1987 RT-AWD WAGOVAN build!!

[EastCoastEK]

This is such an exciting thread, subscribed! Congrats on your daughter to man yer keep this up, can't wait for the drop...

Cool! Thanks, glad to see so much interest. I'm trying to do this thing right! Also, thanks for the congrats on my daughter. Life is awesome with her in it!

I just got the electrical problem figured out, which was HUGE.

I'm now driving the wagon daily.

Turns out I had a wiring issue going to the alternator, just as I suspected. It wasn't allowing the alternator
to charge the battery. Once that was solved, the last issue worked itself out...

...which was the battery.It had a jacked-up cell. So, I got a new one of those too.

Now, no electrial problems.

Got my rear speakers installed. I'm jammin. It sounds great. Need to open up my EQ and fix
a wiring issue, as it likes to fail frequently. Old radio stuff, figures. When its working, the sound is BALLA'! I love classical music, and it just sings on this system (I'm a music major, don't hate! )

Still need to put on the Nardi stuff, and stitch some rips in the front seat. I have a ...."creative" plan as to how to accomplish this.

I've ordered, and am going to pick up OEM Honda carb rebuild parts this weekend, and hopefully I'll get started on that ASAP. Once its running, I'll be doing a complete carb devac, per help from rpr.com folks. This should clean up the bay quite a bit, and let the car run more freely.

Once all is running well, I'll life the engine out, clean and paint the bay, change the water pump and timing belt, add a new starter and full size radiator, replace both of the axels, and the engine and bay should be done.

Next, paint all the jams, then lower the car, rims/tires, and custom exhaust, then... done (for now).

This will all take place fairly soon. I'll keep you all posted, as always.

Thanks for looking,
Peace,
DT

 

[ScratchNSniff]

^^^Nice update Dan...how are you planning on dropping it...is there a kit for it, or custom...

 

[sohclubkid]

^^^Nice update Dan...how are you planning on dropping it...is there a kit for it, or custom...

well, he could use integra front torsion bars and get springs for the rear... or get a medievil pro kit from tein if he is lucky...

loving the wagon! my 86 Si had electrical gremlins too... but man was it a blast to drive! keep up the good work!

 

[EastCoastEK]

well, he could use integra front torsion bars and get springs for the rear... or get a medievil pro kit from tein if he is lucky...

loving the wagon! my 86 Si had electrical gremlins too... but man was it a blast to drive! keep up the good work!

Hey, I have a 4WD wag, NOT the 2WD which shares it's suspension components with many other 3rd gen civics/1st crx's. This has been my main problem with the drop.

As I understand it, the front suspension is just like any other 3rd gen civic, but the REAR: It's totally different/unique from all the other civics. Unfortunately, as far as I know, there is nothing aftermarket made for my rear. I have not heard of the Tein kit, or using the Integra torsion bars in the rear.

Are you SURE that these would work for my 4WD suspension? If so, I'll definitely check them out.

Otherwise, it looks as if I'm going to have to look into some custom work. Otherwise, I can just play around with my stock torsion bars, and maybe drop about half an inch, but thats just not enough for me.

I could cut the springs, but that's just ghetto. Maybe it would be so bad, so long as I didn't cut off that much...

Someone else mentioned getting a shock of equal length, but softer spring rate, that way it would still use the stock shocks, but just sit lower. Anyone know a company/business that could do this for me?

 

[sohclubkid]

Hey, I have a 4WD wag, NOT the 2WD which shares it's suspension components with many other 3rd gen civics/1st crx's. This has been my main problem with the drop.

As I understand it, the front suspension is just like any other 3rd gen civic, but the REAR: It's totally different/unique from all the other civics. Unfortunately, as far as I know, there is nothing aftermarket made for my rear. I have not heard of the Tein kit, or using the Integra torsion bars in the rear.

Are you SURE that these would work for my 4WD suspension? If so, I'll definitely check them out.

Otherwise, it looks as if I'm going to have to look into some custom work. Otherwise, I can just play around with my stock torsion bars, and maybe drop about half an inch, but thats just not enough for me.

I could cut the springs, but that's just ghetto. Maybe it would be so bad, so long as I didn't cut off that much...

Someone else mentioned getting a shock of equal length, but softer spring rate, that way it would still use the stock shocks, but just sit lower. Anyone know a company/business that could do this for me?

i thought it was simular to the 2 door 3rd gen civic? go on redpepperracing.com and look up the tein kit... ask the guys on there about what will work on the AWD wagon, since they are the pros.

 

[EastCoastEK]

i thought it was simular to the 2 door 3rd gen civic? go on redpepperracing.com and look up the tein kit... ask the guys on there about what will work on the AWD wagon, since they are the pros.

OK, will do, and I'll get back to you guys.

Thanks!

 

[sohclubkid]

OK, will do, and I'll get back to you guys.

Thanks!

no problem. and im definatly keeping my eyes on your thread... i love 3rd gens.

 

[matttitaly8]

hahaha aww man that thing is sick cant wait to see the wheelz on it

 

[EastCoastEK]

Ok, BIG update!:

Swap just might happen after all...

I found a D16a1, black top, for $100!!!!

Going to go pick it up on Sunday morning.

Has no exhaust or intake manifolds, maybe no dizzy, and no throttle body...and no engine harness. Still, I feel it's a killer deal.

Also, unfortunately, the BBS rims don't fit. Took them down to Discount Tire today for a test fit, and they are about an inch too wide for my taste, plus their
is a big dent in one of the rims that they said is going to cost a good bit of money to fix.

So, i'm returning them, and will be going with my original plan (if possible): Mugen MR5's. Hopefully with some Direzza Z1 star specs.

Pics of the engine soon to come, if this really goes down. fingers crossed!

 

[ScratchNSniff]

Nice...I was about to post in here earlier...any pics of the interior yet...

 

[CBURKE]

Man that sucks about the wheels they were bad ass!!!
Good build so far man.............can't wait to see it done!!!

 

[hooked_on4]

Ok, BIG update!:

Swap just might happen after all...

I found a D16a1, black top, for $100!!!!

Going to go pick it up on Sunday morning.

Has no exhaust or intake manifolds, maybe no dizzy, and no throttle body...and no engine harness. Still, I feel it's a killer deal.

Also, unfortunately, the BBS rims don't fit. Took them down to Discount Tire today for a test fit, and they are about an inch too wide for my taste, plus their
is a big dent in one of the rims that they said is going to cost a good bit of money to fix.

So, i'm returning them, and will be going with my original plan (if possible): Mugen MR5's. Hopefully with some Direzza Z1 star specs.

Pics of the engine soon to come, if this really goes down. fingers crossed!

*Dun-dun-dunnnnnnnnnnnn* suspense music

 

[EastCoastEK]

Dirty D16a1 that needs rebuild: Check!










cracked hose bracket...
















no dizzy :{ ...




build up to start soon!

as always, thanks for looking!

 

[honda22]

man that thing looks like its been around since lik ww1....

 

[EastCoastEK]

man that thing looks like its been around since lik ww1....

lol!

yeah......

Hey, the timing belt looks good!

The crank turns, I checked. That's always a good thing.

 

[oddeb707]

have fun buddy

 

[EastCoastEK]

Ok, so update:

Found another engine. The two will soon combine into one.

This next engine has all of my accessories: Dizzy, Alternator, Starter, both Manifolds, injectors, cam gear cover...blah, blah, blah. Basically, everything that I don't already have. However, the timing belt was thrown off of it, so it more than likely has some valve prob.'s, and the head may be shot. But that's OK, that's not what I'm getting it for. However, there is a chance I'll end up with (2) good motors, which I will then pick the best head and the best block. If I have an extra head/block, I will let you all know. Maybe someone will want to take it off of my hands.

I'm also getting my wiring harness and ECU from this guy. So, hopefully, I'll be straight on the main parts by the end of the week. I'm going to be ordering a bunch of rebuild parts. Not sure if I'm going to mess with the pistons/cams/rods, etc... yet. I just may go ahead and build a high-compression motor. However, I may just try to stick with what I have, and in a year I'll build it for low-compression/turbo.

We'll have to wait until I crack open these engines, and see what I have. If the pistons/rods are seriously jacked, then I might go high compression for now, turbo later.

 

[EastCoastEK]

Ok, so update:

Found another engine. The two will soon combine into one.

This next engine has all of my accessories: Dizzy, Alternator, Starter, both Manifolds, injectors, cam gear cover...blah, blah, blah. Basically, everything that I don't already have. However, the timing belt was thrown off of it, so it more than likely has some valve prob.'s, and the head may be shot. But that's OK, that's not what I'm getting it for. However, there is a chance I'll end up with (2) good motors, which I will then pick the best head and the best block. If I have an extra head/block, I will let you all know. Maybe someone will want to take it off of my hands.

I'm also getting my wiring harness and ECU from this guy. So, hopefully, I'll be straight on the main parts by the end of the week. I'm going to be ordering a bunch of rebuild parts. Not sure if I'm going to mess with the pistons/cams/rods, etc... yet. I just may go ahead and build a high-compression motor. However, I may just try to stick with what I have, and in a year I'll build it for low-compression/turbo.

We'll have to wait until I crack open these engines, and see what I have. If the pistons/rods are seriously jacked, then I might go high compression for now, turbo later.

 

[ScratchNSniff]

Coo...

 

[EastCoastEK]

Coo...

Thanks. I'll get some interior pics up one of sometime in the near future.

Of course, I have said that like 8 times now in this thread. So, we'll see!