This is the start of my thread to save an 88 CRX HF from the crusher / scrapyard.

Some history, when i find a nice one on auction I buy it, fix it, maybe keep it, maybe flip it when fixed.
This 88 CRX HF came up on auction, stripped, 92k actual miles, and from CA so NO RUST. It has a salvage title now due to strip.
Paint is excellent on everything, BUT the hood. going to repaint the hood to fix that problem.

The car hauler just dropped it off, I had time to wash it, and take some pics before it got totally dark

Here is the day one of it. I threw in a Subaru seat for the driver side so i can move it around.







wish me luck in finding the interior parts…….thanks guys. would like to keep it stock/restored to factory, but having hard time locating seats, might have to put some s2000 seats in this one. What do you think on that…..
Anyone have parts for me to buy? Need center console with shifter boot, need radio bezel/lighter bezel, rear speaker brackets and grilles, rear storage compartement and hinge divider, and rear carpet, and most of the small covers for the back hatch area.

 

I have a pretty good sized pile of interior parts from a 89 hatch I stripped. Not sure what parts will/wont work, but if you need anything ask, as I may have it. And its all blue!

 

Not much parts interior wise from hatch works on crx unfortunately.

oh and BTW this is my 5th CRX.

 

So I spent some time today doing more.
Degreased the engine some, vacuumed and cleaned up the inside, etc.
Here are pics from just now.
as you can see, it is missing AC condensor, radiator, fans, hoses, and the AC lines are cut. Everything else is there. I ordered a brand new radiator last night, and already have a main fan shroud.

nice and clean mats

missing lots inside

at least this is undamaged and the radio harness is not cut

92,xxx miles




I have the wiper arms off now, they just got coated a black, and are drying before they go back on.

 

There is so much potential in this car! I'm glad you're saving it

 

That thing is clean for a crusher car! I see a ton of potential also. Missing some of the rear stuff, not a big deal. No center console? No problem! Now is a great time to upgrade to one with an arm rest! The rear speaker trim may be tough to find, but the rest of the plastic should be cheap at the junkyard. I think it's a great car.

 

It was a CA car, now in Iowa with me. We get some Civics in the junkyards, not so many CRX. I just found the rear speaker grille on ebay last night, in the right color, and for a HF (no bracket slots for a fold down divider since HF didnt have that) so I bought the grilles from ebay.
I hooked up an old alpine with already Honda connector to see if they left the front speakers, got no sound so i removed a front grille. THIS one NEVER had front speakers, just rears…., the speaker location was just honda factory foam fill never seen that.

Oh, upon doing some engine cleaning, it has a OEM Honda Oil filter that is a good sign already.

 

Do you have the story on why it ended up at the crusher? Some weird dealer buy back program?

Some of the civic stuff swaps with the CRX. With that said, many other Honda/Acura vehicles have interchangeable parts. I know I put an Acura Integra (GSR) armrest into my civic. Fit very well too.

I like that you've found some good signs. If you want speaker recommendations, I can give you a couple. Especially if you are on a budget!

 

here it is into day 3.
got the new radiator today, and installed it, along with the used junkyard fan shroud, and junkyard radiator hoses.
still got a few missing bolts on the upper radiator support, and a few brackets are MIA when i compared to my CRX Si tonight.

put genuine Honda coolant in it too.
got the ignition switch mostly fixed at least enough to use it effectively.
did some more underhood detailing.

engine purrs.

added 5hp in this pic, anyone know where?


tomorrow after work will get some Castrol Synthetic 5w-30 on the way home, and do an oil change, and inspect the T-belt

 

title came in the mail today, CA Salvage.
well at least i can spend money to fix it now I have a title.
picked up the Castrol full synthetic 5w-30 today but didn't have time to change oil, friends kept stopping by all night, got some go kart action friends droppibg in, some neighbor kids, neighbor who runs a corvette chevelle business, and etc.
btw my go kart buddies, well one is a '68 frame with a Subaru motor, 6.0hp- that thing does move old school

 

Finally found some used seats for it last night. 3 mounts brackets lined up, except the rear inner mount. And these had seat belt buckle on the seat.
removed the buckles, and welded a inner rear bracket to the rail.
They are ok used, not 92k mile used like this car needs, but here they are
Also got a section of rear carpet from Menards, and cut it using my other CRX for pattern.

located a center console and bought it, but it is not here yet to install

 

got center console and shift boot today, installed it.
Still need radio bezel with ashtray and lighter.

Also, changed oil today 5w-30 castrol fully synthetic with a OEM Honda filter.

 

Wow! You came up on this one. Its clean. Cant wait to see what else youre doing to it.

 

If I could find a rustless CRX like this...oh, the things I would do....

 

planning to get the salvage title transferred to my name monday, then going to see about getting the inspection done this coming week.

granted, I haven't really driven it more than just a couple times and a couple miles each out on the highway, it wasn't coming up to temp. So I ordered a stant superstat thermostat for it, and installed it yesterday after work. Seems to come up to temp now.

does anyone know are these seats a blue or a black/grey? I cannot tell found a good driver seat back on ebay but I can't tell it if is the same color as what I need.

 

In.

You had me at HF.

Does the sticker on the core support say "made in japan?"

Jhmed vin?

 

yes made in Japan

 

got the title transfer done Monday. Last night just had the VIN / salvage inspection done by the sheriff. Now I have official paperwork approval to take and get registration and the new title that will say Prior Salvage.
-I cannobolized some parts from my 91 CRX to get this done, the rear storage and the rear inside covers were taken off my 91 to finish this one.
I am still in need of the rear storage, rear inside covers for tailights and struts and interior back covers, and still need a radio bezel, ashtray lighter assembly, oh and some rear speaker brackets….
Going to drive it tonight after get registration. Then tomorrow, plans are about 200 miles of travel with it.
By this same time next week, I should have put about 600 miles on it, so will get a idea on the MPG this will be getting. Then, going to put up for sale and drive til it sells.

 

HFs did not have the rear storage shelf or divider.
It was open and you could see all the way down to the carpet looking through the hatch glass.

 

your 5 HP is NO A/C !!!!!

nice progress ! lets hope everything will be fine for the inspection !!!

 

I thought all had the storage compartment, but the HF didn't have the fold down divider or rear shelf.
Called to get insurance at lunch.

 

My first gas fill tonight in this, took 5.4 gallons, mileage on the odo is just around 92,980 or something of the sort.
going to go get my Haircut in Cedar Falls tomorrow after work, that will be around 145miles roundtrip, and a good first roadtest more than the 8 miles i just went to go get gas.

 

only 130 miles so far, 10 gallon tank, guage shows 3/4 full after 130, so that is about 48+ MPG on this trip.

 

The Best attempt on my old CR-Z was this fore short drive


but only this for 3k plus


So, my impressions are for sure the old 88 HF is going to be better. I wasn't even driving to get MPG in the CRX HF today, jsut a normal 60-65mph there, and and easy 55-60mph back today, and got high 40's low 50's, if I tried I would have been much better. stayed around 2000-2200 rpm in 5th
At 55mph in 5th gear on the flats (about 1900rpm), this thing is not lugging, but is sipping gas and the skinny pedal is hardly being pushed down much for throttle. 65mph is about 2200 RPM. On the downhills, at 60 in 5th gear its coasting and gaining speed with no foot on the gas. Temp ran solid the whole 130 miles, just a little below the halfway middle the whole time.

just checked oil and it is still like honey, and full. Coolant level is still perfect. Good signs for sure. Got no smoke, and there are no leaks or burning oil smells. GOOD car.
Time to add the only sticker this car will get, to the back glass. 40+MPG. I have to edit the 4 and make it a 5 so it says 50+mpg.

 

First mileage report as follows.
Got gas today, after 314 miles this week.
6.3 gallons, so 49.85MPG

parked it with for sale sign yesterday out front of the town restaurant. Already has one call on it, but they were looking for a l0wer price car than this is.