Back to tail dragging. Warning Honda content.

[Exodus_2pt0]

Meet Spike, my 1991 Civic SI Hatch. You may have seen him in the "Recent purchase" and "Weekend" threads, but I am having so much fun with this car in my 3 days of ownership that I feel he deserves his own thread.



He is a rust free EF, except for some small surface spots on the quarter panels which will be addressed.

He also comes with a JDM B20B Engine rated at roughly 150hp, mated to a b16 transmission, with a brand new Exedy clutch. Everything else on this car is stock.

I purchased spike for $1300 and was told that he needed a starter and a fuel pump.

Upon purchase, I tested for power at the fuel pump and had good voltage. When I reconnected the fuel pump harness, the fuel pump suddenly worked! Sweet!

Starter was a no go, so I replaced it.

Crank, no start. Shit.

Plugged in a noid light, and saw no injector pulse. Next stop, ECM.

Pulled up the carpet, found a ECM loosely laying on the floor, with a connector half way unplugged.

Plugged it in, and Vroom.

So total invested, $1500. This little car hauls freaking ass for what it is. Spins the tires through first gear, enough to put a smile on my face.


So this shall be my Off topic Honda members ride thread, and I shall update it often. This weekend should consist of new front end bushings and a good cleaning. Shots of engine bay to follow.


End goal, a nice tight car (suspension first), followed by a low boost Disco Potato (or similar) setup.

[E30 Wagen]

what's a noid light and what's an ECM?

[rcsoundn1]

Similar to a Johnson rod replacement. Straight forward maintained

[Andy.B]

Nice score. I love old Honda's when they aren't owned by the typical Honda guy. I look forwards to seeing where this goes.

[einhander]

In before Rob.

Awesome snag. Love these.

[Exodus_2pt0]

what's a noid light and what's an ECM?

Noid light is an led that plugs into your injector harness ant tellss you if the injectors are getting the signal to fire.

[LJ851]

In for burnout vids

[deutschman]

Noid Light


Nice Honda! Have fun

[Exodus_2pt0]

Ok I'm officially afraid to drive the car now. It has been pulling to the left under load, and then to the right when off the throttle.

So I had a good feeling that the front end was loose.

Tonight I jacked it up and shook down the front end, and wow. The radius arm bushings on both sides are shot, I can move the wheels forward an inch at least with my hands.

Then to top it off, on the right lower control arm, one of the radius arm bolts have a broken off head. Ggggrrreeeaattt.

The end bushing on the steering rack is shot, and I couldn't get the inner tie rod off that I was attempting to replace. I'll have to go to HONDA for the bushing, and fix it at my parent's house in a few weeks. The inner tie rod isn't too terribly bad, so I'll let it wait.

Damn kids and wanting to go fast but not giving a shit about the structural integrity of the vehicle. Oh well, at least now it will be getting the attention it deserves.


That said, I replaced the ECT sensor for the ECM tonight and saw a huge improvement. Now I'm just getting a code for the EGR but holy shit. The car spins through first gear and spins a good bit when you shift into second. Yea, I guess I'm not THAT afraid to drive it. This car really is a ton of fun to drive. I had come to hate FWD but this doesn't seem to have the limitations I have experienced with other, larger FWD vehicles.

The suspension will be taken care of tomorrow morning. Will take photo's, promise.

[MikeDE]

^Nice pickup, I would go over the swap and the rest of the car with a finetooth comb before deeming it a reliable/safe DD.

[E30_Pare]

[Exodus_2pt0]

^Nice pickup, I would go over the swap and the rest of the car with a finetooth comb before deeming it a reliable/safe DD.

Yup.

Also found the connector for the fan thermostat/switch hanging behind the motor. Jumped it and the fan came alive. All it needs is a pigtail to be able to plug into the switch on the b20 block. For now I jumpered it so the fan is on when the key is on. Better to run all the time than not at all.

Also going to have to go through all the wiring. There's not a drop of solder, or even crimp connectors (which I'm fine with as long as they are the sealed shrink tube type.) on the car. Just twisted wires and electrical tape.


Still happy with it. I love diagnosing problems and improving things. This will keep me busy without hurting my wallet.

[Axxe]

Your wheelspin is because of the loose supsension and granite all season tires. A friend has a 170whp EF and it hooks up great with good tires and tight suspension.

[QUKBMER]

Ok I'm officially afraid to drive the car now. It has been pulling to the left under load, and then to the right when off the throttle.

So I had a good feeling that the front end was loose.

Tonight I jacked it up and shook down the front end, and wow. The radius arm bushings on both sides are shot, I can move the wheels forward an inch at least with my hands.

Then to top it off, on the right lower control arm, one of the radius arm bolts have a broken off head. Ggggrrreeeaattt.

The end bushing on the steering rack is shot, and I couldn't get the inner tie rod off that I was attempting to replace. I'll have to go to HONDA for the bushing, and fix it at my parent's house in a few weeks. The inner tie rod isn't too terribly bad, so I'll let it wait.

Damn kids and wanting to go fast but not giving a shit about the structural integrity of the vehicle. Oh well, at least now it will be getting the attention it deserves.


That said, I replaced the ECT sensor for the ECM tonight and saw a huge improvement. Now I'm just getting a code for the EGR but holy shit. The car spins through first gear and spins a good bit when you shift into second. Yea, I guess I'm not THAT afraid to drive it. This car really is a ton of fun to drive. I had come to hate FWD but this doesn't seem to have the limitations I have experienced with other, larger FWD vehicles.

The suspension will be taken care of tomorrow morning. Will take photo's, promise.

Its called......TORQUE STEER !!!! Because FWD............

[Wh33lhop]

You need torque to experience torque steer.