93 Del Sol Project

[barrett]

realized the alternator i bought was obd2, and didn't really wanna wait for the plug and modify the harness, so instead i performed alternator surgery. removed the back covering, undid the side screws and the screws on the heat sink, on the seized and the new alts. swapped the backs (not entirely sure what the tech name is for it). bolted the alt on to the engine.

took this piece below out from the shift linkage on my old D transmission, and used it to hook up the new B linkage to YS1 trans.

ordered my shift linkage bushing from local shop.

things remaining to do
-pick up PS bracket (tonight after work)
-fabricate the bottom of the passenger side engine mount so holes line up. (cut off ridged portion and make base little larger then drill new hole)
-hook up PS (might need to purchase new belt)
-drop engine back in (3rd time)
-hook up lines + wires
-buy pads and rotors + replace

 

[JDM 94 EG Hatch]

looks good man, i really like where your sol is going!

 

[barrett]

Thanks bro. Appreciate it.

Small update
-got the PS bracket finally
-bushing is at bus depot just needs to be picked up
-engine is partly in, drivers side mount is bolted in, electrical is all done, and hoses are done, just need other mounts and test

 

[barrett]

Finally started it again yesterday around 4! Then in the evening, I finally came to the realization that the project isn't going to be finished this year. Too many things to do and not enuf money to do them.

List of what still needs to be done
-widen a hole on the side trans mount to match the adapter plate + fill with spacers to level it
-level engine and bolt in rear trans mount
-test fit hood to see if it clears the engine
-LS throttle cable
-LS throttle cable bracket (holds the cable in place on the IM)
-new brake pads/rotors
-fill with fluids (trans, oil, coolant)
-bolt up shift linkage
-figure out why shift linkage stabilizer bar is too short
-PS belt
-PS adapter (that bolts to pump to the feed line)

I am pretty sure I missed some issues but that's all I could remember right now.

 

[sohclubkid]

you could have rebuilt a D16 swapped it, and started building your blown motor for boost... would have been SO much less headache.

 

[obracer12]

great progress.

Not going to tell you what you should/shouldn't do. It's your build.

any thoughts on what to do to the ls after it's in ??

 

[buzzbombtom]

why are you having so many problems with this swap? did you not use a mount kit? it is a drop in swap

 

[barrett]

on the D16 topic, I'm not really a fan of SOHC. Yes I know you can make lots of power with it, but I've always wanted a B.

for problems, mostly it's because of previous owners, partly is my own fault as well. A previous owner ripped out the hydro clutch parts and put a cable in instead. That has caused the most headache. With first having the wrong trans then having to modify the mount (a hydro trans mount won't fit a cable trans), because I refuse to pay $170 for a single mount (it came with rear and driver side mounts). Other things I didn't research enuf, such as needing the LS throttle cable and cable bracket (that bolts to the IM). Some things were just not working, seized alt, bad dizzy, no PS pump etc.

Plans for it after I finally get it running (another reason I chose a B), I really would like to grab a CRV transmission and driveshaft and rear diff and make the Sol AWD, or if that doesn't end up working too well then i'd love to learn how to weld and relocate the engine into the trunk to make it a mid engine RWD. We'll see if I have the skills to do that. After that attempt I wouldn't mind building the engine and doing LS/Vtec. We'll see about boosting it, because I'm thinking of boosting my FA5 DD.

 

[obracer12]

^ extremely ambitious.

I have seen AWD CRV rear diff conversions before but they are always kind of crude and in hatches/ integras. I don't know if the frame style/body of a delsol would accept that change.

GL if you go that route, I would stay away from it. I would boost the swap once it runs right.

 

[barrett]

It's uncommon thats for sure. I'm not fond of cutting/welding the driveshaft but we'll see how it goes. There's a guy on Honda Tech that did it before and he rally drives it. It is possible as the exhaust tunnel is wide enough for the drive shaft. Just have to come up with a good mount for the rear diff.

We'll see which would be easier/more plausible, the crv awd conversion or swapping the engine to the trunk. someone else close to me has done the trunk swap so i'd like to be a little difference but its all up to my fabrication skills and the amount of money I have.

First thing is getting it running smoothly however. Which sadly still won't happen until next summer

 

[barrett]

finally bit the bullet and ordered the mount. should be here between 2-4 weeks. then hopefully with enuf time off in the evening from work and school i can get it running. i'd love to drive the thing again. the mount is the only thing i'm missing.

 

[Decipher]

Glad this is still moving along, somewhat.

 

[barrett]

rear T mount from 99-00 Si was ordered and showed up today. still waiting on hasport 3 bolt driver side mount and hasport cable trans mount. should hopefully only be another week or so.

recently removed the wings west side skirts and painted the "stock ones" or whatever was under it, black.

issues left:
-somehow a wire or two got switched and turn signal goes to aux light (pass side)
-driver HID doesn't work
-driver side aux light doesn't work
-leak on passenger side on targa top
-think thats about it.

edit: not my wheels. they're a buddies. mine are the starks still

 

[Decipher]

You going to leave that rear lip on it too?

Doesn't quite flow now. But I like the factory sides better than those wings west ones regardless.

 

[barrett]

Sadly yes i'm leaving the rear lip on for now.

see that section where the lip curves into the bumper? there is a flat section under that. previous owner must've used silicon or something because the lip won't come off without breaking the bumper. so it's stuck on for now. unless i get a new/used bumper. but i can't afford one right now with college and all. but i also kinda need a new front one as well, considering my JDM lights don't line up quite right with the bumper.

 

[civic98ek]

not bad... looks much better than it did for sure.

 

[barrett]

Thanks man. Appreciate it. I can't wait to get the damn thing running again. Maybe actually finishing the clearcoat, wetsand, find a fitting front bumper, etc.

 

[civic98ek]

*girl not man haha its all good tho and i know my quarter pannels been primered for almost a year now and i have the paint but no one to paint it and not alotta money. hope you get it runnin tho dude...

 

[barrett]

ooooops. my bad. i do apologize.

you can paint it yourself if you have access. at least 12gallon compressor, the gun, hose, a lean to or garage, paper for masking, tape, etc. its not too hard, just have to have pressure according to the guidlines on the paint. make sure you have a lot of overlap. That was my problem with my clear coat. i only had time for one coat and didn't have enuf overlap.

as soon as these mounts are in i'm digging into this again and getting it driving. it makes me mad sitting in the garage mocking me. lol. like its laughing. anyway. once mounts are in the engine will line up properly and i can put axles and everything back in. still not 100% but at least it'll drive.

 

[treeafodo]

Good progress so far.