Hillclimb Project Type R EP3
Discussion
Last event of the year held at a pretty soggy Prescott.. thought I’d hate it (getting bored of the rain ruining weekends), but probably the most fun weekend of the year including a pretty committed last run of the season in damp conditions. Pleased to only be beaten by lotus Elise’s.
Had hoped to do a late season sprint, but the underside of the car needs some attention, and it’s time to have the rear suspension apart. Thats about four years overdue, and it’ll be interesting to see how bad it all is. Intending to replace anything that needs tlc, including many rusty bolts.
Had hoped to do a late season sprint, but the underside of the car needs some attention, and it’s time to have the rear suspension apart. Thats about four years overdue, and it’ll be interesting to see how bad it all is. Intending to replace anything that needs tlc, including many rusty bolts.
Kaveney said:
Does the EP3 suffer with rear end rust like the FN2 .
Had an EP3 a fair few years ago but but cannot recall if there were rust issues .
I don’t think so. They seem pretty decent in my experience.Had an EP3 a fair few years ago but but cannot recall if there were rust issues .
I have just bought some powdercoated rear trailing arms for mine to replace with the rear bushes, wondering if I should bite the bullet and get a white line rear ARB while I’m in there?!
The Rotrex Kid said:
Kaveney said:
Does the EP3 suffer with rear end rust like the FN2 .
Had an EP3 a fair few years ago but but cannot recall if there were rust issues .
I don’t think so. They seem pretty decent in my experience.Had an EP3 a fair few years ago but but cannot recall if there were rust issues .
I have just bought some powdercoated rear trailing arms for mine to replace with the rear bushes, wondering if I should bite the bullet and get a white line rear ARB while I’m in there?!
Also pondering the same ARB, but do I want the rear that stiff for what I use the car for??
So, the biggest work to the civic complete. Full strip down of the underside undertaken and rust almost entirely sorted. A patch that has now been exposed and will be tackled over the next couple of years. The underside is now also protected, and given that the car now always sits in a garage it should hopefully ensure a long life.
Rear suspension all rebuilt at the same time, including new bushes.. replacing absolutely knackered originals.
Hopefully a couple of other things to sort before the 2025 season, but all budget dependent.
Rear suspension all rebuilt at the same time, including new bushes.. replacing absolutely knackered originals.
Hopefully a couple of other things to sort before the 2025 season, but all budget dependent.
Edited by df76 on Friday 13th December 08:30
Edited by df76 on Friday 13th December 10:47
The Rotrex Kid said:
Ooooh, nice work. Would like to do this to mine. Looks like a job and half!!
Yes, quite a big effort. Had it soda blasted and then everything remaining removed before etch primer and then when for raptor paint. It’s never going back to being road car, so just wanted to make sure that it stays solid.df76 said:
So, the biggest work to the civic complete. Full strip down of the underside undertaken and rust almost entirely sorted. A patch that has now been exposed and will be tackled over the next couple of years. The underside is now also protected, and given that the car now always sits in a garage it should hopefully ensure a long life.
Rear suspension all rebuilt at the same time, including new bushes.. replacing absolutely knackered originals.
Hopefully a couple of other things to sort before the 2025 season, but all budget dependent.
Wow! That's some serious work.. Every credit to youRear suspension all rebuilt at the same time, including new bushes.. replacing absolutely knackered originals.
Hopefully a couple of other things to sort before the 2025 season, but all budget dependent.
Edited by df76 on Friday 13th December 08:30
Edited by df76 on Friday 13th December 10:47
Winter maintenance now complete, and pretty well timed. Clutch was very much on its last legs and ready to fail. Certainly pushed my luck, and the difference in pedal feel is ridiculous.
Second gear also replaced. I might need to learn how to change gear properly. Big change is a plated diff being fitted, which will be last big upgrade for a good while.
Suspension set up also sorted, so it’s now tucked away again until the season starts.
Second gear also replaced. I might need to learn how to change gear properly. Big change is a plated diff being fitted, which will be last big upgrade for a good while.
Suspension set up also sorted, so it’s now tucked away again until the season starts.
Kaveney said:
If you do not mind me asking how many miles were on that clutch as im not sure if my one has ever been changed and the car is on 152,000 miles .
That was put in by the previous owner, and has done about 18k miles. But that includes quite a few event runs, and that would give the clutch a good work out.Something that’s not happened before, the civic went testing. Really good day at gurston with almost ideal weather, just giving the car a run to try the new suspension set up and diff. Even on pretty worn tyres it was easy to instantly feel the change, but will take a while to make the most of it.
Prescott for the first event of the year. Looks a decent class, hopefully the long range forecast is wrong.
Prescott for the first event of the year. Looks a decent class, hopefully the long range forecast is wrong.
Really enjoyable weekend up at Prescott in perfect weather. Although had some slightly tough opposition.
Knocked a good chunk off my previous times, but only learnt in the last run that I need to be up a gear at one corner.
Car had a nasty “clonk” on the way home.. hopefully just the exhaust. And decided to change the gearbox oil, mostly to check that everything is ok. No bits floating.
Knocked a good chunk off my previous times, but only learnt in the last run that I need to be up a gear at one corner.
Car had a nasty “clonk” on the way home.. hopefully just the exhaust. And decided to change the gearbox oil, mostly to check that everything is ok. No bits floating.
The advantage of going to Prescott is that you get some excellent photos.. thanks to Stuart Wing for this one.
Decided to be slightly brave and tackle the speedo issue. The sensor snapping in half whilst still in the box wasn't the strongest start, and then having to swap over the gearing on the sensor was right on the edge of my fine skills (which are near zero) and patience levels. I hadn't twigged that different gearing in the box would mean the standard part wouldn't just slot straight in.
A quick test drive suggests that the problem is solved. Given the age of the car, I'd say it's well worth doing as a routine maintenance job of these Civics now. The change in box oil has also noticeably reduced the diff chatter.
Decided to be slightly brave and tackle the speedo issue. The sensor snapping in half whilst still in the box wasn't the strongest start, and then having to swap over the gearing on the sensor was right on the edge of my fine skills (which are near zero) and patience levels. I hadn't twigged that different gearing in the box would mean the standard part wouldn't just slot straight in.
A quick test drive suggests that the problem is solved. Given the age of the car, I'd say it's well worth doing as a routine maintenance job of these Civics now. The change in box oil has also noticeably reduced the diff chatter.
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