- Fri Apr 02, 2010 5:42 pm
#185153
I started off with something very similar to this... and based on that this is what I'd advise:
Give it a service
If you're planning on keeping either unit and either the engine/gearbox oil and filters are due for changing, get it done. It's neccesary, and it'll thank you for it. Use a genuine Honda oil filter!
Get the body sorted
Unless there is anything mechanical that is clearly on its way out, get the body sorted. Rear arches/sills/bottom of doors (looks like yours has gone here)/drivers door apature and anywhere it's had a knock are likely to rust and should be tackled before it gets any worse. Do the little things aswell, like get some satin black spray and do the wiper arms if they're all faded and nasty for instance, and get some interior shampoo on your grubby interior. No one likes this bit, but it needs doing so best to just get it all out of the way as soon as. Get Honda to order you up a touch up paint too.
Make sure it stops
Next up I would tackle brakes if they are shot, for obvious reasons. Some fresh disks and pads with new fluid are a great thing if you're running on old worn out stuff, especially if you take the oppertunity to upgrade to braided lines at the same time (One of the most effective mods for the money you can make - highly reccomended). If you have any seized callipers you could either try and find a rebuild kit for it, or for a bit more an aftermarket exhange calliper.
No one listens to tapes anymore
You may want to throw a cd headunit in if the previous owner hasn't.
Grip is good
Next I would order your wheels and tyres. If it's got cheapo tyres on like mine did, then this is the biggest single effect you're going to have on your cars handling of anything you do to the car. If your serious about performance in the corners, then invest in a good set of tyres. I also went for Rotas, wrapped in T1-R Toyo's (195/50/15). If you can get those tyres there then I highly recommend them, if not then I'd say just get the highest performing tyre your budget allows as the cornering and stopping benefits are enourmous if you do.
Suspension
If they havn't been changed, your trailing arm bushes will be pretty dead. This is a common thing on our cars and a bit of a pain to do, but get it done and you wont have to worry about it again.
If you're running low on funds at the suspension stage but want the car lower you could chop your springs. I used to laugh at this approach but have since found so long as you dont go mad and chop too much off and use the correct method to do it, then this is actually an effective no/minimal cost modification.
However, if you can afford it jump straight to:
Shocks and springs and a wheel alignment. Don't put off getting the alignment done as your tyres will wear unevenly until you do (I did, and sure enough, this did happen). Unfortuantely we don't have any camber adjustment as standard, so I put Buddy Club front and rear camber arms on my car to solve this. There are less expensive ones available however.
Engine/Gearbox/Interior/Chassis bracing/Dress up items
I would then go on to this, whichever is priority for yourself. I fell into the trap of buying fancy dress up items when my car still looked a mess, don't let yourself get tempted! getting your car back up to a nice standard is going to initially cost a lot of money, and that fancy oil cap/gear knob/rad cap etc soon adds up, trust me... you will regret it when faced with a big labour bill.
I hope that helps. It's a bit of a mountain early on but if you're determined then you'll come away from it with a really nice car.
Have fun!
