‘00 Civic EK - Clean and fast street car
Discussion
With the wedding looming only 9 months away, I did what every true ‘Piston Head’ would do. Take to Autotrader and search for a new project.
To my surprise, I found almost exactly what I was looking for. The Shopping list wasn’t too extensive mind...
- Facelift Civic 3dr
- Black Pearl or Milano Red
- No rust
With 0 previous owners and 41k miles I felt the need to act fairly quickly. Easily accessible from work by train, I made arrangements to view it.
[i]Side Story:
I don’t believe in luck, karma or there being signs etc. But let me tell you I went to Aldi that evening to do the food shop, approached a trolley which someone had left a coin in, used it as we all would and when returning the trolley at the end.. A Honda coin / trolley token ejected. Amazed by the chances, I have held onto the token and still use it today.[/i]
Wife to be wasn’t best pleased but I assured her I was “just going to have a look”. (Knowing full well that if it wasn’t infected with rust in the usual spots, I wouldn’t be using the return train ticket I had bought)
With zero rust in sight, good body work, the 90’s Honda smell still in tact.. I handed the nice man some money and made my way home.
A phone call from the Mrs to see how I was getting on was shadowed by road noise from my end and a big sigh from her end.
The agreement was - I’m not allowed to do anything to it until after the wedding. I agreed and left it mostly untouched for the proceeding 9 months. Completed a full detail and machine polish to restore some depth and protect it but that really was about all.
At the dealer:
Interior Shot:
First proper clean:
Bought the car in December 21. Made a lot of progress since then.. Will update gradually over the next couple of weeks and then keep the updates going from there.
I hope you enjoy an old Honda as much as I do
To my surprise, I found almost exactly what I was looking for. The Shopping list wasn’t too extensive mind...
- Facelift Civic 3dr
- Black Pearl or Milano Red
- No rust
With 0 previous owners and 41k miles I felt the need to act fairly quickly. Easily accessible from work by train, I made arrangements to view it.
[i]Side Story:
I don’t believe in luck, karma or there being signs etc. But let me tell you I went to Aldi that evening to do the food shop, approached a trolley which someone had left a coin in, used it as we all would and when returning the trolley at the end.. A Honda coin / trolley token ejected. Amazed by the chances, I have held onto the token and still use it today.[/i]
Wife to be wasn’t best pleased but I assured her I was “just going to have a look”. (Knowing full well that if it wasn’t infected with rust in the usual spots, I wouldn’t be using the return train ticket I had bought)
With zero rust in sight, good body work, the 90’s Honda smell still in tact.. I handed the nice man some money and made my way home.
A phone call from the Mrs to see how I was getting on was shadowed by road noise from my end and a big sigh from her end.
The agreement was - I’m not allowed to do anything to it until after the wedding. I agreed and left it mostly untouched for the proceeding 9 months. Completed a full detail and machine polish to restore some depth and protect it but that really was about all.
At the dealer:
Interior Shot:
First proper clean:
Bought the car in December 21. Made a lot of progress since then.. Will update gradually over the next couple of weeks and then keep the updates going from there.
I hope you enjoy an old Honda as much as I do
Looking forward to the updates 
I had an EG6 SiR-S Japanese import (after an EF8 CRX and then an EG2 Del Sol); with an ATR, BB8 5th Gen Prelude, EK9 and then DC5 after that
Never owned an EK4; it was those I was looking at (specifically a Jordan that someone had fully retrofitted a DC2 interior into as the black/yellow seats were just wrong) but I decided to be sensible and double my spend on an EK9
Super cars; fantastic engine. The B16, no matter what guise, is such a superb motor
I had an EG6 SiR-S Japanese import (after an EF8 CRX and then an EG2 Del Sol); with an ATR, BB8 5th Gen Prelude, EK9 and then DC5 after that
Never owned an EK4; it was those I was looking at (specifically a Jordan that someone had fully retrofitted a DC2 interior into as the black/yellow seats were just wrong) but I decided to be sensible and double my spend on an EK9
Super cars; fantastic engine. The B16, no matter what guise, is such a superb motor
Edited by d_a_n1979 on Monday 8th April 11:35
Looking forward to seeing further progress!
Thanks gents… nice to see some Civic enthusiasts in here.
I think Fast and Furious (Original) is the main reason for my addiction to Honda’s. I wanted one as my first car but couldn’t afford the 4k insurance premium.
Managed to get myself into a EBP EM1 at 18, so didn’t have to wait long to scratch the B16A2 itch.
The no rust is legit. Had the wings and side skirts off in the first few days of ownership to check the inner wings and sills. She got the all clear.
I should have said if you hadn’t noticed, It’s an EJ9 1.4 Auto. Essentially a base model engine/box but in sport trim with the little boot spoiler which is a rare and great addition.
I think Fast and Furious (Original) is the main reason for my addiction to Honda’s. I wanted one as my first car but couldn’t afford the 4k insurance premium.
Managed to get myself into a EBP EM1 at 18, so didn’t have to wait long to scratch the B16A2 itch.
The no rust is legit. Had the wings and side skirts off in the first few days of ownership to check the inner wings and sills. She got the all clear.
I should have said if you hadn’t noticed, It’s an EJ9 1.4 Auto. Essentially a base model engine/box but in sport trim with the little boot spoiler which is a rare and great addition.
RJTaylor_ said:
Thanks gents… nice to see some Civic enthusiasts in here.
I think Fast and Furious (Original) is the main reason for my addiction to Honda’s. I wanted one as my first car but couldn’t afford the 4k insurance premium.
Managed to get myself into a EBP EM1 at 18, so didn’t have to wait long to scratch the B16A2 itch.
The no rust is legit. Had the wings and side skirts off in the first few days of ownership to check the inner wings and sills. She got the all clear.
I should have said if you hadn’t noticed, It’s an EJ9 1.4 Auto. Essentially a base model engine/box but in sport trim with the little boot spoiler which is a rare and great addition.
So you mean it's crying out for a B16B engine and manual transmission conversion I think Fast and Furious (Original) is the main reason for my addiction to Honda’s. I wanted one as my first car but couldn’t afford the 4k insurance premium.
Managed to get myself into a EBP EM1 at 18, so didn’t have to wait long to scratch the B16A2 itch.
The no rust is legit. Had the wings and side skirts off in the first few days of ownership to check the inner wings and sills. She got the all clear.
I should have said if you hadn’t noticed, It’s an EJ9 1.4 Auto. Essentially a base model engine/box but in sport trim with the little boot spoiler which is a rare and great addition.
Are you going to get all the cavities rust proofed whilst you've got it apart?
Definitely crying out for the Manual swap.
The plan is to go K series rather than B. K20A2 Turbo aiming for around 450-500bhp initially. These engines have been known to deliver 650+ on standard internals.
I won’t be building the engine initially as it should handle the power I’m looking for without issue. Long term goal would be to build the block and turn it up. This plan could be accelerated if our dear friend Rodney comes knocking.
With the blueprint for the build firmly in my head, it was time to go shopping.
Wanting to do things properly and not just bolt a powerhouse in the engine bay. I planned to complete the build in phases.
Overhaul all the suspension, bushes, bearings and hardware first.
Once that’s complete, move onto the engine itself.
Best option when mounting a K20 into an EK is to use an EG/DC2 front subframe as it moves the engine back in the bay and improves the driveshaft angle.
Nothing that tatty was going to get bolted straight on. So before heading to the powder coaters with my collection of scrap metal. I moved onto the rear end and stripped everything that needed blasting and coating.
Utilising the press at work to remove all bushes and bearings.
And I never did understand why I did this… but everything went in the parts washer. Despite going to get sandblasted.lol
The plan is to go K series rather than B. K20A2 Turbo aiming for around 450-500bhp initially. These engines have been known to deliver 650+ on standard internals.
I won’t be building the engine initially as it should handle the power I’m looking for without issue. Long term goal would be to build the block and turn it up. This plan could be accelerated if our dear friend Rodney comes knocking.
With the blueprint for the build firmly in my head, it was time to go shopping.
Wanting to do things properly and not just bolt a powerhouse in the engine bay. I planned to complete the build in phases.
Overhaul all the suspension, bushes, bearings and hardware first.
Once that’s complete, move onto the engine itself.
Best option when mounting a K20 into an EK is to use an EG/DC2 front subframe as it moves the engine back in the bay and improves the driveshaft angle.
Nothing that tatty was going to get bolted straight on. So before heading to the powder coaters with my collection of scrap metal. I moved onto the rear end and stripped everything that needed blasting and coating.
Utilising the press at work to remove all bushes and bearings.
And I never did understand why I did this… but everything went in the parts washer. Despite going to get sandblasted.lol
Love the sound of all that bar the turbo part...
I'm too much pf a purist when it comes to Honda's and VTEC engines and think they should be built NA rather than forced induction; but just my preferences...
My pals that have Grinspeed up this way in Lancashire have plenty of turbo'd K20s in and they have nothing but issues bar the engines that have 'really been done' by the likes of Clockwise etc
Either way it's going to be a cracking project
Is that an E38 in the reflection as well?
I'm too much pf a purist when it comes to Honda's and VTEC engines and think they should be built NA rather than forced induction; but just my preferences...
My pals that have Grinspeed up this way in Lancashire have plenty of turbo'd K20s in and they have nothing but issues bar the engines that have 'really been done' by the likes of Clockwise etc
Either way it's going to be a cracking project
Is that an E38 in the reflection as well?
Yes, I was tempted to keep it NA but at the time I had the Clio 197 which had some bits done to it, so that ticked my “NA” box so to speak.
All my pals have fast road cars now which takes the fun out of driving to the odd coffee morning and event.
It seemed like the right time to build something that would punch above its weight.
Good spot also.. I have a soft spot for an old BM. This was my distraction car. Something to keep me entertained whilst the civic was getting built.
This has now moved on to free up some funds unfortunately. Was a clean car though.
All my pals have fast road cars now which takes the fun out of driving to the odd coffee morning and event.
It seemed like the right time to build something that would punch above its weight.
Good spot also.. I have a soft spot for an old BM. This was my distraction car. Something to keep me entertained whilst the civic was getting built.
This has now moved on to free up some funds unfortunately. Was a clean car though.
RJTaylor_ said:
Yes, I was tempted to keep it NA but at the time I had the Clio 197 which had some bits done to it, so that ticked my “NA” box so to speak.
All my pals have fast road cars now which takes the fun out of driving to the odd coffee morning and event.
It seemed like the right time to build something that would punch above its weight.
Good spot also.. I have a soft spot for an old BM. This was my distraction car. Something to keep me entertained whilst the civic was getting built.
This has now moved on to free up some funds unfortunately. Was a clean car though.
That's fair enough; it is a personal choice...All my pals have fast road cars now which takes the fun out of driving to the odd coffee morning and event.
It seemed like the right time to build something that would punch above its weight.
Good spot also.. I have a soft spot for an old BM. This was my distraction car. Something to keep me entertained whilst the civic was getting built.
This has now moved on to free up some funds unfortunately. Was a clean car though.
I did charge a DC5 but after 6 months and quite a few niggles I stripped it; reverted it back to OEM and sold it to add the funds to our house deposit; that was late 2009... Early 2010 I bought my first ever BMW; an E38 728i
Superb car and a great way into BMW ownership where I've been since
d_a_n1979 said:
That's fair enough; it is a personal choice...
I did charge a DC5 but after 6 months and quite a few niggles I stripped it; reverted it back to OEM and sold it to add the funds to our house deposit; that was late 2009... Early 2010 I bought my first ever BMW; an E38 728i
Superb car and a great way into BMW ownership where I've been since
Brilliant. No baby steps into BMW ownership.. straight in at the deep end. I did charge a DC5 but after 6 months and quite a few niggles I stripped it; reverted it back to OEM and sold it to add the funds to our house deposit; that was late 2009... Early 2010 I bought my first ever BMW; an E38 728i
Superb car and a great way into BMW ownership where I've been since
I’d have another when the time is right, such good cars. Unfortunately a lot of them have issues now as they’ve not been looked after.
Shiny bits (Well, Satin really) returning from powder coat.
The idea was to replace as much of the bolts/hardware as possible but as expected, most of the bolts are no longer available from Honda.
That being said, everything was in good condition and nothing was stubborn coming out so I found a local company in Essex that could acid dip and re-plate all my bolts.
So I meticulously listed what bolts came from where and sent them off. Results speak for themselves.
Before:
After:
Hardrace suspension components. Front camber arms, rear camber arms and rear toe arms.
New hubs and bearings going in too. Decided to fit Hardrace extended wheel studs at the same time as they can’t be done when the hubs are fitted.
The idea was to replace as much of the bolts/hardware as possible but as expected, most of the bolts are no longer available from Honda.
That being said, everything was in good condition and nothing was stubborn coming out so I found a local company in Essex that could acid dip and re-plate all my bolts.
So I meticulously listed what bolts came from where and sent them off. Results speak for themselves.
Before:
After:
Hardrace suspension components. Front camber arms, rear camber arms and rear toe arms.
New hubs and bearings going in too. Decided to fit Hardrace extended wheel studs at the same time as they can’t be done when the hubs are fitted.
RJTaylor_ said:
d_a_n1979 said:
That's fair enough; it is a personal choice...
I did charge a DC5 but after 6 months and quite a few niggles I stripped it; reverted it back to OEM and sold it to add the funds to our house deposit; that was late 2009... Early 2010 I bought my first ever BMW; an E38 728i
Superb car and a great way into BMW ownership where I've been since
Brilliant. No baby steps into BMW ownership.. straight in at the deep end. I did charge a DC5 but after 6 months and quite a few niggles I stripped it; reverted it back to OEM and sold it to add the funds to our house deposit; that was late 2009... Early 2010 I bought my first ever BMW; an E38 728i
Superb car and a great way into BMW ownership where I've been since
I’d have another when the time is right, such good cars. Unfortunately a lot of them have issues now as they’ve not been looked after.
And TBH the E38 was such a great car; got the bodywork sorted as soon as I got it; fitted BC coilovers and had my motorsport mechanic pals at Grinspeed set it up properly and never looked back. It drove & handled superbly; but still stayed an E38 and was the waft bus when needed
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