Getting ready to embark on a CRX rebuild and I was curious to what people would change if they did their builds all over again. Things like would they take the time to fill all the holes in the bay or would they have powder coated certain things?

Hind sight is always 20/20 so looking back what would you do differently or not even do at all?

 

Easy....kept it stock and taken all of the money I have put into my projects and invested it in apple back when it was 70 bucks a share, then id be sitting on a gold mine now, haha. That's real hind sight. But in reality, probably just read more and had someone with more experience with me while I do big jobs so I don't take twice as long on the work.

 

that is easy.

dont follow the fads.

I guess my homelife affords me not to follow the fads of herra frush, played out etc.

My builds are very simple and minimalistic. It is what I can afford when I can.

We live off my salary so pretty much if I can't afford it, then it will not get done.

The only real thing that I'm doing is gradually amassing parts for a RHD Hatch build.

 

I kind-of wish I'd gotten my build sooner. I love working on it but its so damn cold now. I want this baby done :\

 

A normal looking car that's fast is way more fun than a cool looking car that's slow.

 

All good ideas! Keep 'em coming!

 

Im sure a LOT of people would have gotten better security and anti-theft measures.

 

CNC ported Head and the Oil catch can setup I have now, but back then. For more POWWA!!!

 

replace all the bushings on the suspension and buy good suspension first then do motor and security

 

Fix everything that needs maintenance (bushings, lines, cables, bearings) Always keep the body stock. Never go to low. No gutting to shave .000000000005 seconds off your drag time, even though you never go to the drag strip. Simple swaps with good power, no crazy power. Keep It Simple

 

X2 hence why i still have my sohc in my ef but i do wish i would of worked on the suspension bushings first =/

 

i would have gone all original. i could have saved more money if i would have bought oem in the first place, now im buying everything oem and trying to sell the aftermarket that i got tired of.

 

I've had a LS/VTEC for my 91 but I don't have the heart to pull out the original D15 with a bazillion road course laps on it. Its like a legend now at the track because it is still living.

My 88 Y-49 is bone stock down to the air box.

 

My '90 Y49 is 100% stock as well... Over 20 years later I finally talked myself into swapping in a moderately built GSR within a month... It's still a hard thing to do, but the engine has finally had enough with over 215k on it (everything is still perfect aside from the piston slap). That just goes to show what great engineering and proper maintenance will do. This car was ridden hard but still looks great.

My advice to all would be this: Proper maintenance before anything. Then choose speed and/or looks.

Make a detailed list of all your goals on a timeline. Plan your budget on a month to month basis and figure out a systematic approach to how you will make your purchases. You don't want to try and paint a car and buy the clear coat first then the primer/or build an engine and purchase the cold air intake before the bearings. If you are going to make upgrades then plan accordingly and if you can safely still drive the car/wait then hold out and don't try to "get by for now".

If speed is chosen - lay out your ENTIRE build first. See what makes sense, search and research, and once you done that do it all over again. If you aren't changing your mind or questioning yourself then there is a high possibility you aren't researching enough. Go through the paces and do the math (literally and figuratively) to see what is needed to accomplish your goals. You can start with a quarter mile time, lap time, or whatever your goals are to figure out the horsepower/transmission ratios to get you there. Put everything down on paper or type it up on the computer; it always helps to see it and sometimes will change your build a bit.

If looks are chosen - again, lay out everything first and figure out exactly what your end goal is. If you can, either sketch out the finished look or have someone help you - at a minimum search pictures on the Internet that may be similar to your goal. No matter how imaginative you are, this will help you visualize any changes you may want to make. It's always easier to change your mind before you do it.

Regardless of what you choose, I personally believe it is wiser to choose function over form. If you get your car painted and potentially scratch or ding it during an engine swap or forced induction install - well now you will have to pay more to fix whatever you have done or live with your mistake. ALWAYS factor in for "surprises" that may come along the way. Trust me - big or small - they will come. It helps to add at least $500 to the cost as a minimal safety net.

Time and time again people don't plan enough, but no matter how much you plan, life will always "throw a wrench" into the mix. Just be prepared, and most of all - be realistic with yourself when setting your goals and timeline. Only YOU will know what you are capable of, how much money you will have, and how much time you can dedicate to the build. We would all love to have the biggest and best thing out there (if you say no - you are a liar), but that doesn't mean it's going to happen that way.

 

good stuff guys!

I have a 90si that I was about to put a B-series in. Overall not a bad car but the rear 1/4's were rusted to hell and the body was pretty beat. I came across a bare shell with no rust so it makes a better base to start with. Instead of tearing down my old car this one is already done. Im really excited to get started and have been reading build threads for years. I finally get to embark on a build from the ground up, something I have always wanted to do!

 

Nothing, i love my crx the way it is.

 

No JDM Front
No B20 vtec

I should of kept it a bone stock 88 Si

 

x2 Brakes/Tires>suspension/Bushings>Motor work/Performance

 

Save up for quality parts. When I got bored I tried to sell off all my aftermarket AEM, Skunk2, ST stuff, it was worthless. Good, quality, rare parts never go out of style and never depreciate. All I rock now is OEM JDM and JDM aftermarket and my car is 101% better.

 

i agree with this guy. if i was gonna regret something i did, then i wouldnt have done it to begin with. be proud of what you do. bc sometimes, when you do something, you cant change it.

 

You guys will probably hate me, but I'd have kept both of mine completely stock and bought an m3 lol

 

Wish I didn't hop on things so fast, Would had gotten a GSR instead I'm stuck on a stalled D16z6 Turbo Build :/, My final goal is a h22a swap in a 1990 ef sedan get it Bar'd and street legal funny right.... Now trying to get rid of my unfinished project sucks....

 

I would have stuck with my first hatch and repaired it instead of going through (and wasting a TON of money on) 3 hatches, a crx, and a sedan, before i finally had a plan for my hatch.

I would have done the wiring correctly the first time,

and I would have not gone onto ebay and blown 500 bux on random ish in an hour, all of which was useless and not needed