Yo, what up Honda-Tech? I'm finally starting a build that I've been wanting to do for a long time. I've got a 1991 Accord EX 2.2 manual 4-door(263k) a '04 pilot EX-L(214K) and another '04 pilot LX(167K). EX-L has a bad transmission and the LX is totaled with a good drivetrain and bent front subframe. (does anyone know if an 06 tranny will fit on an 04 engine?) This is going to be a rally/streetcar. I'm planning on fabbing in the subframes from the pilots with stock axles, brakes, hubs, racks. But I'm gonna have to probably get aftermarket coil-overs or something. Maybe cut out the mounting sections of the unibody and use those so I can keep the stock suspension too (perhaps Pilot lowering kit?). Also, does anyone know any cheap J35A4 mods, perhaps something to increase compression without taking apart the bottom end?

So I've never done an AWD conversion before but I have all of the individual skills required to perform a job like this and I'm confident that I'll be able to put them all together. I'm going to lay out my plan here and post some drawings and pictures of the designs for anyone who has done this before to comment, critique, edit, whatever, I'm looking for as much input as I can get. another very critical piece of information that I need is what electrical systems I need to keep for smooth operation on the stock PCM and what I can get rid of. I don't give a **** about smog, emissions, srs, or dash lights, just drivability issues. I'm planning to hire a local fabricator to bend my tube for me because I don't have a bender and squeezing them for as much info as I can without being a ********.

So here's the plan;
Phase 1: salvage pilot parts and prep accord for phase 2
Step 1: Chop up both pilots whilst retaining all drivetrain components, body and engine harnesses, and suspension mounting areas, get rid of scrap
Step 2: Replace gaskets, seals, timing components, ignition components on the LX engine, change trans filter and fluid on LX trans as well.
Step 3: Replace suspension bushings, struts, bearings, and brakes on EL-X subframe and install LX engine and trans
Step 4: Replace seals and fluid on rear diff and bushings, bearings, shocks, and brakes on LX subframe
Step 5: Gut accord of all besides front seats and dash

Phase 2: Prep for the rear subframe
Step1: Install rear strut brace
Step 2: Cut the floor out from behind the front seats to the rear bumper keeping stock suspension intact
Step 3: Workout temp gas tank provisions
Step 4: Install a main hoop and design rear subframe mounting solution
Step 5: Fabricate rear subframe mounting solution

Phase 3:Install rear subframe
Step 1: Remove stock strut mounts and install rear subframe mounting solution, paint
Step 2:Install rear subframe, brakes
Step 3: Workout & install the permanent gas tank, rear-mount rad, trans, and engine oil cooler solution, paint
Step 4: Prep for phase 4

Phase 4: Install Front subframe
Step 1: Remove 2.2 drivetrain
Step 2: Cut out the firewall and front seat floor pan, also stock strut mounts
Step 3: Measure and trim engine bay (perhaps leave stock firewall if there's room)
Step 4: Design front mounting solution (hybrid unibody/tubular chassis)
Step 5: Install the front mounting solution and subframe, Brakes
Step 6: Trim for suspension travel and wheel width
Step 7: Measure and order custom driveshaft

Phase 5: Finishing
Step 1: Sheet Metal
Step 2: Wiring/electrical/fuel
Step 3: Tuning

That's about as far as I got but phase five is probably a year or two down the road.

As far as the mounting solutions go I'm thinking like mini main hoops from the left to right strut in the rear (2 parallel) and tieing that into the main hoop as like a back half on prerunners. Then the front basically an overhead engine cradle/engine cage type thing that ties into the subframe.

And might anyone have diagrams of pilot subframes with dimensions or without and a top down accord outline?


Thanks,
John.

 

sounds like a lot of work. Should be a fun project.

 

5 inch fender flares! that will look pretty mean on a CB7