It has been a two year process and things are going slow but I'm doing what I can with what I've got. Here's a few pictures of where I'm at so far with my '97 V. I will always update when I have new updates to report even though it will take a bit











So far, I have repainted the bumpers, replaced the rear side markers, and replaced my center dome light with LEDs.

My next step is to replace the power steering hoses (hopefully the cure to my leak), replace both axles, purchase/install YSR full coil-overs, purchase/install wheels, replace the remaining interior lights with LEDs, and install HIDs.

Questions, comments, and suggestions are very very welcome. Hopefully I will have an update soon!

 

My power steering was leaking from two hoses.

53739-S04-950
53732-S04-G50

that's the two hoses. they are just above the rack and are two return lines. I'd check for those. Most likely the high pressure line is still good but if you remove it from the PS pump be sure to replace the o-ring.

 

Nice work so far mate, what size tyres are you running on it?

 

@dogbisuit thanks fort hat info! I haven't been able to find any info on leaking PS in a 1st gen But, I can see where they are wet just on the ends of each hose. its not really a steady drip but its pretty wet in there.

@jaymos I believe I am sitting on 215/75 right now. Just a slightly more aggressive tread than stock. I have been looking into doing 225/45-50/16 or 225/40-45/17 depending on what wheels I get and ow low I end up going.

 

Cool, Im looking into getting 215/75s on my wheels, do you have any rubbing issues with them?

 

Not at all. It is the biggest tire you can get on the stock wheels without rubbing I'm pretty sure. They fit very well and they don't throw the speed off by much at all. I think the speedo reads 1-2 MPH slower than I'm actually going.

 

Thanks for the info mate, much appreciated.

 

Anytime! Glad I could help.

 

@dogbiscuit was the hose replacement pretty simple?

 

well it'd probably be a little difficult to get to with the engine installed. I changed mine when I pulled the engine. However there's some room there still. I'd just get a flashlight and get on top of your engine bay and look down there for any leaks. you'll know when you see them. ps fluid seems to saturate and have a nice shimmer of gunk collecting.

 

Yeah I was taking a look and it is going to be a tight squeeze for sure and hoses always seem to be a pain in the ***. I am going to have my local Honda House over-night the hoses and hopefully I will be able to get them replaced over the weekend. Thanks again for the part numbers. That helped out a ton.

 

i think the speedo increase is slightly more. i have a very accurate trucking gps, mine was off when i bought the car by maybe 3-4mph fast and its dead nuts on now that i went up from 205/70 to 215/75.

i also have had the ps leak since i got the car, let me know if its hard to replace the hoses and i might actually fix it. the loss is pretty minimal for me, i have only had to top it off a couple times in over a year.

 

those hoses have a weird fitting that takes a flat head screwdriver. the smaller hose on the rear might be easier to get to from behind the subframe under the car.

good luck with the replacement.

 

That's good to know. I will be taking a look at it and hopefully have it done soon. Thanks man. The next step is to replace my front axels. Hopefully I will be able to purchase and install the Yellow Speed Racing coilovers at the same time.

 

I cannot attest to their quality but I put some autozone(duralast) axles on the front of mine recently. They were around $55 a piece(with core) with lifetime warranty.

You might want to give your balljoints a good look at while you're down there. I replaced my lowers and will do the uppers later (spc adjustable). I did moog lowers and new moog tie rod ends. I wouldn't skimp with autoparts store duralast junk on those. last thing you want to do is be running down the road and your lower balljoint fail. You can also get moog parts at oreiley.

I got the moog ones off ebay for a decent price of ~$40 a piece.

 

There's an axle shop up the street from my house that will sell/trade rebuilt pieces which would be real nice. I think everything else is in order but I will definitely make sure everything is in good condition while I've got it all apart.

 

So, quick update:
I had to order all 5 power steering hoses as they were ALL leaking. I should be able to get them tomorrow or this weekend sometime. Also, the plan to purchase the YSR coilovers fell through so I will be looking into the H&R lowering springs and a new set of wheels. Being broke sure does put the squeeze on a build Anywho, I will post some pictures of the hose replacement (if i can get a good shot) and maybe a brief write-up on it. I will also be sure to show off the new wheels and lowered heighth once that's been accomplished as well!

 

Galengant!

Dont get the h&r springs. They sag on the back even worse when u add extra weight . Just take your time and save up for coilovers . You should black out your headlights its a $3.79 project . Also paint your steelies black and since ur roof is faded just plasti dip it black . Headlights + wheels+ roof =Shouldn't run u more than $40 . Good luck ! Dont give up on your crv .

 

I would keep the ride height stock, I do agree with the post above as in painting the wheels and the roof etc. It would make a big difference and for little outlay.

 

It's turning "Milano Pink"!

 

@boliviansol thanks for the support and the ideas! I have the money for the YSR coilovers but this is my DD and its all I can afford for now. I've got to move out very soon and need to save for apartments and such. I have a buddy that is hopefully going to do a full respray on the car back to the factory red (you can't really tell but it's nearly 7 different shades of red all the way around...damn "milano pink" :p). I do plan on plasti-dipping the roof black until then. I have been looking into cheaper 17's and will probably plasti the steelies until then as well. I cannot stand it at stock height so i have to do something. I plan on getting the H&Rs and letting them set before i cut them and lower more. I would prefer the coilovers without a doubt, but that is going to have to wait further down the line . I would like to do the headlights, I just need the spare time to do it. I also plan on doing the valve cover in like a pastel or baby blue and start adding those color accents throughout the car. Since I have a '97 I don't have the dash clock so I've been hunting around for a parts V so I can snag one. As much as I rag on it, my V is still my baby. I'm just trying to make it something worth being a little more proud of. Just a couple weeks ago I hit the 170k mile mark and I am stoked about that! :D Again, thanks for all of the input from you all. I have been lurking around the forum for a while and asking tons of questions before starting anything.

I will keep up to date!

 

So, another update!
I have ordered my H&R lowering springs (sorry boliviansol :p) and all of my hoses. I am currently waiting on the pressure hose and an o-ring and the hoses will be replaced! Next i will need to find some wheels. I am thinking 04 Acura TL A-spec but I am open to other (cheaper) options.

 

Alright, I am in need of some help. I am looking to get wheels (soon hopefully) and I'm not sure what width and offset I can fit. I have a set of Cragar soft 8's 17x8 with 0 offset and they won't fit. I thought about getting spacers for them but I realized that they simply stick out too far for my taste. So my question is: How wide can I go and with what offset on 17's can I run? My V is my one and only form of transportation so I can't do anything drastic. ANY info you guys can provide would be MUCH appreciated

On a side note, my final hose came in for my power steering and hopefully I will be able to get that replaced this weekend! Also, my H&R springs should be here between today and tuesday. I am rather excited

 

Welp, may as well keep going. On Friday night, I had a boulder thrown through my windshield. My friends and I were attacked by some white trash kids on, presumably, meth. I don't have pictures of the dents or the window scratches from their knives but that damage was very minor. Luckily nobody was hurt and one of the bastards got arrested. I am getting my new windshield sometime this afternoon (thank God for insurance). I still have yet to replace my power steering hoses but I do have them all. On a lighter note, I finally got some wheels with fresh rubber and will be installing my H&R lowering springs tomorrow. I bought '09 Mustang wheels and I have to say I am rather pleased with how they look.

 

Man that sucks about what happened, Hopefully they get them all for doing it.

The rims don't look to bad on it at all.