right now i got a 91 hf b18a. it has 240k about. I want to do stuff to it but dont know if it's worth it. I know I wont be able to sell it for as much..but that doesnt matter to me. whats important is that I dont want to encounter a major repair in the future. the engine is strong and healthy but there IS something wrong with the throttle(kinda bogs, feels like there's a leak somewhere). but most of my friends can help me with that. it's just that my car has too many miles there may be alot of **** wrong with the suspension which is annoying AND dangerous. and I'm scared that even though I put all this money in something major will **** up or I still wont be able to drive it where I want(long distances). because even if I fix everything something else could break since it's so old and been driven way too much.

This is what I want/need to do to my car:
all 4 brakes
front sway bar
FR tie bar
shocks, springs
alignment
new rims + tires
cf hood

and other little stuff that still adds up $$$.

and more could pop up in the future

I know you all will say do it do it and all that. but putting aside that you love ef's, just a real opinion because I dont have much money to spend, I DO like my car alot but I dont want to deal with the stress to know that I put so much in my car and it breaks on me. I'm even thinkin of trading it for something more dependable.

so is it worth it?

 

Well, with my experience with hondas, if the drivetrain is good and you like the body. Go for it. Most normal people (non enthusiasts) would say why the hell are you throwing that money at that old car. If you like the car and the engine is reliable it should last you a long time. If suspension goes bad, upgrade! The suspension going bad is not likely to leave you stranded somewhere. also if your enigne goes ad, you can get another b18 for like a few hundered bucks.

 

If your suspension scares you because its old maybe its time to either fix it or upgrade. Also check you brakes for pad wear, and if you cant tell if there good or not get a freind or someone else that can give a second opinion if you need to change pads. If you have a LS swap I would if you havnt already gotten some upgraded struts and coilovers for the heavier motor. Alignments are always good. All of that is what I would do first before things like rims or cf hood with the info you have given me.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 91 HONDAsaurus rex &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If your suspension scares you because its old maybe its time to either fix it or upgrade. Also check you brakes for pad wear, and if you cant tell if there good or not get a freind or someone else that can give a second opinion if you need to change pads. If you have a LS swap I would if you havnt already gotten some upgraded struts and coilovers for the heavier motor. Alignments are always good. All of that is what I would do first before things like rims or cf hood with the info you have given me.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Exactly, upgrade suspension before you put new rims and tires and CF hood on it. Get your priorities in order. Make it reliable and then upgrade other things. 4 disk brakes would be a good one (like you said), you could upgrade the pads and rotors will your at it. Screw the front sway bar, rims, tires, and CF hood until you get the suspension handled. If you dont think the engine is reliable get another one, like I said only a few hundered and you already have the paryts to make a b18b OBD-0.

 

yea I mean I need rims+tires my tires suck. my friend told me to get a sway bar for my alignment problem. but also I need to pay $300 for smog and also gottta get an alarm. when I'm done I think I'd spend 4500-5000 for a car that I can sell for $3000 if I'm lucky. but thats not what I car about what I dont want is like driving then my tire fly off like what almost happen one time (3 studs snapped)

money aint really an issue it's the headaches you know? well actually money is an issue too but if I'm happy then the money I put in is no problem. but what if I put in money and it gives me headaches? thats what I dont want

 

well, i don't want this to sound like i'm yelling at you, but lugs snapping is not a wear problem it's "user error." in otherwords, lugs will never just break on you, but some people torque them on too much and that weakens and streaches them until they break. these cars, in the right hands, can hold up for so long with minimal money.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bagpipe goatee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">well, i don't want this to sound like i'm yelling at you, but lugs snapping is not a wear problem it's "user error." in otherwords, lugs will never just break on you, but some people torque them on too much and that weakens and streaches them until they break. these cars, in the right hands, can hold up for so long with minimal money.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yea studs breaking is user error, cross threading them is the quickest way to break them. They won't come off and you have to break them off. You said you dont want to do all of this stuff to a car you could only sell for 3000, that is what fixing up cars is all about. IT IS NOT AN INVESTMENT. NOT AN INVESTMENT. It is a joy you have a you pay for that joy. So you have to decide how long you want your car, alot of people on here would never sell their car. If you don't want it for the next 3 years, find something you do want.

 

Right now i'm doing the same, the winter really lets you know what you need to service and upgrade. also winter series autox too.
$45/EACH inner and outter tie rod ends by valucraft all have lifetime warranty/replacement. (its better quality then the cheap $15 tie rod end w/no warranty.)
Brembo blanks $25/ea
Brembo drums $30/ea
Hawk or Porterfield pads $50
Alignment $75 for lowered cars
new quieter hi flow dual outlet axle back exhaust $50
Total=$465 before time spent and install

then its:
NGK plugs $10
NGK wires $30
Cap/rotor 15
Mobil 1 syn $25
Hamp oil filter $10
TPS replacement ??? whenever i locate 1
total=$90+TPS cost and time spent


this is maintenance. might aswell upgrade a bit at the same price.


Modified by PaImportTuner at 10:46 AM 2/1/2005