My 1994 5sp is mostly restored/upgraded now (labor-wise), the entire braking/entire suspension completed.

I'm finishing the planning for the engine/clutch/exhaust now, these get done this winter, then it's done. I'm going to build up the original F22, as I have been planning for 2.5 years now while I worked on the suspension/brake systems, as time and $$$ permitted.

For those of you who are just starting, or "dreaming" into the future, a note on restoration/upgraing, from my many years of experience and my current experience with this car.

You would think a "balanced" entire rework of a car would have "most" of the money into the engine/clutch/exhaust, much less in the brake/suspension systems. NOT TRUE!

If you really go through these systems thoroughly, you will find they will cost AT LEAST as much as the engine/clutch. When you start installing HP driveshafts/wheel-bearings/SS brakelines/calipers/master cyl./hardware-kits/rotors/all frame-bushings/control-arms, etc/ etc /etc, the parts cost adds up very, very fast.

Note these parts are IN ADDITION to a "general" brakepad/spring-strut or coilover kit!

I thought I would include this friendly warning for the rookies- the 'in-depth' rework costs $$$$ more than the brakepad and basic suspension eqpt. package in the "mag". Some thoughts for those of you planning to rework these systems, DEFINITELY think about these issues when buying a car with very high miles! Parts wear out, even on Hondas!

Reality, guys. I didn't go nuts $$$ on the struts/springs, but so far I have around $4800 in receipts for the brake/suspension systems! Off the top of my head, this INCLUDES around $750-800 for the "core" brakepad/spring/struts part of the rebuild. Once again, not really explained in the "mag", the one with the picture of a 'project-car' that really cost $50K to build!!

After I get the engine dropped in and finish the sanding/painting, I'll post a pictorial/parts-list, by system, for the entire car rebuild, so you can see what a medium-cost restoration costs. I don't have time now, I have to get going on the engine, but I'll do it then so I only have to post the entire parts-list once. That way if you have plans to eventually go through a car entirely you'll be able to see what you're "in for" $$$, maybe get some ideas.

Just so you can get an idea- so far the rough budget for the engine parts+machine-work/flywheel/clutch-pack/intake work/injectors/MSD ignition/TB work/fuel-pump, etc. is sitting at about $5500. Once again, nothing outrageous, but note the cost relative to the brakes/suspension?

So you know- I bought this car new in '94, A++ maintenance, only 115K original miles, it looks about 3 years old. The suspension/brakes are now good for another 15 years, the engine is being build for DD dependability VS. "racing", so it will be good for another 15+ years.

So, after I do the prep and have the paint "shot" I'll have about $12K into the car (including existing forged rims/ $$$ Bridgestones), spent over about 3.5 years. The car will go to at least 30 years/300K+ miles total. Dependable, cheap to insure and register, good on gas. The numbers CAN make sense, $12K spent so we can drive the car another 15 years/200K+ miles, maybe spend a few bucks here and there on maintenance/minor repairs.

I thought I'd include this so the younger guys here will know you CAN justify the restoring/upgrading if you DONT go overboard and any one system $$$$, you take care of the car, and you do ALL THE LABOR. If I had PAID for the labor, I estimate I'd already have another $4-5K into the car, easily!! Another $2K for the labor for the engine/exhaust/clutch install.

Now back to the engine. I finally found a good machinist, and know generally where I'm going with parts. I've done quite a bit of research/reading about I4 engine design, but I still have some design parameters I'm ironing out, and I sure could use a good BOOK that covers, in depth, general ideas of F22 buildup.

The type info I need is:
1) Intake/exhaust/TB porting information
2) Piston design for compression increase
3) Shotpeen/balance VS new connecting rods
4) Crank balancing information
5) Cam design ideas/cam-gear usage
6) Info. RE valve oversizing and spring design
7) Potential ideas for balancing/lightening a STEEL flywheel
8) Info on stock ECU usage/rechipping and controller interfacing
9) Info RE parameters for fuel-injector upsizing
10) Info RE "balancing" cam/valvetrain/piston/crank design
11) Info RE final tuning

I'm headed for naturally aspirated/no boost/no turbo, not a race-engine, a "few" notches up from stock. I know what companies I'm going to buy the parts from, but I need to finalize the parts-design.

I found (2) very good books for Civic engines, one with some very basic info for the H series blocks. I took apart Amazon, but the problem is ACCORD engine books are hard to find, and it is VERY hard to figure out what you are buying from the book "descriptions".

I'm a solid mechanic, but I haven't built a block in 20 years, and I used to build big block V8's (EASY!). I need more information for separate parts-design before finalizing the overall design.

I don't need an extremely technical book, like you would need to engineer a race-engine, but one that discusses basic I4 internal/valvetrain upgrades and gets into the technical issues of cam/valve/piston/rod, etc, design.

PLEASE, drop me a note if you know of such a book. I'm itching to get the parts-design finalized and get going on this engine this winter. I do need a good engine-design book, though.

So far the project is very, very nice, and, as usual, I won't buy one part or break one bolt loose until I have the entire engine planned out on paper. Later-
Thanks- Wrenchy