that's what you want. The car is 24 years old you know.

The beauty in this car is not what you see on the outside (though she's quite a beauty isn't she?) It's the work that was done on the suspension this past year primarily which is it's best selling point.

Again, AC works though needs slight recharge.

Suspension is rebuilt.

Engine runs strong but could use a ring job to get the most out of it.

The Title is clean and it's original. I ought to make you sign adoption papers... sigh

Here's a nice youtube video of what the Thermal Exhaust will sound like on this car with the stock engine. Not my Si. I am going to miss her song:


I'm already getting many private messages. Sorry if I have yet to reply, but since I had not posted pics yet, it would be unfair to everyone. I'll get to the emails tommorow and the earlier part of this week. Leave me a telephone number, full name and an address please. Much thanks!

Oldschoolguy

Please note I posted the pics above to show the new bushings installed and the general condition of the car. The suspension is extremely comfortable but taut. Combined with an Eibach Pro-kit she will handle phenomenally well.

stevieteg

Wow, what a gem!

Oldschoolguy

Yes, she's like family to me, but the time has come. Too many cars in the stable...

EFnCRX

iTrader: (1)

All photos of suspension bushings appear torn :/

Oldschoolguy

No they're not torn, they're just settling in as they get compressed. I doubt it's even possible to tear bushings such as these. These are where I purchased them a little over a year ago:

http://picperformance.com/store/scri...?idProduct=233

and those are the exact set which does not include the 2 Honda rear trailing arm main bushings I had replaced at the same time. Those 2 bushings were ridiculously expensive apparently they're actually from Mugen, but they made a huge difference in the Civic's ride.

EFnCRX

iTrader: (1)

You can buy oem rear trailing arm bushings for the 88-91 civic/crx for $68 shipped.

10th photo down, those are cracks not settling. Was the suspension preloaded when the new bushings were installed?

Oldschoolguy

The suspension was preloaded prior to bushing installment as well as prior to roll bar installment.

The trailing arm bushing that you are referring to are HONDA OEM bushings which are actually the same compound used by MUGEN, purchased at around $75 for the pair. They were the only bushings that were not part of pic performance/suja set. Again, they are not urethane, these are rubber bushings.

I will have a honda technician review the photos, but please PM me if you have any further observations.

Uncle Ben

Very informative and specific post, and all from the original owner? You don't see these types of listings anymore. Awesome. GLWS!

Oldschoolguy

I spoke to a honda technician and to the folks a pic performance. They all said the same thing, the bushings all look correctly installed and that their appearance in these pics is normal. What matters most is the condition of the rubber compound itself whether it is too old, brittle, or missing versus as they are here new, pliant and filling out the suspension joint completely. Those small imperfections on the outermost edges are to be expected with rubber bushings as the amount of pressure on the bushings is several hundred pounds.

Also to elaborate on my previous post on preloading of the suspension. To make it very clear, the labor to reinstall each and every bushing in the suspension was a 3 day job working most of the day and into the night. The suspension HAS to be taken apart and old bushings removed one by one and pressed into place by a mechanical press. There is simply no way to do this with the suspension still assembled. The bolts however were retightened under load.

As I said before, this suspension feels as good if not better than the day I first purchased the car. The car glides over railroad tracks now whereas a year ago that would rattle my teeth.

The cost of this car is $3000, but most of that cost is going into the restorative work that was done to it in the last year to make it critical components as good as new, this includes changing out the suspension completely, changing out all engine and transmission mounts, replacing the rear bumper metal cross bar, fiberglassing the chassis next to the rocker panels, a recent tune-up and parts required, along with an OEM hood replacement and painting. I estimate I'm charging about $1500 for the car itself, not including the parts I'm throwing in for free. Again, the reason why I'm selling the car is because I purchased a new FRS cash, though I had originally planned on keeping the car, I need the room in the driveway.

I have about 10 inquiries via PM about the car though none have had a chance to fly down and look at or test drive the car yet. So until someone pays for it, the cars still for sale. Thanks all.

Oldschoolguy

Thank you. Yes we are a dying breed.

JpiZz0

GLWS! I miss my sedan. Best honda I've owned.

Oldschoolguy

They were built like tanks. It's rare nowadays to find a car that has double wishbone suspension at all 4 corners. My FRS has a Macpherson up front and a double wishbone in the back. With the beefed up anti-roll bar in the back and the Neuspeed strut tie rod in the back, this suspension is still a thing of beauty. If the stock springs were replaced with Eibach Pro-kits I'm pretty certain this Si with the new bushings would give my FRS a run for its money, at least handling wise. As I told a recent potential buyer, I drove the car around my subdivision last week and damn if that car is not at least 80% as good as my Scion FRS in handling, with the Pro-kit, she would be just as good.

egyolk

iTrader: (1)

do you know if this car is 50 state legal? in other words could you please take a picture of the tag under the hood?
please see this link to know what i'm talking about. From what I understand some cars sold in different states aren't legal in California?

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures...cts/ffvr29.htm



I might want to fly out there and drive this back to cali but I gotta sell my db7

olddohc

iTrader: (116)

Wow thats too much to read. Clean car glws

dh

iTrader: (3)

Fair price, worth every penny

sde780

This bushing does not look like it was recently changed. As you can clearly see, the bushing is already starting to separate from the metal sleeve. If you told me it was changed a few years ago it may be more believable, but I've changed my fair share of suspension bushings and they definitely do not deteriorate within a few months with proper installation (preloading).



Your balljoint also has a split boot and is missing the cotter pin - I hope your mechanic did not claim to have changed that as well. Looks like the outer tie rod doesn't have a cotter pin either.



Nonetheless, car looks to be in splendid condition for its age. Good luck with the sale!

Oldschoolguy

Yes all these bushings were changed within the last year. It is possible since these are pic performance bushings that 20% stiffer than stock they may appear different if you are used to installing urethane or even OEM bushings. The mechanic is a friend of mine and he showed me each bushing installed.

I've only done a complete overhaul of the suspension 1X during the life of the vehicle and that was within the last year. The change in the cars handling and comfort is night and day. If the bushings don't look like 24 year old bushings then they have been replaced. Cotter pins- don't know much about that but I imagine those are pennies to replace. I don't think I gave him any new cotter pins with the kit, so imagine they must have rusted away by now.

If they are not exactly the condition a potential buyer is looking for, it is what it is. Best thing I can say is test drive the car and feel for yourself.

Amazingly no one has come to actually look a the car- which amazes me. I go back and forth between my Scion FRS and this car and I'm still impressed with this car's capabilities. My next step is going to put out local ads or inquiries in Tampa and see what happens.