MY CRX W.I.P. log: '90Si to 89DX & '91Si "Jay"spec conversion & on-going build w/ write ups

[VtecSyndrome]

There is a lot of great info on this site that has helped me out so far but it can be hard to find sometimes so since I am doing quite a bit of custom installs on my '89 CRX Dx I wanted to document it all in one easy to find thread. I'll keep adding how-to's and tutorials here on the first page as I post them throughout the rest of the forum: **Repairing your CRX cargo divider using fiberglasshttp://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread/2288024 **Install an Ek armrest into 88-91 CRXhttp://www.honda-tech.com/zeropost?cmd=fshow&id=3 **EF ITR header install with oem X-member http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread/2086326 **Ventshade visors on your USDM 89-91 CRX http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=2257355 I originally started my project CRX w/ a '90 Si but I wrecked that on 2-25-06 and it trashed the rear 1/4 panel so I knew it was time to just start w/ a new shell, in comes the '89 DX I found for $1200. I got it from the original owner who had never wrecked it or even smoked in it (had only one mild dent in driver door), though it had 323k on the original motor it had no rust so I was sold. Long story short, I did not realize at the time how different all the wiring and and other interior/exterior crap was from a '90-91 chassis. so now comes the long process of converting this '89DX into the Exact hybrid CRX I want. I also obtained a free '91 CRX Si rolling shell in need of some MAJOR TLC but still has a clean title. I will be using all my left over parts not going on the DX to build up the Si. It will remain SOHC because I really wanna mess with one of the little motors and I already have everything else to bolt it in so it's a no brainer. I will be looking for a SOHC Vtec engine or at least the head so I can do a mini me, I also am looking for a 90-91 Si or EX 5spd tranny so let me know what's up if your holding The original plans for the DX are as follows (some will be done at time of post and others will follow as soon as time and money allow) Tokico 5ways and Skunk2 coilovers Ingalls front camber kit Energy suspension bushings all around X-drilled Rotors F&R (eventually upgrading to type R status up front) Stainless Steel brake lines Swap every 90-91 specific trim piece and bumper install EG civic climate control install Ek Si speedo unit install Ek Si armrest install 90 Si door panels w/ DC2 GSR tweeters swap my OBD 1 B16 from previous Si w/ some uprades including: MPFI conversion (of course) OBD 1 conversion Port & polish the head, mild valve job, dual valve springs on exhaust side Skunk 2 Int. manilfold Hondata intake manifold gasket Performance specialties 68mm throttle body lightweight JDM "OEM"?? flywheel (8.5# and came w/prev. y1 tranny) brand new Exedy stage 1 clutch B&M fuel pressure reg w/ F.P. gauge. **B20/Vtec or LS/Vtec will be final (if that's even possible) performance phase for the project before finally painting it** I will try to take as many pics as I can but most of the time when I am doing the work it's hard to also find time to take good pics since I don't have the luxury of two running cars yet (or a garage for that matter). I'll still try to document the best I can. Here are some pics of My previuos '90 Si w/ B16 Then my '89 DX the day I bought it and pics of the '91 Si the day before it got towed to my House This is how my '90 Si was delivered to me: Here she is all put together Here's pics the morning after the fatal Death blow imposed by drifting into a utility pole and yield sign (ironic I know) Here's My '89 Dx the day I first saw it And last but not least.......wait, yeah this is the least but FREE!!! I'll try to post this week end w/ some more pics and upgrades feedback always welcomed Modified by VtecSyndrome at 9:02 PM 3/10/2008 Modified by VtecSyndrome at 9:06 PM 3/10/2008 Modified by VtecSyndrome at 7:20 PM 4/28/2008 Modified by VtecSyndrome at 7:32 PM 4/28/2008 Modified by VtecSyndrome at 7:39 PM 4/28/2008 Modified by VtecSyndrome at 7:40 PM 4/28/2008

This ad is not displayed to registered or logged-in members. Register your free account today and become a member on Honda-Tech!

[crazykamper]

looks like a crazy build!! good luck!! i kinda did the same, but i switched EVERYTHING from my 88 to an 89 that i got (check out my build thread...) good luck with all your work!!!!

[cb07]

Honda seat tear ftl.

Looks like fun!! GL!

[abnaasefmb]

wtf is there like 10 harnesses in that bay or what?

[KillSwitch]

all the crx's you have owned are originally red

[team-savage]

sweet build man. it's a shame about your first rex, i kinda know how it feels. i see your making good work out of the shells you have. good luck on everything man, I'll be watching this build.

[VtecSyndrome]

Originally Posted by abnaasefmb

wtf is there like 10 harnesses in that bay or what?

LOL, thats how I got it and man I was intimidated at first but it really wasn't that bad once I pulled it all apart. It was just the frame harness for the lights and horns and also engine harness along with the extra 4 wire harness to run vtec, it was just all balled up and looked crazy.

Originally Posted by KillSwitch

all the crx's you have owned are originally red

yeah pretty funny I think. My first car ever was a yellow '88 CRX Si and as much as I loved it I still always wanted a red one, I fell into all three of these rex's and had no choice about their color but
it's a trip how they all turned out to be red so good thing I didn't mind lol. I think Red is one of the most common colors though.


Modified by VtecSyndrome at 10:51 PM 1/10/2008

[VtecSyndrome]

Here are all the pics I took while stripping down my '90 Si, I found nobody that wanted the shell so I had to have it towed away and salvaged.......oh well.






Powered by "Jay"

My own "Jay"DM pose



















That's about as stripped down as it could be before being trashed. Now to take all the left over parst and apply them to my ''89 DX and my '91 Si shell. I'll post some pics of the '91 Si shell and it's progress next.


Modified by VtecSyndrome at 10:55 PM 1/10/2008

[CRX Toad]

This thread sucks. Your car is going to be slow anyways.

Looks good Jaybird.

[VtecSyndrome]

Originally Posted by CRX Toad

This thread sucks. Your car is going to be slow anyways.

Looks good Jaybird.

man your SLOW as hell too, it took you this long to flame me?????? your slippin man...........your slippin

[pr3d]

where are you gonna 'trash' the chassis? i've got one laying in my backyard...and i need to just get rid of it..

[VtecSyndrome]

Originally Posted by pr3d

where are you gonna 'trash' the chassis? i've got one laying in my backyard...and i need to just get rid of it..

I have a buddy w/ a tow truck so he just towed it away. I think he took it to a salvage yard where they gave him like 50 bucks or something, most junkyards will take it off your hands and they will usually pay you for the metal

[pr3d]

yea..i just want it gone really..

[VtecSyndrome]

Originally Posted by pr3d

yea..i just want it gone really..

hey at least your lucky enough to not have the city on your a$$ to move the car before they take you to court! ........man that's a whole other issue right there. That's why I wrote on the fender "Will be Towed" , it was only in that state (stripped) for about 3 days so it sucked the city actually jumped on me that quick? I live in a freakin culdasac (<~spelling?) for God sake.

[CRX Toad]

I bet you drive your insurance man nuts.

[wiZCo]

Holy crap, you stripped the living hell outta that thing! looks good so far, hopefully the new CRX turns out looking as good as the first

[VtecSyndrome]

Originally Posted by CRX Toad

I bet you drive your insurance man nuts.

it's ok, my ins. guy is a retard....I mean come on, he actually thinks Homer avatars are cool???


Modified by VtecSyndrome at 5:39 PM 6/25/2007

[VtecSyndrome]

I actually installed this armrest about 6 months ago and I'm just getting around to posting pics. I know other guys have put these Ek armrest in there Rexs and the first time I saw a pic of it I was sold on the idea! It has sooo much room in the armrest storage compared to my EG armrest I had not to mention th EK covered the entire area after the shifter console where as the EG unit did not. All and all I am very happy with this install, I do wish it flushed up a little better than it does but you can only tell at angles that nobody ever really looks from anyways. Well here are a few pics of how I did it and what I used:

Bone stock grey Ek Si armrest


Here it is after the first round of cutting, I did a little at a time so I would not over do it.


Here I am cutting further back w/ a Handsaw I bought at a Hobby shop, worked very well.


You can see how far back I had to cut to make it fit


I used Krylon semi flat black to match it to my interior (best color I found)



and here she is after the first coat


These are the only counter sink screws I could find that were the right thread pitch and length, I wish they were phillips but I just could not find any


Here it is installed, I looked for some sort of covers for the screws but found none, I am going to eventually make some sort of cover that will clean it up but I painted the screws black and they don't really stand out that much as is so how knows when I'll get around to hiding them better


And like I said I wish this flushed up better but this is the worst it looks and how many people look at your interior from this angle? either way I'm ok w/ it.


and here is a shot showing how much room is left in back


Well that's pretty much it for the armrest, I know this has been covered before so I probably could have documented better but I figure this is helpful enough? just let me know otherwise



Modified by VtecSyndrome at 10:58 PM 1/10/2008

[yz125rider21]

Now this shit is funny lol...I ahve 10 tickets from cops here in my town if I left that out front like that...goodluck on project man...

[VtecSyndrome]

Originally Posted by yz125rider21

Now this shit is funny lol...I ahve 10 tickets from cops here in my town if I left that out front like that...goodluck on project man...

Yeah it was only stripped like that for about 3 days total before being towed, I had a complaint by the second day I started stripping it when all I had off was the front end suspension and wheels?!! after that I was like F*^K them! they think that's bad? watch this! I hope I pissed off who ever complained because I live in a short deadend that does not have a lot of traffic and all my neigbors that I know of are perfectly cool w/ me working on my cars. I'll never know who complained really so oh well


Modified by VtecSyndrome at 10:59 PM 1/10/2008

[doublethink]

wow i have done many of the same mods on my old 90 dx, weird.

small suggestion, most auto parts stores sell these little kits to cover license plate bolts, but you can use them wherever:



nice job on the cut and paint, looks good.

[VtecSyndrome]

Originally Posted by doublethink

wow i have done many of the same mods on my old 90 dx, weird.

small suggestion, most auto parts stores sell these little kits to cover license plate bolts, but you can use them wherever:



nice job on the cut and paint, looks good.

Yeah I saw those covers before but when I tried to find some to buy I came up empty? I have not spend alot of time trying to find them yet so I'll probably check again later


Modified by VtecSyndrome at 10:59 PM 1/10/2008

[crazykamper]

wow, looks like alot happened within those 3 days!! haha, that mine looked kinda the same, but mine are black and were in garage.... cant wait to see more updates, good luck with it!

[bigluelok]

yeah they complain if i work on my car in my driveway

[SIred91]

good luck man.....you should have kept that shell for a track only car....