Elf's 91 hatch build thread. (LONG over due...)
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From: sparks, nv
Elf's 91 hatch build thread. (Project LONG over due...)
SOME BACKGROUND INFO
Car: 1991 Honda Civic Dx
I originally bought this car back in sep/oct of 05. And as far as I know, I am the third owner. I got the car bone stock, besides being <U>SLAMMED</U> to the ground and sitting on del sol rims. I went through a MAJOR hassle to get the title, which involved swapping in another dual point motor, having to pass California smog, and a TON of fees, tickets and fines. That being said, I finally had it registered/titled in my name late February/March of 06. Due to HUGE problems with the dmv both in California and Nevada, registration was due come November. Car wouldn't pass smog for the life of it this time around, due to timing issues/stripped tensioner bolt when I changed the water pump and timing belt. (A first for me.)
Come about march april I got a pretty good deal on a used momo champion wheel from my old job. I decided to part ways with the dx wheel, and installed it, along with an real mugen horn button. I also pieced together black si seats (both front and rear) an lx guage cluster, (lol wannabe si) and pretty much kept it stock.
Fast forward to Dec. '06
After working my way in and around some of the dmv "Rules and Regulations," I finally had it registered here in Nevada, without passing smog.
No more then 3 damn days later, the driver side lower ball joint/bolt decided to separate on me while JUST exiting the freeway one night. 
Causing this:
With the current state of the car, I decided that the car has been long over due for some nice changes. First, to Swap in a b16 swap that I've been putting off for one reason or another. That and the fact that it would probably cost just as much to replace both axles on the d series, as they have since been shot.
I've been piecing together this swap before I even bought the car,(about 2 years now...) so I GUESS you could say I've been lagging...
Simple mods include a fidanza 8lb flywheel, Unorthodox crank pulley, dc header, and a full obd1 conversion.
As far as swaps go, I've done them in my friends cars and such, but this is the first for me on my own car.
*****12/12/06*****
I worked on doing alot of the simple stuff today, since I had no cherry picker and a short time frame. Pulled the radiator, air box, coolant lines, clutch cable, unplugged the harness, and attempted to remove the dx throttle cable. (unsuccessful on that one...damn you.) Later in the evening after class I picked up a cherry picker from my friend's house and are now set for tomorrow. yay.
stay tuned!
*****12/14/06*****
I, along with sXekid and eL_cArLoS worked on pulling the motor last night, until about 10pm. Everything went real smooth, and real quick. The only problem we had was with the passenger side lower ball joint. Much like the driver side, the stud is loose and stripped. So, being the genius I am, (lol) we unbolted the lower control arm and the sway bar/crossmember bar off of it. Later I guess I'll just hack the bolt/stud off with a grinder or something, since I plan on using DA knuckles/hubs. We just didn't want to worry about it last night. Motor came out easily, and today im going to do some work on the engine bay. Pics to follow!!
Heres a pic of my pass. side axle....that's what that clicking noise was!!! lol
Stay tuned!
*****12/16/06******
Last night I worked on the wiring. I plan on relocating the battery and fuse box, along with a nice mild wire tuck. Heres some photos showing the progress:
Here you can see the fuse box has already been tucked under the dash, along with the necessary wires.
Here you can see all the wires loose like a goose....
And I didn't get anything accomplished today due to a minor inconvenience, my "job" and this:
stay tuned!
*****12/18/06*****
Today I relocated the battery into the back. Junk in da trunk! I originally wanted to put it on the pass. side, for atleast a little bit of weight distribution...but since im maintaining my spare tire, and didnt feel like finding some selftaping screws big enough for the ground, I just stuck it on the driverside. I used the metal bracket where the jack goes to put the ground, and ran the power wire along where driverside wire harness and hatch latch cable go.
Interior all out...what a pain in the ***!
Heres how I ran the power cable.
And heres where I found my ground.
Ill get some better pics with everything back together tomorrow. I also shot my engine bay with some Simple Green. Really cleaned everything up nicely.
Stay tuned!
*****12/19/06*****
So today I feel like I finally got alot accopmlished. The motor is in finally, along with the new radiator. (fluidyne!) This was a pain in the ***, to say the least.
CLEARENCE!!!
peek-a-boo
And this is what it looks like when you throw your charcoal canister on the ground in a fit of rage.
*****01/04/2004*****
Today I worked on the car for a little bit, due to weather conditions. (Rain & snow off and on all day.) I installed the DA pass side knuckle/hub assembly today, but couldnt do the driverside one due to a stripped lugbolt. I also finished up the cabin wiring, and found that the ecu is throwing only a code 6. Simple enough. Pics will follow tomorrow.
*****1/08/07*****
So today, you could say I was in the right place at the right time. I headed on down to summit racing today to purchase some sway-bar endlinks/bushing things made by energy suspension. My old bushing were worn out, and for $15 I like the added bling if nothing else. While on my way out, I walked over by the demo rack, and noticed a few things that were on display when I worked there! So, I had to pick them up. Edelbrock victor X intake manifold, fully pollished, $100!!! And a jdm k20/k24 valve cover, $50!!! YEAH! I also mounted up the DA knuckles. When I picked them up from the junkyard, I forgot to get the caliper mounting brackets. (DOH!) 
Oh well.
Notice all the fittings and fuel rail that was included!! OMGZ1!!
*****01/11/07*****
So the past couple of days have definately popped out a few surprises. I knew the project wasn't going to be THAT easy. Yesterday when I attempted to see if the manifold that I bought would fit, I was presented with the aroma of gasoline. Okay, maybe a few wiffs here and there are not so bad, but this, COME ON!!!
That's right, GASOLINE! Apparently the number two fuel injector is stuck open. OOPS on me and my wiring skills. So after swapping out the injector with another one, it proved my wiring was a little unfinished. (Although I wish it could have been as simple as a bad injector!)
So I took off the engine harness and traced back the wires. Turns out, I didn't have that wire pinned in right. The harness I have is pretty sweet though;
If I had to make one complaint about the entire harness, it's that they mixed the colors up on these injector wires....oh well though. No biggie.
Here you can see the extra plugs they installed, makes converting to mpfi and vtec a lot easier.
I also got my brakes yesterday You can see the teggy ones are just a bit bigger then the dx ones.
More updates later. I hope to have the motor started/running by tuesday/wednesday. Stay tuned!
*****1/18/07*****
So, I deffinately don't have the engine fired up yet.
You guys are going to be dissapointed in me... When I wired the mpfi/vtec wiring, I mixed up the ecu plugs. NO I didn't wire the wrong ones, just wired them backwards. So, needless to say, all the wiring is wrong...Atleast at the ecu plugs. Should be easy to fix, just frustrating.
But on the good side, I did manage to modify my fan a bit, got that mounted up, and bolted the header down. Mounts right up to the stock dx exhaust. Not power-making, but sleeper style fo sho! I plan on making a custome exhaust later-on down the road, so this will do for now.
*****1/23/07*****
Okay, quick update before bed, I've got class at 8 tomorrow!
The motor runs! Its alive! Got all the wiring situated, so the car starts and runs pretty good. (as far as I can tell so far...)
Installed and bled the new brakes today as well. Shiney!
BUT having major issues with the shift linkage being too SHORT, thats right, too short. But should have that done by thursday and will be able to put it on the ground. goodnight.
*****2/10/07*****
So I should have updated this a while ago, since ive been driving the car for about two weeks now, but one of those cases where I just forgot. lol. Anyways, heres some photos of us finishing it up:
What happens when you give a monkey a grinder??!?!?
He shaves his vlave cover!!!!
This is what your welds loook like when you run out of co2 and am to lazy and cheap to go get your tank refilledthis will come back to bite me in the ***. 
)
Tried to clean them up....
Monkeys still at work on something...
Such great help!
Finally driving that bitch!!
Finished product:
Notice the ground clearence:
Modified by elf at 3:53 PM 2/10/2007
Car: 1991 Honda Civic Dx
I originally bought this car back in sep/oct of 05. And as far as I know, I am the third owner. I got the car bone stock, besides being <U>SLAMMED</U> to the ground and sitting on del sol rims. I went through a MAJOR hassle to get the title, which involved swapping in another dual point motor, having to pass California smog, and a TON of fees, tickets and fines. That being said, I finally had it registered/titled in my name late February/March of 06. Due to HUGE problems with the dmv both in California and Nevada, registration was due come November. Car wouldn't pass smog for the life of it this time around, due to timing issues/stripped tensioner bolt when I changed the water pump and timing belt. (A first for me.)
Come about march april I got a pretty good deal on a used momo champion wheel from my old job. I decided to part ways with the dx wheel, and installed it, along with an real mugen horn button. I also pieced together black si seats (both front and rear) an lx guage cluster, (lol wannabe si) and pretty much kept it stock.
Fast forward to Dec. '06
After working my way in and around some of the dmv "Rules and Regulations," I finally had it registered here in Nevada, without passing smog.
No more then 3 damn days later, the driver side lower ball joint/bolt decided to separate on me while JUST exiting the freeway one night. Causing this:With the current state of the car, I decided that the car has been long over due for some nice changes. First, to Swap in a b16 swap that I've been putting off for one reason or another. That and the fact that it would probably cost just as much to replace both axles on the d series, as they have since been shot.
I've been piecing together this swap before I even bought the car,(about 2 years now...) so I GUESS you could say I've been lagging...
Simple mods include a fidanza 8lb flywheel, Unorthodox crank pulley, dc header, and a full obd1 conversion. As far as swaps go, I've done them in my friends cars and such, but this is the first for me on my own car.
*****12/12/06*****
I worked on doing alot of the simple stuff today, since I had no cherry picker and a short time frame. Pulled the radiator, air box, coolant lines, clutch cable, unplugged the harness, and attempted to remove the dx throttle cable. (unsuccessful on that one...damn you.) Later in the evening after class I picked up a cherry picker from my friend's house and are now set for tomorrow. yay.
stay tuned!
*****12/14/06*****
I, along with sXekid and eL_cArLoS worked on pulling the motor last night, until about 10pm. Everything went real smooth, and real quick. The only problem we had was with the passenger side lower ball joint. Much like the driver side, the stud is loose and stripped. So, being the genius I am, (lol) we unbolted the lower control arm and the sway bar/crossmember bar off of it. Later I guess I'll just hack the bolt/stud off with a grinder or something, since I plan on using DA knuckles/hubs. We just didn't want to worry about it last night. Motor came out easily, and today im going to do some work on the engine bay. Pics to follow!!
Heres a pic of my pass. side axle....that's what that clicking noise was!!! lol
Stay tuned!
*****12/16/06******
Last night I worked on the wiring. I plan on relocating the battery and fuse box, along with a nice mild wire tuck. Heres some photos showing the progress:
Here you can see the fuse box has already been tucked under the dash, along with the necessary wires.
Here you can see all the wires loose like a goose....
And I didn't get anything accomplished today due to a minor inconvenience, my "job" and this:
stay tuned!
*****12/18/06*****
Today I relocated the battery into the back. Junk in da trunk! I originally wanted to put it on the pass. side, for atleast a little bit of weight distribution...but since im maintaining my spare tire, and didnt feel like finding some selftaping screws big enough for the ground, I just stuck it on the driverside. I used the metal bracket where the jack goes to put the ground, and ran the power wire along where driverside wire harness and hatch latch cable go.
Interior all out...what a pain in the ***!
Heres how I ran the power cable.
And heres where I found my ground.
Ill get some better pics with everything back together tomorrow. I also shot my engine bay with some Simple Green. Really cleaned everything up nicely.
Stay tuned!
*****12/19/06*****
So today I feel like I finally got alot accopmlished. The motor is in finally, along with the new radiator. (fluidyne!) This was a pain in the ***, to say the least.
CLEARENCE!!!
peek-a-boo
And this is what it looks like when you throw your charcoal canister on the ground in a fit of rage.
*****01/04/2004*****
Today I worked on the car for a little bit, due to weather conditions. (Rain & snow off and on all day.) I installed the DA pass side knuckle/hub assembly today, but couldnt do the driverside one due to a stripped lugbolt. I also finished up the cabin wiring, and found that the ecu is throwing only a code 6. Simple enough. Pics will follow tomorrow.
*****1/08/07*****
So today, you could say I was in the right place at the right time. I headed on down to summit racing today to purchase some sway-bar endlinks/bushing things made by energy suspension. My old bushing were worn out, and for $15 I like the added bling if nothing else.
While on my way out, I walked over by the demo rack, and noticed a few things that were on display when I worked there! So, I had to pick them up. Edelbrock victor X intake manifold, fully pollished, $100!!! And a jdm k20/k24 valve cover, $50!!! YEAH! I also mounted up the DA knuckles. When I picked them up from the junkyard, I forgot to get the caliper mounting brackets. (DOH!) Oh well. Notice all the fittings and fuel rail that was included!! OMGZ1!!
*****01/11/07*****
So the past couple of days have definately popped out a few surprises. I knew the project wasn't going to be THAT easy. Yesterday when I attempted to see if the manifold that I bought would fit, I was presented with the aroma of gasoline. Okay, maybe a few wiffs here and there are not so bad, but this, COME ON!!!
That's right, GASOLINE! Apparently the number two fuel injector is stuck open. OOPS on me and my wiring skills. So after swapping out the injector with another one, it proved my wiring was a little unfinished. (Although I wish it could have been as simple as a bad injector!)
So I took off the engine harness and traced back the wires. Turns out, I didn't have that wire pinned in right. The harness I have is pretty sweet though;
If I had to make one complaint about the entire harness, it's that they mixed the colors up on these injector wires....oh well though. No biggie.
Here you can see the extra plugs they installed, makes converting to mpfi and vtec a lot easier.
I also got my brakes yesterday
You can see the teggy ones are just a bit bigger then the dx ones. More updates later. I hope to have the motor started/running by tuesday/wednesday. Stay tuned!
*****1/18/07*****
So, I deffinately don't have the engine fired up yet.
You guys are going to be dissapointed in me... When I wired the mpfi/vtec wiring, I mixed up the ecu plugs. NO I didn't wire the wrong ones, just wired them backwards. So, needless to say, all the wiring is wrong...Atleast at the ecu plugs. Should be easy to fix, just frustrating. But on the good side, I did manage to modify my fan a bit, got that mounted up, and bolted the header down. Mounts right up to the stock dx exhaust. Not power-making, but sleeper style fo sho! I plan on making a custome exhaust later-on down the road, so this will do for now.
*****1/23/07*****
Okay, quick update before bed, I've got class at 8 tomorrow!
The motor runs! Its alive! Got all the wiring situated, so the car starts and runs pretty good. (as far as I can tell so far...)
Installed and bled the new brakes today as well. Shiney!
BUT having major issues with the shift linkage being too SHORT, thats right, too short. But should have that done by thursday and will be able to put it on the ground. goodnight.
*****2/10/07*****
So I should have updated this a while ago, since ive been driving the car for about two weeks now, but one of those cases where I just forgot. lol. Anyways, heres some photos of us finishing it up:
What happens when you give a monkey a grinder??!?!?
He shaves his vlave cover!!!!
This is what your welds loook like when you run out of co2 and am to lazy and cheap to go get your tank refilled
this will come back to bite me in the ***. )Tried to clean them up....
Monkeys still at work on something...
Such great help!
Finally driving that bitch!!
Finished product:
Notice the ground clearence:
Modified by elf at 3:53 PM 2/10/2007
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 886
Likes: 0
From: Loudoun County, VA
Re: Elf's 91 hatch build thread. (elf)
nice looking EF
it's definitely going to cost you more to throw in the B16 then to replace the axles on the D
don't forget you have to buy the axles for the B swap, shift linkage. lots of little goodies
seeing your mishap with the balljoint, i think i'd wanna go thru and replace all the bushings and ball joints on the car first.
it's definitely going to cost you more to throw in the B16 then to replace the axles on the D
don't forget you have to buy the axles for the B swap, shift linkage. lots of little goodies
seeing your mishap with the balljoint, i think i'd wanna go thru and replace all the bushings and ball joints on the car first.
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 735
Likes: 0
From: sparks, nv
Re: Elf's 91 hatch build thread. (hybridmoments)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hybridmoments »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">nice looking EF
it's definitely going to cost you more to throw in the B16 then to replace the axles on the D
don't forget you have to buy the axles for the B swap, shift linkage. lots of little goodies
seeing your mishap with the balljoint, i think i'd wanna go thru and replace all the bushings and ball joints on the car first. </TD></TR></TABLE>
ive already got everything to do it, including new b series axles. its already to go, ive just been lagging.
it's definitely going to cost you more to throw in the B16 then to replace the axles on the D
don't forget you have to buy the axles for the B swap, shift linkage. lots of little goodies
seeing your mishap with the balljoint, i think i'd wanna go thru and replace all the bushings and ball joints on the car first. </TD></TR></TABLE>
ive already got everything to do it, including new b series axles. its already to go, ive just been lagging.
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Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 735
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From: sparks, nv
Re: (gator88)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by gator88 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">subscribed i love build threads, as long as they have pictures!!!</TD></TR></TABLE>
lots and lots of pics!!
i love build threads, as long as they have pictures!!!</TD></TR></TABLE>lots and lots of pics!!
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,318
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From: boonies, ct
Re: (gator88)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by gator88 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">subscribed i love build threads, as long as they have pictures!!!</TD></TR></TABLE>
i love build threads, as long as they have pictures!!!</TD></TR></TABLE>
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 929
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From: Im at, the bar
Re: Elf's 91 hatch build thread. (elf)
Clean car, good luck! Keep us posted man. Ive wanted to start a build thread but over the last month Ive only pulled my dash out/replaced heater core and tore out carpet . Im hoping to do a good [DIY] on LMA'S that Ill most likely be doing in the near future though.
. Im hoping to do a good [DIY] on LMA'S that Ill most likely be doing in the near future though.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,156
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From: Reno, NV, USA
Re: Elf's 91 hatch build thread. (sXekid)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sXekid »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">old dual point motor is out. </TD></TR></TABLE>
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,356
Likes: 2
Re: Elf's 91 hatch build thread. (sXekid)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by elf »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"></TD></TR></TABLE>
haha same **** happened to me now i never forget the cotter pin.
</TD></TR></TABLE>haha same **** happened to me now i never forget the cotter pin.
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,078
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From: las vegas, nv, USA
Re: Elf's 91 hatch build thread. (La-Quiete)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by La-Quiete »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Damn nice car, Working in the snow+cold, must suck ***, I dont even like working on my car below 60 degree's, i must be lazy as hell.</TD></TR></TABLE>
snow.. dont even try.
cold... sucks alot. hit your hand on something and it feels like your hand just broke or is on the ground somewhere.
snow.. dont even try.
cold... sucks alot. hit your hand on something and it feels like your hand just broke or is on the ground somewhere.
. Good luck on the build. 