The car's a 1996 UK 2.2 VTec in bordeux red and is currently all standard with 125k miles on the clock.

It's in pretty good condition but with a previous attempt at repairing the roof, looked fine for a few months then started to get some little bubbles re-appearing by the seal again.
My Dad and I work on the car as my experience pales in comparrison to his, so i get him in on the more skilled jobs and just bug him constantly about the other stuff.
Only other "damage" is a accident repair by one of the previous owners on the near side rear arch, looks like it was maybe small 4WS/gate post related issue. It was body shopped and sprayed for most of the rear panel but had tiny bubbles on the very edge of the arch when i got the car which leaked water when burst.

Clutch is past it's best now and needs replacing, it's the original and i believe the shocks and springs are original as well *boing*

Previous owner had his own stereo and promptly removed it before sale So i got a nice CD unit from a 2004 Honda CRV, which has the 6 speaker outs and fits perfect, looks and physically.

The car also came with silver pin strips running from the side lights to the rear lights just under the window line. It also had matching silver eagles on each rear panel behind the arch and before the lights.

These were promptly removed as, although not completely tasteless, where a little WD40 had gotten on them near the engine bay, they just soaked it up and went yellowy

Took a heat gun and a lot of patience in a cold garage to get these removed as you either frazzled the stripes or they broke off (brittle) every half inch or so

Problem is, the stripes had been added before the acident, so on the repair, they sprayed and lacquered upto the stripe as a natural edge to finish the repair, this also had the effect of covering over the eagle on that side, so i can't remove that

Took some rubbing to remove the lacquer edge where the stripe was but that's ok now. Had to take back the arch damage and rebuild the shape and curve before spraying it up again. (Hard and tedious work by my Dad to get the curve right)

Had to get Halfords custom mix paint at the time, but this was Holts, so it was actually very good and a good match too.
Trouble was, when we got it out in the sun, it became clear that the paint the repair shop had used was the wrong shade and was actually lighter than the car should be. So now it has the correct colour round the arch and then it's a slightly lighter band around the arch repair and then it goes back to the normal colour again when the repair ship spray finishes.
They must of seen this and gone wider than they needed to cover up the mistake. The same panel has some other minor dints in it that can be seen in the same angle/light as the paint colour change, but unless you look for it/catch it in the right light, you can't tell.

Anyway, i would of put up some pics in it's current state by now if it wasn't for the fact i've only just realised i've not a single pic of it since i bought it earlier this year. It was to replace my 3rd gen twin carb prelude which i've had since Feb 2002 that had only 68k miles on it

I've not managed to get round to selling that car yet so i'm going to put it back on the road to use whilst i take the mk4 off to do the work and upgrades on.

Anyway, tomorrow, despite the crap weather, i will be heading outside to wash and take some pics of the mk4 to post here.

I'm planning to take it off the road and get it all spruced up, nothing too fancy, trying to keep the money down where possible but still get some great things done to it. Kinda like getting the best bang for your buck, option on things.

So, here is what i want to do, i might add more things to this list as i see them and will try and do pics for the things i do as well.


* Exedy clutch and light weight Fidanza flywheel - Done!

* Aquire and fit new fitting studs to the rear bumper, a couple are missing - Done!

* Random front arch liner studs are missing on both sides, get new studs to fit the liners on properly with. - DONE!

* Throttle body clean/injectors - Done!

* Honda Type-S intake from 5th Gen. Parts bought (HAMP Panel filter fitted) - Done!

* Shocks and springs (Matched Tokico Illumina damper/springs kit) - Done!

* Check suspension bushes - Done, OK!

* New CF sunroof, looks like a glass roof when waxed - Done! Sold, New Honda OE tin roof bought.

* Remove the rest of the tow bar (don't ask, came with the car) - Done!

* New dizzy and rotor arm (currently has the original 11 year old still on it) - DONE!

* Rear washer not actually spraying (pump is working but no spray ) One way valve replaced - DONE!

* Exhaust system from head to tail (Fujitsubo) - DONE!

* Colour code the front lip and side skirts. - DONE!

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!

- DONE!

* Remove rear Prelude badge to clean the paintwork underneath and replace. New badges being fitted all round. - DONE!

* Replace windscreen - It's sandblasted and some chips, clean minor rust from A pillars whilst it's out. - DONE!

* Complete windows out and fittings removed re-spray and dint correction. - DONE!

* Spray and fit brand new Honda sunroof. - DONE!

* Fix centre air vents (Should be dry solder on the back of the switches) - Done!

* Make sure i really did get the rear arches cleaned out and fully undersealed as they have no rust on them!! - Done!

* Spray rusted engine bay brackets satin black. - Done!

* 16" R-Spec wheels with 205/50/16 with a +45 offset - Done!

* Check all callipers and completely bleed the system with super DOT4 - Done!

* Fit stainless braided brake lines - Done!

* Paint brake calipers satin black and discs Rover Silver - Done!

* Flush coolant from rad and block - Done!

* Fit new thermostat. (i feel it's a little worn and i like the engine to get upto temp fast) - Done!

*

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!

- Done!

* Clean EGR valve - Done!

* Jazz washers (and fix the sluggish effort of the pipes/pump - Check for non return valves) - Done!

* Magnetic sump plug - Done!

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!

- Done!

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!

Cleaned as welded in - Done!

* Fit gunmetal silver cam cover - Done!

* Clean and fit roof trims - Done!

* Clean front side lights (green in the seals) - Done!

* Osram Nightbreakers (as we all know the standard lights are cack, even though it came with blue ones that look nice) - Done!

* Fit new center console - Done!

* Clean, polish and fit headlights - Done!

* Fit air horns - Done!

* Fit leather seats, gearshift boot, console lid and handbrake boot - Done!

* Fit front bumper - Done!

* Full 4WS tracking and wheel alignment after the suspension and wheel changes - Done!

* Wrap exhaust manifold and downpipe - Done!

* Fit front fog lights - Done!

* Attach splash guard - Done!



* Find and stop ticking noise in interior light over bumps (stops when you hold the light but it's not a loose lens) service bulletin needs applying In progress

* Timing (always worth making sure it's right)

* Clean and underseal the underneath of the car In progress

* Clean rear quarter window trims

* Set brake pedal height closer to the throttle

* Apply clear plastic protector to rear arches

* Finish nostril brackets In progress

* Re-gas aircon

* Bleed ABS reservoir through

* Re-trim center console lid In progress

* Clean and sealant/DynaxS-50 the boot jam runs to stop water pooling and eventually rusting.




OK, miserable day outside, but i managed some pics anyway.







This one just for showing that eagle


Manditory interior shot (very uncleaned)



Now for the bad bits

Shows the horrible tail pipes and you can see what's left of the tow bar bracket to the left of it.


Some rust around the badge with some waxoil on it, will have to work out how to safely remove the badge to fix this


And finally the rear arch under the eagle, two pics at two angles to try and show as it's not easy in a photo.

New dizzy and rotor arm arrived, starting to collect the parts for when it goes off road at the end of the month now.

Carbon Fibre sunroof ordered as well



The mk3 is all standard except for some nice wheels as the EX model comes with 13" steel rims as standard so it has some nice Fox racing 15" alloys on it now.



As you can see, it's not lowered (yet) i bought some basic Gmax springs for it about a couple of weeks before i got the mk4 and as you can guess, they never made it out the box

Very tempted to just shove the springs on it now i'm gonna be using it for a little bit, what do you think?

Few months later, did it, why not?

Nice looking Lude mate, it looks a worthy project, and I can't wait to see it progressing

BTW, the rear 'Prelude' badge is just glued on, so to remove it you can use some dental floss and just work it back & too behind the badge to get it off.

Glued you say? great, a steam should work as well? Do we have any recomendations for what to use to stick it back?

Bits to order from Honda.

* Jazz washer jets ---------------------------£7 odd +vat each, unsprayed - Ordered
* Clutch and flywheel stretchbolts bolts----£1 odd each, 14 of them for both clutch and flywheel - Ordered
* EGR port plugs-----------------------------£400 odd, they can't find the plugs without the injection manifold.
* Check seatbelt replacement (free?) ----- They don't know about the free replacement on a car older than 3 years, will check with Honda on this.

OK, i'm not paying £600 for wheels, but i want these.

Finichi Monza

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!

I do like those alloys

Yeah, gotta find the same things cheap or replicas cheap


Also, EGR cap part number from USA Honda is 17199-PT3-AHM

Heard someone here had a problem finding the number in the UK, i'll try myself, i tried asking without, but they could only find the injection manifold.....

OK, Saturday update, got the mk3 started last night when i got home, has been stood since May and started a few times since then. Took a bit of pumping to get the fuel through but it fired up nicely despite it beeing bitterly cold and everything frozen solid last night.

Took it for it's MOT at 8 this morning so i can drive it whilst the mk4 is of the road.

Test = Failed

Rear tyres are just a fail on tread (only check the outside which were ok, inside a smidge under, 1.59mm)

Handbrake test, only remaining original caliper won't hold strong enough on one side.

Anyway, so there goes £250 on this project and that's not even on the mk4!!

It'll be ready Monday in time for getting the tax back on the mk4 anyway

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

The Jazz wash jets, along with the clutch and flywheel stretch bolts have arrived in at the dealer, i was going to pick them up this morning but having just frozen my ass off stood waiting for my MOT and the tracking to be done on my dads Aerodeck (just got PI lowering springs fitted) i decided to pick them up Monday instead

The Exedy clutch and Fidanza lightweight flywheel are now ordered and en-route to my friends house in the states, cost me £140 all in. Now it's just a case of getting them shipped here by cheap mail or shoving them in my checked luggage on the way back in a couple of weeks time

Interesting development on the shocks front in that i think i've managed to source a supplier for Tokico shocks in the UK.
Have rave reviews and appear to be half the price of the Koni's, the reveiws rate them with Koni's as well. 5 point adjustable (combined) stiffness and rebound damping and lifetime warranty.

They seem to pair nicely with the Tein and Eibach spring kits and as i'm going to get one of those, these seem perfect.

Carbon lid should arrive early this next week i hope, gonna have to measure it up as some people are saying it's too lose in the slot

Just another week to go before i take it off the road now, bits are starting to collect nicely, i'll add some more photos soon.

OK, fitted the new dizzy cap and rotor arm today, might as well get it done now as it's one of the first parts i've got ready to go on.

Hopefully this might be of use to someone who hasn't done it before.

My engine bay


The new stuff, including replacement seal and new cap bolts


Once you've removed the old dizzy cap, make sure you pull the old seal out, you may need a small flat head screw driver to poke it out


To remove the rotor, you need to unscrew it from the side. Due to sods law, the screw is never at the front for easy access, with the dizzy cap removed, crank the engine for a split second to turn the rotor, keep doing this until the screw comes round to the front.
Make sure you have a good fitting screw driver with a large handle or a T-bar as this screw is A) very important and B) very tight (It's easy to drop this down the engine bay when getting it out)



Once you've gotten the old seal out and the new one pushed back in it's place, just push the new rotor back on the same way round and tighten up the screw again.

For the next part, it's fairly easy on the Prelude as the HT leads are trimmed nice and tight, but it's nearly always a good idea to swap the leads over one at a time to the new dizzy cap.


The new dizzy cap bolts don't tend to be captive so make sure you don't drop these down the engine either, they're 8mm with a cross head screw fitting.


It's usually nice and easy to remove them with the socket, but when you tighten them, i don't recomend it as it's too easy to split the plastic dizzy cap....


I've made sure they're now at the correct tightness (they don't need much at all) and i've just put a bit of superglue over/in the crack, it's only on the outside of the metal lined hole so should be fine.

OK, here is the old dizzy and rotor, you can see from the date that it's the original. Car is a 96 but this is obviously older stock.




The terminals were scraped clean a little while ago but you can still see they're well past their best now.


Car fired up first time on half a turn, just like my mk3. Much better than the couple of cranks it usually takes


In other news, my dads 2.2 Aerodeck is now back, lowered and on Prelude wheels no less

Picked up the parts from Honda;

Jazz washer jets x2 £8.11 inc vat each
Part no. 76810SAAE01

New stretch bolts for the clutch and flywheel assembley;

12mm Bolt x8 £2.55 each
Part no. 90011PH3000

12 point, 8m bolt x 6 £2.86 each
Part no. 90034689000

Stupid price of £57.82

But at least i'll know the bolts aren't gonna sheer inside the engine when i torque them back in.

The carbon sunroof arrived today in one lovely shiney piece [Thanks Keithb]

It looks great and it's really light as well, I was going to spray this the same colour as the car orignally, but too many people have said to put it in "as is" so i'll at least try that first.

I'm away for a week and then Christmas and stuff, so it's all busy busy. The car is now offically off the road and i'm driving my mk3 (see pic in first thread)








It's gonna be after/around Christmas now when i get properly started on the work, i will be picking up the new Exedy clutch and the light weight Fidanza flywheel while i'm away and hopefully popping into a main dealer in the states so i can pick up a packet of EGR port caps.

In other news, i think i've decided on the Fujitsubo Legalis-R CAT-Back Exhaust System paired up with the Fujitsubo Super EX Exhaust Manifold System from D2M Tuning who've given me a good price on it all.

Obviously this is going to be in the new year when i order it as i have Christmas and new year to get in the way along with the clutch work

Still wanting to "finally" decide on the wheels and tyres, but before those, i need suspension, i'm now defintely going for either Tein or Eibach springs and i'm trying to get a good price on the Tokico Illumina dampers to go with them.

Also decided not to go for any induction kit, despite the nice noise, it's £100+ that can go on the exhaust and other mods that will actualyl improve the performance and not let crap into my engine.

You've made some good progress so far, can't wait to see it after chrostmas with all the other bits sorted. To anyone else doing up the dizzy cap, use a screw driver, you aren't able to put anywhere near the torque on it you can with a socket wrench, and to much force and the screwdriver is likely to slip out of the screws, just be wary not to over tighten it.

Quote:

Rear washer not actually spraying (pump is working but no spray )

Thats the rear washer jet which is blocked, has been discussed many times on the forum, some people have soaked it in boiling water to free some of the sedement out of it, then use a pin to get the rest out. I found using a pin and wiggling it about inside the nozzle, squirting it, then wigglnig it about again, turn and hold the switch so the pump runs for 5-10 seconds to build up a bit of pressure, then wiggle the pin again, and so on frees the dirt off and it'll come firing out. Just be sure you runt he pump in short bursts

Which EGR cap is it you are after? I'll have a look and see if I can find it for you.

Paul

Yeah, really busy over the next couple of weeks so i've been collecting the info and the cheaper parts ready to go

Yeah yeah, like i said, i knew better than to use the socket to tighten them back up, but it was another walk into the garage for the screwdriver

The EGR port caps, the ones off the top of the injection manifold, that code i posted earlier should be correct, but i'm leaving for the states on saturday so i'm gonna pop into a main dealer and pick up a set (crosses fingers)

Deffo gonna try the wash jet part, though i've kinda managed quote well so far without Just another one of those things i'd like to be right on the car.

Nice car can I ask why you changed the dizzy? mione is a 1996 with 139k on it and I think it still has the orginal dizzy, should I change it?