- 88 CRX Si - Build
#1
- 88 CRX Si - Build
I’m from NY and have been a CRX enthusiast since I’ve been driving early on. I had an 1988 Blade Silver Si when I was 16 as my second car and became a Honda fan ever since. I’ve had quite a few cars over the years ranging from nearly all types of the import performance spectrum.
First was my 1990 GSX that I got with 86k from the original owner
Then my 1988 CRX Si
It had a B16a2 YS1 transmission AEM Intake, Greddy Exhaust, and a strut/spring combo. Unfortunately it needed a new clutch, 3rd gear snycro and full suspension w/ ball joints. I couldn’t swing that at 16 and decided to sell the car.
So I cosigned a loan on a “reliable” car with my mother and got a 20 05 RSX-S from a dealer and transformed it into this from stock
I couldn’t bring it to a college I was transferring to so I decided to sell it and build a “fast” car the following summer
I found a clean 86k original owner 1997 Integra GSR began my build from stock to N/A to Turbo
After Graduating College I decided a 315hp Integra wasn’t impressive and set out on a quest to buy an NSX
I bought a 35K mile, original owner 1991 NSX
Unfortunately an accident cut my ownership short and rather than having a repaired car I had it totaled,
After that I decided for the money I spent on the NSX I should have had a much faster car.
I then bought a 2007 BMW 335i , I quickly turned the 6cyl TT engine up to 380whp and 400tq
Then the day I always knew would come, finally came, I found another 1988 Blade Silver CRX Si online. I immediately went to see the car. It is a 3 owner Delaware to Virginia to NYC/NJ car with 131k original miles. The car was in rough shape with minimal rust beginning that needs to be restored. Everything was intact and original except for some 90-91 taillights so I knew I had to have it.
Here are the photos from the for sale ad
And after we drove it back to my buddy’s shop and put it away.
The car appears to of had the original rare usdm foglights but have went missing over the years. I found one of the original covers pictured below in the brochure.
The first order of business was to strip the dirty interior and begin repairing the tattered Si seats.
With some quality hand and machine sewing the seat covers were saved and honestly look amazing. I used some 3m spray adhesive to repair the damaged foam and cover it in a piece of fabric for support.
passenger seat
Drivers seat
All panels were scrubbed to a like new clean finish.
I am currently awaiting to re install all these panels
Then was time to wash clay bar and wax the exterior, it ruined 2 clay bars but literally turned from sand paper to butter smooth paint. The wheels were also degreased and waxed.
So far ive collected quite a few parts to install on the car to get it up and running. I still need to power wash the engine bay but the block is clean and everything looks good. The timing belt was changed 2 years ago. I have purchased a new cap, rotor, wires, plugs, fuel filter, axles, oil, and Honda MTF to get it going good till I swap a JDM GSR in towards the end of this summer
I also picked up a set of aftermarket floor mats, fog lights, corner lights, turn signals, and a 2.5 stainless exhaust.
The plan is to get all this stuff on the car and get it ready for March. After that the car will see suspension, wheels, JDM B18C, SIR Front End, and the following year a Turbo set up. I will keep this updated as the car comes back together. I hope you all enjoy the build.
First was my 1990 GSX that I got with 86k from the original owner
Then my 1988 CRX Si
It had a B16a2 YS1 transmission AEM Intake, Greddy Exhaust, and a strut/spring combo. Unfortunately it needed a new clutch, 3rd gear snycro and full suspension w/ ball joints. I couldn’t swing that at 16 and decided to sell the car.
So I cosigned a loan on a “reliable” car with my mother and got a 20 05 RSX-S from a dealer and transformed it into this from stock
I couldn’t bring it to a college I was transferring to so I decided to sell it and build a “fast” car the following summer
I found a clean 86k original owner 1997 Integra GSR began my build from stock to N/A to Turbo
After Graduating College I decided a 315hp Integra wasn’t impressive and set out on a quest to buy an NSX
I bought a 35K mile, original owner 1991 NSX
Unfortunately an accident cut my ownership short and rather than having a repaired car I had it totaled,
After that I decided for the money I spent on the NSX I should have had a much faster car.
I then bought a 2007 BMW 335i , I quickly turned the 6cyl TT engine up to 380whp and 400tq
Then the day I always knew would come, finally came, I found another 1988 Blade Silver CRX Si online. I immediately went to see the car. It is a 3 owner Delaware to Virginia to NYC/NJ car with 131k original miles. The car was in rough shape with minimal rust beginning that needs to be restored. Everything was intact and original except for some 90-91 taillights so I knew I had to have it.
Here are the photos from the for sale ad
And after we drove it back to my buddy’s shop and put it away.
The car appears to of had the original rare usdm foglights but have went missing over the years. I found one of the original covers pictured below in the brochure.
The first order of business was to strip the dirty interior and begin repairing the tattered Si seats.
With some quality hand and machine sewing the seat covers were saved and honestly look amazing. I used some 3m spray adhesive to repair the damaged foam and cover it in a piece of fabric for support.
passenger seat
Drivers seat
All panels were scrubbed to a like new clean finish.
I am currently awaiting to re install all these panels
Then was time to wash clay bar and wax the exterior, it ruined 2 clay bars but literally turned from sand paper to butter smooth paint. The wheels were also degreased and waxed.
So far ive collected quite a few parts to install on the car to get it up and running. I still need to power wash the engine bay but the block is clean and everything looks good. The timing belt was changed 2 years ago. I have purchased a new cap, rotor, wires, plugs, fuel filter, axles, oil, and Honda MTF to get it going good till I swap a JDM GSR in towards the end of this summer
I also picked up a set of aftermarket floor mats, fog lights, corner lights, turn signals, and a 2.5 stainless exhaust.
The plan is to get all this stuff on the car and get it ready for March. After that the car will see suspension, wheels, JDM B18C, SIR Front End, and the following year a Turbo set up. I will keep this updated as the car comes back together. I hope you all enjoy the build.
#6
Re: - 88 CRX Si - Build
http://www.ebay.com/itm/88-91-HONDA-ALL-CRX-CR-X-DX-SI-HF-BLACK-FLOOR-MAT-CARPET-RUG-FABRIC-RUBBER-GRIP-/170767897563?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ACRX&hash=item27c28f53db&vxp=mtr
#7
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NoRtH JeRsEy, NJ, USA
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Re: - 88 CRX Si - Build
Did you find this car on craigslist? in north jersey? The pictures and description from the ad look familiar to one I was going to check out. That's funny if its the same one, small world...
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#8
Re: - 88 CRX Si - Build
It sure is the one from north Jersey, guy had it hiding in a Jersey City parking garage where it had sat for the last year or so since he moved. I had to spam him with emails to get him to sell it as he was still unsure if he wanted to let it go even though he listed it online. I convinced him id bring it back to its former glory and he was happy to see me that determined to do so.
#11
Honda-Tech Member
iTrader: (3)
Re: - 88 CRX Si - Build
You say it will be a whole year after your swap before you boost? We shall seeeeee about that. What are the plans? Stock motor? HP goal?
What suspension set up are you planning/looking at? Coilovers?
#13
Re: - 88 CRX Si - Build
See, the cosign with your mother made it seem like it was still in college. Which is why I was so shocked your mom would get you a NSX. But if it was just for the credit, makes sense.
You say it will be a whole year after your swap before you boost? We shall seeeeee about that. What are the plans? Stock motor? HP goal?
What suspension set up are you planning/looking at? Coilovers?
You say it will be a whole year after your swap before you boost? We shall seeeeee about that. What are the plans? Stock motor? HP goal?
What suspension set up are you planning/looking at? Coilovers?
I picked up the Type S my senior year of HS, then sold it and bought the GSR in cash after my freshman year of college.
Graduated college and bought the NSX myself 3 months later
I will be replicating my previous 100% stock internal B18c1 315hp Integra but, with a tubular manifold and e85, shooting for 350hp max.
The car will see full suspension (bushings, ball joints, control arms, sway bars, coilovers) in about 3-4 months
Then the SIR front end and JDM GSR in July - August
#14
B*a*n*n*e*d
Re: - 88 CRX Si - Build
Ahhh... i love the people who take pictures of a car they are trying to sell at night. How can people be so stupid? It's like they are sitting at their computer after dinner writing up a craigslist ad and say, hmm, i need to go outside to take pictures, and I'm not waiting til the morning.
#16
Re: - 88 CRX Si - Build
Update
I have been able to get some more work done on the car finally. I have fully scrubbed the entire interior paneling, and cleaned the carpet.
I tossed the seats in for easier mobility of the car.
I put new axles in and re lubricated the brakes, they were sticky, but freed up with some servicing.
The exhaust is on and has a nice low tone.
I was also able to install the lights, unfortunately I didn’t have time to fully wire the fogs
I have been able to get some more work done on the car finally. I have fully scrubbed the entire interior paneling, and cleaned the carpet.
I tossed the seats in for easier mobility of the car.
I put new axles in and re lubricated the brakes, they were sticky, but freed up with some servicing.
The exhaust is on and has a nice low tone.
I was also able to install the lights, unfortunately I didn’t have time to fully wire the fogs
#17
Re: - 88 CRX Si - Build
Update!
I went a month or so without really working on the car and just gathering some more parts.
Got all my tie rods in as well as a new rack end bushing, steering rack tool, and speedo cable.
I got around to installing a new radiator, upper and lower hoses and thermostat
Discovered i had a bad axle seal and replaced it.
I also put in new fuel filter and some other misc items
Im not a fan of the original set of fog lights i purchased, ill be replacing them with these soon,
they just came in
More updates to come!
I went a month or so without really working on the car and just gathering some more parts.
Got all my tie rods in as well as a new rack end bushing, steering rack tool, and speedo cable.
I got around to installing a new radiator, upper and lower hoses and thermostat
Discovered i had a bad axle seal and replaced it.
I also put in new fuel filter and some other misc items
Im not a fan of the original set of fog lights i purchased, ill be replacing them with these soon,
they just came in
More updates to come!
#21
Re: - 88 CRX Si - Build
Parts Update!!
Brakes are in.... I went with some Brembo rotors and Stoptech pads
Got in my braided brake lines and caliper paint
I also got in a new set of front calipers, Russel speed bleeders, 7/8 Master cylinder, and Spal door lock actuators
The cd player and 1 working speaker the car came with needed to be replaced, so i got a nice simple set up.
Also after having some water leak issues i decided to do a quick check of my rear sunroof drain tube, and to no surprise it was clogged full of black sludge. Its all cleaned out and ready to drain now!
I managed to fit the new foglights to the bumper, overall a much better fit
Brakes are in.... I went with some Brembo rotors and Stoptech pads
Got in my braided brake lines and caliper paint
I also got in a new set of front calipers, Russel speed bleeders, 7/8 Master cylinder, and Spal door lock actuators
The cd player and 1 working speaker the car came with needed to be replaced, so i got a nice simple set up.
Also after having some water leak issues i decided to do a quick check of my rear sunroof drain tube, and to no surprise it was clogged full of black sludge. Its all cleaned out and ready to drain now!
I managed to fit the new foglights to the bumper, overall a much better fit