Too much for a weekend toy?
Discussion
Hi all,
To keep it short, I'm looking for a weekend-only car for fun. Started with Evos/Stis/Mustangs/Camaros/Golfs/Minis...but I always end up in Civics.
I came across a 1997 EK Civic. It is loaded with Ek9 cosmetic upgrades both in the exterior/interior; however, the engine mods scare me and I have little to no knowledge of what they are. Hell, I already learned a bunch by translating the names from spanish to english just now (I'm from Chile)
Civics are cheap and easy to maintain locally, but I stil want to have something to drive on Saturdays hassle-free. I have no mechanical experience so I would have a shop look after it if things were to go south. Finding a stock example is close to impossible, so this is the best I've found.
I included the brand names where I had them and hopefully translated the parts correctly.
TL:DR - is this a good idea or not? I would use it strictly on weekends, canyon carving (B-roads in the UK), and make some cosmetic changes. Looking to keep it for a couple of years. If I learn more through that time perhaps add a turbo or something, but for now purely cosmetics and enjoy it in its current form.
Engine & Transmission:
B20 VTEC - B20 block with B18c cylinder head (25k kms)
ACL RACE Bearings
Oil Pump Type R P72 Honda
ARP Cylinder Head Studs
Manley Forged Rods
Wiseco Pistons 13:1 84.5
Honda GE Cylinder Heads
Vtec Rockers recently changed
Skunk2 Retainers & Double Springs
Competition Valves and Ferrea Bronze Guides
Golden Eagle Blockguard B20 - rectified after instalation
Honda Retainers and Seals
S80 Type R Transmission with self-locking
3rd and 4th gears with Mfactory close-ratio
Lightweight flywheel
STG 4 Ceramic Competition Clutch
Edelbrock Victor X Intake with 70 mm Throttle body Skunk2
PLM 4-2-1 Exhaust Header
440 cc Injectors
Set up for OEM cams
Avid Racing Engine Mounts
K-tuned Traction bar.
Suspension & Exhaust
Rear and Front Strut Bars
Yellow Adjustable Coilovers
Front Slotted discs
EK9 Tanabe Catback
Thanks!!
To keep it short, I'm looking for a weekend-only car for fun. Started with Evos/Stis/Mustangs/Camaros/Golfs/Minis...but I always end up in Civics.
I came across a 1997 EK Civic. It is loaded with Ek9 cosmetic upgrades both in the exterior/interior; however, the engine mods scare me and I have little to no knowledge of what they are. Hell, I already learned a bunch by translating the names from spanish to english just now (I'm from Chile)
Civics are cheap and easy to maintain locally, but I stil want to have something to drive on Saturdays hassle-free. I have no mechanical experience so I would have a shop look after it if things were to go south. Finding a stock example is close to impossible, so this is the best I've found.
I included the brand names where I had them and hopefully translated the parts correctly.
TL:DR - is this a good idea or not? I would use it strictly on weekends, canyon carving (B-roads in the UK), and make some cosmetic changes. Looking to keep it for a couple of years. If I learn more through that time perhaps add a turbo or something, but for now purely cosmetics and enjoy it in its current form.
Engine & Transmission:
B20 VTEC - B20 block with B18c cylinder head (25k kms)
ACL RACE Bearings
Oil Pump Type R P72 Honda
ARP Cylinder Head Studs
Manley Forged Rods
Wiseco Pistons 13:1 84.5
Honda GE Cylinder Heads
Vtec Rockers recently changed
Skunk2 Retainers & Double Springs
Competition Valves and Ferrea Bronze Guides
Golden Eagle Blockguard B20 - rectified after instalation
Honda Retainers and Seals
S80 Type R Transmission with self-locking
3rd and 4th gears with Mfactory close-ratio
Lightweight flywheel
STG 4 Ceramic Competition Clutch
Edelbrock Victor X Intake with 70 mm Throttle body Skunk2
PLM 4-2-1 Exhaust Header
440 cc Injectors
Set up for OEM cams
Avid Racing Engine Mounts
K-tuned Traction bar.
Suspension & Exhaust
Rear and Front Strut Bars
Yellow Adjustable Coilovers
Front Slotted discs
EK9 Tanabe Catback
Thanks!!
That LOOKS like a pretty serious engine build, and would make for a quick car.
The devil as always is in the detail, and the detail here is who did the build and how good are they?
- If that's been done properly, and you treat it as a highly-tuned engine and not as a typical Honda motor, then it could be a really good result.
- If it's been done by the owner or some mate of his, or the owner hasn't looked after it, then it could be festering the same issues as any other unloved car, but with bigger bills to fix it.
It also suggests to me that the car has likely seen some serious trackday work, maybe amateur racing (probably trackday given the comparative lack of chassis mods). May not be an issue for you...and as above probably isn't if it's been treated properly.
My advice would be to:-
- Get as much info on the engine build as possible - receipt(s) for the work by professional garages (then check their reputation), maybe photos / diary of the build if the chap is an enthusiast.
- Go and see the car with a mechanic who knows fast Hondas - get the mechanic to properly check over the car, while you check over the vendor - is it the same chap who did the build (or was that a prior owner), how long has he had the car since the build (e.g. is he looking to shift a problem), what does he use it for - the usual pre-purchase stuff, but more diligently.
Final thought is how much of a premium is the price of this car over e.g. an EK4 VTi? And does that represent good value to you for the extra performance, allowing for the (possible) extra risk from the engine.
The devil as always is in the detail, and the detail here is who did the build and how good are they?
- If that's been done properly, and you treat it as a highly-tuned engine and not as a typical Honda motor, then it could be a really good result.
- If it's been done by the owner or some mate of his, or the owner hasn't looked after it, then it could be festering the same issues as any other unloved car, but with bigger bills to fix it.
It also suggests to me that the car has likely seen some serious trackday work, maybe amateur racing (probably trackday given the comparative lack of chassis mods). May not be an issue for you...and as above probably isn't if it's been treated properly.
My advice would be to:-
- Get as much info on the engine build as possible - receipt(s) for the work by professional garages (then check their reputation), maybe photos / diary of the build if the chap is an enthusiast.
- Go and see the car with a mechanic who knows fast Hondas - get the mechanic to properly check over the car, while you check over the vendor - is it the same chap who did the build (or was that a prior owner), how long has he had the car since the build (e.g. is he looking to shift a problem), what does he use it for - the usual pre-purchase stuff, but more diligently.
Final thought is how much of a premium is the price of this car over e.g. an EK4 VTi? And does that represent good value to you for the extra performance, allowing for the (possible) extra risk from the engine.
havoc said:
That LOOKS like a pretty serious engine build, and would make for a quick car.
The devil as always is in the detail, and the detail here is who did the build and how good are they?
- If that's been done properly, and you treat it as a highly-tuned engine and not as a typical Honda motor, then it could be a really good result.
- If it's been done by the owner or some mate of his, or the owner hasn't looked after it, then it could be festering the same issues as any other unloved car, but with bigger bills to fix it.
It also suggests to me that the car has likely seen some serious trackday work, maybe amateur racing (probably trackday given the comparative lack of chassis mods). May not be an issue for you...and as above probably isn't if it's been treated properly.
My advice would be to:-
- Get as much info on the engine build as possible - receipt(s) for the work by professional garages (then check their reputation), maybe photos / diary of the build if the chap is an enthusiast.
- Go and see the car with a mechanic who knows fast Hondas - get the mechanic to properly check over the car, while you check over the vendor - is it the same chap who did the build (or was that a prior owner), how long has he had the car since the build (e.g. is he looking to shift a problem), what does he use it for - the usual pre-purchase stuff, but more diligently.
Final thought is how much of a premium is the price of this car over e.g. an EK4 VTi? And does that represent good value to you for the extra performance, allowing for the (possible) extra risk from the engine.
Thanks for the input Havoc! The devil as always is in the detail, and the detail here is who did the build and how good are they?
- If that's been done properly, and you treat it as a highly-tuned engine and not as a typical Honda motor, then it could be a really good result.
- If it's been done by the owner or some mate of his, or the owner hasn't looked after it, then it could be festering the same issues as any other unloved car, but with bigger bills to fix it.
It also suggests to me that the car has likely seen some serious trackday work, maybe amateur racing (probably trackday given the comparative lack of chassis mods). May not be an issue for you...and as above probably isn't if it's been treated properly.
My advice would be to:-
- Get as much info on the engine build as possible - receipt(s) for the work by professional garages (then check their reputation), maybe photos / diary of the build if the chap is an enthusiast.
- Go and see the car with a mechanic who knows fast Hondas - get the mechanic to properly check over the car, while you check over the vendor - is it the same chap who did the build (or was that a prior owner), how long has he had the car since the build (e.g. is he looking to shift a problem), what does he use it for - the usual pre-purchase stuff, but more diligently.
Final thought is how much of a premium is the price of this car over e.g. an EK4 VTi? And does that represent good value to you for the extra performance, allowing for the (possible) extra risk from the engine.
The build was done by a well-known shop here in Chile. They build hondas for competitive purposes and have a store with all things Honda. So that was a huge relief to hear that name when he sent over the description of the car.
I am 100% convinced this is a good buy, which is why I have agreed to meet and buy it on the spot this Wednesday. I asked him to meet up at the shop so I can also get the chance to meet the gang. I know I will be seeing them soon so why not.
The car in pictures looks extremely clean. Even the engine bay! I don't think I can run into another example this clean. The price does represent a good value over starting from scratch with an EK4 VTI. I mean, the forged internals alone can make the bill stack up rather quickly. And my calculations didn't even include labor or a clean chasis to work on.
I will enjoy it in its current form in the meantime. Later I will probably focus on the chasis and some cosmetic changes.
Do you happen to know useful civic forums? I like pistonheads but I don't see much activity over here in the Honda section.
Thanks again!
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