Sam's Honda Civic EK3 | Project Rated or Hated |

[SK193]

Hi everyone,

As the March has gone to a new home, I thought it was time to introduce my new project to you all. I've been wanting a civic for quite a long time and after a lot of searching I found and bought this.

It's a '97 Civic EK3, only 68k miles, 2 previous owners and a full service history from new.
It needs a little bit of tlc on the bodywork, there's a few small marks here and there but mechanically and inside it's in great condition.

I have a few big plans for it, and I shall keep this updated as it progresses. In the meantime, here's some pictures of it from when I picked it up..

 

[MicraPRO]

Looks tidy mate.

 

[MaxK11C]

Oooohhhh yes. I'll be keeping a close eye on this.


'Sent from my bed using paper planes'

 

[skymera]

Y no b16?

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[MaxK11C]

Y no b16?

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Because stancecar, apparently ...


'Sent from my bed using paper planes'

 

[SK193]

Looks tidy mate.

Thanks mate

Oooohhhh yes. I'll be keeping a close eye on this.

I thought you would be, I think you'll like what i've got planned too!

Y no b16?

I didn't really want a B16 tbh, the D15 was a lot cheaper to buy, less than half the insurance and really good mpg. Money savingz :')

 

[skymera]

Thanks mate

I thought you would be, I think you'll like what i've got planned too!

I didn't really want a B16 tbh, the D15 was a lot cheaper to buy, less than half the insurance and really good mpg. Money savingz :')

Lies.

 

[SK193]

Lies.

Honestly I wasn't that bothered. I'm happy enough with how quick mine is

 

[SK193]

The first things I did were give it a quick clean, fit my Rota Grid V's from the March and a new cd player.

It really needs to be lowered though, so next on the list are coilovers and chassis bits.

 

[SK193]

I haven't updated this in a little while.

I bought some MeisterR Zeta-S Super Low coilovers from Aaron's EK Civic, (Last months Fast Car cover car)

And some neo-chrome Skunk2 lower control arms and a neo-chrome ASR subframe brace.

 

[MaxK11C]

Mmmm Skunk2 anything is just amazing. Top buy!


'Sent from my bed using paper planes'

 

[SK193]

Coilovers fitted.

They were put on the highest setting just to fit them as I wasn't sure how much it was going to lower it by but it'll definitely be coming down soon!

 

[MaxK11C]

Pfffft. If the sills aren't scraping, you're not doing it right.


'Sent from my bed using paper planes'

 

[SK193]

Pfffft. If the sills aren't scraping, you're not doing it right.


'Sent from my bed using paper planes'

These updates are a bit behind atm, wait 'til you see the ones coming soon

 

[MaxK11C]

These updates are a bit behind atm, wait 'til you see the ones coming soon

*waits patiently*
Mind you... Notice how quickly I reply to this thread...?


'Sent from my bed using paper planes'

 

[SK193]

*waits patiently*
Mind you... Notice how quickly I reply to this thread...?


'Sent from my bed using paper planes'

I did indeed, almost instantly! Not surprised though tbh haha. Have you got this thread on watch or something? :')

 

[MaxK11C]

I did indeed, almost instantly! Not surprised though tbh haha. Have you got this thread on watch or something? :')

I just don't really have a life


'Sent from my bed using paper planes'

 

[SK193]

I just don't really have a life


'Sent from my bed using paper planes'

Cars are our lives, that's why we're all on here writing build threads

 

[skymera]

Which coilovers ? Not the 170 pound eBay specials ?

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

[SK193]

Which coilovers ? Not the 170 pound eBay specials ?

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

No definitely not those ones. Other end of the scale, they're MeisterR SuperLow's.


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[skymera]

No definitely not those ones. Other end of the scale, they're MeisterR SuperLow's.


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Awesome, good man.

i'm looking at MeisterR for my VTi.

Can't stretch to £769 at the moment!

 

[SK193]

Awesome, good man.

i'm looking at MeisterR for my VTi.

Can't stretch to £769 at the moment!

I'd highly recommend them, they're excellent. Mine go very low but are still comfy enough for every day.

 

[SK193]

Got myself some new shiny bits.

Toyosports s/s exhaust system. The back box is a little bit big but this was a present so i'm not complaining.

Toyosports 4-2-1 s/s manifold & de-cat pipe.

 

[MaxK11C]

"Backbox a bit big" it's a Honda. It's never big enough!


'Sent from my bed using paper planes'

 

[skymera]

"Backbox a bit big" it's a Honda. It's never big enough!


'Sent from my bed using paper planes'

Unleash dem 89horses!

 

[SK193]

Unleash dem 89horses!

You're thinking of the 1.4 D14 engine in the EJ9. Mine's the 115bhp D15 V-tec engine.


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[skymera]

You're thinking of the 1.4 D14 engine in the EJ9. Mine's the 115bhp D15 V-tec engine.


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Do apologise, my Honda knowledge is basic.

I thought you had the 1.4 not the 1.5 VTEC-E

 

[SK193]

Manifold fitted.

Also got myself a Direnza induction kit.

Exhaust system fitted, and a late shot of the neo-chrome lca's & ASR brace too which I forgot to get a picture of after fitting.

 

[R3H4N]

looking good,i had one of these as a first car..get that rear spoiler tilted will make a big difference i had it done to mines looked like this..

 

[SK193]

looking good,i had one of these as a first car..get that rear spoiler tilted will make a big difference i had it done to mine

Thank you. I've already got mine tilted, I just haven't got around to updating it on here. It does look a lot better I'm thinking of getting a carbon Spoon spoiler soon.


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[SK193]

A few little things for now.

Fitted my spoiler tilt kit, looks so much better than standard.

Got some D2 Racing rear camber arms.

And US Racing front camber arms.

Bigger & better update coming soon!

 

[SK193]

Apologies for the lack of updates, didn't think it had been so long.

Got a nice delivery of some new wheels. Rota Grid V's. 15x8J et0 & 9J et0.

And also fresh tyres for them, 185/45 & 195/45.

 

[McMicra]

Gonna be a stupid amount of stretch on that no?

 

[SK193]

Gonna be a stupid amount of stretch on that no?

Not too much really, 185/45 on 8's & 195/45 on 9's is fine.


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[MaxK11C]

Those wheels are just perfect. This build is great, keep it up.


'Sent from my bed using paper planes'

 

[SK193]

Test fit of the new wheels.

Front:

Also tried one of the 9J et0's on the front too. I think it'll work at some point..

Rear:

A rough idea of how much camber will be needed on the rears.

 

[jk9194]

nice build so far sam. btw are you going to sell these Rota Grid V march ones?

it's sooo mad camber!

 

[SK193]

nice build so far sam. btw are you going to sell these Rota Grid V march ones?

it's sooo mad camber!

Thank you. The Grid V's off the March have been sold to a friend sorry.

 

[SK193]

Wheels on. How they sat without any added camber.

Front:

Rear:

Lowered the coilovers down a bit and adjusted the camber to get the wheels fitting right.

 

[SK193]

Apologies for the lack of updates again, better ones to come soon!

For now here's some photos I got of it with a friends mk2 Golf as he was trying on my old Rota wheels.

Also decided to go lower the coilovers more, but as I found out, it was pretty much undrivable as it dragged constantly. I'll get it to work after some adjustments though.
(excuse the state of the car, the bodywork is to be done next)

 

[SK193]

Got myself some new bits & pieces ready to get her looking a bit more presentable.

Backyard special front lip & Type R rear lip.

New US size reg plates.

Skunk2 neo-chrome gearknob.

US Racing dual bend short shifter.

Kode dished suede steering wheel & NRG thin quick release hub.

 

[Tchaaa]

Got myself some new bits & pieces ready to get her looking a bit more presentable.

Backyard special front lip & Type R rear lip.

New US size reg plates.

Skunk2 neo-chrome gearknob.

US Racing dual bend short shifter.

Kode dished suede steering wheel & NRG thin quick release hub.

Just got myself one of those Skunk2 knobs for my civic, having to send it back and re-order though as I ordered a brand new gunmetal 6 speed one, and got sent a black, used, 5 speed one... bloody ebay!

But I will say, they are pretty good - didn't realise how something as simple as a new gear knob could encourage you to drive like a lout!

 

[SK193]

Just got myself one of those Skunk2 knobs for my civic, having to send it back and re-order though as I ordered a brand new gunmetal 6 speed one, and got sent a black, used, 5 speed one... bloody ebay!

But I will say, they are pretty good - didn't realise how something as simple as a new gear knob could encourage you to drive like a lout!

Ah that's bad luck, I looked around at quite a few before I bought mine.
Yeah the weight and shape of them makes changing gears feel so much better!

 

[SK193]

It was time to get the bodywork sorted and looking better.

Removed the bumpers ready to get them smoothed and sprayed.

Had a play around with spacers to see what possible future fitment I could get. This was 9J et-18!

As the arches needed doing anyway, I flared & smoothed them for a more clearance/a better look.

One side repaired and prepped for paint.

 

[SK193]

A few last pictures of the prep work and the fitment with the new flared arches.

Front:

Rear:

I had to drive it about 10 miles to the garage like this, it got some interesting looks on the way.

 

[SK193]

Just after the paint went on, before the final coat of lacquer.

Spraying all done and after it had been flatted and polished. Really pleased with how it came out.

 

[McMicra]

needs b18

Looking good though

 

[SK193]

All the painting finished, bumpers smoothed, lips fitted and had the grill & sideskirts colour coded.

The colour on the tailgate looks a little bit off, but it'll be sprayed to match the new paint anyway.

 

[MaxK11C]

That looks amazing....

 

[Dougyledds]

Brilliant!!!