I'm gonna start from the VERY beginning
How it all got started
1999
Purchased a '89 Honda CRX Si for an unbelievable $5000 (for today's standards.
Car had a DOHC ZC and a bunch of other miscellaneous performance parts.


Some guy asked me if i wanted to swap wheels with him. straight trade. Sure


May/June of 2000
Painted CRX prowler yellow


Three weeks later



August/September of 2000
Saw an ad in the paper for a '90 CRX for sale for $1800. Went to check it out. had minor front end damage, was an HF.
hard to find cheap CRXs in Vegas... let alone HFs at the time. I spent 3 months looking.


Then I had two CRXs. Starting working on the '89 CRX and pulling the DOHC ZC and anything else that might be useful/important.




After some man love...


The HF's engine was pulled and the DOHC ZC was put in it's place.
Along with the SI suspension.
and the brakes.
and seats.
and everything else.

About 6-8months later
I got tired of the white CRX. I had people sign the hood with a variety of sayings/quotes. I had a sharpie with me at all times, just in case someone wanted to sign the hood. I had signatures from elvis impersonators to fanatical Chevy owners. Then i painted the car. 10 cans of spray paint later...


It was fun, but looked hideous. Wanted an idea of how the car would look yellow with a JDM MADE TITE YO BLACK CF HOOD!!

Then i took it to Maaco


Late 2001
After painting, racing, and other minor mods. I bought brakes.


Late 2002
Then I sold the brakes.

Late 2002
Then got a B16A


Late 2003
then I got another B16A.

Mod List as of June 2004:
- B16A1, J1 gearbox, PR3 chipped with 9500rpm rev limit, cheap air tube, B&M FPR, and Fields VTEC/Fuel controller
- DC 4-2-1 header, with test cat and 3 chamber Dynomax Super Turbo muffler and super pimp crush bent exhaust tip.
- Koni yellows and GC w/ 450F/550R, energy bushings everywhere, prothane RTA bushings, rear ST sway bar, front SI sway bar, rear lower neuspeed tie-bar custom made extended top hats
- 6 point autopower cage, RCI 5 point cam lock harness, pyrotech window net
- Corbeau Forza driver seat, CRX Si pass seat, autometer gauges (tach, speedo, oil press, water temp, volts), momo race steering wheel
- relocated battery to trunk with kill switch
- extended wheel studs with CRX Si front brakes w/ hawk hp+ pads, stainless lines, and Ford HD fluid. Rear brakes are drums w/ stainless lines. CRX Si Brake booster, with a Prelude MC.
- 15x6.5 rota slips w/ falken azenis for street/track; 13x9 diamond racing w/ escta v700s for autocross.
- B&M short shifter with '01 Maxima AE edition shift ****

 

nice work man....good luck...with future mods

 

July 18th, 2004
Picked up a '95 Integra GSR for dirt cheap ($2300). The car is stripped of it's interior, but, the engine runs, and runs good.
The integra had:
- 146K miles on the B18C1
- No oil leaks or oil build-up on the engine anywhere
- AEM cam gears
- GReddy header
- AEM cold air intake
- nology wires
- 4 piston Wilwood calipers w/ 2 piece 12.19" rotors
- Maxspeed coilovers
- JDM Type-R Momo steering wheel
- GReddy full exhaust
- GReddy Oil Pressure gauge
- 17" MSR wheels w/ what seems to be BRAND new ES100 tyres.
- decent leather GSR seats
- Koyo aluminum radiator
- overflow bottle that is normally used as an oil overflow bottle.
- Optimum battery
- Momo shift ****
- front upper strut brace and rear lower tie bar.

I'm yanking the engine out in the next few days. the parts i can't use or don't want (GReddy exhaust, GSR seats, 17" wheels, steering wheel), i've been advertising to sell.

I should be able to sell enough stuff to make back my money that I've spent on the GSR purchase. I sold my old B16A w/ a PR3 ecu for $500 which helped finance some new mods.

In September/October, I'm participating in a triathlon of motorsports, aka "The ***** Challenge". This forced some of my plans to happen sooner.

The B18C1 should be dropped into the CRX in about a week.
I bought a Skunk2 Intake manifold to get rid of the dual-stage intake manifold of the GSR.
Also bought a new Corbeau Forza seat. I don't quite like it since it's a big bigger and taller. It'll be a good passenger seat though.
Also bought some new G-Force cam lock belts. my old RCI camlock harness was 2 years old already. those will be regulated to the passenger side...since i hardly have passengers and the belts are technically good for 5 years or one accident, whichever is first
I ordered a harness to get the P72 to work with my engine harness... as well as a harness from LoCash to have my B16 distributor to work with the GSR. it should be all plug and play now.

Not sure if I'm going to be able to use the GReddy header from the B18C with my CRX exhaust.

I plan on using the J1 from the B18 for my gearbox. I hate hydro clutches. I'm on the fence about selling the Y80. the Y80 requires a whole new set of mounts ($500)... but, I can rebuild the Y80 much much cheaper than i can rebuild the J1. I'll probably keep the y80 around unless someone offers me $700 or something outrageous.

 

Crap, i keep forgetting other stuff...

July 18th, 2004
Some pictures of the parts I got:


I'd like to use these brakes... although they'd be overkill for a 2300lb car. and then, i'd have to run 16" wheels.


The integra I picked up. Pretty clean...


I'm gonna see if this fits in my CRX.


170hp/125?tq stock B18C1 vs. 160hp/111tq stock B16A1.
Although there's roughly a 60lb weight difference between the two engines. (i'll verify this when i get them yanked).
However, I'll be bolting on a Skunk2 manifold on the B18, which has been said to make 7-10hp to the wheels...
the B18 also has cam gears, which should help for tuning.
Header also makes probably 5hp... air tube makes maybe a 1hp.
All of this SHOULD bring the B18 to around 180-185hp. I'll get it dynoed in October to get solid numbers.

I've been looking for a bump steer kit for the CRX... no one makes them apparently. This would be a nice addition to the steering feel of the CRX.
Brake ducts are next. I'll be racing against a 996 and other various FAST cars. I have to be able to outbrake them as best as I can (if i can in the first place), if I want to win.

 

damn nice find on that gsr man.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 88crex &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">damn nice find on that gsr man. </TD></TR></TABLE>
too bad no one wants parts from it...


July 19th, 2004
Couldn't find anyone selling a seat bracket for a corbeau seat. blah. Had to order one, 90 friggin dollars shipped.
Arg.
I burned a nice hole in my Corbeau a few months ago. I have yet to get it reupholstered. That's the plan over the next few days/weeks.


Corbeau sells the cover for $95. another $95 and you can get a whole new seat...

Still looking for a bump steer kit. No one makes a decent one.

 

Man it looks like that seat has seen better days.

And how the hell did you find that gsr with that much stuff on it for such a crack head price???

Good luck with everything and good log

 

Well good luck on the buil-up...and that is one hell of a price for that GSR

 

wat do you do for a living? soo much money!!!!IM JELOUS gimmi gimmi!!!!!

 

Was this car on display at lvms on sat?
I think i saw it by the taco stand.
NEways good job on the car
Got pics of the gsr seats?
I'm interested if I don't have to modify them to fit.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eda6 hb &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Was this car on display at lvms on sat?</TD></TR></TABLE>
No sir. I avoid the drag strip unless:
1. I'm testing and tuning
2. Bored at wits end
3. Haven't autocrossed/open tracked in weeks.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Got pics of the gsr seats?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Check my Classified post. you can search under my name and it'll be the '94-01 GSR parts.

 

July 19th, 2004
Pulled the engine out of the GSR. Christ, that was the EASIEST engine pull EVER. I thought pulling the DOHC ZC from my CRX was cake...it seriously took about 2hrs, when everything is accounted for.

After everything was disconnected from the engine and only thing left were the 3 major engine mounts. It seriously took 15 mins. that includes bolting the hoist to the engine. I LOVE AIR TOOLS...plus, there's a lot of room to move the engine around.

I'm going to HATE putting this sucker in the CRX.

----
I took off the GSR's crappy dual-stage intake manifold... the designer of this manifold should be shot in the arm. I've never seen one until now and wow.
The Skunk2 Intake Manifold cleans up the rear of engine. Removes a lot of vacuum lines. I just got to reroute some of the coolant lines. I just noticed a problem with the manifold bracket. the GSR's is entirely too short. I haven't pulled the B16 to compare... but, i may have to use that one.

Tomorrow, i'm going to start disconnecting the B16A from the CRX and finishing up the rest of the intake manifold installation on the GSR. I have to also plumb my Oil Pressure gauge and water temp sensor on the water neck.

The previous owner thought it'd be special to put a ITR valve cover on the engine. I'm probably going to put the B16A valve cover on. I don't really care for the bling of the red valve cover.

I should take more pictures of the swap... but, since i'm the only one working on this project... i hate stopping.

Also, found some guy to reupholster my Corbeau seat cover for $75. Not sure if that's really a deal since brand new they are $95+shipping.

Finally, I just bought me another '91 CRX SI for $700. the engine is blown and the paint is kinda crap. But, during one hub/wheel stud install, i bent the brake bracket tab on the knuckle... making the brake calipers angle slightly, they work fine, just an annoyance of mine when i get aftermarket brakes. The '91 CRX will donate some straight parts for that.
I also plan on repainting it, stealing the 16" enkei's and rebuilding the engine. I'll resale it in a few weeks after everything is said and done, but with my 15" rota slips with Falkens. I need the 16"s to fit the 12.19" rotors and wilwood calipers on the CRX.

yes, 12.19" rotors on a CRX.

COMPLETELY overkill for a 2300lb car, but, they felt so friggin good on the GSR. I mean, the brakes in the GSR FELT very solid. I've ALWAYS fought for factory 9.5" brakes, as they work just fine (with the right pads and tyres). However, the brake FEEL has always been a downside. Considering I'll be racing this car against a 996, a turbo miata, a 600rwhp Supra, and a plethora of other crazy cars... I might as well use what i have sitting around.

Tomorrow:
- Test fit the Koyo Radiator from the GSR
- Finish the B18C1 clean-up and intake install
- Remove a lot of what's holding the B16A in the CRX
- Test fit the 12.19" brakes

 

SO how about them seats

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SynTeg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">SO how about them seats </TD></TR></TABLE>
check the other forum

i swear, us honda vegas guys are everywhere!

 

You paid $2300 for that GSR (the one you have pictured)? That was a deal and a half!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by clean90Si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You paid $2300 for that GSR (the one you have pictured)? That was a deal and a half!</TD></TR></TABLE>
For shore!!

Especially since it came with a handful of performance parts (cam gears, header, full exhaust, wilwood brakes, wheels, suspension, etc, etc, etc).

Problem i'm having now is selling the parts i don't need/want.

 

I would get rid of the yellow junker and drive the Integra

 

Are you updating the back brakes at all??? I know its fine to drive with the set-up with 12.5 rotors in the front and stock drums in the back, but to be competitive (which is your goal, especially outbraking) I would think you would want a little more bite in the back. That will help stabilize your car going into turns and prevent the back from unloading so much weight and sliding out on you. Just a thought.

 

unfortunately i dont think the b16 IM bracket will work.

it connects the bottom of the IM to the block correct? The b18 has a taller block so the bracket will be too short.. i think a ITR would work.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 88 rex &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Are you updating the back brakes at all???</TD></TR></TABLE>
Nope.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> but to be competitive (which is your goal, especially outbraking) I would think you would want a little more bite in the back. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Not at all. rear drums are perfect for CRXs. adding rear discs just adds unnecessary weight. considering around 30% or less of the braking is done with the rear brakes... it's really a non-issue. Rear discs on a CRX is more for bling, really.

Consider this, ITA CRXs can swap rear disc brakes... there are A LOT of ITA CRXs without rear disc brakes.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by crx_88_si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">unfortunately i dont think the b16 IM bracket will work. </TD></TR></TABLE>
It doesn't. I'm ok with that though. the bracket seems to keep hoses/wires out of the moreso than hold the manifold up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by REX VT &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would get rid of the yellow junker and drive the Integra</TD></TR></TABLE>
I've considered that, but

CRX &gt; Integra. CRX weighs less, handles better (when properly set-up) and I have more invested in the CRX than the integra.

Plus, I think Integras are sinfully ugly.

 

Hehehe I was trying to pull your pants with the junker remark but you reacted quite cool ..

 

July 21st, 2004

Got the B16A out of the CRX last night. it was FAR easier to remove than install. I remember spending 4 hours installing the engine. Took me 1.5hrs to remove it from jacking the car up to the engine sitting on the ground.

Test fitted the Koyo radiator. it's entirely too tall to fit in the ED chassis. Oh well. It's a nice radiator that hopefully some integra owner will purchase from em.

Didn't get to the brakes last night. Will have to do that tomorrow.

Tomorrow, I plan on redoing some wiring. If you didn't know, Dropped CRX Si's site has a lot of info about swaps. I hate Geocities though, but, otherwise, it's a good site for reference.

The wiring i got to redo is for VTEC, Oil, Knock, and O2. When I originally did my B16A swap, the wires were loosely added. I'd like to add the wires where they look like they are apart of the factory harness. I also have to add my water temp gauge wiring to this harness too. Trying to make everything look clean.

I ordered a wiring harness from ARD Performance on Tuesday of last week. Still waiting for it... this would connect the P72 ECU to the ED harness, making everything much much simplier. Also waiting for a distributor harness I bought from Locash. This will allow the GSR distributor to work with my ED harness, with cutting/rewiring anything.


Also, for the Skunk2 Intake Manifold vs GSR manifold, there is an issue with the fuel rail and how it's mounted to the Skunk2. some say to use the studs from the GSR. I tried that and it would not work. I ended up using 3 10mm bolts and bolted the fuel rail directly to the manifold, without any spacers. Fit perfectly.

Today, I gotta get my flywheel resurfaced and a new 1/2" rachet

 

wow, i am impressed. I would kill to have those brakes, though. lol, talk about shearing the paint off the nose.
pretty good writeup

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Driven &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Not at all. rear drums are perfect for CRXs. adding rear discs just adds unnecessary weight.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Any idea what year Civic's/CRX's came with the aluminum drum?
I know they are out there. They are even lighter and they don't have the rust color.