So I have an ebp em1 and I'm currently building for boost.. While the motor is out I'm gonna tackle all the body work/ tuck the bay, etc.
Only issue is the skirt (or tower damage), my buddy said that my only option is to replace the whole skirt, which is like $800 for parts alone.. My question is, is this the only option? I was hoping for some other input on the subject before I go throwing money into it. Other options being patch new plate steel in place? Any ideas or experience are appreciated. I want it to look as nice as possible without raping my wallet for a part if the bay that isn't overly seen in the first place.
Thanks in advance for any input.
Nick
Here is a shot of the damage, if there is any questions or if I got get any more photos to assist just let me know.

 

eww thats ugly, good look.

 

If the rust is on some hack repair job then yes you should replace the damage.

 

Ok is it possible to just replace and weld in new plate steel or do I actually have to go with a whole new skirt? Cause the entire top portion is still mint

 

No one?

 

what are you referring to when you say "skirt?" i dont see any "skirt" there...
if the shock tower is damaged there could be more extensive damage. your whole frame could possibly be tweeked out of alignment.

but all i see is a shock tower that is hacked up and damaged. If you dont want a hacked up and damaged shock tower than get it done right. Its unfortunate it will take some money. But if you dont have, or are not willing to shell out the cash, than dont expect anything to get done.

you can weld all the plates you want to, but What is welding a plate going to do?

 

you need a new strut tower welded in the correct place, maybe frame time.

 

^^^^^^^^

 

Well the tower through honda after looking into it is not nearly as bad, only like $250. And either way I planned on getting it done right while the motor is out. Just got the car this last summer and now I'm repairing everything, once, and correctly so I never have to look back and it will be garage kept. Just thought I would get some opinions on it.. **** started rotting out at the seam, but did not travel any lower than the tower thankfully.

 

And just curious why could the frame possibly be tweaked?

 

it most likely is. strut towers are made of high strength steel and dont move easy. if it took a good shot in a wreck, it could very likely be sway'd in. i've been a collision tech for seven years, this is what i do for a living.

cross check it, or ask collision shop if they could help you in some way

 

+1

 

Thanks man, I definitely wanna get it taken care of right the first time so I don't have to worry about it In the long run. If there is frame damage, how severe is the repair procedure? Or does it all depend how out of whack it is?

 

post some more pics, back side, different angles, closer to the wleds, ive never seen rust this bad in this area. Lets see if a shitty reapir was the culprit.

 

Damn that looks rough I had something similar on my EM1 but not that bad.

 

Sorry for the delay but I was finally able to get some more pics.

 

Looks like straight up **** lol. Can't wait to get it taken care of!

 

honestly, id buy a whole new shell. the time and labor to fix that properly is not worth it, u can find an EK shell cheap somewhere it decent shape, maybe lil rust here and there but atleast structurally sound ya know.

 

Well I can get all the labor free through school, and from what it looks like the actually price for parts will be $190.49 and that would be for the whole shock tower assembly..

 

well if you get it free, **** it, and if its a learning experience, **** it go for it dude.

 

Learns you something but make sure ***** done RIGHT, you dont want to **** up frame ****... Good luck

 

Hell ya man, right the first time and never look back on it, my buddy would be the one doing the actual work and he has been in the industry for 3 years already doing full body work (including a full renovation on his em1) but he is back in school to finish up his degree. I trust him to the fullest and as long as he is willing to work with it I will let him shine lol.