EF biography-learn about my car
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Bowling Green, KY, United States
EF biography-learn about my car
If mods need to move this go right ahead, just don't deduct my rating without a warning like last time. I figured since it isn't exactly a buildup, but a biography, it didn't really go in appearance/cosmetic, but that it had all the more to do with the EF/CRX fellas.
First of all, if you don't like long posts, skip this, it is not for you, for the rest of you who absolutely appreciate everything you've been able to do and experience in your car, read on. Some of you might have seen some of the pics before, either way, just forewarning ya.
A lot of times we hear of those lucky souls who, by their 19th birthday have already had the pleasure of owning, driving, blowing up or wrecking 6 or more vehicles. I on the other hand have not been so fortunate. Since I became old enough to drive, I have always owned the same 1989 Honda Civic DX. My father told me I could have the car if I fixed it, as it had sustained massive front end damage from a deer that ran into it while it was transporting my father to work (I think it sounds better that way)..... After discovering a JDM front end conversion would replace all the parts that had sustained damage I ordered one from Steve at Hmotorsonline, and dad and I slapped it on. To this day it hasn't fit right, (I imagine the deer is to blame for that, or my unintelligence perhaps).
Here's me taking the car out with Dad on the day I got my license:
Here's the car after the deer incident: yeesh!
And here was my front end conversion waiting happily to be put on:
She's only two years younger than I, was completely stock when she came into my possession, and has been lucky enough to sustain a few life-prolonging modifications since she rolled off the factory floor so long ago. As a lowly sophomore in high school I started working different jobs and began saving for heart transplant for my little DPFI hatchback. During high school I worked at my great uncles lawn mower repair shop, as well as serving as a busboy at the local steak'n shake.
My junior year in high school I found a 1st gen. B16A , Y1 LSD tranny, and ECU for 1700.00 so I purchased it. It sat in a shop for what seemed like the longest time while I saved and amassed parts in a corner of my room (a situation Im sure all of you reading this have experienced at one time or another). Pretty soon I had the following: OEM timing belt, OEM Water pump, OEM oil pump, OEM alternator (original had seized up), Denso Iridium Plugs, OEM spark plug wires, ACT street/strip clutch kit, Spoon 8 lb. flywheel, STR Cam seal, OEM valve cover gasket, various OEM seals, MPFI resistor box, Hasport mounts, and Hasport shift linkage kit, Inividia 2.25 in. exhaust, and more.
The whole idea was to have a almost new and 100% reliable car during my next two semesters as a freshman at college in Tampa, FL. Unfortunately, by the time I had enough money to do everything, summer was almost over and I was leaving for school in FL the next week or so. I was able to take the motor out myself, which saved me some money, but I had to have a local shop put it in. Even so, everything went nicely. As I had hoped and planned for, it held up very nicely, making over 4 900+ mile trips back and forth during holidays and whatnot. The only quibble I had was the rpms at which the y1 tranny operated at while at 80 mph.
Here is the "torqueless monster in all it's stock glory (had it three years and haven't even put on an intake....what is my problem???)
While in Florida the only detrimental things I suffered while driving my car was one day the setscrew in the distributor vibrated out of the car so while moving in the flow of traffic on 275 south the car just shut off completely. This happened twice before I bought a new rotor and cap. During this time I became famliar with all the crap you have to put up with for having a swapped car (always having to go to the Acura Dealership rather than good ol' Honda due to OBD0 parts and all that jive). The last thing that happened was one day in traffic I saw smoke rising from what looked my vehicle, along with the smell. Sure enough my motor was leaking oil and I didn't know where from. Ultimately it was the gasket located behind the oil cooler so I ordered up a new one and fixed it right up.
Over Christmas break I was able to grab a JDM gauge cluster from Steve at hmotors and a friend of mine and I wired that up. It's amazing how poor you become when you enter the field of college. That was the only mod my car sustained the whole year...oh wait, due to the lack of money I had, I did modify one other thing, by removoving the rear interior. I can still remember people looking oddly at me and asking why I was carrying my back seat into my dorm room...
Here's a pic of the car with the cluster from earlier this school year, she needs to lose that DX steering wheel fo sho:
That summer I worked two freaking jobs, putting in 60 hours plus just to give love to my honda. During that time I purchased Tein RA's and ITR LCA's, as well as some HX wheels from a "friend" in town. Now that I had the ability to SLAM my Honda, I thought I was cool stuff, until I learned that ITR Tein RA's are really designed for the weight of an ITR, as opposed to a Honda Civic that is significantly lighter..... Nontheless, the car handles beautifully while at speed on a curvy highway, in town, not so much....
Before Teins installed pic:
After Teins installed pic including HX's(earlier this school year as well):
This car has been with me through the thick and thin. I've hit a raccoon in this car, ran over a sidewalk, been stupid in it, been lucky in it, laughed in it, made out in it, sang out loud in it, been through a quarter mile in 14.7 seconds at 93.XX mph in it, and who knows what else. Even so, i just felt that having spent so much time & money with this heap, it was the least I could do to share that with you all.
Currently this car needs a front camber kit badly, as something on the front passenger side is not straight (I can't wait to find out what that is....), someone recently backed into my SiR hood (I got paid for it though), and the motor is in need of a valve adjustment, that, or the lma's are singing their song of needed replacement. And yes it has even replaced the previous third gear chirp with a less entertaining third gear grind, as well as fourth at higher rpms (might have to get gearspeed to fix that problem).
That said, Im really debating swapping everything over to another hatchback. Yes, an EF hatchback. There's nothing like them. I would take a CRX gladly, as I've dealth with having only two seats for quite some time now. I'm saving money and hopefully all my goals can become a reality in the near future. I just hope I can do it all sooner than later. Thanks for reading, and comments are obviously welcome.
First of all, if you don't like long posts, skip this, it is not for you, for the rest of you who absolutely appreciate everything you've been able to do and experience in your car, read on. Some of you might have seen some of the pics before, either way, just forewarning ya.
A lot of times we hear of those lucky souls who, by their 19th birthday have already had the pleasure of owning, driving, blowing up or wrecking 6 or more vehicles. I on the other hand have not been so fortunate. Since I became old enough to drive, I have always owned the same 1989 Honda Civic DX. My father told me I could have the car if I fixed it, as it had sustained massive front end damage from a deer that ran into it while it was transporting my father to work (I think it sounds better that way)..... After discovering a JDM front end conversion would replace all the parts that had sustained damage I ordered one from Steve at Hmotorsonline, and dad and I slapped it on. To this day it hasn't fit right, (I imagine the deer is to blame for that, or my unintelligence perhaps).
Here's me taking the car out with Dad on the day I got my license:
Here's the car after the deer incident: yeesh!
And here was my front end conversion waiting happily to be put on:
She's only two years younger than I, was completely stock when she came into my possession, and has been lucky enough to sustain a few life-prolonging modifications since she rolled off the factory floor so long ago. As a lowly sophomore in high school I started working different jobs and began saving for heart transplant for my little DPFI hatchback. During high school I worked at my great uncles lawn mower repair shop, as well as serving as a busboy at the local steak'n shake.
My junior year in high school I found a 1st gen. B16A , Y1 LSD tranny, and ECU for 1700.00 so I purchased it. It sat in a shop for what seemed like the longest time while I saved and amassed parts in a corner of my room (a situation Im sure all of you reading this have experienced at one time or another). Pretty soon I had the following: OEM timing belt, OEM Water pump, OEM oil pump, OEM alternator (original had seized up), Denso Iridium Plugs, OEM spark plug wires, ACT street/strip clutch kit, Spoon 8 lb. flywheel, STR Cam seal, OEM valve cover gasket, various OEM seals, MPFI resistor box, Hasport mounts, and Hasport shift linkage kit, Inividia 2.25 in. exhaust, and more.
The whole idea was to have a almost new and 100% reliable car during my next two semesters as a freshman at college in Tampa, FL. Unfortunately, by the time I had enough money to do everything, summer was almost over and I was leaving for school in FL the next week or so. I was able to take the motor out myself, which saved me some money, but I had to have a local shop put it in. Even so, everything went nicely. As I had hoped and planned for, it held up very nicely, making over 4 900+ mile trips back and forth during holidays and whatnot. The only quibble I had was the rpms at which the y1 tranny operated at while at 80 mph.
Here is the "torqueless monster in all it's stock glory (had it three years and haven't even put on an intake....what is my problem???)
While in Florida the only detrimental things I suffered while driving my car was one day the setscrew in the distributor vibrated out of the car so while moving in the flow of traffic on 275 south the car just shut off completely. This happened twice before I bought a new rotor and cap. During this time I became famliar with all the crap you have to put up with for having a swapped car (always having to go to the Acura Dealership rather than good ol' Honda due to OBD0 parts and all that jive). The last thing that happened was one day in traffic I saw smoke rising from what looked my vehicle, along with the smell. Sure enough my motor was leaking oil and I didn't know where from. Ultimately it was the gasket located behind the oil cooler so I ordered up a new one and fixed it right up.
Over Christmas break I was able to grab a JDM gauge cluster from Steve at hmotors and a friend of mine and I wired that up. It's amazing how poor you become when you enter the field of college. That was the only mod my car sustained the whole year...oh wait, due to the lack of money I had, I did modify one other thing, by removoving the rear interior. I can still remember people looking oddly at me and asking why I was carrying my back seat into my dorm room...
Here's a pic of the car with the cluster from earlier this school year, she needs to lose that DX steering wheel fo sho:
That summer I worked two freaking jobs, putting in 60 hours plus just to give love to my honda. During that time I purchased Tein RA's and ITR LCA's, as well as some HX wheels from a "friend" in town. Now that I had the ability to SLAM my Honda, I thought I was cool stuff, until I learned that ITR Tein RA's are really designed for the weight of an ITR, as opposed to a Honda Civic that is significantly lighter..... Nontheless, the car handles beautifully while at speed on a curvy highway, in town, not so much....
Before Teins installed pic:
After Teins installed pic including HX's(earlier this school year as well):
This car has been with me through the thick and thin. I've hit a raccoon in this car, ran over a sidewalk, been stupid in it, been lucky in it, laughed in it, made out in it, sang out loud in it, been through a quarter mile in 14.7 seconds at 93.XX mph in it, and who knows what else. Even so, i just felt that having spent so much time & money with this heap, it was the least I could do to share that with you all.
Currently this car needs a front camber kit badly, as something on the front passenger side is not straight (I can't wait to find out what that is....), someone recently backed into my SiR hood (I got paid for it though), and the motor is in need of a valve adjustment, that, or the lma's are singing their song of needed replacement. And yes it has even replaced the previous third gear chirp with a less entertaining third gear grind, as well as fourth at higher rpms (might have to get gearspeed to fix that problem).
That said, Im really debating swapping everything over to another hatchback. Yes, an EF hatchback. There's nothing like them. I would take a CRX gladly, as I've dealth with having only two seats for quite some time now. I'm saving money and hopefully all my goals can become a reality in the near future. I just hope I can do it all sooner than later. Thanks for reading, and comments are obviously welcome.
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Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,318
Likes: 3
From: minneapolis MN
Re: EF biography-learn about my car (thevtecnician)
You know what I'm inspired. All the **** people talk about us, all the poeple who hate on us, all the people who tell us to buy a newer car, all the people who tell us it aint worth it, all the people who try to tell us where to go. expletive you! expletive all ya'll who didn't believe in us. expletive you who didn't support us. expletive you who didn't wanna help us when we had such simple questions about our hatches. Don't do that, do this they sad. This little old humble civic is the sequel to what started it all. Ever since I was young I was into honda's. At that time the strongest motor was the h22a and that's what I swapped in when I finally got the money and time to do it. Of course that's when the k20 came out but that's not the point. When I asked you guys if I should swap an h into my ef you laughed, hated, flamed, told me I shouldn't do it, told me all kinda things. Well I did it anyway. I'm not trying to take the light from the guy who spilled his story of his hatch, cuz I'm glad MR_CRX saw his dreams and hard work come to life. I just felt I had to say that. Everybody who rides an ef or ed or ef3 or whatever! Just keep representin! I still have my first car which is my ed and I'm proud of everything its come to be. And it'll never leave leave my sights on good terms. Nice hatch and I wish u luck on your project ef civic.
I'm sorry if I got carried away. I'm just spillin my thoughts.
I'm sorry if I got carried away. I'm just spillin my thoughts.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,244
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From: Bowling Green, KY, United States
Re: EF biography-learn about my car (thevtecnician)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thevtecnician »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hey what diagram did u use to wire your sir cluster up?</TD></TR></TABLE>
The one we had is long gone, but the same one is probably located in the EF/CRX FAQ area. good luck.
Thanks for the comments guys. Sometimes it's just fun to sit and remember what all has happened since you met your car.
The one we had is long gone, but the same one is probably located in the EF/CRX FAQ area. good luck.
Thanks for the comments guys. Sometimes it's just fun to sit and remember what all has happened since you met your car.
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 0
From: so cal, ca
Re: EF biography-learn about my car (stockbee)
man great write up i feel you on this, i am in such a similar situation right now poor college student, i almost bought a car with a jdm front end and b16 swap but decided not because i have to put my own sweat into my project and go threw it all as a lesson. Thank you again for the great write up. I believe that to some people a car is an extension of your self.
So whats up with the guys with fords
J/K
So whats up with the guys with fords
J/K
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,244
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From: Bowling Green, KY, United States
Re: EF biography-learn about my car (thevtecnician)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thevtecnician »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I'm not trying to take the light from the guy who spilled his story of his hatch, cuz I'm glad MR_CRX saw his dreams and hard work come to life. I just felt I had to say that.</TD></TR></TABLE>
wrong guy bro..haha.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by father figure »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">man great write up i feel you on this, i am in such a similar situation right now poor college student, i almost bought a car with a jdm front end and b16 swap but decided not because i have to put my own sweat into my project and go threw it all as a lesson. Thank you again for the great write up. I believe that to some people a car is an extension of your self.
So whats up with the guys with fords J/K</TD></TR></TABLE>
I totally understand where you're coming from bro. I don't know though, maybe now I wouldn't have a problem with buying one with something I've already worked through done to it again. like a front end conv. or a swap. but either way, it's not really yours unless you've done the work imo. I guess my real idea or point behind this all was to help everyone remember what got them started. I was always reading car magazines in high school in class. At parent teacher nights my teachers would always say something to the effect of "he's always got his nose in one of those car books", and that was the only bad thing they could say. haha
wrong guy bro..haha.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by father figure »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">man great write up i feel you on this, i am in such a similar situation right now poor college student, i almost bought a car with a jdm front end and b16 swap but decided not because i have to put my own sweat into my project and go threw it all as a lesson. Thank you again for the great write up. I believe that to some people a car is an extension of your self.
So whats up with the guys with fords J/K</TD></TR></TABLE>
I totally understand where you're coming from bro. I don't know though, maybe now I wouldn't have a problem with buying one with something I've already worked through done to it again. like a front end conv. or a swap. but either way, it's not really yours unless you've done the work imo. I guess my real idea or point behind this all was to help everyone remember what got them started. I was always reading car magazines in high school in class. At parent teacher nights my teachers would always say something to the effect of "he's always got his nose in one of those car books", and that was the only bad thing they could say. haha
Re: EF biography-learn about my car (stockbee)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by stockbee »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">lma's are singing their song of needed replacement.</TD></TR></TABLE>
mine too man , that sucks , anyway , nice hatch man
mine too man , that sucks , anyway , nice hatch man
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,735
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From: Portland, Oregon
Re: EF biography-learn about my car (EFOSV.)
Nice work
I kind of went through the same thing when I built my first turbo civic. Took me a number of years while I was going through college, and I cherished every single dollar I put into that thing.
It's funny though, it took me like three years to build my first one, then I got out of college and got a job... at which time I built another in just a few months.
Sounds like you appreciate what you have
Too many people these days don't. It's nice to see someone who does.
I kind of went through the same thing when I built my first turbo civic. Took me a number of years while I was going through college, and I cherished every single dollar I put into that thing.
It's funny though, it took me like three years to build my first one, then I got out of college and got a job... at which time I built another in just a few months.
Sounds like you appreciate what you have
Too many people these days don't. It's nice to see someone who does.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,683
Likes: 2
From: Columbus, OH
Re: EF biography-learn about my car (stockbee)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by stockbee »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> but that it had all the more to do with the EF/CRX fellas.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I wish they'd let the people in this forum vote and make it more then just Tech.
I love threads like this, it's motivation for myself, others, and it's just plain enjoyable.
I'd make one myself, but it'd probably get both of ours moved to GDD.......where all the hating/flaming spoke of by vtecnician would go down.
Keep Up The Good Work bro, and I recomend keeping her, worst decision ever was letting my 1st CRX go........
I wish they'd let the people in this forum vote and make it more then just Tech.
I love threads like this, it's motivation for myself, others, and it's just plain enjoyable.
I'd make one myself, but it'd probably get both of ours moved to GDD.......where all the hating/flaming spoke of by vtecnician would go down.
Keep Up The Good Work bro, and I recomend keeping her, worst decision ever was letting my 1st CRX go........
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,244
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From: Bowling Green, KY, United States
Re: (Voodooboy520)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Voodooboy520 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm headed off to college in my 91 ZC swapped CRX. Considering I've replaced almost every seal on that engine and I did the swap myself, I know the immense pride you have for your car.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
no doubt man, it was nice being able to have that confidence in my car on the way down there. Didn't miss a beat at all. Even if something went wrong I knew it wouldn't be with all the parts that I ruled out per say...so that was awesome.<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EJ1 wilcox »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Nice work
I kind of went through the same thing when I built my first turbo civic. Took me a number of years while I was going through college, and I cherished every single dollar I put into that thing.
It's funny though, it took me like three years to build my first one, then I got out of college and got a job... at which time I built another in just a few months.
Sounds like you appreciate what you have
Too many people these days don't. It's nice to see someone who does. </TD></TR></TABLE>
I look forward to the day when I can plan a build, have a job that will provide the necessary funding, and complete in less than six months or so. Having this project for such a long time has made me appreciate it more though. And the plan isn't necessarily to get rid of mine, but to have a cleaner ride altogether, Ill probably keep her , it might just get driven by my little brother after I swap a sohc back into it.
</TD></TR></TABLE>no doubt man, it was nice being able to have that confidence in my car on the way down there. Didn't miss a beat at all. Even if something went wrong I knew it wouldn't be with all the parts that I ruled out per say...so that was awesome.<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EJ1 wilcox »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Nice work
I kind of went through the same thing when I built my first turbo civic. Took me a number of years while I was going through college, and I cherished every single dollar I put into that thing.
It's funny though, it took me like three years to build my first one, then I got out of college and got a job... at which time I built another in just a few months.
Sounds like you appreciate what you have
Too many people these days don't. It's nice to see someone who does. </TD></TR></TABLE>
I look forward to the day when I can plan a build, have a job that will provide the necessary funding, and complete in less than six months or so. Having this project for such a long time has made me appreciate it more though. And the plan isn't necessarily to get rid of mine, but to have a cleaner ride altogether, Ill probably keep her , it might just get driven by my little brother after I swap a sohc back into it.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,244
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From: Bowling Green, KY, United States
Bump, thanks again guys. Glad to know others feel the same way as I.
I apologize for that pic looking so dark(that last one), I didn't realize the quality got so much worse after i downsized and hosted it.
I apologize for that pic looking so dark(that last one), I didn't realize the quality got so much worse after i downsized and hosted it.
Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 0
From: MN, United States
Re: (stockbee)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by stockbee »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Here is the "torqueless monster in all it's stock glory (had it three years and haven't even put on an intake....what is my problem???)
</TD></TR></TABLE>
something ive kinda thought about for a little bit. first thing that came to mind when you said an "intake", i thought of a short ram air intake. ive had one on my car for a while, and so have a lot of other people. but what ive thought about is... its actually hot air going into the engine, and hot air will lose power. cuz some of these cars that come stock with "ram air" also have openeings in their hood that allow outside air in, our hondas dont.... but there is always the "cold air intake system" which is twice the price if not more of a ram air piping/filter. unless you go out and buy the brand names like aem/k&n/injen and such.
Here is the "torqueless monster in all it's stock glory (had it three years and haven't even put on an intake....what is my problem???)
</TD></TR></TABLE>
something ive kinda thought about for a little bit. first thing that came to mind when you said an "intake", i thought of a short ram air intake. ive had one on my car for a while, and so have a lot of other people. but what ive thought about is... its actually hot air going into the engine, and hot air will lose power. cuz some of these cars that come stock with "ram air" also have openeings in their hood that allow outside air in, our hondas dont.... but there is always the "cold air intake system" which is twice the price if not more of a ram air piping/filter. unless you go out and buy the brand names like aem/k&n/injen and such.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,244
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From: Bowling Green, KY, United States
i don't know man, personally i've ....wait a sec. my name is blane. and you're from Blaine minnesota, WEIRD. anyway, I never expect to get much power out of an intake in the first place, if anything some top end. I'd rather have the short ram intake for the throttle response really. just my opinion I suppose.
MEAT PATTY
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,633
Likes: 2
From: White Suburbia, PA
Re: (stockbee)
Your story sound very similar to mine. I bought a 90 civic si back in my senior year of high school for $500. I put a b16 in it that summer it ran great. I was on my way to college I drove it up to school and all around town. I loved that damn car then it all came to a end one snowy weekend driving home during my senior year in college. The car spun around in the snow and smacked the rocks along the turnpike wall. A rock came through the floor and my world came crashing down. Then I found a 88std model for $100 that I should of never bought because its so rusted and it remains rusted. I swapped everything from the 90 civic si and put on the 88std model. I mean everything, the entire wiring harness from headlight to tailight. It was a pain in the *** I was sleeping over at my job to finish the everything. One of the purks of working at a performance shop in college. I used to sleep on the waiting room couch and wake up the next day and do work. I went from this.
To this
When your broke in college sometimes this what you can only afford
To this
When your broke in college sometimes this what you can only afford