Civic EP3, BMW 130i, Westfield XTR2
Discussion
Been meaning to start one of these for ages, well, I actually started one for the Westfield far too many years ago, let's see if I stick to it this time.
Civic EP3
Had this for around five years now, easily the longest any road car has lasted for me. It was my daily driver for the first few years, then I started the two car dream so I could play with the Honda a bit.
Main jobs done so far:
Rear cage
Bucket seat, Harness, Small wheel etc
LSD
5.1 Final drive
Big brake kit
New dampers with lowering springs etc
Carbon Fibre Bonnet
and a load of bushes, joints and various camber adjustable suspension stuff etc etc
Well, I'm actually half way through doing the suspension and brakes, but nearly there I promise!!
Had a Corolla T Sport for the last few years as the daily, while its a great car in loads of ways, ultimately I hate it, so after spending the last few months stressing about the old what car issue, I finally went for...
130i LE
Picked this up a couple of weeks ago, bought with a few issues so have been working flat out to get them sorted. Loving everything so far! My first German whip so the interior feels above my station! just turn radio up to hide the squeaks and creaks...
It came with a few bits on:
Big brake kit all 4 wheels
LSD
Coilovers
Uprated ARBs
Posh intake
Loud exhaust with associated pops and bangs etc
Westfield XTR2
Had this for FAR too long, definitely in super long term project territory, but I still love it and I will get it done one day! Bought this as an ex race car that had an engine fire. I'll use some old photos because I'm terrible at taking pictures, and because its been a while since it was this complete
I am modifying it a quite lot from the standard spec, but the basics are:
Hayabusa engine
Space frame chassis with separate bodywork
Dry sump
Chain driven
400kg ish + advertised weight
And if you build it to the correct spec then they are road legal too
I got this and planned to put it on the road, but soon saw the light and moved over to a track/race car spec.
Could bore you to tears with all the various ideas I've had over the years, but current plans include:
Converting to single seat
Changing fuel system
Aiming for F3-ish spec wheels and tires etc
Replace all important bolts etc with aircraft spec stuff (a true nerd for this, posh bolts get me sweaty)
And many other smaller bits and bobs, tidying and moving stuff around
Generally bringing it up to race car spec
Really want to keep updating this, even if just for my own record, and maybe it'll encourage me to take more pictures!
Civic EP3
Had this for around five years now, easily the longest any road car has lasted for me. It was my daily driver for the first few years, then I started the two car dream so I could play with the Honda a bit.
Main jobs done so far:
Rear cage
Bucket seat, Harness, Small wheel etc
LSD
5.1 Final drive
Big brake kit
New dampers with lowering springs etc
Carbon Fibre Bonnet
and a load of bushes, joints and various camber adjustable suspension stuff etc etc
Well, I'm actually half way through doing the suspension and brakes, but nearly there I promise!!
Had a Corolla T Sport for the last few years as the daily, while its a great car in loads of ways, ultimately I hate it, so after spending the last few months stressing about the old what car issue, I finally went for...
130i LE
Picked this up a couple of weeks ago, bought with a few issues so have been working flat out to get them sorted. Loving everything so far! My first German whip so the interior feels above my station! just turn radio up to hide the squeaks and creaks...
It came with a few bits on:
Big brake kit all 4 wheels
LSD
Coilovers
Uprated ARBs
Posh intake
Loud exhaust with associated pops and bangs etc
Westfield XTR2
Had this for FAR too long, definitely in super long term project territory, but I still love it and I will get it done one day! Bought this as an ex race car that had an engine fire. I'll use some old photos because I'm terrible at taking pictures, and because its been a while since it was this complete
I am modifying it a quite lot from the standard spec, but the basics are:
Hayabusa engine
Space frame chassis with separate bodywork
Dry sump
Chain driven
400kg ish + advertised weight
And if you build it to the correct spec then they are road legal too
I got this and planned to put it on the road, but soon saw the light and moved over to a track/race car spec.
Could bore you to tears with all the various ideas I've had over the years, but current plans include:
Converting to single seat
Changing fuel system
Aiming for F3-ish spec wheels and tires etc
Replace all important bolts etc with aircraft spec stuff (a true nerd for this, posh bolts get me sweaty)
And many other smaller bits and bobs, tidying and moving stuff around
Generally bringing it up to race car spec
Really want to keep updating this, even if just for my own record, and maybe it'll encourage me to take more pictures!
selym said:
Nice XTR! I've just sold a 130i to get into a Monaro VXR; the BMW is such a great package, and yours looks to have some good upgrades.
Thanks! More a pile of random bits and bobs at the moment, but one day!!It is the upgrades that drew me towards it to be honest, all things I would have wanted to do, but i never would have gone to this level! The previous owners have spent some serious money on it!
I WILL have an LS engined car one day, consider me jealous!
Nice collection. I've just fitted the same shocks (B8?) to my EP3 (Supercharged) and they're superb.
Having a few issues with my steering as I've added more camber and got some inverted drop links and it's rough getting it right.
Looks like you have a Megane caliper based brake kit? That's what mine is based on.
Having a few issues with my steering as I've added more camber and got some inverted drop links and it's rough getting it right.
Looks like you have a Megane caliper based brake kit? That's what mine is based on.
The tinkering continues with the beemer! Had various knocks and creaks when I got it, been working flat out to chase them all down and make sure its nothing serious.
Replaced all the drop links which has definitely helped, cant feel anything through the steering now, so much happier to drive it.
Next on the list was the top mount bearings, was a little worried about this due to the coilovers. It has KW Clubsports with the fancy adjustable top mount setup. Called the guys at KW and they sent me some new bearings and new bolts to replace a few rough looking ones. Turns out it was actually really easy, and by the sounds of it much easier than doing it on a standard car. No need for spring compressors, only had to undo the drop link to give enough space for the suspension to drop. I think the helper spring style setup helped? Either way, really easy.
But still knocking! Only a little bit though, and its definitely better than it was, and much happier that its nothing serious now I've spent the last 2 weeks with my head in the wheel arches. Will add more excuses for not fixing the knock when I think of them.
While working on the car I couldn't help but notice that the wheel bolts aren't long enough! There was 5mm spacers fitted to avoid coilover rubbage, and I guess they never quite got round to getting some longer bolts! 3-4 turns at the most! Also, the flat spacers were taking up most of the locating nose/ring for the wheel, so the wheel really wasn't locating on anything, all a bit sketchy for me.
Actually made some spacers for the Honda a couple of months ago, but wanted some for the beemer ASAP, so ordered some H&R 10mm and some longer wheel bolts, old thread length was 24mm, new is 35mm,
70 quid H&R Beemer spacers
Home made (at work) Honda spacers, made using less than £10 worth of material
I personally think mine are far fancier.
The Honda needed at least 10mm spacers to avoid the brakes, so went for 15mm and can trim them down if needed. To go with these I needed extended wheel studs and open ended wheel nuts.
The wheel studs are from ARP (cadmium plating makes me wet) and I got a buddy to tack weld them in just in case. Did this while I had the whole front suspension apart for sandblasting and repainting, new bearings etc etc You can actually get open wheel nuts from Honda, so went for them.
Replaced all the drop links which has definitely helped, cant feel anything through the steering now, so much happier to drive it.
Next on the list was the top mount bearings, was a little worried about this due to the coilovers. It has KW Clubsports with the fancy adjustable top mount setup. Called the guys at KW and they sent me some new bearings and new bolts to replace a few rough looking ones. Turns out it was actually really easy, and by the sounds of it much easier than doing it on a standard car. No need for spring compressors, only had to undo the drop link to give enough space for the suspension to drop. I think the helper spring style setup helped? Either way, really easy.
But still knocking! Only a little bit though, and its definitely better than it was, and much happier that its nothing serious now I've spent the last 2 weeks with my head in the wheel arches. Will add more excuses for not fixing the knock when I think of them.
While working on the car I couldn't help but notice that the wheel bolts aren't long enough! There was 5mm spacers fitted to avoid coilover rubbage, and I guess they never quite got round to getting some longer bolts! 3-4 turns at the most! Also, the flat spacers were taking up most of the locating nose/ring for the wheel, so the wheel really wasn't locating on anything, all a bit sketchy for me.
Actually made some spacers for the Honda a couple of months ago, but wanted some for the beemer ASAP, so ordered some H&R 10mm and some longer wheel bolts, old thread length was 24mm, new is 35mm,
70 quid H&R Beemer spacers
Home made (at work) Honda spacers, made using less than £10 worth of material
I personally think mine are far fancier.
The Honda needed at least 10mm spacers to avoid the brakes, so went for 15mm and can trim them down if needed. To go with these I needed extended wheel studs and open ended wheel nuts.
The wheel studs are from ARP (cadmium plating makes me wet) and I got a buddy to tack weld them in just in case. Did this while I had the whole front suspension apart for sandblasting and repainting, new bearings etc etc You can actually get open wheel nuts from Honda, so went for them.
Butter Face said:
Nice collection. I've just fitted the same shocks (B8?) to my EP3 (Supercharged) and they're superb.
Having a few issues with my steering as I've added more camber and got some inverted drop links and it's rough getting it right.
Looks like you have a Megane caliper based brake kit? That's what mine is based on.
Hello! It was your previous posts on PH and then your video which made me want the K-system setup! So thank you! Having a few issues with my steering as I've added more camber and got some inverted drop links and it's rough getting it right.
Looks like you have a Megane caliper based brake kit? That's what mine is based on.
Then the budget got tighter so decided to make (copy) my own version of their kit.
I did do it for a bit cheaper, used calipers etc, but gave myself a tonne of extra work and wasn't really worth it in the end!
I've actually gone for their B6, I think the B8 is the shortened/lower version of the same-ish thing? Trying to keep the Honda riding high as some of the best roads round here are also the bumpiest!
Best thing I done steering wise was fitting the caster increase bushes, but then I'm just using camber bolts and normal droplinks etc, haven't gone any further than that.
If I didn't just spend all my money on the BMW then I wanted to go for throttle bodies etc on the Honda, charging is cheating! :P
DRCAGE said:
Hello! It was your previous posts on PH and then your video which made me want the K-system setup! So thank you!
Then the budget got tighter so decided to make (copy) my own version of their kit.
I did do it for a bit cheaper, used calipers etc, but gave myself a tonne of extra work and wasn't really worth it in the end!
I've actually gone for their B6, I think the B8 is the shortened/lower version of the same-ish thing? Trying to keep the Honda riding high as some of the best roads round here are also the bumpiest!
Best thing I done steering wise was fitting the caster increase bushes, but then I'm just using camber bolts and normal droplinks etc, haven't gone any further than that.
If I didn't just spend all my money on the BMW then I wanted to go for throttle bodies etc on the Honda, charging is cheating! :P
Haha, The boost is great fun, I do miss the NA sometimes when you're wringing it's neck, but that nice midrange punch is addictive!Then the budget got tighter so decided to make (copy) my own version of their kit.
I did do it for a bit cheaper, used calipers etc, but gave myself a tonne of extra work and wasn't really worth it in the end!
I've actually gone for their B6, I think the B8 is the shortened/lower version of the same-ish thing? Trying to keep the Honda riding high as some of the best roads round here are also the bumpiest!
Best thing I done steering wise was fitting the caster increase bushes, but then I'm just using camber bolts and normal droplinks etc, haven't gone any further than that.
If I didn't just spend all my money on the BMW then I wanted to go for throttle bodies etc on the Honda, charging is cheating! :P
Glad the thread/video helped. It's a decent setup for the budget!
HybridAero said:
What an epic car collection!
How much does your EP3 weigh now after those mods out of interest?
I got thrashed by one with same spec (stripped, Quaife LSD, around 230 bhp) at Santa Pod recently, it ran a 13.5 at 102 mph (I ran a 14.4 at 102 mph). Was gutted!
Thank you!! How much does your EP3 weigh now after those mods out of interest?
I got thrashed by one with same spec (stripped, Quaife LSD, around 230 bhp) at Santa Pod recently, it ran a 13.5 at 102 mph (I ran a 14.4 at 102 mph). Was gutted!
No idea on the weight tbh.
The front seats are pretty heavy, but apart from them, the only bit of interior I'm actually missing is the back of the rear seat bench. Had fully stripped cars before and its like driving round in a drum! It was a massive pain in the arse to put all the trim back in once the cage was in there!
I think the bonnet only really saves a few Kg.
Main problem is the cage, it weighs loads! Seem to remember its about 45kg!
Every Aero Saab I've ever been in has flown! Still haven't got round to tuning the Honda, but they seem to respond well to bolt on bits and bobs.
Been busy Beemering, still arsing around with front suspension, chasing knocks and getting everything all aligned etc.
Go to adjust the camber with the fancy top mounts, and erm... they are fitted completely wrong! Both needed to be rotated round 120degress. No idea how I didn't notice when changing the bearings , I just marked everything up and put it back how I found it, honest boss. Then cue much confusion seeing the same part number on the the two different top mounts, but soon figured out after some top googling.
(Not my pic)
So, same part number, but studs in different holes to make it handed. Although I don't know which side is which, and KW seem to be having phone line issues because haven't been able to get through to them all day.
Got everything fitted and had a quick go at setting the camber, but pretty sure something still isn't right, I'm finding I need to have very different settings to get the same camber. So I'm thinking that means they are on the wrong way round? Or they could be? Will find out soon enough I'm sure! lol
Go to adjust the camber with the fancy top mounts, and erm... they are fitted completely wrong! Both needed to be rotated round 120degress. No idea how I didn't notice when changing the bearings
, I just marked everything up and put it back how I found it, honest boss. Then cue much confusion seeing the same part number on the the two different top mounts, but soon figured out after some top googling.(Not my pic)
So, same part number, but studs in different holes to make it handed. Although I don't know which side is which, and KW seem to be having phone line issues because haven't been able to get through to them all day.
Got everything fitted and had a quick go at setting the camber, but pretty sure something still isn't right, I'm finding I need to have very different settings to get the same camber. So I'm thinking that means they are on the wrong way round? Or they could be? Will find out soon enough I'm sure! lol
Finally got rid of the Toyota today, ended up being a mad rush because I was actually performing some mild type of insurance fraud! Not on purpose of course!
Planned to get insured on the BMW, cancel Toyota insurance after selling it to a friend. But once BMW was home decided it could do with a good check over and a few simple parts. Selling Toyota to a friend but he's in no rush, so, keep Toyota on the road for a little bit until I sort BMW... All while never really realising that I was using the no claims discount on both cars! Honest! All sorted now though, and insurance people were OK and didn't even charge me any extra.
Shame to see it go really, as much as I hate it it has been the perfect daily driver. Comparing it to the Civic, it's either better or worse in every single way, depending on what you want from the car. Toyota rides so much better, but feels horrible as soon as you want to chuck it around. Honda feels awesome as soon as you want to chuck it around, but is so much more frustrating and crashy when you just need a smooth drive.
Both engines are basically the same, and they are just as fast as each other. Vtec/VVTi/etc I absolutely love it! I have always thrashed cars, felt so good when I first drove a car that was actually built to do it! Gearbox in Toyota more suited to cruising, Honda's is more suited driving like a
. Also, the Toyota had a cheapo air filter on it when I got it, was pretty annoyed because the guy said it was all standard! Shouldn't have worried though because it sounds AMAZING! Little bit boomy and loud at wide throttle and low revs, but the noise when it hits the Vtec, just brilliant! Still prefer it to the BMW!
To prove how much I don't like it I cant even find the one picture I ever took of it. But found a pic of my mates old one next to the Honda, mine was dark grey rather than silver. I don't think pics really do them justice, always thought it looked great in person!
Not on purpose of course!Planned to get insured on the BMW, cancel Toyota insurance after selling it to a friend. But once BMW was home decided it could do with a good check over and a few simple parts. Selling Toyota to a friend but he's in no rush, so, keep Toyota on the road for a little bit until I sort BMW... All while never really realising that I was using the no claims discount on both cars! Honest! All sorted now though, and insurance people were OK and didn't even charge me any extra.
Shame to see it go really, as much as I hate it it has been the perfect daily driver. Comparing it to the Civic, it's either better or worse in every single way, depending on what you want from the car. Toyota rides so much better, but feels horrible as soon as you want to chuck it around. Honda feels awesome as soon as you want to chuck it around, but is so much more frustrating and crashy when you just need a smooth drive.
Both engines are basically the same, and they are just as fast as each other. Vtec/VVTi/etc I absolutely love it! I have always thrashed cars, felt so good when I first drove a car that was actually built to do it! Gearbox in Toyota more suited to cruising, Honda's is more suited driving like a
. Also, the Toyota had a cheapo air filter on it when I got it, was pretty annoyed because the guy said it was all standard! Shouldn't have worried though because it sounds AMAZING! Little bit boomy and loud at wide throttle and low revs, but the noise when it hits the Vtec, just brilliant! Still prefer it to the BMW!To prove how much I don't like it I cant even find the one picture I ever took of it. But found a pic of my mates old one next to the Honda, mine was dark grey rather than silver. I don't think pics really do them justice, always thought it looked great in person!
Officially 7 months life out of ECPs finest drop links! Been meaning to get some shorter/uprated ones since I fitted these, but quick fix required so I got another set from the local town, I'll make sure to find some proper ones soon...
Only done one job on the cars in the last 6 months! Front wheel bearings on the BMW, which didn't fix the noise. Turned out to be feathered tyres instead. (bds!)
I have been busy in the shed though, finally building up some machine tools at home!
And all that has taken a bit of a back seat because I've just landed a dream job. (No pics, obviously some top secret stuff) Car related, and the perfect place to get advice regarding doing the Westfield properly, so that's been on my mind a lot recently!
Only done one job on the cars in the last 6 months! Front wheel bearings on the BMW, which didn't fix the noise. Turned out to be feathered tyres instead. (b
ds!)I have been busy in the shed though, finally building up some machine tools at home!
And all that has taken a bit of a back seat because I've just landed a dream job. (No pics, obviously some top secret stuff) Car related, and the perfect place to get advice regarding doing the Westfield properly, so that's been on my mind a lot recently!
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff