So I bought a '90 DX hatch off a friend of mine about a month ago for $900. I saw other people creating "look at my new car" threads and thought I'd join in. It's 206,000 miles, engine rebuilt 30k ago. I want to fix it up, and do some moderate mods to make it a combination DD/occasional track car (I'm hoping to take it to a HPDE event in a few weeks). So far I've replaced the front and rear brakes, got some new wheels, changed the oil and sparkplugs installed no-name ebay intake, rear strut bar and c-pillar bar along with some ricer cornerlamps (cheaper than OEM), and attacked a few of the rust spots with sandpaper and rustoleum. I've also got a new OEM radiator coming tomorrow.

Now I need some advice on a few issues, first the body: What I'd really like to do is strip all the paint, deal with the rust and then prime and paint it with rustoleum or something similar, but I've never done anything like this before. Whats the best method of stripping all the paint, a friend of mine has a sandblaster which I figured would be a good method of doing this, but once again neither I nor my friend has any experience with a sand blaster (its his dads) and it seems rather messy, is there an easier way other than just sandpaper and elbow grease? Also as the pictures show I've got a few rust holes, the previous owner repaired part of the quarterpanels with new sheet metal and then painted over it, some rust was coming through so I attacked it and got more than I barged for because of the new-ish paint, I got to some of the rust but I'm worred about more inside. Any ideas? I figured bondo but that wouldn't solve the inner rust. For the underbody I was thinking that it would be easier to just use POR than to get to all the rust.

Now to the mechanics, everything runs fine no overheating issues, clutch is in decent shape etc etc. Since we don't have any form of inspection here in Michigan (I know I'm lucky ) the previous owner got away with removing the catalytic converter and replacing it with straight pipe because he was too cheap to buy a new one. Is there any disadvantage to this other than increased pollution? Also what kind of oil should I be using? The stock airbox had printed on it that I should be using 5w-30 (which I have in it now) but I've been told by one person that during the summer I should use 10w-30 and by another person that due to the high milage I should move up to a 40 rated oil. Any thoughts? Also what kind of gains could I expect by installing a new header? I can't imagine it would be sizable.

Now suspension! I'm planning on ordering the Tokico Illumina package that comes with the Tokico lowering springs, anyone know anything about these springs? I've heard excellent things about the Illumina shocks themselves. Also while I'm down there are there any bushings or other pieces that I should think about replacing? If there are please explain which ones to me with small words and pictures if possible because I know pretty much nothing about suspensions.

Sorry for the length and thanks a lot, any help/comments/advice about anything on the car is greatly appreciated.
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Modified by mit7059 at 6:44 PM 7/29/2008

 

ok just to help you out a little bit....try posting your body paragraph in paint and body forum...and the suspension in the suspension forum...it will be easier for people to answer when they are in the right forum

 

dude, the first thing you should do is drop a b16 or b18 in the ef(your car). you said you wanna use ya car for the track. you must wanna run 30secs in a 1/4 mile. the body is fine for its year so just do me a favor and focus on an engine upgrade.

 

dont go to a higher oil viscosity if your car doesnt need it

i think honda states 5w-30 recomended 10w-30 is still ok but dont go higher unless yer car has some worn out friggin rings

 

I'd love to but I don't think I can afford an engine swap right now, and I've been told that the best way to learn how to drive quickly on a track is to drive an underpowered car.