My Aerodeck Vti - What are peoples opinions

[Stoatman]

Hi all,

I have been on here for a few years now and never have posted my car pics. I have had the aerodeck for 3 years now and its ticked over to 130,000 miles recently. I enjoy tinkering with it and searching ebay etc for bits . I am not really a fan of "modding" but like to update or replace tired components with new/refurbished ones. Unfortunately due to the nature of the other models in the range, which are usually driven by old people, my car is very very underrated (I think). As most people think it is pretty bland including my Mrs. Now I dont really mind as I like it but do people really think its cack ?.

So far I have carried out the following :

4 new dampers
New thermostat
New rear bushes
new cv joint
MG ZS180 rear anti-roll bar (non as standard)
Replaced the wheels with powder coated original DC2 wheels (done in my owner ship)
Re-sprayed grill to de-chrome it.
Resprayed side skirts black
Upgraded front speakers
New tailored mats
New badges at the rear for the standard look
Just picked up Recaro sub frames specifically for the aerodeck - Very hard to come by !

Plans to do next :

Integra manifold and collector powder coated in VHT coating
Two refurbished rear calipers
Braided Hoses all round
Fit subframes and fit Accord type R seats - Whoop !!
Rear brake pipes

Onto some pics :





Thanks for any comments bad or other wise !!

[Baffled Spoon]

I do like these, but you haven't put up a picture of my favourite part of the car... the rear. I like how the bootlid has an integral mid level spoiler in the metal pressing. Nice touch.

Not sure on the Integra wheels personally, but other than than

[danposs86]

Wheels look a little lost, but I bet handlings good on them (tyre depending)

[Megaflow]

Cracking car those. I had a hatch VTi and was working for a Honda Tier 1 supplier, the Honda engineers all said the Aerodeck was a better car because of the stiffer rear suspension, to cope with potential extra load.

I had a go in theirs and it is a better car than the hatch.

[Stoatman]

Thanks for the comments , I initally bought the dc2 alloys in white and was about to put them on the car but was talked out of it (silver car , white wheels and all). I got them powder coated because they were also a little too worn for my liking, i Probably should of gone a little darker.

I , and many other owners, agree about the alloys being a little lost in the arches. The alloys are "only" 15 inches and are the same diameter as the standard alloys however there is a large gap between top of tyres and bottome of arches. Most people have them lowered and I have put it off as I have a longish commute every day (60miles) down some country A roads and want it to be as comfortable as possible. I may fit ZS180 shocks and springs as this lowers it a little but not too much.

[mmcd87]

Can imagine it's quite good fun - bit different to the hatchback too. I quite like the wheels as well - makes it look more agile.

[anonymous-user]

Well I love the Vti. Its a car that nobody pays any attention to yet has a absolute jewel of an engine and can easily be made to handle. I almost went for one a couple of months back and I still quite fancy the idea of one.

[Stoatman]

Cheers. Here is a pic a little while ago with the standard alloys on.As they were not the fanblade type (VTI-S) I thought they made the car a little boring looking so went on the look out for replacements.



Ha ha , do it mate there is a cracker on Pistonheads at the moment :

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3105542.htm

(Not super standard but not too messed with)

[Baffled Spoon]

Stoatman said:

I , and many other owners, agree about the alloys being a little lost in the arches. The alloys are "only" 15 inches and are the same diameter as the standard alloys however there is a large gap between top of tyres and bottome of arches. Most people have them lowered and I have put it off as I have a longish commute every day (60miles) down some country A roads and want it to be as comfortable as possible. I may fit ZS180 shocks and springs as this lowers it a little but not too much.

When I said I wasn't sure on the wheels, I was thinking more of the design. I'm not sure it suits that particular car. I think they are a decent size, and probably very light-weight. Big wheels and no arch clearance are over-rated imo, and more for style than any tangible benefits on a road car.

Edited by Baffled Spoon on Monday 8th August 21:20

[zetec02]

like these alot.

[Stoatman]

Ahh ok , I here you. I'll keep the wheels for a bit and see how I get on with them. I quite like them especially compared to the old ones. In reality they cost me a bit more than I first thought so they are definately staying for a bit ! LOL

[wackojacko]

I like the wheels, I saw an AD VTI go round at Castle combe they sound great and go pretty well

[Stoatman]

Cheers all.

Removed , painted and refitted one of my side skirts today. Again just went for black to keep the standard look.

Was very surprised how easy they were to take off . I was also surprised how much hidden soil and mud can be under them !!. Must be about a half a kilo if I weighed it !. At one point the mud was a compact solid mass just at the front , grim stuff.
Surprisingly, with a bit of a clean the body came up as new under there , very happy with that. Sprayed the side skirt and replaced it , breaking no clips in the process !. Its a massive improvement now just to do the other side .

Pictures :

Mud :


Rail off :


Cleaned :


Replaced :


Other Side as comparison :


Better roof rail shot :


badges :



Cheers
I realise in hindsight im not actually modding this car but almost restoring it (apart from alloys) must be pretty boring to some. Maybe some more exciting mods in the future , especially the seats !!!.

[RallyeS1]

I like it! Looks a tidy machine! I have a VTI-S Aerodeck and have really enjoyed it, unfortunatly im going to have to put it up forsale as it just doesnt get used enough anymore. They really do have a cracking engine!

[Stoatman]

I have found some !!, after a small battle with bad fitting centre caps and the realisation that the seller of my alloys did not supply genuine 96spec centre caps I went on the look out. Crikey they are hard to come buy and even from the states a set of 4 was 100 dollars plus a mass of postage.

So ebay it was, for about 2 months and then I contacted a guy called Integrastella who was advertising a pair of silver ones off a later dc2. He tells me that all dc2 centre caps are the same size and will fit . Also he had a set of four in his posession. 45 quid late (not too bad) I now have 4 proper centre caps , a massive bonus is that they are nearly exactly the same colour as my alloys , whoop !.

Before :


One after :


Side :

[vit4]

I do like these! And not boring at all, a lot of these types of threads (semi-restoring relatively ordinary cars) are of a lot more appeal to me as I'm in exactly the same boat As a poster up there ^^^^ said, the back of these cars is lovely

[grenpayne]

I agree these threads aren't boring, on the contrary it's nice to see people taking pride in their cars! I'm hopefully going to be doing similar soon to my ST so as far as I'm concerned it's all good

[Stoatman]

SO I picked up my ITR manifold I decided to have powder coated in VHT stuff, the coaters assured me that it will last no problem. I had the manifold sitting around so I thought I should really get it on the car. Unfortunately the guy had no silver left , the finish like the one I have for sale Ahem!! , so it had to be black. However I think the black looks pretty mean. I am aware that the manifold may not yield massive power gains but it is said to be a little more raspy and liberate a couple of BHP. Also it looks much better!.

ALso had the heat shield done not sure if I will fit that , maybe good for keeping the temp down a little in the bay.

[anonymous-user]

If you want my advice leave the heat shield off. It will only end up rattling

[minimatt1967]

Great car, I drive a Pirates black one, the best mod you've done is the ZS180 rear arb, it compliments the torsen diff very well.

I've removed the silencer on the airbox, which has made a difference, allowing you to hear the induction roar and giving it more of a VTEC howl. It keeps the torque curve in check(every little helps) and quiet at motorway speeds. Unlike the cone filter I had on it.

Keep up the good work, like the Teg wheels too.