Honda-Tech - Honda Forum Discussion - Pandahatch out of retirement, CRX Mugen Pro 2, K swapped build

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Pandahatch out of retirement, CRX Mugen Pro 2, K swapped build

I'm back, for one last go around in the Honda community! It's been 7 years since I've had a Honda, much less even worked on one. But I guess when they say, it's just like riding a bike, it's true. Over the past years, I've had a lot of ups and downs, I started my own business, MWorks Garage, focusing primarily on BMW performance. Well that is now also graduating in LS swaps from all over the country in all different chassis. Our product development and business ventures will be interesting to see what they hold in the future. I lost my mom to her 5 year battle with cancer this past January, so I'm dedicating this build to her.

Some of the older guys on here may remember my past Hondas:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i.../s720/EG-1.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j.../s701/EG-3.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T.../s800/DA-2.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9.../s750/DA-3.jpg

Recently, I just finished my LS3 swap in my '97 M3 sedan, I use the car for our shop "cover car". It's one hell of a fun ride. Making 496rwhp with basic bolt ons, and soon to be supercharged, it should make 800+. The car was just shot for Performance BMW magazine, so be on the lookout for that issue!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w...fU/s912/10.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X...t-g/s720/5.jpg

Another car we're building is this E34, with a turbo S52 M3 engine, should be good for a reliable 550whp or so. Nothing crazy, but a fun, good looking car.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X...s640/E34-1.jpg

So why another Honda? With business so busy, what would possess me to get into this again? Plain and simple, I need a reminder of what got me into this industry. In high school, all I had was CRXs and EG Civics. So I set on a mission, to find a car that I could build into the CRX that I would have loved to build 14 years ago, but lacked the skill, knowledge and finances. I had a vision in my head, and I decided to proceed with it. It had to be an '88, it had to be rust free, and I had to go all out with it.

I searched online for weeks, until one day, an '88 Si popped up for sale. Original owner, California, rust free (In Ohio, this is impossible), unmolested car. EXACTLY what I was looking for, well an HF would be preferred, but no big deal, I can live with it. I contacted the owner within a half hour of seeing the ad posted, put a deposit on it, and the next day, I was on the way to get it. Luckily for me, the car was in Knoxville TN, only about 4 hours from me. The guy moved here 9 years ago, parked the car in the garage and NEVER drove it, only started it and backed it out of the driveway to keep it running. Here it is right after picking it up.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P...q5Q/s912/1.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8...VrE/s912/3.jpg

I knew I wanted the car K powered, I have some pretty awesome ideas with the engine and bay that I'll get into later. So I found a low mileage K20Z1 local from a rear ended '06 RSX Type S, made a deal, and secured a drivetrain.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5...Lc/s720/15.jpg

The next main thing I wanted was the Mugen Pro 2 kit. I actually bought this kit before I even had the car. It came with a replica front bumper, but that wasn't a huge deal as I had a line on an authentic front. A friend of mine was up in Pittsburgh and picked the kit up for me. Unfortunately for me, it was less than described in the ad and I had already paid for it, there wasn't much I could do. I love honest sellers lol! It needed a little love, but I repaired a couple spots and have it ready for body work now. I sourced a genuine front and had it shipped here from Japan, that was some of the most nerve racking time ever, especially when it showed up and the box was crushed. Luckily, the bumper was perfect.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k...0bk/s720/8.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9...nA/s720/14.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b...38/s720/24.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X...WXI/s912/9.jpg

I have already accumulated a ton of parts for this build, JDM bronze glass, Jenvey ITBs, Mugen M7 wheels, Mugen AGS brakes, Mugen SW3 steering wheel, bunches of other Mugen goodies, 4x114.3 conversion, Bride Zeta III seats, Takata harnesses, and the list goes on...

I can't leave out some great guys that are also helping with getting parts for this car:

Kevin @ Clutch Masters
Mike @ K-Tuned
Mark @ Eibach
Brandon - Phunhaus

Stay tuned to this build as it will CERTAINLY be entertaining, the car will be receiving a rotisserie restoration and paint system, no screw will be left untouched. EVERY fastener will be replaced with new OEM parts. I already have 3 GIANT boxes full of just OEM Honda nuts and bolts!!! Full welded roll cage, shaved engine bay, Tilton pedal setup, TONS of custom made parts, I promise it won't disappoint!

I'll leave you all with some random pictures for the night. I will get on a build schedule as I update!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S...c78/s512/9.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5...K3Y/s720/7.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H...5w/s912/14.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P...-A/s720/21.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R...hc/s720/26.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c...kA/s720/10.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P...oMQ/s912/4.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t...yyY/s720/2.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K...58/s720/12.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V...XBM/s720/3.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N...90/s912/14.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k...GE/s912/14.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T...mBY/s912/7.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x...Vs/s912/25.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7...kQM/s720/3.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w...B0E/s912/2.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--...oo/s912/26.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z...eY8/s720/5.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6...2Q/s720/21.jpg