The final parts check.

With the last of the parts arriving this weekend I finally have a full list of things to do over the winter.  I might add a couple of other things as the winter progresses, but we will see how that goes.

The last piece to arrive:

Quaife quick ratio rack & pinion.  Took a while to track that one down.  Steering will drop from 4.25 turns lock to lock down to 2.85, about a 30% reduction in steering.  I did take out out for one ride in the snow...had to.  It's a great car to drive when the AWD is engaging.  The rear end is predictable and sliding was easy with small oversteer corrections to get it back in line.  Just needs more power!  

This week I'll be putting him up on jacks, spraying the chassis down and starting on getting some new parts on the car.

Winter project parts V2.

D16Z6 bare block.  Shortly on it's way to Benson's for a sleeve job.

Winter project parts V1.

Got some stuff in the mail today!

Hardrace EF bushing kit.

VIP Performance RT4WD rear bushing kit (beast mode kitten not included).

Dat camber.

Corner balancing and Camber specs.

I love that the RT4WD wagon has a 50/50 weight balance with these coilovers.

Progress update 10/16/15

Suspension is fully installed and it's currently at Big Bear Tire in Oconomowoc, WI for 4 wheel alignment and corner balancing.

Here is the final front and rear shots of the suspension with coilovers installed:

Full suspension/Brakes list as of 10/11/15:

Skunk2 Pro S II coilovers

Skunk2 Pro Series Plus front upper control arm

Skunk2 Rear camber kit

New L/R Moog lower ball joints

New L/R inner tie rods (aftermarket)

New L/R outter tie rods (aftermarket)

'93 DA Integra front knuckles (bead blasted and coated)
'93 DA Integra front calipers (bead blasted and coated)
EBC Stage 2 'Green Stuff' brake pads and rotors
Goodrich braided brake lines

Initial winter plans:

Replace exhaust
Buy D16a6 for turbo build
Clean up Engine Bay
Remove Alarm
Install Amp/Aux input for phone connection
Find used RPF1, black.
Full claybar/wax/polish
Find manual swap donor
Find rust free rear quarters, replace rusted areas

Slammed or 4x4?

So this is what happens when you install Eibach Pro-Kit springs for a 91 civic hatchback on a 91 civic wagon.  Slammed in the front and high in the rear.

From a stickied post on a wagon fourm is the following:

"89-'91 Wgn:Use '89-'91 Civic(HB,CRX or Sdn NOT Wgn)shocks & lowering springs. Note:CRX HF might be too soft."

That was posted in 2008 and is still viewed as the go-to post for suspension suggestions...obviously there needs to be some updating to that thread.

Full coilovers are on the way as well as some other camber adjustment parts.  A day in the life of wagon owners.  Maybe the car will be off of jackstands before winter! : /

This and that.

I've been traveling every week for the last 3 months.  Progress on the car has been slow, but I am making progress.

Today I took care of two things that were bugging me: The mystery chrome bar on the back of the car, and the not-quite-right fit of the rear fog lamp.

Rear bar:

This was put on at some point, by someone who owned the car but nobody is sure who did it.  It's actually quite handy but also doesn't fit with the car's aesthetic at all.  It was a pretty simple task to remove the bar.  I started by pulling off the rear hatch plastic and having a look inside:

After wedging a 10mm wrench up there I realized there was a hole which would fit my 1/4" socket driver and after that it was pretty quick work.  Bar was removed, holes needed to be cleaned and plugged.

Found some 1/4" automotive plugs at the hardware store, sealed with clear silicone, and done!

Project 2!  Get the rear fog light to fit better.  Some dremelling of the hole made the black housing fit much better.

One of the wires was crimped with a solid connection so I also cut that and put in a plug type connector. Some silicone and a scientific approach to holding the light in place and 30m from now it should be nice and snug.

The larger project:

Skunk 2 upper control arms.

Skunk 2 lower ball joint.

DA Knuckles/Calipers.

New front hubs/bearings.

10.5" EBC stage 2 brake upgrade

Goodrich Braided brake lines.

Koni Sport suspension (orange)

Eibach Pro-kit springs.

I've got to bead blast the knuckles and calipers next week, paint them, buy a press, press everything and then it should be rolling again!  As it sits, parts waiting:

Soon.