Hey guys I have a pretty big road trip coming up. I have to drive from NY to Louisiana and I'm taking my 94 EJ1 that has 240k on the clock but that's just on the body. Motor's been swapped with another Z6 because the original kicked at 212k. I replaced both front ball joints and tie rods and a driver side wheel bearing, I did my brakes including rotors and pads 2 months ago. I have brand new tires which are 185-65-14's on steelies i'll be driving on. now the downside, The motor that's in it now has bad valve seals and smokes in vtec and burns oil past 5k. but the brightside is i had a rebuilt head i will be installing before the trip. So here's what I have planned so far. New headgasket, Rebuilt head install, new intake manifold gasket, exhaust gasket, and timing belt water pump. also i will be doing a tune up on the ignition. but the bottom end will be untouched. I don't really know how many miles are on it but i've had the car now for about 3 years with no issues on the bottom end. the head has always smoked in vtec since i got it but just got worst but it does not blow blue at idle or under light load. is there anything else i should do before this 2500 mile round trip? also it has an ex tranny so it's gonna be a shitty drive :p but it's a stock exhaust thank god lol....

 

-check the fluid levels
-change your oil and oil filter
-check the tire pressure
-visually inspect drive belts
-make sure headlights, taillights, turn signals are all good
-check spark plugs. in fact, i would just replace those. It's only $8 a box for NGK V-power (all you need to buy), and $1 for antiseize at the counter
-maybe grab a bottle of lucas fuel stabilizer for ~$5 and use it for the first few fillups on your trip. Might assist you a little with gas mileage.

 

Basically here's a quick rundown of what I have done so far. Oil change with the purolator gold filter and castrol high mileage, cost me like 40 bucks but i hope it's well worth it :p, brand new belts as in alt and powersteering which only have like 3k miles on them, alt was replaced sometime last year, topped off fluids like brake and powersteering. i will flush the radiator and put fresh coolant when i do the head swap, brand new headlight bulbs gotta check the signals and taillights. gotta do new plugs anyways since they are almost due for a change, i usually do a tune up once a year.

 

the only thing im worried about is the motor being ran at 3200k for a long time on the highway, is that bad for it?

 

No, that's better for it...

highway driving is better for the engine for a reason. A constant RPM (only reasonable RPMs of course) yields you the best gas mileage and the least amount of stress on the engine.

Got cruise control? If so, use it.

 

hell yeah man gotta love it.

 

highway is actually better for the car, thats why cars get better highway MPG

 

cruise control is about the best added feature to cars since power windows.

idk why people get rid of it

 

I really don't wanna end up on the side of the road let alone get break down in some boondocks out in lousiana, you know....that's bayou country *banjo plays* but enough of that. Are there any other precautions should i take?

 

Amen to that. Hence: https://honda-tech.com/forums/showthread.php?p=36595023

 

Bump..... Anyone got anymore suggestions?

 

Good list at the begining....hope i didn't miss it, but an "alignment" would be a wise move

 

check tire pressures while cold. shoudl be 32 all around.

and air up your spare to 60 psi.

make sure you have a car jack and wheel lock key or lug nut wrench in working order.

number one cause of breakdowns on the highway are overheating and tire issues.

 

agreed

 

and make sure your tires are balanced..nothing more annoying on a long drive then a shaking steering wheel at 65mph+

 

I've always kept a small suitcase with some tools to do some basic repairs while on the road, replace hoses, belts, tire repair kit, air compressor, duct tape, extra hose clamps, emergancy hoses, flares, fix-a-flat, premixed antifreeze, 2-3 qts of oil, hi temp rtv, and an up to date roadside assistance card. You can get AAA roadside assistance for like 15-20 a month.

 

Yeah that's what I was afraid, mainly overheating issues. But i don't see any problems since I got a new head on the way.

 

x2 The top list. I would also suggest bringing a phillups, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, and 17mm. Make sure your fuse box has spares.

 

^another great tip. Bring a basic portable tool set with you.

 

you going to have any room left for your suitcase?

 

He should, Everything I had in my "just in case" case was the size of a carry on.