Chefskinny

Hey Honda-tech!

Thought I'd make a build thread for the car I just bought and let you all know my plans and help me journal my build. My goal for this car is to have a reliable DD (I don't have very far of a commute) and a car I can take to autox, Time attack, lapping days and driving schools.

Looking to build a quick car that I can grow with and become a better driver. Also looking to keep the car looking as stock as possible, and as quiet as possible.

I will be going through all the brakes and suspension first.

ITR Front Brake Swap
Hawk HPS pads
Mini Rotors
Stainless Braided Brake lines
Rear disk brake swap
Debating between Progress CS-II and Ground control / Koni's right now


Car as it sits is a 1998 Honda Civic cx hatch, JDM ITR Motor, GSR tranny, apexi exhaust, 99-00 front end.

As of right now, the car is pretty rough, came in 3 different shades of black, body rust, dents, scratches etc., Front fenders / hood also used to be purple and had a DIY paintjob that is peeling

Also needs a fair bit of work:
Gas tank leaks
windshield needs to be replaced
Both front wheel bearings
Brakes all around
Interior is haggard and needs a good cleaning
Couple Oil leaks to take care of
Needs a new front bumper

Hood, roof and hatch are all flat back, patches of other blackhere and there, mixed in with factory black.

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Body is in pretty rough shape!

Chefskinny

Day 1
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First order of business was replacing the gas tank with a mint mint mint, JDM tank and new straps. This was a nightmare to get out. The bolts were in tough shape and hella rusty. My brother gave me a hand all day which was great. Car started up first try (once I remembered to put gas in it)



Also got some goodies from the fedex guy today:

ITR reman calipers
ITR Hawk HPS front pads
280mm Mini Rotors
Skunk2 UCA's




Also decided to do something about the body, you'll have to wait for that update though!

Chefskinny

Day 2 + 3
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So I mentioned in my last post, I've decided to give myself 2 days to improve the body condition, 2 days for bodywork, Thats it! It's been 10 years since I have done any bodywork and I don't have the time to make this perfect. I'm also only down about $70 in supplies (sandpaper, filler, primer, paint etc._, so I think it will be well worth it

This car is going to get driven hard, Going for a Good from far, far from good job

And here's the fun stuff!



Rear Quarter Repair





Working in a tornado of mess trying to blast through this!







Feathered Primer, wetsanded





All ready for paint (not painting front bumper, it needs to be replaced)






AND PAINT! done a lot of reading about this method, done properly it can produce really nice results. The idea behind it is that you thin out your paint about 50/50 with mineral spirits, and apply it with a high density foam roller in light coats.













Still needs a bunch more coats, but I can do them when I have time Idea is that you put on 2 coats, wetsand, 2 coats, wetstand, 2 coats buff and polish.

This is only 1 coat.

What do you guys think?

NotARaCist

iTrader: (1)

So, that rust spot...did you actually strip and seal it, or did you just bondo over it and figure it wouldn't be a problem?

Chefskinny

^^ I can feel the negativity Build the community and share knowledge, it's better for everyone. I'll jump at the opportunity to see and learn new things

You can kind of see it in one of the pics on the drivers side, but i stripped it, welded and patched what needed to be patched, sealed, primed, and did my bodywork.

Quick and dirty, but done properly. Looking forward to keeping this thread going with my updates on the car, doing this for myself and to share an interest we obviously all have.

Pretty busy, next update will most likely be a bunch of parts! Coils, Front and rear brakes, brake lines, wheels / tires.

Keep it FUN HT!

f15Civic

Great progress man, I am subbing for the end results. I wanted to get an Ek hatch for my DD project but they are hard to find and if you do find one they are all rough and the owners ask too much $$

jdmeg6118

iTrader: (1)

Good project!

collkid

Rolled on huh?

I did that too a Jeep, gave up after painting. It can look amazing but it takes FOREVER!


Keep it up!

TomCat39

Awesome stuff, thanks for sharing. Body work is one area that I am sorta nervous of. I always respect those who know how to do it and do it properly.

Cheers

tony_2018

I wish you took a close up of the rear quarter panel but its cool.

This is bad *** and dedication for body work on a 2 day timeframe. What type of bondo did you use that it cured that fast? Not familiar with body filler terms so forgive me.

tony_2018

And a front bumper.

f15Civic

Great progress man! Keep it up

Chefskinny

Thanks for all the replies! Haven't made much progress on the car this week, working a ton. (read everyday)

But...

I ordered a set of Progress CS-II coilovers, they should be here this week hopefully. I decided to go with 350lb Front and Rear Spring rates.

Also ordered some little stuff, stainless braided brake lines and lug nuts. Should also be picking up some 15x7 slipstreams from a local to fit over the new brakes.

Will keep his this thread updated, good motivation from you guys!

jdmeg6118

iTrader: (1)

I wish I was able to do my own bodywork..

Chefskinny

^^

to above poster, grab a beer, watch some youtube videos and just do it! Anyone can do bodywork, just be patient.

NotARaCist

iTrader: (1)

Yep. It all starts with "I wish I could do X", and next thing you know, you can do anything to your car. Just gotta sit down and learn how.

Chefskinny

mild update.

pick these wheels / tires up for now. Price was right, would have been silly not to buy them considering I needed 15's and new tires

Bmw E30 IX Weaves - 15" x 7" +42offset, should fit nicely. Might need a small spacer, not sure yet.

and the best part....

Dunlop Direzza Starspecs! 2 of them are z1's, 2 are z2's, heard great things about these tires and really looking forward to trying them out. Seem to have quite a bit of life left in them.