new ex owner

soon2bsick

New Member
Registered VIP
Hey guys,

just bought my first civic this past Saturday. I've been saving up cash here and there for a few months because I was going to start corrections academy this year and my gas guzzling 5.0 4x4 mountaineer is picking my non-employed pocket.

I knew exactly what I wanted when I started looking (EX, Sedan, 5Spd, 96-99 oh yeah...and with AC)

I finally found one in my price range Saturday, the problem was it had 185,000 miles on it but I figured what the hay I'll go look at it cause he only wanted 1,800 and swore it drove like new. I show up to look at it and find out that it has a pretty decent system (subs, amp, decent aftermarket speakers) an aftermarket exhaust that doesn't sound like a fart can, lowering springs (not my favorite part) and an AEM intake. The guy mentioned none of these things in his ad and he was older so I doubt he cared but they sweeted the deal in my eyes. It also runs great and shifts smoothly, has tires with less than 6,000 miles on them and a couple new parts under the hood. So the bad parts and what got me this car for only 1,600 was the fact that it had so many miles and it has been pummeled by hail on the roof/fenders/back section (mainly on the drivers side) and the paint is faded bad up on the roof. he had already started working on fixing the hail damage by replacing the hood but the rest of it, though there is a lot I know I can fix. And I planned to paint the thing anyways



My Question:

I want to upgrade this motor, header and things (still learning..things) would it be a good idea to put money into rebuilding this motor first because it has so many miles on it or should I just put money in performance pieces since it runs great and rebuild later?


thanks guys
 

UCCRacing

No Fun
Registered VIP
5+ Year Member
First of all :welcome:

Second of all where are the pics? Post pics =)

Third I would focus on body, get it cleaned up and back up to par.... No one likes a fast POS looking car... Well some do... But most people like a clean even stock clean looking car over performance... By no means am I saying go all out... I would just get the parts up to par on the exterior....

As far as the engine 185k is NOTHING on a Civic. Hell I found one the other day with 350k on a 00 and was tempted because they RUN forever and miles are nothing...

Engine is going to be all about research... You can go D - B - H - K - J or even F series... I mean it is all open to opinion, there is no perfect answer... So I would say start researching..... See what your HP goals are, or do you just want a DD that is great on gas...

RESEARCH is the key bro...

GL and get some pics up NOW =)
 


soon2bsick

New Member
Registered VIP
thanks for the help, In all honesty I want to stay with the D16YB because this IS the motor that I wanted.

The body is something I've already started on, sanding and filling. I plan to run black primer for a while until I decide on a color. Although I spent most of today taking apart the interior and painting (yes, yes I know... don't rattle can your interior just buy the parts in black) but I did it anyways and I'm quite pleased with how it came out and how much simpler a honda is to take part than anything I've ever owned. Only other thing that needs fixed is I have an oil leak on the left side of the head (not coming from the head though) I thought it was my oil sending unit so I replaced that but I haven't been able to drive it to see, now I'm pretty sure it might be the O-ring for the distributer since that seems to be common from my researching.



oh and for pics...



anyone know how to get this hideous decal off the side? looks like its been there for about ten years... I'm not worried about scratching the paint because it's getting primered soon.






the crappy plastic rim covers are coming off tomorrow and I'm going to just do my steelies in black paint.

has black housing headlights with those halo ring thingies lol








decently clean engine bay


 

UCCRacing

No Fun
Registered VIP
5+ Year Member
OH man I am gonna have to watch this thread now lol....

Looks good for the price... As far as the f**king sea side wave decal just use a blow dryer NOT a heat gun unless you are VERY careful, get it warm on the edge and start pealing it off... Then go back with some goo gone and it will take it right off...

For the hubs yes please THROW them away! lol...

Get some OEM headlights! ASAP!

Lose the ricer Altezza Tail lights...

As far as painting the interior, that is fine IF it is done correctly... What did you use??? Hopefully an interior die...

Or Krylon Fusion works well and it's made for plastics
 


dj_hallucn8

"to punish and enslave"
Registered VIP
5+ Year Member
Damn you got a deal, I paid $2100 for my 96 with 115000 miles & none of the windows worked, no radio, headliner was ripped, missing rear passenger interior door handle, trunk lid was held on by 2 bolts, window tint was faded & peeling, dome light cover missing, some interior peices missing, no spare tire or jack plus didn't give me the key for the wheel locks. Good news is the motor & tranny are awesome, A/C & heat both work, came with some rims that are ok & has a new suspension kit on front & back, mine has dents & dings & needs the bumpers buttoned up correctly, funny thing is I have a similar light kit for the front.

 

UCCRacing

No Fun
Registered VIP
5+ Year Member
Damn you got a deal, I paid $2100 for my 96 with 115000 miles & none of the windows worked, no radio, headliner was ripped, missing rear passenger interior door handle, trunk lid was held on by 2 bolts, window tint was faded & peeling, dome light cover missing, some interior peices missing, no spare tire or jack plus didn't give me the key for the wheel locks. Good news is the motor & tranny are awesome, A/C & heat both work, came with some rims that are ok & has a new suspension kit on front & back, mine has dents & dings & needs the bumpers buttoned up correctly, funny thing is I have a similar light kit for the front.

Damn 2100? I would offered 1000 to them and said Ill give you 1500 if you take the stupid wheels.... lol...

Looks like it needs a drop, some different wheels and to lose that chrome plate up front, sell the headlights and you will have a decent looking ride! =)
 

Robin...

D-Series Soldier
Registered VIP
Registered OG
5+ Year Member
10+ Year Member
D16yb???... You mean d16y7 right...
 

dj_hallucn8

"to punish and enslave"
Registered VIP
5+ Year Member
I like the plate but your right about everything else, I'm working on changing the rims out & getting some oem headlights, I like them better. UCC, what o ring are you talking about, I may have the same issue, where is it located? Sorry I'm still a bit of a noob when it comes to the engine.
 

dj_hallucn8

"to punish and enslave"
Registered VIP
5+ Year Member
soon2bsick, does yours have ABS? Mine doesn't & I noticed your master cylider is different from mine.
 

UCCRacing

No Fun
Registered VIP
5+ Year Member
D16yb???... You mean d16y7 right...
No he meant y8 bro... Different intake manifold... And his car is an EX so D16y8 VTEC YO lol

I like the plate but your right about everything else, I'm working on changing the rims out & getting some oem headlights, I like them better. UCC, what o ring are you talking about, I may have the same issue, where is it located? Sorry I'm still a bit of a noob when it comes to the engine.
AS long as you like it....

I would get some Black housing OEM headlights =)

The O Ring is on the Distributor, 3 bolts takes it off, there is a O ring for like 2 bucks, swap it out, put the DIzzy back on (mark the location of the dizzy before you remove it) then tighten it all back up, but dont over tighten it
 

armoOndo408

New Member
at 185k.. that's just the beginning of its life, I got mine with I think 187k and now I have 193k and no problems at all with the engine. GL
 

TigBitties

Frame Bangin
Registered VIP
Registered OG
5+ Year Member
10+ Year Member
your engine has pleanty of life to go! most likely you will sell it and get a new car before that dies. As for the decals, UCC is right, use a hair dryer or heatgun. I used a heat gun to remove all my pinstripe and it took maybe 5 mintues to do a entire car. Enjoy your stay here at ClubCivic
 

soon2bsick

New Member
Registered VIP
thanks guys for all the responses,

yeah I hate the tail lights lol but I'm starting to like the headlights. I did the interior with duplicolor fabric paint and then went over it again with krylon. And I added some blue because...I love blue lol. Finishing up the door panels and stuff tomorrow, I went ahead and painted the steering wheel even though I want it gone ASAP, just feels too bulky to me.







Well I guess if you guys don't think I should worry about rebuilding the motor right now, what do you think I should do performance wise to it? it is a DD but I still want it to get up and go. Intake & exhaust that are on it I plan to keep, so I guess I should start with a header? what else?


I have a grill coming in the mail that looks just like your's dj_hallucn8, man I'll trade you my lowered springs for your stock ones if you pay for shipping lol the car rides great but I've got bad knees
 

dj_hallucn8

"to punish and enslave"
Registered VIP
5+ Year Member
I have aftermarket adjustable springs I do want to keep, I like the way it rides. How much did you pay for the grill, got mine for $5.99 & $8.00 to ship, needs to have a better mount on the bottom side but it does look nice. Thanks UCC, I will get on that this weekend, I see a bit of leakage from there but not bad, I replaced the valve cover gasket two weeks ago cuz it was leaking bad all over the fuel rail & down to the alternator, got most of the oil off the engine now, & I'll look for those headlights you suggested. soon2bsick yours looks pretty good under the hood, I'm gonna wait to post pics of mine till it looks good, needs lots of cleaning & some upgrades.
 

soon2bsick

New Member
Registered VIP
I have aftermarket adjustable springs I do want to keep, I like the way it rides. How much did you pay for the grill, got mine for $5.99 & $8.00 to ship, needs to have a better mount on the bottom side but it does look nice. Thanks UCC, I will get on that this weekend, I see a bit of leakage from there but not bad, I replaced the valve cover gasket two weeks ago cuz it was leaking bad all over the fuel rail & down to the alternator, got most of the oil off the engine now, & I'll look for those headlights you suggested. soon2bsick yours looks pretty good under the hood, I'm gonna wait to post pics of mine till it looks good, needs lots of cleaning & some upgrades.

I paid $20 w/shipping for mine. The stock one thats on it is busted in the middle and bottom because whoever took it off didn't know how to and used the "its probably clips just rip it out" method and snapped all the plastic including a piece in the front, not that it matters cause I wanted to change it any ways for that "Clean front" look like your's has. I need to find some decent side skirts as well, the stock ones are missing.

Engine degreaser can do wonders! get you some purple power and go to town.
 

TigBitties

Frame Bangin
Registered VIP
Registered OG
5+ Year Member
10+ Year Member
eh not feeling the blue, but its not my car. For performance parts, you can do a header, but will see next to no benefits. D series dont react much to bolt ons. Only way to get real power is forced induction. With a header, intake, exhaust you will see maybe 3 to 5hp gains if that. First thing i would recommend is a complete tune up
 

dj_hallucn8

"to punish and enslave"
Registered VIP
5+ Year Member
I paid $20 w/shipping for mine. The stock one thats on it is busted in the middle and bottom because whoever took it off didn't know how to and used the "its probably clips just rip it out" method and snapped all the plastic including a piece in the front, not that it matters cause I wanted to change it any ways for that "Clean front" look like your's has. I need to find some decent side skirts as well, the stock ones are missing.

Engine degreaser can do wonders! get you some purple power and go to town.
Not a bad price compared to buying an OEM grill, I need to get a bunch of clip screws so I can replace some bad ones, tried to find some at the junkyard but people have already picked those over, I did see a 97 lx with both side skirts OEM but you would have to be down here in FL to get them, might be able to get them for $15 a piece at the u pull it yard. I'm still looking for visors in grey for mine but I got the material from the guy who did my headliner so I could recover my old ones but don't know if I am crafty enough to do it myself. BTW, I think the blue accents look good, I might paint my center console just don't know what color yet.
 


Top