Looks like it will be fun project... I've never contemplated a CRX that old, mainly because of the injection setup, or lack thereof.

Good find for $800 from the looks of it!

 

Under the HOOD
The first day I got the car, here's the engine (D15A3) after making a Short Ram Intake out of some junk yard pipe

The day after Thanksgiving decided to start taking it out

Bought an engine hoist and engine stand on Black Friday for $180
IT'S OUT!!!!

Found out the head gasket was on backwards... Was that why it was overheating? Hmmm..

Yuck, what do you guys think?

WE CAN'T REMOVE THESE FLYWHEEL BOLTS!!! We have tried a big ass breaker (keeps slipping or the engine slides around) We have tried an impact gun, air ratchet, now we are soaking it over night with WD40

I think the bay is empty enough to be able to paint, you think?

 

Still not exactly sure where to begin? Do you guys know anywhere I should pick up parts or just Vatozone?

 

I love the first gen CRXs, i hate you right now no lie for pickin one up in dec condtion for 800$. you got a strong start so far man, keep up the updates. what you thorwin under the hood now?

 

slap in a d16a1 from an 86-87 integra!

 

Thanks Guys!


HAHA if I find one it will go in but right now I just want to actually rebuild an engine and see if I can get it to run good

More pictures today when I get off work! I got the Head disassembled and soaking in some Purple Power (I LOVE THAT STUFF!!!!)

 

there are flywheel holding tool for taking those bolts off there was just a thread about it a little while ago. there are a couple creative ways you can hold the flywheel from spinning.

that is a sweet build though it'll be very kool to see how this turns out!

good luck

 

nice I thought about a third gen project but basically got laid off a=so it never happened. Man that engine is nasty. Do plan on anything power wise? newer d swap, and/or turbo or just cleaning it up and calling good, which would still leave you w a super fun, 45mpg car.

 

Yeah I love these Rex's! I want a strong build and if I can make some power over stock then OH YEAH0!

Overall just a nice clean rebuild BUT I do want to look into turboing it after I get it built and broken in.

The plan for the car is a weekend ride and something to catch people's eyes and say "Noway! That's a FIRST GEN!"

 

Boom:

http://www.d-series.org/forums/diy-forum/154120-flywheel-clutch-installation.html

You should have also unbolted them in sequence, it would have made it slightly easier.

Looks like a lot going on though lol.

Order from here: http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/ and get that thing resurfaced!

 

Did some cleaning yesterday with Purple Power
Before

After (Still needs some more scrubbing but looks alot better)

On a side note, My Dad's new project, 1970 Ford Maverick 250 Straight 6
Ran out of gas on the freeway Thought the gas gauge was broken... Found out it's not, this thing just loves to eat gas

 

good luck with your project

 

I got the Oil pan off yesterdayso I will start disassembley of the block when I get home from work today.

 

Sweet. I've always wanted a 1st gen CRX.

 

Thanks! Your build inspired me to restore this thing back to something awesome! I read your build the night before I bought this to see how good a rex could look

 

Decided to primer the engine bay, cleaned it up and removed the surface rust
Clean

Began sanding, lower left corner you can see where I removed the rust

First coat down

Before the final coat

I think it looks good, what color do you guys think I should go with?

 

I like the black lol! Even if it is primer black its better than the red lol... Good luck and keep the updates coming lol.. Head looks way better to btw, you could have it milled for a slight power bump due to a compression bump...

 

Finally got that flywheel off, uncle brought his impact and it came off in a matter of minutes.

Now the fun begins, work station

Crankshaft removed

Rods and Pistons are out

Here are the cylinders

Is this because the car was running super rich?

And lastly, had some extra paint laying around so decided to play with the VC

Here is what the paint was originally for

 

Looks damned nice. Gonna knife-edge the crank?:fingersx:

Good luck a with the rebuild.

 

What is knife-edging?

 

Quick Update: I'm calling machine shops around town and getting quotes, I had a flyer on my door today that is advertising a machince shop that is literally on the next street over. I scheduled an appointment this morning when I get off work for them to inspect the block, head, crankshaft, rods/pistons, the camshaft and give me a quote.

Hope all goes well, I would be in walking distance of the shop and that would be nice, but who knows what will happen.

Question: I called a reputable shop and they quoted $530 for..

Head-Surfaced
Block-Decked, Honed, Hot Tanked
Valves- Set and angle job (Like $250 is that right?)
Rods & Pistons- Inspected
Crankshaft- Micropolished

Does that sound about right?

 

that's a good deal. How about them checking the main bores for alignment?

 

Well it is at the machine shop for inspection, took it in yesterday morning and I'm going to check on it in a few hours when I'm off work to see what they say. The machine shop its at is a block away from my house so hopefully they will have good pricing

 

Alright so I went to the machine shop, after talking to the guy and hearing him repeatedly say "D series engines aren't worth it and I need a B swap," I took him out and showed him my D-SERIES.ORG sticker on my Civic and told him I believe in the D-Series and will stick with that.

We then decided...
They will clean the engine
Measure everything
Then give me a quote on a stock rebuild

We also talked about doing a small 50-75(at most) shot of nitrous.
I'm thinking about doing it to my Civic until I finish the REX and then just transfering everything over, What do you guys think?

 

Buy some ARP rod bolts.

 

Just those? How come?

BTW The machine shop said that everything looks great from just the visual inspection and that a basic build should be fine.

 

UPDATE:
Still haven't heard from the machine shop but it's just because of the holidays.

I picked up some wheels for the CRX and I'm in the process of cleaning them up

Also I dropped the Transmission off in Phoenix for a rebuild, excited because the guy doing the rebuild was Highly Recommended by Hasport!

Other then that, I'm trying to figure out what color to do the Engine Bay, The car is going to be primered Flat Black, until I can get what color I want sorted out. Do ya'll have any suggestions?

 

pearl white, looks great with the gold highlights, had a 87 si i did up black & gold engine , and extrior color of heavy pearl red