Tooslohatch's '91 hatch build thread!

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Feb 11, 2008 | 12:46 PM
  #1  
Alright, guys, this is my first build thread so sorry if it's cheesy.
Last year I rebuilt the top end of a 1990 Prelude Si. I bought it for $175 with a snapped timing belt and several bent valves. The money I earned from selling was used to fund my build. My father had recently bought a 1991 Civic Dx hatchback with yet another snapped timing belt from a man in our church. He had the intention of rebuilding the motor and selling it for a profit. However, he got back into racing so the hatch just sat at the bottom of our driveway for some time. That summer I worked for him since I couldn't find anyone who wanted to employ a 15 year-old and instead of payment I asked (pleaded) for the hatch. He eventually caved and gave me the car. Armed with a car and funds, I began building something for myself.

This is the car sitting outside getting ready to go into the garage




In the garage with the valve cover off.



Got the head off hoping to save the stock engine.






Removed the stock engine and cleaned the bay with some degreaser (that stuff is amazing!). I also found the Strut tower bar thrown in the trunk on an Integra during a junkyard trip. I'm pretty sure it was never bolted on. A steal for $25.




Behold, the donor car my dad and I picked up in Philadelphia.




Engine out of the Integra; before and after. The valve cover will be the same color as the Civic. Quite an unfortunate story here... the seller of the Integra posted on Craigslist that the motor had 12.5:1 CP pistons, Eagle rods, 8.5lb lightened flywheel, OBX high performance cams, and a 6 puck clutch. What it really had was stock pistons, stock rods, stock flywheel, stock cams, and the 6 puck was so wasted through that it totally destroyed the pressure plate and messed up the flywheel. Unfortunately we found this out AFTER we got the car home and pulled the oil pan, tranny and valve cover.








Last week I put an OBX LSD in the trans. This weekend I finally got to put the engine in the car (with the help of my dad and a friend)
It looks so sweet!












So this is where I'm at in the project. Just have to get the wiring done, the axles, and the shift linkage. The immediate plans are to get it running OBD-0, switch to OBD-1, then fabricate a turbo setup. I have pretty much everything needed for that. Any suggestions you guys have would be great. Hope you all like it so far!
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Feb 11, 2008 | 12:50 PM
  #2  
Nice work, not really diggin the 20's on the civic tho
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Feb 11, 2008 | 01:12 PM
  #3  
Re: (stunn'd)
Haha! Well, they came with the Integra so I'm using what I have for now. They're 17" Konigs but I'd really like to get some 15" Drags or something. I'm not complaining though because I got them for free (sort of) so I'll use them until some more money comes.
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Feb 11, 2008 | 04:20 PM
  #4  
Nice, what brand of mounts are you using?
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Feb 12, 2008 | 03:11 AM
  #5  
Re: (immorality)
They're honestly just solid rubber mounts I found on eBay.
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May 2, 2008 | 10:11 AM
  #6  
Re: (tooslohatch)
Wow! Beautiful car!
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May 2, 2008 | 11:50 AM
  #7  
Re: (mike@OSTdyno.com)
Thanks, pops! I've FINALLY taken some more pictures and by now the swap is completed.





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May 2, 2008 | 12:16 PM
  #8  
nice
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May 2, 2008 | 03:40 PM
  #9  
Re: (CPIZZLE)
farts
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May 2, 2008 | 04:37 PM
  #10  
Re: (downandgoing)
i love those valve covers wire-wheeled like that! i was hoping you would just clear coat it and slap 'er on. I would have gone back and gotten some cash back from the liar u bought the teg from. That is never cool, i got screwed like that too, motor was supposed to be great running condition, picked up in the dark, take home and see two nuts on oil pan, pull off and the rods arent even bolted to the crank, all parts were thrown back in under oil pan. I got the old dude to poney up some cash and all was cool.
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May 2, 2008 | 05:40 PM
  #11  
Re: (gator88)
We honestly tried a LOT. He lives across the state from us and it would be a huge hassle to do anything and all that so I'm just going to suck my losses. God wanted it to happen for a reason and i can live with that.

As for the valve cover, I personally think it looks sweet both ways. However, I wanted the car to look classy. I can always wire wheel it down again if my mind changes. Thanks!

Oh! The car now has a wet N2O system running just a 50 shot right now with plans to work up to 100.
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May 9, 2008 | 06:38 PM
  #12  
Re: (tooslohatch)
sweet ride! now let's see how it runs in the 1/8th!
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May 11, 2008 | 03:55 PM
  #13  
TEAL FTMFW!! Nice job so far man, ive also got a teal hatch.
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May 11, 2008 | 04:18 PM
  #14  
http://www.halffastmotorsports.com/chris/chris.htm
thats a partial list, im rebuilding the trans right now and then ill be installing my new turbo setup. should be done within a month
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May 11, 2008 | 06:26 PM
  #15  
Re: Tooslohatch's '91 hatch build thread! (tooslohatch)
Awesome car, sweet ride..
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May 11, 2008 | 06:48 PM
  #16  
Re: (tooslohatch)
Some poeple have to have there treasure now and some can wait, pray for the thief that he might change. Nice car I wish my first project civic was that clean! I have months of work to do mine the right way. I will eventually post the video and pics but not till it's finished. Hope to see more of yours
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May 12, 2008 | 03:31 AM
  #17  
Re: (0c00l)
You are 100% correct, sir! We should pray for the guy.

Sweet! I'd like to see yours now and then when its done. Thanks for the kind words!

We went racing Saturday so now I have some videos. I'll try to post soon.
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May 12, 2008 | 08:56 AM
  #18  
Re: (tooslohatch)
lol, you better get those vid's uploaded fast! people round here can get fiesty waiting around for updates and stuff
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May 12, 2008 | 09:00 AM
  #19  
Re: (tooslohatch)
Ps. You'll find alot of adults reside here and most will not comment even if they offended by someone's opinion (Belief system or otherwise). Thats why I like it here, and if someone comments negatively that's ok as well.
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May 13, 2008 | 10:36 AM
  #20  
Re: (0c00l)
Just call him "MR. Red light!"

Just kidding.... Great job on Saturday Micah! Keep at it, you don't have to be fast to win and earn respect in bracket racing, just very consistent.

I would love to see all of the V8 guys have to "breakout" trying to beat you and then you take home the winnings!
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May 13, 2008 | 10:55 AM
  #21  
Re: Tooslohatch's '91 hatch build thread! (tooslohatch)
Micah, check out this thread https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1323059
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May 14, 2008 | 10:07 AM
  #22  
Re: Tooslohatch's '91 hatch build thread! (mike@OSTdyno.com)
Hey Micah! Ordered your shifter bushings from Advanced today, they should be in Friday.
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May 14, 2008 | 12:37 PM
  #23  
Re: Tooslohatch's '91 hatch build thread! (mike@OSTdyno.com)
nice amn, looks sick, more pictures
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May 15, 2008 | 05:30 AM
  #24  
Re: Tooslohatch's '91 hatch build thread! (tunerkid7)
Yeah! More pics please!!!
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Apr 1, 2015 | 08:06 AM
  #25  
Re: Tooslohatch's '91 hatch build thread!
Haven't been on Honda-Tech for a while... I actually stumbled across this thread by way of Google Images today. I had completely forgotten about it to be quite honest.

I still have the car seven years later and it's still my baby. Below are some up to date pictures as well as a build thread that pics up where this one left off. ...still freaking out that the car has come so far...

It currently has a built GSR motor (stock sleeves) and a custom built turbo setup sporting a Holset HX35/40 hybrid. My best time was 11.75 @125 (first time at the track). This was done with street tires and a full interior with roll bar.

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(not me...)
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Build Thread:
My ED6... weekend racer on a budget - StanceWorks


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