Hey guys! My name is Mark. Like my title says, I am really surprised I am joining a honda forum. I have been modifying cars since about 2002 and have almost stayed exclusively away from hondas. I can think back in my days of high school talking crap about them while driving around in my VW.

I have owned quite a few interesting cars to date. My most notable experience comes from doing toyota and mitsubishi swaps. A 1jz in my 87 supra and a 4g63t into a 90 galant gs-x(very rare) to make a vr-4 clone. I do almost all my own work with the exception of things like alignments and other jobs requiring big equipment.

My first honda experience was with a motorcycle. 1987 honda vfr1000. If any of you are into bikes you will know that this isnt exactly a crotch rocket. It is however quite uncommon as it was only made for a few years. It did however perform flawlessly and was a blast to ride. Last year I picked up an 87 si hatch for next to nothing. Car was super fun to drive but it was pretty much gutted and the lack of AC in Georgia is miserable. Anyone want to buy an EA hatch?

This brings me to my most recent purchase. I had been watching craigslist like a hawk for the right car to replace the honda. I had been watching mostly for other DSMs but everytime the seller would flake. After waking up one morning I jumped up on the computer and saw a 98 gs-r for much less than I have seen elsewhere. I jumped on it. Car rides like a dream, AC works amazingly and best of all...it's fast. After driving a highlander hybrid(these things scoot) for the past 3 years to haul the family around, it is exciting to get back into a car thats both comfortable AND fun to drive.

Now, on to what the car needs. PO had never adjusted the e-brake cable and apparently let his mom borrow the car. She parked it, left the door open on a hill and it rolled into a truck, bending the door back. The door has been realigned and closes/seals properly, but it has a pretty bad ripple in it. Fender has a small dent in it from the same incident. Paint is also VERY sun worn on the roof, hood and hatch/spoiler. I plan on doing a plastidip paintjob on the car here in the near future after I get a new door and fender. Anyone selling driver side door and fender? hit me up. Probable the WORST problem with the car is the difficulty in putting the car into reverse. I have done a search for the problem and the only post I have seen was something along the lines of a shift rod. Car also feels like motor mounts are very worn and likely have one bad one.

What I want to do to the car. I want the car to handle very well without sacrificing much comfort. I don't want the car slammed, but I do like the look of a lowered integra. I was thinking koni yellows, gc coilovers and extended top hats for the main part. Anyone used this setup before? I also want to put on a rear subframe brace and new sway bar. Change all bushings to poly and ill likely add poly engine mount inserts while im at it. Performance wise, I wont do much. The engine is probably getting tired and I may rebuild it over the next summer.

Anyway, I hope I can learn a lot from you guys. Cheers.

TL;DR
1.I bought a gsr. Anyone want a EA hatch?
2.I want to put on koni yellows with gcs. Anyone done this?
3.I need driver side door and fender. Anyone selling?
4.Want to plastidip my car pearl white because of bad sun damage. Anyone want to flame me for it?
5.Reverse is VERY difficult to put in. Sometimes I can go from 3-r or 5-r but most of the time it just requires more force than I like to apply and havent seen a definite thread explaining diagnosis or repair.
6.Sorry if this is long and the tech questions need to move to tech section. I just felt like rambling.
7.Cheers

 

The Koni Yellow/GC coilover setup is the most traditional setup among Honda tuners. It isn't overly harsh if you don't drop it too far, but it is far harsher than any suspension made for use on the street. I recommend buying used OEM Integra Type R suspension for a daily driver. You can find a set for $100-250. You'll need the rear lower control arms. It wont give you a sexy drop but the street handling is unmatched when paired with decent swaybars (I recommend a Progress Auto rear adjustable swaybar). Race suspension belongs on race tracks. If you want a drop, perhaps pair the ITR springs with the Koni yellow struts.

Changing all the bushings to poly will greatly increase harshness. Engine mount inserts will cause excessive vibration during idle. This is all relative of course. Fifteen years ago I didn't mind this level of harshness much, but if it is your only daily driver, it will probably drive you nuts.

Not being able to go into reverse is most likely an internal transmission problem. Honda makes great transmissions but they are often abused by idiots. My GSR has a notchy trans and the used replacement I got for it is also notchy.