Hey Honda-Tech!

I picked up a 1999 Civic EJ6/EK hatchback a few weeks ago. I wasn't planning on a build thread, but I do want to share!

Interesting backstory; I left a note on the owners windshield with my name and number back in March 2016, when he happened to park in front of my house.
I look out my window and I see his bright Red EK hatch, a body style which for some reason I've always loved.

He sent me a facebook message the next day and it turns out I know him from University. He said if he ever wants to sell the car, i'll be first in line.
I only got a brief look at the car that day.

Fast forward to November 2016, and I get a DM saying someone tried to break into the car, there is some damage, and he is interested in selling.
He knew I would take care of the car, based on the previous work I have done to other vehicles. This was important to him, as his father had bought the car new in 1999 and they've owned it ever since. He learned to drive stick on it, so it had a certain connection to the car.

Considering the above, and the damage from the theft attempt, he agreed to sell the EK to me for $500 !
The previous owner had service records from the dealership since new. I don't really have room for another vehicle, but this was just too perfect to pass up!

I'm trying my hand at making a YouTube video series to detail the experience of this car.
You can see the playlist at http://ek.panici.ca


Here are some pictures from the first day I went to look at the car. There is some rust, but it's honestly in great shape for living it's life here in the "rust belt".

 

Playing some catch-up here.
As I said, I hadn't planned on making a build thread this time.

Anyways, I picked up the car a week after I first went to see it.
Trip home was uneventful, my 5-speed Jeep did a decent job of towing it home on a rented car dolly.

Not much else to say, here are some pictures! I have made a second vlog video as well.

 

After I got the car home, I started investigating the major known issues.

I took the front brakes apart, and I also managed to score some free used pads from an EK shell we have at school.
I then tackled the exhaust manifold leak. Immediately after getting the heatshield off I noticed the crack right in front of cylinder one.

The next day I went about reconditioning the used brake pads with some emery cloth.
Although new pads are dirt cheap, I wanted to see if this would work (it ended up working great!)

I then used some high heat exhaust "Inferno Repair" compound along with some metal and a hose clamp to patch the hole in the manifold.
So far this is holding up; I also I picked up a used Megan 4-2-1 header to use if/when my repair fails. At the same time, I bought a replacement hood release, a shortram intake (with AEM dry flow filter) and a 1 year old battery. All for $150 (including the megan header)

It turns out I may not need the new battery, as after a 48 hour charge, the existing battery seems perfectly fine. Time will tell when we get down to -20C this winter.

I split the above into two videos, as I ended up getting distracted at the end of Ep. 3, building a cool dual engine car.

 

With the spare header you got, you gonna do the conversion I supposed? Your DX have the cat converter build onto the manifold. The spare header look like its for the EX model. Which have separate cat converter..

Kudos for working on it while its snowing.. Look like it will be a fun project..
Good Luck

 

sup with them wrappers in the back? lol. good luck with the build.

 

Yep, if I end up using the Megan header, i'll have to install a cat further down the exhaust system.

So far it's been a very fun project! I've always loved the look of the EK, and I'm happy to be working on and driving one!
I can't wait to have a heated garage, working on the car in the cold/snow isn't the most fun.
I did once change the headgaskets on a '96 Chevy Caprice LT1 in the middle of winter!

I'm also learning to video edit, which is a good skill to have.

Previous owner's mess. It was pretty gross.
I finally get around to doing a preliminary clean in Ep. 6 when I get the car plated.
And then in Ep. 7 I do a more detailed job and take a carpet cleaner to half of the interior.

I'm still working on editing those videos however!

 

Next, I tackled that steering column damage from the theft attempt.
It looks like the usual "worn key to start any old civic" didn't work in this case. Probably because of the low mileage.
So they started the car directly with the ignition switch.

Then it looks like they attempted to break the steering lock. Instead of breaking the steering lock, the entire column twisted up.
Obviously at this point they gave up, as the car wasn't successfully stolen.

I was able to correct the damage with some investigation followed by brute force.
I still need to replace the lower steering column cover, as it's now only held on with a single bolt, and some zipties. It lightly rubs on the wheel when turning.




-

I didn't have a chance to take any pictures, so i'll let the (short) video do the talking.
Now with voiceover!

 

Exciting news! I finally got my EK on the road!

I first put insurance on the car, then got a set of temporary license plates while transferring the title to my name.
After reinstalling the stock manifold heat shield, I set off on my first drive around the block.

Let me tell you, that exhaust compound I used to patch the hole STINKS when it's curing. Anyways, I went around the block, and had a slight rotational rubbing sound from the brakes. After I got some heat into them, the sound disappeared and hasn't returned since.

Those used and refinished front brake pads I wanted to test? Work like a charm.

I then went to the closest gas station with a vacuum, and took care of all the wrappers and other mess on the carpets. Then I set out on an unpleasant highway drive to get my emissions test. I say unpleasant, because I had the windows down and the heat off due to that terrible smelling exhaust.

Thankfully, by the time I reached my emissions test place (about 75km), the smell had dissipated, and the compound had cured. The car ended up passing emissions testing, with the only issue being that the Evap system was "not ready". I later (about a week later) found out via a check engine light, that there is a small/intermittent leak in the EVAP system, throwing a P1457 (Evap Can) code. I'll have to look more into this.

Emissions test secured, I felt comfortable doing a few 1st to 2nd gear pulls. So far, that exhaust repair compound is holding nicely! Time will tell if it lasts though.






Check out the newest episode of my Vlog:

 

More good news, my little honda passed a safety inspection!
And now I have a set of non-temporary plate stickers!

I also took a go at shampooing some of the interior.
I still need to tackle some problem areas again, but it'll have to wait until it's not below -10 celcius outside!

I also gave the dash and other "problem areas" in the interior a good cleaning. It made a big difference as to how the car feels! Still need to go back and do some spots when it's warmer.

Interior glass is still pretty dirty inside despite an initial cleaning. Will need to do it again.


And an update on costs-to-date.
I've spend about $1200 so far. That includes all fees to register the car, and the first month of insurance.
Also includes the spare battery and Megan header I have sitting in the living room!







And the latest build video:

 

I would throw some universal seat covers on it after u get it clean. They are cheap and fit nice.
good progress though.

 

Why would you want to put seat covers on seats that are in good condition?
Just curious, i've always thought they look cheap (but better then torn up seats)

 

To keep them nice and protected. Some are tacky, I know. But some are decent. Solid color one. I actually have them on all my cars. Keep them from getting stain, spills, and dirt.. Last set of the cover I had lasted bout 8yrs.. I paid $20 buck form them. Front and back. Fh group seat covers.. So to me they are cheap insurance. You know how it is, we all eat and drink in our car. No matter how careful, accident still happens. Coffee, soft drinks, etc.. Ketchup.. Lol.. Cigarette burn, I don't smoke but people do. So, I rather the cover gets messed up then the original seats..

 

I actually don't eat or drink anything (except bottled water) in my cars.
One of mine doesn't even have cupholders!

But I see your point of protecting the seats.

 

Small update:

I discovered today on the highway that the washer squirters for the EK don't work (pump doesn't run, fuse is good). I couldn't see anything when the windshield got dirty.
So I pulled over and cut the rear windshield squirter hose, and attached it to the front squirters. Works like a charm! Best part is, rear squirter didn't work anyways, I assume line to rear must be broken somewhere.
So I've only added functionality.

Also, on a related topic, the front windshield wipers are making a terribly annoying sound. Sometimes in their cycle, they will go too far towards the driver's side, and the tip jumps over the moulding at the edge of the windshield. The behavior isn't consistent; I hypothesize something in the linkage that was once round is now oval. Perhaps a loose or missing nut is allowing the linkage to shift around.

When the weather is nicer, I'll have to take it apart and see what's causing problem!

 

nice

 

Subbed to the thread. I liked the first 7 videos. I hope you get it into mint condition again!

 

i did the same lazy man's washer repair on my accord wagon

 

Thanks man!
I'm still not sure what my long-term plans are for the car.
I suspect it will depend on how much driveway/garage space I have when I move in a few months.

Not so much lazy man's repair in my case. More like creative roadside patch to clear my windshield.
It does work pretty well though, and it also helps that the wiper stalk has a "spray only" position for the rear wiper.
That way the rear wiper isn't moving when I'm spraying the front windshield.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've been falling behind in the videos. In other news:

• I installed my shortram intake, and have been enjoying the induction noise.
• My rear muffler weld failed and the muffler was hanging loose!
  • It was quite loud, and not in a good way.
  • I was able to weld it up at home for $6
  • I was pleased with the weld quality, considering I did little-to-no prep work on the rusty/greasy metal.
• I managed 29mpg (8L/100km) on my last tank of Shell 87.
  • I was very impressed with that, considering I had about 30 minutes of idle/warmup time, and lots of WOT driving.
• Exhaust leak from under the front of the car is getting worse very slowly. I suspect the donut gasket (between the manifold and cat-back) has failed.
  • There is no detectable exhaust smell in the cabin, and I like the current sound.
  • If the leak gets any worse I'll look into a repair.
• My existing battery was able to crank the car over in -12C temperatures.
  • Looks like I won't need to use the new-ish replacement I bought.
  • I may use it in my E30 in place of the large OEM battery.

I did get one video finished, showing the windshield chip repair.

 

Great stuff. Keep the videos and updates coming, man.

 

Woke up to a smashed driver's side mirror today (parked on the road overnight).
No pieces to be found except for the snapped-off end of the adjustment arm.

I hope it was an accident and not an act of malice.

 

That sucks, dude. One more BS thing to fix...

Turn down the picture size on your camera. Even with a highspeed connection it takes forever for your page to load.

 

Yeah, I foresee a junkyard trip in the springtime to grab a bunch of parts.

Pictures are too large? They're straight from my cellphone. Only about 2MB each.

 

It's not picture size, it's that there are a thousand pictures on one page.
Your pictures are all okej, btw, nice project.
Definitely gonna subscribe.

 

Ah ok, lets bump the thread to a new page then.

 

bump to new page 1