Right decided to start a build thread on my project. I bought it from a college pal in EK as he went for something nuts. It was a 1996 EJ9 in frost white. It has now been changed to matte black courtesy of Infinity Wraps. I purchased a B18C4 engine from a breakers yard and Autobahn Garage Services are taking it from there Pics to follow
When the car was bought i wasnt too sure what to do with it whether to keep it for a run around or turn it into a project.
It had already been modified a bit by previous owners. I few weeks after driving it the exhaust got badly damaged by a speed bump. So needing a new exhaust this sparked the decision for a project.
I arranged an appointment with RMS Engineering in Prestwick, for a custom straight through decat system with a powerflow N1 style slash n burn muffler. It turned out a treat and sounds awesome (loudest I've heard).
Through out the next few months not much happened being too busy with my apprenticeship. The drivers bucket seat did fail and had to be propped up with a bit of wood, until my pal Scott from Glenrothes with an EK4 sold me some scooby seats with i managed to fit in 3hours in the pouring rain. But they were worth it.
About August 2011 I began installing some sounds in the car. previous set up had failed when another owner had it.Bought some Focal Limited edition anniversary components and got these installed with the help of somepeople from the astra owners network. Purchased a Vibe A1 amp, and a JBL 12"sub. Since the last sub was mounted in a wierd looking mound of mdf with holes everywhere in the wheel well, we could mount the new one pretty much where ever we wanted. Went with a fibreglass moulding of the whole wheel well. Was a lot easier than expected Then built a shelf for over it and covered in leather. Anyone thinking on doing it, Its honestly quite easy.
The next months were quite as I had some quite major Knee surgery and couldnt drive for about 3months which took me round till about febuary. When starting to drive again i really considered ditching the civic as the ride is quite hard and was killing my knee at any bump. But one of my pals found the engine being advertised on ebay. I gave the guy a phone and went to see the engine. It was still in the MB6 so could drive it to prove engine wasnt dud. Went ahead with the purchase and the engine was delivered to my house 2 weeks later.
It got to about May 2012 and i wanted a change. Decided to for a full colour change, but in a wrap form rather than a respray. I had heard of a few places doing them not far from the Glasgow area. I decided to go with Infinity wraps, and a matte black wrap. Left the car with them for a few days. Picked it up in time for a wee holiday to Tralee Bay near Oban.
The wrap looked amazing, it was abou £800 and a 3year Guarantee. I would recommend a wrap to anyone looking for a colour change, cheaper than a respray and can also be removed without damaging the original paint, oh and a lot easier to keep clean.
I slowly started stripping out the engine, but wasn't making that much progress. So decided to send it to Autobahn early. The guys there are friendly and a bit honda daft. I know there was a race integra built there at somepoint, and Malcolm one of the lads bought the guys other everyday teg.
On arrival at the garage the engine was compression tested. all cylinders were good, cylinder 2 was slightly lower than the rest but by a tiny margine so nothing to worry about.
over the last 4 weeks I have regulary been going to Autobahn to check on the engine. Not a lot of progress had been made on it as I'm not needing it done till after winter and the garage has been busy. The first week i went back down it was just separated from the gearbox, clutch etc and on an engine stand
I then went back down yesterday and first thing i saw when pulled up was just an engine block, sitting on a stand at the garage entrance. They guys are blasting it clean with aluminium oxide, were gonna use glass bead but its a bit expensive.
The engine parts were set out nicely on their own table.
