My '93 Civic CX build
12-26-2011, 05:02 PM
#1
My '93 Civic CX build
due to overwhelming requests 
to post some information on my car i decided to start a thread.
This was how the body looked when i purchased it for $400 dollars.
nice steering wheel but no interior panels!
looking for the engine, i think it's missing.
I purchased this car from my neighbor, he drives a very clean white CX hatch and just so happened to have his old drag car sitting in his parents garage for the last two years. He gave me a great price and we have become great friends since i started the build. The shell came with omni power adjustable coil overs (8k front, 10k rear spring rates), momo removable steering wheel with NRG quick release, magnaflow exhaust, JDM fog lamps, pioneer stereo (circa 1995), and a box of misc parts.
i started off by purchasing a 1998 Integra GSR engine with 80k confirmed miles by the vehicle odometer. The engine came with A/c lines, axles, transmission, engine harness, OBD2 ECU and an aftermarket intake.
once the engine was purchased i began accumulating interior parts -finding these parts has been the hardest part of this build because most people strip these cars and leave the parts laying in a garage or break clips ETC ETC.
On to more pics
the interior parts i purchased/found
interior fully built
The engine
where it belongs
coils
exhaust (and my learner welds)
box of A/C components
all buttoned up
how she sits now.
What i drive when i can't actually drive
to post some information on my car i decided to start a thread.This was how the body looked when i purchased it for $400 dollars.
nice steering wheel but no interior panels!
looking for the engine, i think it's missing.
I purchased this car from my neighbor, he drives a very clean white CX hatch and just so happened to have his old drag car sitting in his parents garage for the last two years. He gave me a great price and we have become great friends since i started the build. The shell came with omni power adjustable coil overs (8k front, 10k rear spring rates), momo removable steering wheel with NRG quick release, magnaflow exhaust, JDM fog lamps, pioneer stereo (circa 1995), and a box of misc parts.
i started off by purchasing a 1998 Integra GSR engine with 80k confirmed miles by the vehicle odometer. The engine came with A/c lines, axles, transmission, engine harness, OBD2 ECU and an aftermarket intake.
once the engine was purchased i began accumulating interior parts -finding these parts has been the hardest part of this build because most people strip these cars and leave the parts laying in a garage or break clips ETC ETC.
On to more pics
the interior parts i purchased/found
interior fully built
The engine
where it belongs
coils
exhaust (and my learner welds)
box of A/C components
all buttoned up
how she sits now.
What i drive when i can't actually drive
The following 4 users liked this post by phee:
12-26-2011, 05:12 PM
#2
For this build reliability was #1 on the list so i went with all quality OEM components.
New OEM:
water pump
plugs
timing belt
drive belts
axles
trans fluid
valve stem seals
valve cover gasket
rear main seal
front main seal
headlamps
turn signals
motor mounts
wires
Not new:
OBD1 p72 ECU (very rare ecu that i got for 50 dollars!)
i am sure there is more that i cannot remember but the car has been great since i finished it.
However, it has not been perfect.
Problems:
i had a problem with the wheel leaking air over night and i found a hairline crack - cost me 50 dollars to repair plus the price of a new tire $110
the damn glove box keeps falling when i hit a bump -still unresolved because i cannot find a gray colored glove box for a reasonable price.
New OEM:
water pump
plugs
timing belt
drive belts
axles
trans fluid
valve stem seals
valve cover gasket
rear main seal
front main seal
headlamps
turn signals
motor mounts
wires
Not new:
OBD1 p72 ECU (very rare ecu that i got for 50 dollars!)
i am sure there is more that i cannot remember but the car has been great since i finished it.
However, it has not been perfect.
Problems:
i had a problem with the wheel leaking air over night and i found a hairline crack - cost me 50 dollars to repair plus the price of a new tire $110
the damn glove box keeps falling when i hit a bump -still unresolved because i cannot find a gray colored glove box for a reasonable price.
12-26-2011, 05:17 PM
#3
Recently, the car was taking longer to start up after sitting over night and hesitating around 5500 RPM
Spark tests out perfect but i replaced the plugs anyway. ~20
Problem unresolved
So i replaced the fuel filter ( i couldn't believe i forgot to do this
)
Problem starting went away but it hesitated today and actually shut off while sitting idle.
I feel that it is safe to say that my fuel pump is on it's last leg, i am currently eyeing a walbro 255 lph pump but this will require an aftermarket fuel pressure regulator and possibly a tune to be on the extra safe side - then there is the aftermarket reliability gamble, something i still feel uncomfortable about.
Any other avenues i should exhaust before i spring for a new pump?
Spark tests out perfect but i replaced the plugs anyway. ~20
Problem unresolved
So i replaced the fuel filter ( i couldn't believe i forgot to do this
)Problem starting went away but it hesitated today and actually shut off while sitting idle.
I feel that it is safe to say that my fuel pump is on it's last leg, i am currently eyeing a walbro 255 lph pump but this will require an aftermarket fuel pressure regulator and possibly a tune to be on the extra safe side - then there is the aftermarket reliability gamble, something i still feel uncomfortable about.
Any other avenues i should exhaust before i spring for a new pump?
12-26-2011, 05:50 PM
#4
Looks awesome phee. You have my respect and admiration as I know this was something you learned a number of things while working on it. From mechanical to bodywork, you've done it yourself. Most people never undertake such a project. Keep up the good work.
12-26-2011, 06:07 PM
#5
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
Nice work dude!
So what made you sell the TL and get this? Wanted a new project?
So what made you sell the TL and get this? Wanted a new project?
12-26-2011, 08:16 PM
#7
Your Friendly Canadian
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for starting with mechanicals. And IMO it's got an appeal sitting how it does now.I found a great solution for your glovebox issue...
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12-27-2011, 08:24 AM
#13
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
Nice! But I think you need to ditch the B18.
Buy my K20
Buy my K20
12-27-2011, 06:51 PM
#17
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
~250whp.........170wtq.......dyno proven.......civicdrivr approved......
You know you want it
J/k
You know you want it
J/k
12-27-2011, 08:06 PM
#20
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
12-27-2011, 08:36 PM
#22
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
Still running the Magnaflow setup? I really like the RS*R exhausts for the EF chassis, not sure if they are even still available for the EGs.
12-27-2011, 08:41 PM
#24
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
I love the Mags on my car as well. But yea, a resonator isnt much 
12-28-2011, 11:00 AM
#25
Racer
that's a nice little eg u got there.
$50 for an OBD1 P72, damn that's fuckin lucky...
as far as the exhaust, Apexi WorldSport2's are pretty nice and quiet unless you're actually into the throttle. I'm not 100%, but I think you can just buy the muffler as well.
regarding the odd idle, did you ever have it tuned after the motor was put in? it could just be some small fuel adjustments are needed in certain areas of the map.
lastly, if you do end up getting a Walbro just make sure it's legit and not a knockoff. knockoff Walbro's have been floating around lately and giving the actual ones a bad name.
happy modding, and gotta love 30MPGsss!
$50 for an OBD1 P72, damn that's fuckin lucky...
as far as the exhaust, Apexi WorldSport2's are pretty nice and quiet unless you're actually into the throttle. I'm not 100%, but I think you can just buy the muffler as well.
regarding the odd idle, did you ever have it tuned after the motor was put in? it could just be some small fuel adjustments are needed in certain areas of the map.
lastly, if you do end up getting a Walbro just make sure it's legit and not a knockoff. knockoff Walbro's have been floating around lately and giving the actual ones a bad name.
happy modding, and gotta love 30MPGsss!
12-29-2011, 03:53 PM
#28
Racer
1. is the motor itself an OBD1 or OBD2 unit?
2. is the motor JDM or USDM (some JDM motors lack certain sensors that the USDM ones come with)
3. even though the P72 is a GSR ecu, it might not necessarily be running a GSR map and have all the necessary parameters hooked up/running optimally.
lastly, even though it only has basic bolt-ons a fine tune will most likely help your motor run to its full potential. this is all based on my previous B-series experience and things I've dealt with on friends cars.
12-30-2011, 08:12 AM
#30
Racer
I definitely wouldn't rule out the failing pump. it could also be some old sensors that have gone bad over the past 13 years. an old IAC valve could cause it to slightly fluctuate the idle, even to the the point of shutting down.
I remember you also saying that it would hesitate a little bit around 5500. that's where the butterflies in the intake manifold open and they could "possibly" not be wired in right. that's most likely doubtful since you do have an actual ECU from a GSR.
I'd say go with a new pump for now, it definitely won't hurt, and then if the problem still persists I'll keep checking this thread, asking some of my B-series specialists, and my tuner and see if we can all get your EG running in tip-top shape.
my heart lives for the 92-00 Civics, and I'll do whatever I can to have a clean rust-free EG on the road.
I remember you also saying that it would hesitate a little bit around 5500. that's where the butterflies in the intake manifold open and they could "possibly" not be wired in right. that's most likely doubtful since you do have an actual ECU from a GSR.
I'd say go with a new pump for now, it definitely won't hurt, and then if the problem still persists I'll keep checking this thread, asking some of my B-series specialists, and my tuner and see if we can all get your EG running in tip-top shape.
my heart lives for the 92-00 Civics, and I'll do whatever I can to have a clean rust-free EG on the road.
12-30-2011, 10:03 AM
#32
I definitely wouldn't rule out the failing pump. it could also be some old sensors that have gone bad over the past 13 years. an old IAC valve could cause it to slightly fluctuate the idle, even to the the point of shutting down.
I remember you also saying that it would hesitate a little bit around 5500. that's where the butterflies in the intake manifold open and they could "possibly" not be wired in right. that's most likely doubtful since you do have an actual ECU from a GSR.
I'd say go with a new pump for now, it definitely won't hurt, and then if the problem still persists I'll keep checking this thread, asking some of my B-series specialists, and my tuner and see if we can all get your EG running in tip-top shape.
my heart lives for the 92-00 Civics, and I'll do whatever I can to have a clean rust-free EG on the road.
I remember you also saying that it would hesitate a little bit around 5500. that's where the butterflies in the intake manifold open and they could "possibly" not be wired in right. that's most likely doubtful since you do have an actual ECU from a GSR.
I'd say go with a new pump for now, it definitely won't hurt, and then if the problem still persists I'll keep checking this thread, asking some of my B-series specialists, and my tuner and see if we can all get your EG running in tip-top shape.
my heart lives for the 92-00 Civics, and I'll do whatever I can to have a clean rust-free EG on the road.
12-30-2011, 10:17 AM
#33
Pro
I was hoping there were some civic owners here, +1 for the GSR. I had a GSR head and B20 Block. I gave up a little top end for some torque. But it was a mission to Daily Drive the car, I would get followed home thieves tried, SO i parted ways Here she is
Good luck wl the build bro, my only question is since you did the swap yourself why didnt you shave and spray the bay?
Good luck wl the build bro, my only question is since you did the swap yourself why didnt you shave and spray the bay?
01-02-2012, 10:21 AM
#35
Ok guys. I started Samson yesterday and I hope to be done by the end of the month. Now onto paint colors. I want something similar to the original dark gray that the car came with but I am willing to do a pearlescent / metallic paint. Budget is max of 30 dollars per can of paint. Any suggestions?
maybe i'll name my car that.
01-02-2012, 11:44 AM
#37
Registered but harmless
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Wow, I thought you did name the car "Samson"; G/L on the rest of it.
The color on a '94 Civic Si we owned was "Horizon Gray," but it looked blue-purple from certain angles in bright sunlight, and there was no color comparable to the anthracites that I prefer.
The color on a '94 Civic Si we owned was "Horizon Gray," but it looked blue-purple from certain angles in bright sunlight, and there was no color comparable to the anthracites that I prefer.
01-02-2012, 12:27 PM
#38
I think grey looks nice on older Civics. Personally, I would go with as close to the factory as you can. It's much easier to work with a colour that matches the the door jambs and underneath the bonnet/decklid. Unless these areas are prepped as well, a colour change looks a little weird if it doesn't match parts of the car.
Last edited by teranfon; 01-02-2012 at 02:02 PM.
01-02-2012, 01:27 PM
#39
Your Friendly Canadian
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What Terry said.
01-02-2012, 01:40 PM
#40
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
Keep it factory IMO.