WRX powered Civic?

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Old 05-24-2010, 09:56 PM
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WRX powered Civic?

Found this on another forum.

Lots of work, but it turned out pretty damn good.

Originally Posted by Cibaru
You have the right to love it… or not

You have the right to approve it… or not

You have the right to have your own opinion about this…

No matter what, the world will continue to be what it is; the right and wrong will always be a part of our civilization.

Live and let live, enjoy this thread and have a nice day!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi, welcome to my thread about my project. My name is Yannick B. and i'm 27 years old. I live in Québec, Canada and I've done this project during the 2010 winter (January to April). I'm not perfect in English so please be tolerant.

Start


Finish



Some facts about my project...
1- This is not a race car
2- This is not a show car
3- This is my daily driver car
4- This is a low budget project
5- The final cost is 5500$ CAD including coffee and donuts!

What is the project? Take a Subaru WRX 2004 and put a Honda Civic 1992 SI body "on top of it"

Why a Civic? I always love the shape of the EG.

Why a Subaru? I've got a good price and one of the best AWD car in the world.

Why the project? Change my mind was the main goal here.

I take the time to make this thread for you as a source of motivation or idea for your current or next project. If you have questions, please ask and I will be happy to answer you. Enjoy!


The first question I ask myself... What can I do with a Honda that was never be done before?


:whirly: Should be interesting


Cost: 1950$ CAD


Some major engine work had to be done.


Subaru up and running.


The Subaru frame with some renforcement before cutting. The frame was straight, only the front part was bent in the crash and if you know how it work, the bent part was in front of the tower so this is not a major issue to make it straight. All the measurement was done before cutting, like the wheelbase and the X under the car and on top.


Why the body swap and not the mechanical swap? For the geometry and the strength of the Subaru chassis. All the measurement was done to respect a tolerance up to 1/16 everywhere.




A picture is worth a thousands words.




New rocker panel and door jam.


The reinforcement was necessary since the Honda is far less strength than the Subaru. I made it with 2x1 steel tubes. This is NOT the best choice for racing application, I know that. But for the reinforcement needed, IMO it's enough. I can be wrong and I'm willing to pay the price if I am. I will assume my responsibility if something happens. The roof needed to be reinforced, if you look at the struture of the Subaru roof, you will understand why so much steel was added. 20$ for all the tubing, remember thight budget and this is very the easy to fix all the inside trim since is flat and lower. The paint doesn’t look good because it was -10 Celsius when I done that. (14 Fahrenheit)


The reinforcement was built in mind for a crash without any protection, so this is why the front still have the deformation zone and the air bag will be operationnal very soon. The roof is not overkill since the Subaru roof is overkill in the beginning. The rear section, the reinforcement doesn’t go to the rail frame to make sure the deformation will occur in case of a crash. The triangle will go down if I’m hit hard enough. From the firewall to the rear shock tower, this is very strong and this is how car are built, to protect the passenger and absorb the most energy of a crash from the deformation zone.


I use the original dash support.


Since I use the original firewall, the angle of the windsheild is different.


I used the original location of the Subaru.


Shaved top.


Orignal Subaru muffler.


The orignal wheels of the Subaru was too bent to be repared. I buy these for 200$ with new tire. I will go with smaller tire soon.


Without the flash and whit the flash...


I was looking to use the Honda interior, but after some thinking the time needed to do it was not worth it.


Front fender work. The Subaru have a whellbase shorter than the Civic, exactly 1,9 inch.


The angle is different.


So much fun!


Not finished on this picture but you can see how much work the front fender was. I would like to thanks the old girl, Becca Mig, she have like 20 years and still do the job. The funniest thing, this is the same mig I use 10 years ago on my Chevrolet Nova Project.


The Nova project, 10 years ago, 15 000$, 2 years of work, sold it as is in 2003. Engine 455 CID Oldmobile, 10 points real roll cage, th-400 full manual, etc. I miss her sometime... I've done other projects, but this one and the Cibaru are the most interessting.


Inside the fender with gravel guard protection.


High... why not use adjustable coil-over suspension? The cost of the suspension. I replace the old one by used one, 30 000 km with STI coil spring for 120$.


I was looking to NOT install the scoop, but the space aviable fail me. The only way to put a FMIC was to move the radiator in the back... All the piping will be a nightmare and I will never remove the reinforcement beam bumper to install a FMIC. The FMIC is less efficient than the mount top intercooler but yes I would like to have no scoop.


I decide not to pay for the paint shop because I don't care about the small imperfection. Since is satin black, they are hard to find and the car will be always dirty. I'm not a big fan of washing my car every day, if I wash it twice in the summer, I will be proud of myself. I wash my mountain bike every ride, that mean almost every day, that what we call "priority in life"! The paint is urethane with a flatening agent.




Gap close up. The car is not perfect but closes enough for me since this is not a show car and I will never go on a show car or meeting or stuff like that. To be perfect, maybe one month or more of labor, not interested.








Almost there!


The gas spout fill up is from a Dodge Colt 200 1990 and the exhaust is the original Subaru because I don't want something to loud. I put an angle at the pipe because I like how it look. The windows are paint from the inside with urethane paint. Why? Because I wanted something dark and you can’t get darker than that! No need to pay attention to the trim at the back since no one can’t see. Cheap way to save time and money.


Windsheild on.




The everyday look in the summer. I decide to use this winter since the weight is pretty much the same as the WRX.


Fresh fuel. When I arrive at the gas station, I parked the car on the wrong side and I started laughing…






Do I still like the satin black color? Dirty but I like it.




Rough but do the job for hidden the majority of the reinforcement for now.


WRX 2004 (CAD) 1,401 (3,090)
New weight 1,350 (2,970) full of gas
Lighter of 54,5 (120)


The front bumper is on hold, I just paint it quickly with spay can paint to be black since eveyone was looking at it.




I'm not lying when I said that I do mountain biking. Funniest thing, the bike cost more than the car...

The video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMj-vqR_4is

New paint. The cost is 60$ and at this price, the imperfections are included…











How the project holding up? 2350 km and counting…


For Sale. I'm asking 6800$ CAD Firm.

Thanks for watching folks!
Yannick B.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What's Next? Project for the fall and winter, RWD Mid-engine Jetta Coupe with a Subaru engine. More budget and more time will be allow for the project... I'm currently looking to buy a Jetta Coupe but they are hard to find!
Old 05-24-2010, 10:22 PM
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i would buy it.
Old 05-24-2010, 10:30 PM
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Originally Posted by phee
i would buy it.
Old 05-24-2010, 10:39 PM
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I can respect the work put into it.
Old 05-24-2010, 10:41 PM
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FTMFW.

Amazing project. This is the first AWD Civic hatch....and only less than 3000 pounds?
Old 05-24-2010, 10:45 PM
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what?! no VTAK?
Old 05-24-2010, 10:47 PM
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Nice find.
Old 05-24-2010, 10:50 PM
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lol, this is pretty cool. I wish I'd have auto mechanic skills like most of the people on this forum possesses
Old 05-24-2010, 11:10 PM
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I got the Shifts
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that guy isnt on our forum

with the exception of a few, most of the people on this forum pay other people to do their work.
Old 05-25-2010, 12:19 AM
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^lol yes. I'd rock it for a DD.
Old 05-25-2010, 12:46 AM
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Whats up with RDX owners?
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Ive always thought about turning my Civic hb into an AWD beast. But alas.....I cant weld

There is a shop in Ohio IIRC that successfully swapped in the Civic wagon drivetrain. I may see about having them doing the drivetrain bits, just with a twist

Im not totally a fan of that build (mainly because I hate hate hate 92-95 Civics), but I respect the work he put into it.
Old 05-25-2010, 01:21 AM
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yeah, I like the EK better too

if anything the EK onto a C5 Corvette chassis was sweet the Civette was one of my favorites.
Old 05-25-2010, 08:08 AM
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I'm not sure how you would register a car like this. It's mostly a WRX with the top half of a Civic unibody welded on. Would that cause problems with police if they ran your tag?

A CRV or Civic wagon drivetrain would be an interesting conversion. I believe Import Tuner magazine has done it with an Integra. The problem with the Civic wagon 4wd system is that it only transfers something like 10% of the torque to the rear wheels.

Or that's the way I understood it.
Old 05-25-2010, 08:08 AM
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I'm not sure how you would register a car like this. It's mostly a WRX with the top half of a Civic unibody welded on. Would that cause problems with police if they ran your tag?

A CRV or Civic wagon drivetrain would be an interesting conversion. I believe Import Tuner magazine has done it with an Integra. The problem with the Civic wagon 4wd system is that it only transfers something like 10% of the torque to the rear wheels.

Or that's the way I understood it.
Old 05-25-2010, 11:08 AM
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how do ppl register cars that they build themselves? Like hot rods and such? I am guessing that's how this car would have to get registered and insured.

that's a sweet ass project. If I had the money to waste I'd get it, just to fuck with ppl on the street.
Old 05-25-2010, 11:48 AM
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Very cool.

I believe registration is tied to the chassis, but I'm not sure. It wouldn't surprise me if it varied from state to state, though.
Old 05-25-2010, 12:02 PM
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Awesome project.

I respect the man for all of his hard work, but imagine if he used lighter materials and built up the motor .. it would be even more incredible.
Old 05-25-2010, 12:50 PM
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It should be a WRX VIN, right? That would throw alot of people off.

"Your honor, the officer stated I have a Civic, but the VIN clearly shows I own a WRX" I am not he clocked the coprrect car when pulling me over for speeding"
Old 05-25-2010, 02:00 PM
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Whats up with RDX owners?
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Originally Posted by chill_dog
Very cool.

I believe registration is tied to the chassis, but I'm not sure. It wouldn't surprise me if it varied from state to state, though.
The VIN follows the chassis.

But he is in Canada so
Old 05-25-2010, 03:27 PM
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WOW. Awesome.
Old 05-25-2010, 03:47 PM
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That video was awesome,plus how much did that whole conversion cost total?
Old 05-25-2010, 04:32 PM
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Whats up with RDX owners?
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Its in the first post, about 5500CAD.
Old 05-25-2010, 04:56 PM
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amazing.. someone's going to get a great deal.
Old 05-25-2010, 08:15 PM
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that is badass.. i would buy it... AWD civic...
Old 05-25-2010, 08:58 PM
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Now THAT is an awesome Civic. Make it a sedan and I'm in.

Still thinking about when and if my wife's '03 Civic engine kicks the bucket if I want to swap in a V6 from an Accord.
Old 05-25-2010, 10:11 PM
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i like it
but not the shaved top... my brother and neighbour both did that on their crx and civic respectively, and they both ended up cracking and looking terrible in those sections after
seems weird that he does all these projects and just sells them, if i was making such a masterpiece, i'd want to keep it
Old 05-26-2010, 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by myron
how do ppl register cars that they build themselves? Like hot rods and such? I am guessing that's how this car would have to get registered and insured.

that's a sweet ass project. If I had the money to waste I'd get it, just to fuck with ppl on the street.
you lie about what you have most of the time


this thing is most likely registered as a subaru

Last edited by CLpower; 05-26-2010 at 11:25 AM.
Old 05-26-2010, 11:25 AM
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sick sick project, love it!
Old 05-26-2010, 12:31 PM
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Originally Posted by CLpower
you lie about what you have most of the time


this thing is most likely registered as a subaru
?
Old 05-26-2010, 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by myron
?
He doesn't mean "you" as in you. He is saying when you talk to the DMV you lie about what you are registering.
Old 05-26-2010, 02:42 PM
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at first i thought it was really rice...but then i realized that this is actually awesome
Old 05-26-2010, 05:43 PM
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Originally Posted by CLpower
you lie about what you have most of the time
Owner to Insurance Co. : "I just got a Civic hybrid."
Originally Posted by spdy0001
He doesn't mean "you" as in you. He is saying when you talk to the DMV you lie about what you are registering.
The DMV, NHTSA and CARB do not work well together when it comes to customized/modded street cars.
Old 05-26-2010, 09:05 PM
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clpower is back?
Old 05-26-2010, 09:50 PM
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I think it would have been easier to fit the drive train to the civic than to do all of that, nice job none the less though
Old 05-27-2010, 10:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Blazin Si
I'm not sure how you would register a car like this. It's mostly a WRX with the top half of a Civic unibody welded on.
this is what i thought when i first saw the car on another forum.

in fact, this car isnt a civic at all.. with all drivetrain/motor/suspension being WRX

its just a civic shell welded onto a Subie. frame.

very cool nonetheless
Old 05-27-2010, 11:48 AM
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it would be registered as a subaru
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