hey man, can I ask where you got the manual steering setup??
I bought it off another member on here who had purchased it from a shop near him. You can find them online, just look for EF civic manual racks. In order to use it though you need a custom bushing made to take up the space around the manual rack that was previously filled up with the power rack at the point where the rack bolts to the subframe. I think you can see it in the picture with my steering rack and es kit. There was a short run of them produced and they aren’t available anymore unless you post a wtb thread and someone is parting ways with theirs. Only other option is to have one made. I should also note that the inner tie rods on the manual rack need to be swapped out for DA inner tie rods. The outer tie rods are the same part # but might as well replace them and have new ones while its apart.
good info on the manual rack ^ im also converting to the manual as i wont be able to use powersteering with my swap
I got the motor out today. I was really wishing I had an extra set of hands for a while but ended up I just had to reposition my chains and it came out pretty painlessly. After it was out I started removing what I could from the bay until I ran out of time. Next chance I get to work on it I’ll be pulling the dash so I can feed everything back through the firewall and get the bay all stripped and ready to put in some real work…
I would have killed to have a cherry picker when I pulled my motor, you made out easy, haha! When I pulled my motor I didn’t have any help or a cherry picker so I pulled the head then dropped the bottom end down on to a small furniture dolly and managed to wheel it under the radiator support.
Speaking of radiator supports… Looks like you’re in need of a new one. Mine is beat up too, it’s starting to peel away from the rest of the support. I actually just went by a body shop today and got some pricing to have them make sure the frame is straight and weld in the lower rad support I’ve had in my closet for 2yrs. I was going to weld it in myself but now that I’m having them check the frame I might as well have a pro put in the support as well.
What happened on the passenger side where the holes for your headlights pop thru? Looks like it’s but cut for some reason.
Haha, this was definitely the easiest motor I’ve pulled. That hoist was the nicest I’ve used yet. When I parted out my red DA that I crashed I didn’t even pull the head. I dropped the motor on the ground and jacked the car up over it. That was a job!
The radiator support is definitely going to be replaced. The bottom is beat up bad, it has two holes cut in it, and the side took a little bump. I’m looking to buy a decent mig welder, well because I’ve always wanted one, but now I’m justifying the purchase to myself because I could save money on the core support install and the engine bay shave. It’s one of those tools I NEED you know?
Those holes were actually from one of the first retrofits I had on the car. I made the lights, went to test fit, and realized they wouldn’t fit so although I regretted it afterwards I made the hole bigger. Stupid move but oh well, it needed replacing anyway.
A welder is an amazing tool. If its in your budget (aka “I want to buy more fun tools”) I say go for it! I have a Hobart Handler, 135 I think is the model number. There are a handful of w leaders that are all basically the same but branded differently, I think Lincoln makes Hobart. See if you can find a barely used complete setup. That way you not only save on the welder but you don’t have to buy all the accessories (helmet, gloves, magnets, wire, tips, tank, regulator). Something like that would be perfect for you, just a decent quality, no frills 110v gas shielded MIG (don’t even consider unshielded).
If you’re looking to learn something new and are a pretty handy guy then you’ll be fine, if you’re not comfortable fabbing something from scratch though probably think again. My main advice is try to get a little advice (if you don’t know anyone then just see what you can find online), and PRACTICE. I wouldn’t work on your car till you have a few hours of practice in you. Thin stuff, like radiator supports, exhaust, and body panels are the most difficult, especially if the materials are different thickness (e.g. Trying to weld an exhaust hanger on).
I was just browsing and found these coil overs. Rates are maybe 50-100lbs lower than ideal, but a good setup nonetheless.
http://hondamarketplace.com/showthread.php?t=3165102
I have a small amount of experience welding. The thing about welding (in my experience) is its all about the unit you’re working with. I recently welded a new muffler and HKS tips on my db1 using a buddy’s cheap harbor freight flux core mig welder. It wasn’t pretty but it was functional. In the past I’ve used high end Miller’s and I actually surprised myself with how well my welds came out. That harbor freight pos just couldn’t compare. The devil on my shoulder is telling me I need something more than what I probably actually do, but it can be considered an investment so I’m shopping around for good used units. A gas capable unit is an absolute must for me though.
I saw that guys fs thread already but I think there’s probably better deals to be found. Like you said, those spring rates are a bit low. I appreciate you looking out though! And all the advice!
+1 for Hobart.
They will be better than a cheaper HarborFreight unit…
Thanks for the advice! Not too much for sale locally at the moment but I’m sure something good will pop up eventually.
I got a couple hours to work on it today. Started by pulling the seats, carpet, dashboard, heater core, steering column, etc until I got to the firewall. Then I removed the brakes and pulled the entire harness back through the firewall. Looked at the clock and I was running late to go pick up the kids so called it a day. I wish I got more than 2-3 hours a week to work on it. Progress is going slow…
You and I are very much in the same spot right now my friend 
I have since pulled the dash and all the heater stuff. Hopefully headed to the body shop to get the frame checked in a few weeks. Man, I’m lagging on this project. 6 months and all that’s happened is tearing stuff off the car 
Shitty part about tearing the car apart this much is it’s hard to find all the correct replacement grommets and seals and such. Way too much stuff is discontinued for our cars.
If we’re at the same spot, how come yours looks sooo much better?
I just wish I could get more time to work on it. It sat for months before I even found time to get it into the garage so don’t feel bad. Life has a way of complicating my playtime… I agree the seals and grommets are hard to find. Luckily for me I’ll be welding my extra holes shut.
Both of you guys’ cars are coming along! Little by little, at least stuff is happening. You will appreciate it more when it’s back together and you’re driving it.
To many people expect instant results and don’t know what it takes to actually build a car. Nothing but respect for the both of you!
Thanks man! Yeah it takes a lot of work but to be honest I really enjoy it. It’s just me, the car, and a radio. Hours pass before I even realize it. I really look forward to driving it but lots to do before that happens!
[QUOTE=Colin;2301761]
I have since pulled the dash and all the heater stuff. Hopefully headed to the body shop to get the frame checked in a few weeks. Man, I’m lagging on this project. 6 months and all that’s happened is tearing stuff off the car Shitty part about tearing the car apart this much is it’s hard to find all the correct replacement grommets and seals and such. Way too much stuff is discontinued for our cars.[/QUOTE]
I’m curious, why did you pull everything you did? I know you were replacing the motor but haven’t heard about any other plans. Did the body shop need everything removed to check the frame? I cant imagine that they would.
As for looking better, my engine has been out before and at that point I scrubbed and scrubbed to get it clean. This time around I just pulled even more off so I’ll be cleaning even more this time around - I have mental problems, absolutely have to clean every nut, bolt and surface before assembly. To me the car is actually filthy right now and it bugs me, haha.
The grommets I’m worried about aren’t to plug holes, they’re fr the stuff I’m keeping - fuel lines, brake lines… Anything that goes thru the firewall.
I pulled the dash and under dash stuff on the suggestion of a friend - that if the car spent any time at the body shop the dash would be covered inside and out with dirt and what not. And really it needed to come out anyway and I was trying to avoid doing it. Having it out will make it possible to clean behind/under the dash and allow access to all my wiring, some of which I’m redoing. Plus it allowed me to remove the rest of he rubber sound deadening mat.
Overall I keep getting deeper and deeper into this project with no end in sight.
Ah I see. The grommets are cleanable though, unless they’re dry-rotting or cut or something I would just reuse them. I can definitely understand wanting clean, shiny, new ones though.
Have you ever driven in a car with that rubber sound deadening mat removed? I removed mine carefully so I could reuse it if I chose to. I was just thinking that removing it would more than likely create more dash rattles. I don’t mind having more engine noise, I just can’t handle the rattles from the dash.
Any input on this welder? Sounds like a pretty good deal. I’d need a tank but at least its a quality unit.
Nice progress man, good luck with all that wiring. Looks like a nightmare to me