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[Gaulty]

Hi,

Been a member on here for many years now, or at least it feels that way as it takes up so much of my life. For those of you who know me, you will know my old Milano Red EP3, that I invested quite a chunk of cash in - only to sell due to change of job. For those of you who don't, I have attached a few pictures below.

SO change of job seen me swap 10 miles a week, for 500 miles. Inevitably leaving the EP3 no use to me for the amount of money it would cost. I have since had three cars, none of which compared!

I did then decide that the time was right for a project.... many will disagree with my choice on here no doubt, but it is my car, although your opinion is always welcome with me, so let it be said below.

Pictures of my old EP3





The Project

Honda Civic 1.4 S Type (EP1), Silver
EP3 Bodykit Fitted
74k miles



The car was in overall poor condition. Especially the engine, which was going to cause problems eventually - at the price I paid this was OK!

Pictures of the 1.4l engine and bay











Pictures of the wheels

Which I hate!



Plans

Ok, so where to start!!!

Interior

• EP3 Seats (Front & Back)

• New Radio

• Carbon Wrap Centre Console

• Carbon Wrap Door Inserts

• EP3 Gear Knob

Exterior

• EP3 Bodykit

• New Wheels - Rota Grid 16x7

• New Tyres - 205/55R16 Bridgestones

• Heko Wind Deflectors

• New Front H Badge as old one is faded

• New bonnet - as old one is slightly warped at front

• Tinted Windows

• EP3 Spoiler painted Black

Engine & Exhaust (The Biggie)

• Engine Swap - d14z6 replaced with d16z1 (EP2 Engine - 1.6l)

• Toyosports Manifold

• OEM EP3 Exhaust - Cat back

• PWJDM Washers - Blue

• Yellow Rocker Cover

• TSS Induction - to replace K&N filter

Ok, so now you have seen a few of the ideas. As I have had the car for 9 months, most of these ideas are now reality. I will post below the work completed, step by step.

[Gaulty]

The Engine Swap

After 2 weeks of driving the car. The engine stopped working. This was pretty major and obviously leaped to the top of the priority list.

Completed

• Sourced an EP2 Engine, with FSH and in very good condition

• Got ECU for 1.6 Engine

• Had the old engine extracted

• Painted the bottom of the new block black (for tidiness)

• Cleaned the bay whilst empty

• Had the new engine installed

• Mechanic programmed the ECU and fitted new Loom

• Attached a ToyoSports Manifold

• Replaced screws with Blue PWJDM washers

To Be Completed

• TSS Induction Kit - for now the OEM induction is being installed

• Paint Rocker Cover Yellow

• Front Strut Brace - Blue

The engine was the most stressful part of this project, as it took almost 8 months between one thing and another. The car was then ready to go again.

P.s. Pictures to Follow

[Gaulty]

MOT before going back onto the road

Once the engine swap was complete, the car had ran out of MOT. It needed some work...

Completed

• New Pads all round

• New Discs

• 4 NGK Spark Plugs

• Air filter

• Two Pollen Filters

• New Brake Servo (from EP3)

• New Brake Cylinder

• New Master Clutch Cylinder

• New Rear Brake Shoes[/color]

[Gaulty]

Car breezed through MOT, got it Taxed and insured, and it was now driving again.

Interior Additions

Completed

• Removed old seats

• Fitted Rear EP3 Seats

• Installed a hidden middle seat belt - from Vauxhall Corsa (Lap Belt)

• Installed Pioneer System

• Carbon Wrapped the centre console and door inserts

• Installed Front EP3 Seats

To Be Completed

• Vallet Seats

• Replace Front Door Speakers

• Install Action Camera

[Gaulty]

New Shoes

The time had come where my awful wheels had to go.



I spent weeks looking at wheels I liked, the possibilities of all fittings, width, size, stretch, stance, etc etc.

I finally made a decision on the 16x8 Rota Grid Vs. However, these were going to cause too much hassle with rolling arches, and in order to pull it off the car had to be railed (which isnt going to happy this one - as my EP3 was not a practical car)

So... I decided on

• Flat Black Rota Grids. 16x7

• Bridgestone Tyres

I got these dressed with tyres straight away and had them fitted. I only have a very poo, sub standard picture at present as it was late and getting dark, the car needed washed (tomorrow) and Rotashop also sent the wrong size of centre caps so I am awaiting these tomorrow.



Stance

The next things to happen are going to be vital to help the way this little car sits. At present it is too low at the rear - has been since day one. The plan was to get new shoes and the add springs and camber arms so it resolves the issue.

To Be Completed - VERY SOON

• New springs/coilovers (haven't made up my mind yet)

• LCA - Skunk 2 (Silver)

• Beaks Lower Tie Bar (Blue)

[Rambo]

So how come you building a ep1 into a ep2? Not seen this before as most people would just k20 it

Look forward to further progress, need more pictures of work

[Gaulty]

Its not that im building an ep2 from my ep1, as it would be much better having bought an ep2 at the outset, bit as the engine needed replaced I seen an opportunity and took it.

K20A swaps are stupid imo. Why do this and not buy a type r?

1) I sold my type r to save it from the 500miles a week

2) once finished its the same car and probably more expensive to do the swap

3) other parts need replacing to make it right, like brakes.

HOWEVER.... I would have considered a B16 swap, as this would have been different and fricking awesome.

But each to their own... And more pics to follow, ran out of time doing this last nyt

[Rambo]

Its not that im building an ep2 from my ep1, as it would be much better having bought an ep2 at the outset, bit as the engine needed replaced I seen an opportunity and took it.

K20A swaps are stupid imo. Why do this and not buy a type r?

1) I sold my type r to save it from the 500miles a week

2) once finished its the same car and probably more expensive to do the swap

3) other parts need replacing to make it right, like brakes.

HOWEVER.... I would have considered a B16 swap, as this would have been different and fricking awesome.

But each to their own... And more pics to follow, ran out of time doing this last nyt

So your building it as a eco car compared to the type r? I agree with just buying a type r tbh. and b16 would be pretty awesome but more work than is worth it i think.

[Gaulty]

Yeah mate, I have to be reasonable, and consider costs of doing that millage each week.

I was happy enough with the 1.4, but its not as reliable an engine as the wee d16s.

And then I just want it to look will and drive well. Speed and power arent my thing anymore.

Someday I will have a type r back. I do love them

[Gaulty]

Ps b16 is serious work, and would only be worth it to tick it off the bucket list!!

[6N2 GTI 00]

Although I agree K20 swaps are a little silly on a EP1/EP2 with EP3's being so affordable nowadays but I'm still surprised you didn't look at that route given the engine problems you have encountered. B16 swap would have been essentially pointless as the fuel economy would have been no better than a K20 motor, if anything it would have been a lot worse. The K20A3 used in the Type S civic and SI EP3 is very fuel efficient, we've got two and they do 45-48 mpg on the motorway thanks to the long geared 5 speed box.

Credit where it's due though you have done well thus far

[Gaulty]

The k20a3 a US engine??

Your points are valid, ta for the reply.

[6N2 GTI 00]

The k20a3 a US engine??

Your points are valid, ta for the reply.

Yeah used in the states but also fitted to the UK Type S (5 door) 160bhp I-VTEC motor which is really fuel efficient. Worlds apart from the K20A & A2 with virtually everything being different but still a very good engine

[Gaulty]

Some more pics. Rain really annoyed me today as I just got the car washed and no more, and it needs Sooo much more done. Car also got dirty very quick on one journey before these were taken.

Calipers to be painted silver...