MTS Garage Racebase EK9 Civic Type R
Discussion
Hi. 
Here are a few pictures of my 1998 Racebase EK9 Civic I picked up from Essex just after Christmas.
It's almost original at the minute with 118,000kms but I'm beginning to collect parts so have started a build to keep track of my progress and give you something to read.
The EK9 will be a demo car for MTS Garage so please give it a like on Facebook.
Here are a few pictures of my 1998 Racebase EK9 Civic I picked up from Essex just after Christmas.
It's almost original at the minute with 118,000kms but I'm beginning to collect parts so have started a build to keep track of my progress and give you something to read.
The EK9 will be a demo car for MTS Garage so please give it a like on Facebook.
Edited by MTSGarage on Monday 31st March 17:56
Thanks for the comments.
I could do with going through the Japanese paperwork see if I can find out anything interesting.
They just aren't wide enough though.
My old DC2 blew me away but didn't want to buy another one so purchased the EK9, it's just as good I think.
Tickle said:
That is immaculate!
love the race base versions, they must be so rare now, especially as straight as this example. Not many will of been, well not raced.
oh
the 'steelies' too
I've only noticed a few on EK9.org, even though '9s are rare it's nice to have a rarer version. love the race base versions, they must be so rare now, especially as straight as this example. Not many will of been, well not raced.
oh
the 'steelies' tooI could do with going through the Japanese paperwork see if I can find out anything interesting.
Paul671 said:
How many miles, it looks immaculate!
I know it's the point of the race-base, but ironically it almost seems like a shame to alter it in any way, the steel wheels especially.
Lovely car though.
It has just ticked over 120,000kms, I've had a few offers for the steelies but they're staying with me. I know it's the point of the race-base, but ironically it almost seems like a shame to alter it in any way, the steel wheels especially.
Lovely car though.
They just aren't wide enough though.
Tickle said:
selym said:
My favourite Type R. Knocks all the newer examples into a cocked hat.
Have to agree on that Tickle said:
DannyScene said:
Excuse my ignorance but were these literally sold with bog standard equipment with the idea that people would buy them to strip them out, modify and race them?
If so why don't manufacturers do that anymore?
I know Subaru do at he moment with the BRZ RA.... but only in JapanIf so why don't manufacturers do that anymore?
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...
MarvGTI said:
Wow that's so nice! What an immaculate example, I didn't know they made a race base version!
Please keep the updates coming, can you already lift the lid off what's planned for it?
I've already done a few things Marv, this thread is a few months behind. It will be upto date soon.Please keep the updates coming, can you already lift the lid off what's planned for it?
DanielSan said:
As much as it does need certain mods, I do think modding it in a way that it can be put back to standard would be the best way. The option to go back to the base car at some point could prove to be tempting, I know it would for me.
I'm torn between a weld in cage and bolt in for those at the minute for those reasons Dan. I'll be keeping all the original parts that get taken off too.Pommygranite said:
Is this your own car or is it for the business to show off what you can do?
It is my own car dude, I started the Facebook as somewhere to upload pictures of work done on it and other vehicles.I've had it weighed at a local weight bridge to get a figure before anything changes.
1/2 tank of fuel with full interior (spare, jack ect.)
1050kg.
DanielSan said:
This has had me looking at chopping my S2000 in and getting an EK9! Damn you! 
I've never driven an S2000, actually I dont think I've even had a close up look at one!I picked up a Recaro a few weeks ago and sourced some side mounts.
Being 6"7 I'll be making my own fixed rail to mount the seat to, I'll upload pictures as I fabricate it.
Fabricated the rail for the Recaro today, really happy with how it came out.
First up I made the two side strips. They had to be as wide as they were due to the lip on the side mounts.
Once the side pieces were made and tacked in place I put the seat in to find the best position.
With the seat placement marked I drilled the holes for the side mounts and tacked in the support bars. I test fitted it for the last time before finally welding it together.
The finished article, I'll get it powder coated when I collect my springs next week.
First up I made the two side strips. They had to be as wide as they were due to the lip on the side mounts.
Once the side pieces were made and tacked in place I put the seat in to find the best position.
With the seat placement marked I drilled the holes for the side mounts and tacked in the support bars. I test fitted it for the last time before finally welding it together.
The finished article, I'll get it powder coated when I collect my springs next week.
The car came imported with a Billion Variable Fan Controller fitted but had been removed at some stage so today I set about fitting it back.
First up I figured out how it was wired up which was pretty tricky as the instructions were in Japanese.
Then found a place to mount it and run the wiring.
Placed it in the speedo cluster, thought about putting it in the coin pocket but didn't want to cut any holes in it.
Once an accurate temperature gauge is fitted and a more effective fan, I think it can useful to set a lower temp for it to kick in.
First up I figured out how it was wired up which was pretty tricky as the instructions were in Japanese.
Then found a place to mount it and run the wiring.
Placed it in the speedo cluster, thought about putting it in the coin pocket but didn't want to cut any holes in it.
Once an accurate temperature gauge is fitted and a more effective fan, I think it can useful to set a lower temp for it to kick in.
Jaaack said:
NEVER see one on the steels before, always assumed they came on the standard EK9 wheels as that's all I've seen the Racebases on. Interior is the same as my EJ9 bar the clocks haha.
Are those rear LCAs factory or aftermarket?
Properly nice car and shoud definitely be only modified to a state where it can be returned to standard. Although those steels would probably be worth a fortune in the USA, assuming they're not fitted on any other Honda from factory
The steel wheels and clear glass are pretty much what sealed the deal for me when it was for sale. I'm not sure why as they're pretty useless being 5.5J wide Are those rear LCAs factory or aftermarket?
Properly nice car and shoud definitely be only modified to a state where it can be returned to standard. Although those steels would probably be worth a fortune in the USA, assuming they're not fitted on any other Honda from factory
They are Hardrace LCAs, not a huge fan of them being blue though.
I've never noticed the steels on any other Hondas but there may be a model somewhere, I've had a few PMs asking if I'll sell them but I dont think I ever will.
Coilovers assembled with the standard pre-load, I'll set the height once they're fitted.
The underseal was starting to flake in places so while taking the suspension out I applied some more.
I took the backbox and strut off, loosened the camber arms, cleaned and masked off areas where I didn't want to paint.
This was after the first coat, I'll give it another coat and repeat on the other side.
More updates tomorrow!
DannyScene said:
Have you got some wheels in mind? I think TE37 style or Rota Grid Drift would look awesome personally
No Rotas bud, I have something in the pipeline.The gearbox oil hadn't been changed for a while so this afternoon I put in some fresh MTF.
Before I could get to anything, the undertray the last owner made had to be taken off.
It was an absolute pig to get off and ended up having to take the manifold off as it was bolted to the brace at the back of the block.
So I changed the oil taking out the VSS.
While that was draining I made some adjustments to the undertray, now I can change the engine and gearbox oil without having to take it off.
C.A.R. said:
This is awesome, keep up the good work. Was relieved to see that after fitting the coilovers you hadn't gone and 'slammed' it like the majority of people seem to do these days. Looks like it has a real purpose now!
Thanks, once wheels are on I'll adjust the height a little.Sauce said:
Please that it seems you're going with something suitable. SSR Type C's or similar would be good.
Love it overall.
I think you'll be happy with these,should be here in a few weeks.Love it overall.
15" 5x114 6.5J et39.
I started having trouble with the Civic not cranking when it had been sitting for a few days.
The alternator was charging OK and I couldn't find anything causing the battery to drain so I ordered a new Odyssey PC680 and some cable for new earths.
Fitted in the original place, I may move it into the car later but the bay isn't tight so for now it's staying there.
No problems since!
The alternator was charging OK and I couldn't find anything causing the battery to drain so I ordered a new Odyssey PC680 and some cable for new earths.
Fitted in the original place, I may move it into the car later but the bay isn't tight so for now it's staying there.
No problems since!
MarvGTI said:
Matt that interior looks shockingly clean 
Can I lick peanut butter off of it ??
Yes, as long as you save me some!Can I lick peanut butter off of it ??
Picked up a set of Federal 595 RS-R the weekend, I had a pair of Bridgestone RE002 spare but the Federal's are specified trackday tyre so went for them instead.
Even though it has no PS or Air Con it had the larger crank pulley so I picked up a N1 pulley and slightly smaller belt.
I set about fitting it today. The crank pulley holding tool and scaffold pole saved me hassle getting the bolt off.
Old pulley and belt off, ready for the new one.
All back together.
n90acc said:
Lovely racebase, as said, rare example and very mint. I see your're over on ek9.org as well, I'm usually on there quite a bit. Got a white ek4 myself.
Quick question...does that air feed run from the front grill and supply the original airbox? If so I've never seen that done before, people just usually cut a hole in the front bumper....I may be inclined to wrap a bit of heat reflective tape around the ducting by that manifold!
Yes, it goes into the airbox. The last owner fabricated it.Quick question...does that air feed run from the front grill and supply the original airbox? If so I've never seen that done before, people just usually cut a hole in the front bumper....I may be inclined to wrap a bit of heat reflective tape around the ducting by that manifold!
I plan to get a manifold and heat wrap it so I doubt there will be much heat there but might do it anyway, cheers.
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