tips on what to look for in a del sol
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tips on what to look for in a del sol
in the past ive been working on alot of older stuff (eg 1962 ford falcon/ 1985 mustang) mostly carbs. now im moving into the injections. ive looked around and for my budget and for the performance i think the del sol is the best idea. if anyone has any opinions on what to look for in a honda (eg typ of motor, steering, maybe something in the serial numbers.) so far i think i should look for the SI model or VTEC model. vtec i understand has the front and rear swaybars. anyways...just some ideas would be great. the car will be used for mostly regular driving at first and then ill boost it up a bit later. but i dont need a 10 sec car just kinda somehting fun with a little more.
thanks
thanks
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From: 11,000 rpm daily, GA
Re: tips on what to look for in a del sol (Jswpstdoff)
The del sol is a nice car in it's overall execution for sure. It's heavy, but it's fun.
The good thing about del sols is, they share a great number of parts with other hondas, including civics and integras, so drive train and suspension upgrades are as simple as just unbolt from one car, and bolt on to the other.
There are many pros/cons to the del sol, some say it's a girl car, and due to the fact of it's motorize rear glass and sunroof, it's a tad heavy by comparison to civics.
But for a car that is all there from the beginning, if you can score a del sol VTEC, that would be the thing to get.
Just fyi, if you are looking for one, the key discrimintating factors will be:
1: Amber lit interior, as opposed to blue/green
2: DOHC VTEC motor under the hood, it will say b16a3 on the stamping by the transmission in 94-95 models, b16a2 on most 96-97 models. (94-95 are preferred by tuners due to the simpler engine management, but the newer motors are obviously better by age, so it's up to you)
3: 4 wheels disc, should have alloy wheels.
4: should say del-sol vtec on the rear trunk lid.
I'm sure there is more, but i'm giving up on this thread.
The good thing about del sols is, they share a great number of parts with other hondas, including civics and integras, so drive train and suspension upgrades are as simple as just unbolt from one car, and bolt on to the other.
There are many pros/cons to the del sol, some say it's a girl car, and due to the fact of it's motorize rear glass and sunroof, it's a tad heavy by comparison to civics.
But for a car that is all there from the beginning, if you can score a del sol VTEC, that would be the thing to get.
Just fyi, if you are looking for one, the key discrimintating factors will be:
1: Amber lit interior, as opposed to blue/green
2: DOHC VTEC motor under the hood, it will say b16a3 on the stamping by the transmission in 94-95 models, b16a2 on most 96-97 models. (94-95 are preferred by tuners due to the simpler engine management, but the newer motors are obviously better by age, so it's up to you)
3: 4 wheels disc, should have alloy wheels.
4: should say del-sol vtec on the rear trunk lid.
I'm sure there is more, but i'm giving up on this thread.
Member
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From: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Re: tips on what to look for in a del sol (Plan B)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Plan B »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The del sol is a nice car in it's overall execution for sure. It's heavy, but it's fun.
due to the fact of it's motorize rear glass and sunroof, it's a tad heavy by comparison to civics.
.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I was under the impression it's weight was similiar to the civic hatch (of the same years) however more of the wieght was centered on the car helping with handling
due to the fact of it's motorize rear glass and sunroof, it's a tad heavy by comparison to civics.
.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I was under the impression it's weight was similiar to the civic hatch (of the same years) however more of the wieght was centered on the car helping with handling
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From: salem, or, usa
The del sol is heavier than any civic cause of the reinforcments needed to make it stable while having the top off! That and the powered rear glass mechanism i heard adds a few pounds!
Member
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From: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Re: (mattssi)
yeah, my bad.... I took someone's word a long time ago about their weight being similiar, before opening my mouth again, I searched and the del sol is on average (from what the search came up with) 2-300 lbs more...
again from word of mouth (I've never had a leak) it was 93-95 that a leak issues
again from word of mouth (I've never had a leak) it was 93-95 that a leak issues
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Member
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Re: tips on what to look for in a del sol (foz)
it is heavier, but it is not that heavier. The 95 sol si is actually almost 100 lighter then the Civic EX coupe of the same year, and only 20lbs heavier then the Civic SI of the same year (note all the mention above have the same engine and tranny, engine being d16z6, tranny being manual)
95 is IMO the best year for the del sol. In 96, they changed the front end, and I think the car does not look complete without the aux lights. Also, 95 was the year that they did alot of little upgrades including a trunk lever operner thingy mobober. lol Aswell as a few other small things like that. Also, 93's top leaked pretty bad, kinda corrected it in 94, 95 is not really even a problem anymore. Make sure you check for rust in the normal honda locations like in the wheel well. 96-97, the inside was changed and the seats changed material. They look more plain, however, from what I have heard, they are more comfrotable.
As with all honda's, the Red sols faded alot. When the car is pink, that is an early indictaion. VTEC's are hard to find, although the price on them has gone down alot in the past year or so.
93-94 there is a bright green called "Samba green" Supposably more rare then the VTEC sol, offered only on SI models.
On all sols regardless of years, make sure that the seals for the top and doors are soft and not hard. If they are hard, your top will leak and should be replaced. Will also tell you if the car has been maintained
95 is IMO the best year for the del sol. In 96, they changed the front end, and I think the car does not look complete without the aux lights. Also, 95 was the year that they did alot of little upgrades including a trunk lever operner thingy mobober. lol Aswell as a few other small things like that. Also, 93's top leaked pretty bad, kinda corrected it in 94, 95 is not really even a problem anymore. Make sure you check for rust in the normal honda locations like in the wheel well. 96-97, the inside was changed and the seats changed material. They look more plain, however, from what I have heard, they are more comfrotable.
As with all honda's, the Red sols faded alot. When the car is pink, that is an early indictaion. VTEC's are hard to find, although the price on them has gone down alot in the past year or so.
93-94 there is a bright green called "Samba green" Supposably more rare then the VTEC sol, offered only on SI models.
On all sols regardless of years, make sure that the seals for the top and doors are soft and not hard. If they are hard, your top will leak and should be replaced. Will also tell you if the car has been maintained
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,938
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From: Richmond, California
Re: (RTW DC2)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RTW DC2 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I believe 95+ were recalled and can be fixed by the dealer </TD></TR></TABLE>
sorry i quoted you. so the leak issue was recalled and can be fixed by a honda dealer? does that mean they will fix it for free?
sorry i quoted you. so the leak issue was recalled and can be fixed by a honda dealer? does that mean they will fix it for free?
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From: Home of the Brawny Man, US
Re: tips on what to look for in a del sol (asmallsol)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by asmallsol »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">it is heavier, but it is not that heavier. The 95 sol si is actually almost 100 lighter then the Civic EX coupe of the same year, and only 20lbs heavier then the Civic SI of the same year (note all the mention above have the same engine and tranny, engine being d16z6, tranny being manual)
95 is IMO the best year for the del sol. In 96, they changed the front end, and I think the car does not look complete without the aux lights. Also, 95 was the year that they did alot of little upgrades including a trunk lever operner thingy mobober. lol Aswell as a few other small things like that. Also, 93's top leaked pretty bad, kinda corrected it in 94, 95 is not really even a problem anymore. Make sure you check for rust in the normal honda locations like in the wheel well. 96-97, the inside was changed and the seats changed material. They look more plain, however, from what I have heard, they are more comfrotable.
As with all honda's, the Red sols faded alot. When the car is pink, that is an early indictaion. VTEC's are hard to find, although the price on them has gone down alot in the past year or so.
93-94 there is a bright green called "Samba green" Supposably more rare then the VTEC sol, offered only on SI models.
On all sols regardless of years, make sure that the seals for the top and doors are soft and not hard. If they are hard, your top will leak and should be replaced. Will also tell you if the car has been maintained</TD></TR></TABLE>
good shuff
95 is IMO the best year for the del sol. In 96, they changed the front end, and I think the car does not look complete without the aux lights. Also, 95 was the year that they did alot of little upgrades including a trunk lever operner thingy mobober. lol Aswell as a few other small things like that. Also, 93's top leaked pretty bad, kinda corrected it in 94, 95 is not really even a problem anymore. Make sure you check for rust in the normal honda locations like in the wheel well. 96-97, the inside was changed and the seats changed material. They look more plain, however, from what I have heard, they are more comfrotable.
As with all honda's, the Red sols faded alot. When the car is pink, that is an early indictaion. VTEC's are hard to find, although the price on them has gone down alot in the past year or so.
93-94 there is a bright green called "Samba green" Supposably more rare then the VTEC sol, offered only on SI models.
On all sols regardless of years, make sure that the seals for the top and doors are soft and not hard. If they are hard, your top will leak and should be replaced. Will also tell you if the car has been maintained</TD></TR></TABLE>
good shuff
Honda-Tech Member
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From: DDMotoring, CT, USA
Re: tips on what to look for in a del sol (falcon2691)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by falcon2691 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">in the past ive been working on alot of older stuff (eg 1962 ford falcon/ 1985 mustang) mostly carbs. now im moving into the injections. ive looked around and for my budget and for the performance i think the del sol is the best idea. if anyone has any opinions on what to look for in a honda (eg typ of motor, steering, maybe something in the serial numbers.) so far i think i should look for the SI model or VTEC model. vtec i understand has the front and rear swaybars. anyways...just some ideas would be great. the car will be used for mostly regular driving at first and then ill boost it up a bit later. but i dont need a 10 sec car just kinda somehting fun with a little more.
thanks</TD></TR></TABLE>
Look for the VTEC model, but its like trying to find waldo.
thanks</TD></TR></TABLE>
Look for the VTEC model, but its like trying to find waldo.
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 482
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From: Virginia, USA
Re: tips on what to look for in a del sol (Vero)
The 96+ si model shares all of the same components as the VTEC model, except it doesn't have a b16. Si has a D16Y/8 instead.
96+ Si has 4 wheels disc brakes, some came with and without ABS
96+ Si shares all the same suspension components as the VTEC model.
96+ Si has 4 wheels disc brakes, some came with and without ABS
96+ Si shares all the same suspension components as the VTEC model.
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: north jersey/ philly
Re: (jL iLLuZiOnz 9)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jL iLLuZiOnz 9 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
sorry i quoted you. so the leak issue was recalled and can be fixed by a honda dealer? does that mean they will fix it for free?</TD></TR></TABLE>
there was a thread somewhere about that recall (possibly on automotivetech.org). its from like 1995 or something. really old. supposedly recalls that are of safety concern have to be fixed by the dealer no matter how long its been. It was more hastle than it was worth for me so i just bought the $60 part myself and did the install. The recall he is referring to is about the rear window leaking b/c of the seal allowing water to get under the rear compartments. It was considered a safetly concern b/c it could have shorted out something....
also try teamdelsol.com, they have write-ups on how to fix Sol leaks, and i might have read about the recall there somewhere.
I love my del sol and don't plan on giving it up anytime soon. I have a Si model, but have since swapped a JDM b16a into it. the S and Si models are very slow for me. good luck.
sorry i quoted you. so the leak issue was recalled and can be fixed by a honda dealer? does that mean they will fix it for free?</TD></TR></TABLE>
there was a thread somewhere about that recall (possibly on automotivetech.org). its from like 1995 or something. really old. supposedly recalls that are of safety concern have to be fixed by the dealer no matter how long its been. It was more hastle than it was worth for me so i just bought the $60 part myself and did the install. The recall he is referring to is about the rear window leaking b/c of the seal allowing water to get under the rear compartments. It was considered a safetly concern b/c it could have shorted out something....
also try teamdelsol.com, they have write-ups on how to fix Sol leaks, and i might have read about the recall there somewhere.
I love my del sol and don't plan on giving it up anytime soon. I have a Si model, but have since swapped a JDM b16a into it. the S and Si models are very slow for me. good luck.
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 578
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From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Re: (sol2nr)
yea yea yea leaking from window and the top is one of the biggest problem in my sol right now...
i have 96 Vtec del sol and if i leave the car on street and it's raining, both seats will get wet if i go check it out on the next day...
also the wet interior will cause the car smelly
i have 96 Vtec del sol and if i leave the car on street and it's raining, both seats will get wet if i go check it out on the next day...
also the wet interior will cause the car smelly
TSPeed Factory
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Renton, WA, Vietnam
Re: (daver)
i'd just find a base model del sol s and then swap the motor with a b18. del sols are fun to drive. i believe a del sol vtec weighs in close to 2500 lbs. while a del sol s weighs in at 2295 lbs.
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Re: (AzntaggeR)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AzntaggeR »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i'd just find a base model del sol s and then swap the motor with a b18. del sols are fun to drive. i believe a del sol vtec weighs in close to 2500 lbs. while a del sol s weighs in at 2295 lbs.</TD></TR></TABLE>
wow... wut cause that big weight different?
wow... wut cause that big weight different?
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Seattle, WA, USA
VTEC del sols do weigh in about 2500lbs. but thats due to the b16 in it and perhaps a few miner things.
any info you need...go to http://www.automotivetech.org ...home of team del sol. they have an enormous del sol archive. for more help...go to http://www.teamdelsol.com
engines: IMO...for FI i'd go with either a GSR motor if you ahve the money or a LS block. N/A b20.
-pLaY
any info you need...go to http://www.automotivetech.org ...home of team del sol. they have an enormous del sol archive. for more help...go to http://www.teamdelsol.com
engines: IMO...for FI i'd go with either a GSR motor if you ahve the money or a LS block. N/A b20.
-pLaY
Member
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From: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Re: (SOL-R)
besides the bigger motor I think the wieght difference also comes from additional accessories the s weight is given w/o power steering, A/C, abs, rear discs, other godies along those lines
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Re: tips on what to look for in a del sol (elevatethis)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by elevatethis »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The 96+ si model shares all of the same components as the VTEC model, except it doesn't have a b16. Si has a D16Y/8 instead.
96+ Si has 4 wheels disc brakes, some came with and without ABS
96+ Si shares all the same suspension components as the VTEC model.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
All SI's regardless of year had had rear disc brakes. Only the S had drum brakes.
In regards to the 96+ SI having the same suspension, the onlything that changed was that the 96+SI got a rear swaybar, although i am not sure of the size. The nice thing about this, if you ever plan to mod the suspension, you do not have to buy new LCA's to put a sway on, but LCA's are cheap and pretty easy to install.
96+ Si has 4 wheels disc brakes, some came with and without ABS
96+ Si shares all the same suspension components as the VTEC model.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
All SI's regardless of year had had rear disc brakes. Only the S had drum brakes.
In regards to the 96+ SI having the same suspension, the onlything that changed was that the 96+SI got a rear swaybar, although i am not sure of the size. The nice thing about this, if you ever plan to mod the suspension, you do not have to buy new LCA's to put a sway on, but LCA's are cheap and pretty easy to install.
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