I am a total newbie to building cars... I have some ideas of what I would like to do (e.g. normal aspiration, close to stock height, no jdm body mods, etc).

I just bought a 1996 Integra GS-R.

I was wondering... from those of you with a lot more experience* than I:

What are some of the biggest mistakes you've either done yourself, you've seen, or you've heard about?

 

Don't buy parts off craigslist!! Stick to the Honda marketplace, oem, or buy new from shops sponsored on Honda tech. Welcome.

 

A good alarm is #1... I've had too many cars not as nice as this one broken into and stolen and this one is popular for that.

I don't buy anything off Craigslist that I cant test myself... I'm a geek so gadgets, no problem... I'm a wanna be gear head but I don't know enough so I will buy from reputable places. I have a local friend with access to wholesale OEM parts and of course the places you mentioned for online resources.

Thanks for the advice! Its good to know I'm not just a paranoid weirdo about craigs/off market stuff and security... I always feel like I'm overly picky but the first two responses!! Awesome!!

 

Lets see my list of mistakes is endless at best.

-Get a great alarm, and do a stealth install.

-Don't buy cheap **** from ebay. Save your money and buy quality parts.

-ALWAYS use oem honda parts when ever possible. Honda has to warranty their parts so...you can figure the rest out

-Think things over before you spend money and do your damn research so you don't end up with junk parts.

-Just remember...if something doesn't sound right, or seems outlandish...it probably is.

 

dont forget to check your oil/coolant on a fairly regular basis. ive seen plenty of perfectly good motors ruined just from their owners being lazy and letting them run out of fluids.

 

Double and triple read this.^
It doesn't take long to get out once a week and check your fluids. Or even once daily.

 

dont listen to anyone from honda tech mistake are made bye everyone on here it you car build it to your liking

 

lots of good advice here. But i think it all falls into the catigory of having a goal. don't just say i wanna turbo. Plan you finished product in your head and work towards your goal. it's yours have fun with it. And of course the form is function. GL

 

Ditto that ^^^

"dont listen to anyone from honda tech" That was helpful, [note; dripping with sarcasim]

Yea, we have all made mistakes, but then that's the point, info the OP gets from here may prevent him from making the same mistakes.

Op was asking for some guidance, and got some good pointers, there's more out there, telling the OP not to listen to anyone here is moronic to say the least. 94

 

If I wasn't going to listen I would not have posted the question!

Exactly right... I posted hoping to avoid silly errors that others have made. I know when to defer to experience (which is what you have right after you need it most...) and a quick read of posts proves there is a lot of experience and knowledge here. I am sure plenty of mistakes as well!

Thanks for the great tips!

 

Biggest mistakes i do are when im too excited when i get new parts and after reading up on how to do it and positive that i knew every single step, i forget a few steps and f'd up, so just take your sweet time if you are doing something new.

Also i can see why people say dont buy off craigslist but I love craigslist. I've bought so many parts off there as well as bought and sold a few cars.

 

Biggest mistakes I have learned from the past on other cars.. purchasing cheap, low quality knock-off parts.. I've built my integra with OEM Honda/Type R parts & Spoon, Mugen goodies.. they are rewarding

 

Buying a GSR was your first mistake

 

Read that multiple times and memorize it. Great advice

 

Letting someone else drive it.

 

mouab18c1: why was that a mistake? looking for honest reasons... if I am not planning to turbo/super build this thing and I like the comforts of the package, isn't GS-R a good place for me to start and build up?

D.Sanchez: LOL! I don't let people drive my cars... I had a very hard time letting go of my '97 Integra LS to my girlfriend when I got the GS-R. In a long story short she bought me a $1k mbike to ride a while back, she needed a car, I considered the $1k I paid for the LS an even trade. Still... it was very hard to let that car go. I don't like letting people drive my cars! I will drive extended hours on a road trip, or just take extra days so only I drive if/when I take road trips... so I don't have to switch off and "rest" while someone else drives. I can't freaking "rest" are you kidding me? Some one is d*r*i*v*i*n*g -my- car!

 

The biggest mistake I see on a regular basis is people think changing their fluids doesn't need to be changed often , preventive maintenance by changing ALL your fluids twice a year. Before Summer/Winter can solve alot of issues that can cost you alot more later down the road ....

 

My mistake was buying rims before a paint job. You realize quickly the nice rims only show your flawed paint even more.

 

@goblyn93. I broke my leg in May, now my dad is driving my car and I have his since it's an automatic. My rims now have a bunch of curb rash. The first thing I'm doing when I vet my car back is buying new rims.

 

Don't let your stupid friends who say they know what they're doing, but DONT, touch your car!

 

Broken in May and still down? Bad break?? ugh... I'd have to rent a car and let mine sit if i couldn't run the clutch! lol

 

Don't get in a rush and do stupid things like forget to put the oil drain plug back in 'cause your running late. Speaking of which- don't let the quik lube place touch your vehicle either.

 

I was being sarcastic. Live and learn, you won't know until you experience it.