My friend's EBP Em1 was totaled due to a truck rear ending him and cause major rear end damage. He decided to keep his baby, so how should he go upon into restoring her? The EM1 still runs strong and the interior and everything pass the trunk is saved. He has an old 96 Civic DX EJ coupe shell he was planning on working on, but now he is deciding to swap his front end, interior, and engine into the 96 civic and get EM1 taillights and get it a full engine out repaint of EBP before installing his EM1 engine, and we can do all the work except for the paint. Or he could get the rear end repaired at the body shop (his rear end is practically crushed like a soda can from about 8 inches away from his rear seats)? Which would be more cost effective? Also if he decides to use the 96 DX shell and swap in everything he has left, em1 taillights and paint, would it be noticeable that it isn't an em1?

 

And he cannot get a legit em1 shell cuz we need it fixed ASAP so its drivable since the gas tank is leaking. And he doesn't want to sell or salvage his baby. Its a sentimental value thing.

 

And yea this shell has aftermarket sunroof, so hopefully that would help in the EM1 look.

 

post up damage

 

Sounds like the car is a write-off. Yes, it will be noticeable that it isn't an EM1 to the trained eye, esp with an aftermarket sunroof. You call them "EM1" tail lights but they are really just 99-00 Coupe tail lights - no big deal. You'll need to swap over the rear disc brakes too. If you want a car to "look" more like an EM1 you should get an EX shell w/ sunroof and swap over everything.

 

I would jist swap onto the other car. A wrecked car is never the same after it gets fixed trust me i have jad fixed wrecked cars...

 

get another em1 ... insurance will give you enough money to do so ... sell motor if you's are still short on cash ... end of the dilemma ...

 

Just swap everything over to the other shell. It will be time consuming but it's cheaper than getting another EM1 shell or trying to repair the current EM1, which I am not sure it's possible from the description you just gave.

 

I understand your buddy wants to keep it. Im sorry though, its not worth it. Id wanna keep mine to but it wouldnt be worth it. He'd be better off getting a shell and dropping a motor in.