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Figured id start my build log for my project! It's a '95 Ej1 civic. Currently automatic, but not for long.
I'm nearly 40, semi-disabled (workplace chainsaw accident), and effectively retired. It's been approximately 22 years since I last fully rebuilt an engine. I've only got one fully functional hand, but I manage to get what I need done, just a bit slower than the rest haha.
Due to that early retirement accident, i now find myself with an excess of time on my hands, and a desire to re enter the world of mechanics and autocross!
Unfortunately for me, there are not many manual transmission 92-95 civics nearby that are in good enough shape to rebuild, too much rust in all the wrong places, but at least they're harvestable for internals! I found an auto with no body/frame rust, and very minimal normal component oxidation, with a decent z6 that isn't ultra high mileage.
A manual swap is going to be done. Just trying to find a donor car nearby that isnt overpriced! Ive seen there are some great guides here for the whole process.
The engine has 179k on it. D16z6. Bottom end is currently disassembled to remove the pistons. Vehicle was a theft recovery, so salvage title. Always gotta see what the cylinders look like before moving forward!
#3 rod bearing had slipped, so those will be replaced, along with the cam, because all of the internals are being replaced. Why buy a z6 if you dont plan to turbo it? Right! I have access to a commercial machine shop if it becomes necessary as well.
The ultimate goal is to do some autocross. So I don't need to go absolutely insane on power, since it's unlikely to ever get fully utilized on a circuit, and I don't want to end up competing in a class where I have zero chance of actually keeping up with other drivers because I have too much whp in a '95 ej1.
Ideally I think starting with a goal of around 250whp for track testing is where I want to begin. Gives me enough power to push hard down any straights, but not so much ill be competing against a newer subaru or lancer, which i have zero chance of showing my tail lights unless they can't drive for !@#$.
More photos and progress to come! Front 3/4 Hood removed, header removed, engine bay Pulling off some body panels for access and paint prep
Once I have the cylinder checked out, all the gaskets, camshaft, rod bearings, rods, and pistons replaced, I'll be moving on to the manual swap. Once that is finished, I'll be doing the wiring harness, paint and interior, then suspension, axles, brakes, and finally the turbo install. I know there's a few bits I'm glossing over. Fuel delivery etc. But I haven't forgotten them!
would love to hear any suggestions and ideas people have!
yes, I know it's unlikely to be inexpensive to do this. Yes I'm aware there are likely less costly options to do autocross. Yes I'm aware there are absolutely better overall choices for autocross cars. That's not what this project is about. It's about the build process, and making something fun I can share with my son. A shared interest for which the cost associated is a secondary concern to me. I'd rather have the experience of the project, than the few saved dollars from a different choice. The 92-95 civics are what we want to work with!
Engine out today! Next up, rebuilding it for the turbo! Definitely looks like it needs a new head gasket at first glance. Lifting the engine and trans out Out, and out if the way!
Engine is at the machine shop now, being decked, honed and hot tanked.
Just put the front suspension back together with all the new goodies! Wilwood brake kit as well. Now to connect all the lines, put the tie rod ends back in, and it's onto paint prep, while the engine is rebuilt!
Front driver side brakes and suspension in! Knuckles cleaned up and powder coated! Shock forks cleaned up and powder coated!
52884137[/url]]Engine is at the machine shop now, being decked, honed and hot tanked.
Just put the front suspension back together with all the new goodies! Wilwood brake kit as well. Now to connect all the lines, put the tie rod ends back in, and it's onto paint prep, while the engine is rebuilt!
Front driver side brakes and suspension in! Knuckles cleaned up and powder coated! Shock forks cleaned up and powder coated!
man, I would love some Wilwoods for my EK! I’ll have to look into that, but suspect they’re way out of my price range.. looking good, great thread so far!
If I remember correctly the slotted/drilled kit was $760USD from summit racing.
I swapped the MC out as well, with a booster delete kit from chase bays. They include a Wilwood MC with the kit, so it compliments the brake kit nicely! I also got the chase bays brake line relocation and adjustable bias valve. So all new lines from the MC to the calipers in the front, and new caliper lines in the back.
52884822[/url]]If I remember correctly the slotted/drilled kit was $760USD from summit racing.
I swapped the MC out as well, with a booster delete kit from chase bays. They include a Wilwood MC with the kit, so it compliments the brake kit nicely! I also got the chase bays brake line relocation and adjustable bias valve. So all new lines from the MC to the calipers in the front, and new caliper lines in the back.
Thanks for checking out my build log!
very nice! Yeah I looked up the front kit for mine with 15” wheels, and it’s under $700. Much better than I expected. Of course once you add additional parts to build it up properly, that will go up, but I was pleasantly surprised. 👍😎
Another big box of goodies arrived yesterday with some engine components!
Camshaft, adjustable cam gear, and rods from Speedfactory Racing, 75mm YCP Vitara pistons, new rings, ARP Headstuds, ACL oil pump, King Racing bearings, supertech block guard, gates water pump kit. Also ordered some BC springs and retainers. Still deciding on valves and guides!
Also got the rear coilovers, and LCA installed! The LCA bolts were in pretty rough shape, and i really wanted to replace as much as possible with new, so i ordered brand new bolts directly from Honda. Expensive bolts, but better than dropping thousands of dollars of suspension on the road! 6x Bolts worked out to $110 USD, But peace of mind is priceless !
Here's some of the bits under the hood I've replaced so far as well, not connected to the engine!
Chase bays single piston booster delete, with adjuatable bias valve and brake line relocation kit. Manual steering rack, swapped in from the stock pwr steering rack, conversion bracket from NRG Tech Billet steering rack dust boot, because no matter how hard i tried to find an oem one, it ended up being the same price with shipping as this gorgeous billet version from Bull Boost Performance Siri-Moto Clutch master cylinder back there behind the booster delete kit, before i put the bias valve in.
Pedals reinstalled, with the addition of the clutch pedal now! Pulled the manual brake pedal from my parts car as well, so no tight squeeze between brake and clutch!
Completed removing the automatic shifter. Pulled the head off the parts car as well. Harvested the intake manifold, and MAP sensor for the manual conversion.
Ordered and received a carbon master rebuild kit from Synchrotech to give the s20 I pulled from the parts car, some new life, since some of the bearings needed replacing. Ended up opting for a socketed p28 and S300. Picked up the p28 from HA Motorsport, instead of a haltech and rywire harness, since the cost was about 1/5th. Would have loved to use the haltech, but couldn't quite justify the cost for a weekend warrior track car.
Few items left to pull from the parts car for use! Manual gauge cluster, and some clean fender panels to fix up a bit of body rust on the rear wheel wells.
Should hopefully have the engine and transmission back in the next few weeks. Then comes all the fun of reinstalling it!
Nice job so far! Like that you're taking the time to clean and powder coat stuff that normally people would skip.
Thanks! It just seemed criminal to rebuild things on top of old grimey and oxidized parts! Now the knuckles and shock forks should hold up another 25 years! Bearings were replaced with Timkens, hubs are Dorman!
I'm hoping i can have it running before the end of december, but I live in a place with horrifying winters, and nice summers, so it won't be out of the garage until all the snow is gone in like May 2025 haha. Gotta pick the turbo setup next year!
nice build thread and love the attention to details. you and I have a similar goals but going completely different route.
it’s very interesting to see the contrast between mine and yours.
seems like you are going all manual. I’m going completely the opposite, adding electric power steering with power integra rack, ABS retrofit with bigger integra brake booster, and N/A for engine.
Yea, I decided to go with all manual, since it's not going to be a road car very often, I like the feedback I get from manual braking and steering! It won't be frequenting parking lots, or parallel parking, so the manual steering is a good way to cut weight from the vehicle! The PS pump, belt, bracket, lines, and fluid, plus the additional weight the PS rack has, is an easy 30lbs!
I like the idea of doing NA, but with the d16z6 it can use the extra help from forced induction! I'd have probably kept the AC and PS in, if it was going to be more of a Daily driver/weekend warrior, but I live in a place where I can't drive it most of the year safely on the road, so it'll be a summer night cruise, and track days only type of build!
Been a little busy over the past couple months! Wife and I just had a baby. I have however continued to amass parts for the project! Haha
I've got a skunk2 pro intake manifold, and 68mm throttle body, short shifter kit and 5 speed billet **** waiting. My mishimoto radiator kit just arrived today, along with my AEM fuel filter. I also got an AEM fuel pump 320lph, some megan racing rear camber arms, lower front engine mounts, and tie rod ends.
now I just need a decent weather day and I can install some more parts! Kitchen table getting a bit crowded with parts haha Mishimoto essentials bundle! Radiator, fan, hoses, and thermostat!
Been a short winter hiatus collecting parts and rebuilding the engine and transmission!
The block and head are finished being decked and honed and rebuilt. The engine and transmission are back together! With a new Luk flywheel, and competition stage 2 clutch.
Ive got the throttle body and intake manifold from skunk2 installed! 68mm pro B series throttle body and pro series intake manifold!
Intake manifold from Skunk2 68mm Skunk2 Pro, B series throttle body
As you can see i also got the valve cover powder coated and brushed! Getting close to dropping it back in! Just gonna bleed the brakes first to double check my double flare job!
I've got the engine back in with the new mounts from 1320! Turbo arrived garrett GT3076R with .82 A/R turbine housing! Now just waiting on the manifold from speedfactory, garrett wastegate, intercooler from mishimoto, id1050x injectors, AEM FPR, Golden Eagle fuel rail, and then it's time for some custom exhaust fab, new fuel lines, and she should be ready for the dyno!
After a little wait, my manifold finally arrived! Got it installed with the turbo, but I still need to rotate the compressor housing so it's not aimed directly at the block haha.
Finally got the junkyard parts car towed away as well after harvesting everything I could from it.
ECU is installed now, suspension is all torqued up. Just have to decide on a seat, and solution to mount the intercooler, then it's off to the shop for a custom exhaust and intake, alignment, and tuning!
She should be on the track for the spring '26 season! Can't wait to do some laps and see how she does!
Speedfactory racing ram horn! V band wastegate Installed with turbo and wastegate! Compressor housing needs to rotate 90-180 degrees depending on where the intercooler inlet ends up
Stay tuned for more! And thanks for stopping by to check out my project!
53009985[/url]]After a little wait, my manifold finally arrived! Got it installed with the turbo, but I still need to rotate the compressor housing so it's not aimed directly at the block haha.
Finally got the junkyard parts car towed away as well after harvesting everything I could from it.
ECU is installed now, suspension is all torqued up. Just have to decide on a seat, and solution to mount the intercooler, then it's off to the shop for a custom exhaust and intake, alignment, and tuning!
She should be on the track for the spring '26 season! Can't wait to do some laps and see how she does!
Speedfactory racing ram horn! V band wastegate Installed with turbo and wastegate! Compressor housing needs to rotate 90-180 degrees depending on where the intercooler inlet ends up
Stay tuned for more! And thanks for stopping by to check out my project!
Excellent!! I’m so jealous. Be sure to post pics (or better yet, videos) from your track shenanigans..!
'95 Civic Ej1 coupe Build Log!
