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restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

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Old 06-03-2017, 03:30 PM
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Default restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

Hey Honda-tech Iv decided too finally show one of my builds here, Recently my all motor gsr ended up blowing up last season.
it was just a simple engine swap..
that turned into a shave and tuck..
then which turned into a full out restoration.

the car is pretty rusty is just looks clean on the outside as i painted it afew years ago.
​​​​​​​
Welcoming any advice! I plan too make the car structurally stronger then it is from factory!
​​​​​​​big plans are coming I'm going for 500hp next!
Me attempting to get the car ready in spring, it just stopped running last fall.
Yes I messed up bad starting up a blown motor.

Disassembling the engine bay, head off currently.
Getting ready to drop the engine out of the buttom, my crane is currently stuck behind the car anyways :p.
​​​​​​

Last edited by dupes4lyfe; 06-03-2017 at 04:01 PM.
Old 06-03-2017, 03:49 PM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

During these pictures I was 3-10 hours in my new project, this is when I decided I was rebuilding a new motor and going with a holset turbo for big numbers.
Finally got the car over the engine!
The horrible looking engine bay, wanted too paint it..
Then decided not many people in my area have a full out shaved and tucked bay..
Let's do it!

Afew races last season
Best was 14.1 in the 1320!
Looked like my strut towers wanted too collapse.
Old 06-03-2017, 03:56 PM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

In these pictures I was starting the shave and tuck and damn I noticed all the rust that was forming -.-
I know I feel stupid doing this too a civic..

this will be me doing my first full project,
Iv already painted the outside of the car
​​​​​​​and basically it's practice for when I buy a rusty skyline
Started disassembling the dash so I can weld against the firewall, then I decided half of its staying out now anyways
Engine bay showing some progress..
Then I noticed the rust on the fender rail, going into the firewall.

Up - close picture of the rust I was just mentioning
Old 06-04-2017, 01:45 PM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

Dash out and car completley apart
Cut apart and fixing the side rail
The rusted floor pan :/
​​​​​​​
Old 06-05-2017, 06:13 PM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

Currently the gas tank and all the lines have been pulled out, after these pictures.
I'm about 30 hours in and I have 70 more too go.
I plan on building a roll cage and using some bars from strut towers - frame for chassis reinforcement.
Starting to weld up all the holes in the engine bay, alot of grinding too do!
Strut towers looking alot better!
Old 06-07-2017, 03:33 PM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

Wow..
Old 06-07-2017, 05:42 PM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

That's a lot of rust.
Old 06-08-2017, 08:33 AM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

Originally Posted by ShinsenTuner
That's a lot of rust.
Seems like that's what living in the salted areas has done. Its all just about out (all the rust) creating patch's and filling in the engine bay abit more at the moment.
Old 06-26-2017, 06:54 PM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

Been abit busy, managed to get abit done.
​​​​​​​hoping the engine bay will be done very soon
Hood latch and some firewall progress
Firewall welded up!
The custom engine mount bracket
Old 07-20-2017, 09:56 PM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

finally decided everything didn't need to be 100% straight as it was gonna screw up the paint sooner or later probably. rust removal has been done
​​​​​​​and the car is started too be reinforced and ready for paint
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Epoxy primered
Getting ready to filler

Bed linered
1 by 1 square tubing for reinforcement
Bondo in the bay
The tubing will be shaped like a fender brace I'll show completion soon

Old 07-21-2017, 07:26 AM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

I'm happy I stumbled on this thread. Nice work. I'll keep checking back.
Old 07-21-2017, 05:15 PM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

Quick update shall be finished the bay anytime now.
getting the engine back in and building backwards.

​​​​​​​and thank you! Are you dealing with rust like this also? Averyvm
Bed lined
Got the full fender brace welded on
I painted over the bed liner with a high durable rust paint too help also

Both sides of the car shall not flex anymore
More protection in a accident now too.
Old 07-25-2017, 03:44 PM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

Yes. I did have some rust troubles on my hatch. I don't want to jack your thread but you can check out my build thread at:
https://honda-tech.com/forums/appear...3172838/page2/
Old 07-25-2017, 08:50 PM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

Ah yah seems like u had quite a bit of trouble with yours to, I painted my car afew years ago in high school. Not re doing the underneath or engine bay another 3 years it went to crap.I'm almost done the bay and then I gotta patch the floor and 1 rear strut tower has alot of rust on the interior from the sealer. the car itself was decent so I would hate too get rid off it abit.
​​​​​​​hopefully I can keep the rust away or repair the tiny spots that may come back in the future. ​​​​​​​ Without bumper on drag radials.
These rims didn't last long, just showing paint and exterior quality.
Old 07-28-2017, 04:53 PM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

Which bed liner product are you using?
Old 08-08-2017, 07:12 PM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

I used a dupli colour roll on type, while it was still tacky I painted it with a rust preventative blue.

Iv been using bondo and fiberglass for days now trying to get everything as best as possible.

I'm getting ready to paint the bay when I can afford it.
currently I started my floor repair,
the passenger side is rust free.
the drivers side is horrible and almost nothing left after cutting - the firewall hole I guess affected this.
I'll update more pictures soon!

I'm doing these repairs and in afew years I'll see how the car holds up.
if it's bad like before I em buying a rust free shell.
Old 08-08-2017, 07:16 PM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

This was it afew days ago, welded a new rad support bar on.
The bay seems smooth but it'll be done in afew days,
The back corners were re welded as they were rotten.
Was very hard to grind the welds so some filler has helped out.
I'll hide the areas with catch cans eventually

​​​​​​​
Old 08-11-2017, 09:43 AM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

Thats what I like to see!
Old 08-19-2017, 09:59 AM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

Yes
Old 09-19-2017, 08:56 AM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

Hey Honda tech, I've been a bit busy and still building another project that should be done soon.
currently I'm awaiting funds for painting the bay, the floor repair is about done and winter is coming so the car will be prepared for next year.
​​​​​​​I will be painting the bay very soon so I'll still be posting updates!
Old 09-19-2017, 09:05 AM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

Here's my other project, it's been at a friends shop and he's building it as I don't have the space. 3k in labour and well basically 15-20k in parts.
ej207
6spd
pte turbo
brembos
​​​​​​​widebody
etc ​​​​​​​
01 impreza
The ej207
Old 09-28-2017, 12:54 PM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

Just currently finished up the engine bay boys and girls !
​​​​​​​I'm very satisfied with the results as a first time painter all by myself.
The base coat on and drying
Cleared

Old 11-15-2017, 09:54 AM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

looking good! always wanted to try some paint and body work. Any updates??
Old 11-20-2017, 08:26 AM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

Thank you! It's decently easy just takes a lot of patience.
​​​​​​​I've done a bit but the updates will be slow now, it's colder and the snow fell yesterday.
Old 11-21-2017, 06:21 PM
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Default Re: restoring a 1997 civic lx for drag racing!

Nice work! I really hope that it holds up after all of this.


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