fatherpain
Senior Member
- First Name
- Tom
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2018
- Threads
- 27
- Messages
- 2,205
- Reaction score
- 3,799
- Location
- SoCal
- Website
- www.civicx.com
- Vehicle(s)
- 2018 CTR - CW, 1996 Honda Accord EX coupe
- Build Thread
- Link
- Vehicle Showcase
- 1
- Thread starter
- #1
Hello fellow enthusiasts,
For the past 18 years or so, I’ve putt-putted around in a 1996 Honda Accord 2dr EX coupe, which I picked up used for $3,500...pretty cool it has racked up over 390k miles and still drives good.
The great thing about this car was not needing to wash it beyond wiping the windows at the gas station...and also not getting upset on the rare occasions something like this might happen...
My sons often asked why I kept driving it and every time my answer was:
“I really like not having a car payment, insurance is cheap and the purpose of a car is to get you from point A to point B”
Well they kept asking....and after awhile, remembered loving cars growing up and thought “Geez, when did I become my dad?”
Used to spend hours as a teenager, reading about all the cool cars at my buddy’s house. He had subscriptions to Road and Track, Motor Trend and other auto magazines...this was way back in 1985, before Internet and was just barely getting my driver’s license dreaming of the kinds of cars my parents might buy me...like the Mazda RX-7 or maybe a Porsche 924..
Reality kicked in and my first car was my mom’s 1976 Pontiac Lemans (ughh) followed by a 1987 Buick Century (double ugh). My other cars after that were a 1979 Toyota Celica, 1987 Tercel, 1985 Nissan pickup and a 1996 base model Acura Integra. Picked the Integra up new and got into car audio...but parted ways a few years later when I could no longer afford it and BK’d.
Rewind to late 2018. Was pushing my wife to get a minivan to replace her RAV4... she refused and insisted I do something for myself and get a new car.
Not knowing what was out there, started researching and saw the rave reviews the Civic Type R was receiving. Had never considered owning a civic, but this one checked all the boxes. This was the closest thing to owning the kind of car that was always a pipe dream...like the 93-95 Mazda RX7 or the 98-02 Integra Type R...or an S2000, but better for my current situation because it had (4) seats for the family and $35.6k MRSP didn’t sound too guilt inducing..
Picked up a CW 2018 CTR December 1, 2018 for $41k tax, license etc. out the door.
Found and joined this website a few weeks later. Spent some time lurking, caught mod fever after (6) months stock and wanted to do my own maintenance...I’ve also met and received help from some very cool people along the way, which all has increased my connection and appreciation for this car. I am very appreciative for all the information shared on CivicX.
Can say I’ve gone from being a car n00b... to well still being a car n00b
I daily my car and have begun taking it to the track to improve my driving skills and have taken my oldest son with me. Maybe I’ll let him drive it there also.
In creating this thread, my goal is to document progress and consolidate my previous posts into (1) where it can serve as quick reference for others and also myself. Will import content from other threads so it’s all here and my thoughts of each mod added + DIY things I’ve learned along the way.
Car as of 1/26/22
Hope you enjoy reading this thread and find some useful information. Please feel free to comment or offer suggestions
Table of Contents:
Year one wrap up Post #61
ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN:
ACCESSORIES:
Various tools, torque wrenches
Stealth Portable air compressor
Awaiting install:
JRZ RS Pro coilovers
HKS error cancellers
RV6 Compliance Mount
RV6 Rear Sway Bar With Billet Endlinks
RV6 Rear Camber Arm
RV6 Rear Toe Control Arms
Motec oil pressure and temperature sensors
Wish list:
MoTeC C125Data display
MoTeC V2 video kit + GPS
Girodisc rear rotors
Girodisc track pads
Blackvue dashcam
Track days: 10
Big Willow 2/16/20 AROSC
Big Willow 4/3/20 Speed District.
Streets of Willow 5/17/20 Speed District
Button Willow 5/22/20 Speed District
Streets of Willow 8/22/20 LA Shelby Club
Big Willow 10/11/20 AROSC
Streets of Willow 10/31/20 Speed Ventures
Big Willow 2/21/21 AROSC
Streets of Willow - Novice TT School 1/15/22 AROSC
Big Willow 1/16/22 Speed District
For the past 18 years or so, I’ve putt-putted around in a 1996 Honda Accord 2dr EX coupe, which I picked up used for $3,500...pretty cool it has racked up over 390k miles and still drives good.
The great thing about this car was not needing to wash it beyond wiping the windows at the gas station...and also not getting upset on the rare occasions something like this might happen...
My sons often asked why I kept driving it and every time my answer was:
“I really like not having a car payment, insurance is cheap and the purpose of a car is to get you from point A to point B”
Well they kept asking....and after awhile, remembered loving cars growing up and thought “Geez, when did I become my dad?”
Used to spend hours as a teenager, reading about all the cool cars at my buddy’s house. He had subscriptions to Road and Track, Motor Trend and other auto magazines...this was way back in 1985, before Internet and was just barely getting my driver’s license dreaming of the kinds of cars my parents might buy me...like the Mazda RX-7 or maybe a Porsche 924..
Reality kicked in and my first car was my mom’s 1976 Pontiac Lemans (ughh) followed by a 1987 Buick Century (double ugh). My other cars after that were a 1979 Toyota Celica, 1987 Tercel, 1985 Nissan pickup and a 1996 base model Acura Integra. Picked the Integra up new and got into car audio...but parted ways a few years later when I could no longer afford it and BK’d.
Rewind to late 2018. Was pushing my wife to get a minivan to replace her RAV4... she refused and insisted I do something for myself and get a new car.
Not knowing what was out there, started researching and saw the rave reviews the Civic Type R was receiving. Had never considered owning a civic, but this one checked all the boxes. This was the closest thing to owning the kind of car that was always a pipe dream...like the 93-95 Mazda RX7 or the 98-02 Integra Type R...or an S2000, but better for my current situation because it had (4) seats for the family and $35.6k MRSP didn’t sound too guilt inducing..
Picked up a CW 2018 CTR December 1, 2018 for $41k tax, license etc. out the door.
Found and joined this website a few weeks later. Spent some time lurking, caught mod fever after (6) months stock and wanted to do my own maintenance...I’ve also met and received help from some very cool people along the way, which all has increased my connection and appreciation for this car. I am very appreciative for all the information shared on CivicX.
Can say I’ve gone from being a car n00b... to well still being a car n00b
I daily my car and have begun taking it to the track to improve my driving skills and have taken my oldest son with me. Maybe I’ll let him drive it there also.
In creating this thread, my goal is to document progress and consolidate my previous posts into (1) where it can serve as quick reference for others and also myself. Will import content from other threads so it’s all here and my thoughts of each mod added + DIY things I’ve learned along the way.
Car as of 1/26/22
Hope you enjoy reading this thread and find some useful information. Please feel free to comment or offer suggestions
Table of Contents:
Year one wrap up Post #61
ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN:
- Sequence Manufacturing Titanium Exhaust Post #3, #216
- Exhaust removal Post #1052
- Eventuri intake and service Post #4, #43, #573
- Eventuri CF air charge turbo tube and V2 MAF tube update Post #397, #415, #416, #417, #419, #420
- Wagner Tuning Intercooler and front bumper removal Post #6, #109, #250
- Radium oil catch cans - PCV/CCV Post #28, #40, #103, #294, #415, #423, #439
- Radium catch can petcock drain kit Post #299
- ACT probe mod Post #55
- Hasport Rear Motor Mount 62A Post #105, #145, #171
- Superstik Oil Dipstick BEWARE Post #164, #165, #191
- J’s Racing valve cover Post #329, #333
- Dream-Automotive High Flow Catted Downpipe w/Hard Lagging Post #344, #386, #387, #394, #397, #398, #399, #406, #407, #408
- How to remove downpipe studs/nuts without breaking Post #387
- Vibrant J tube defouler Post #408
- J’s Racing tower brace Post #364
- Rampage Fabrication Ti strut bar and exhaust/DP/FP nut & stud kit
- RV6 front pipe w/silver ceramic Post #386, #399, #407,
- APR CF radiator cooling plates Post #369
- Motec 142 FK8 AU Kit and E-Tune by Salasko Racing Post #550, #597, #598, #601, #604, #606, #609, #613, #651, #653, #655, #658
- HKS BOV Post #566, #570, #571, #576, #578, #580, #581, #583, #584, #585, #586, #588, #595
- HKS BOV inserts - Purple, Gold Post #588
- Spoon magnetic drain plug *ready to install*
- Unit2 Fabrication baffled oil pan Post #758, #770, #815, #817, #818, #819, #820, #821, #826, #827
- XDI high pressure fuel pump and HP fuel line flow modification and intake manifold removal Post #771, #946, #947, #948, #949, #950, #951, #952, #953, #954, #955, #956, #958, #960, #961, #963, #964, #965, #966, #967, #968, #969, #970, #971, #972, #973
- HKS Oil Cooler Post #66, #70, #115, #116, #117, #118, #119, #120, #121, #122, #128, #131, #145
- C&R oil cooler core upgrade Post #537, #538, #539, #542, #557,
- Dream-Automotive turbo oil return clamshell heat shield Post #344, #400
- PWR Premium Race Radiator Post #397, #403, #404, #405, #459
- Acuity Super Cooler reverse flow silicone radiator hoses Post #404, #405, #431
- J’s Racing hood. CF/FRP. Aluminum mesh and rain guard Post #153, #352, #362, #368
- J’s Racing grill Post #219, #223, #255, #256, #257, #258, #259, #260, #261, #262, #263, #282, #285, #670, #690
- Radium Coolant Expansion Tank + cap Post #59, #78
- Dream Automotive hardlagged OEM water pipe Post#737, #797, 798, #799, #800, #804, #806, #808, #809, #810, #811, #812
- Dream Automotive turbo heat shield and turbo removal Post# 737, #797, 798, #799, #800, #801, #813
- Koyorad radiator (no longer on car, but install instructions apply) Post #135, #136, #137, #138, #139, #140, #141, #142, #143, #144
- Girodisc brake pads Post #9
- Rear brake pad and caliper change. Post #11, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17
- Sakebomb SST brakelines Post #18, #192
- Brake Safety tip when downsizing from 20’s to 18’s Post #91
- Gyrodisc front rotors and Front pad change Post #19, #20, #21, #22, #33
- Brake Bleeding Sequence Post #23
- Brake bleeding (1) person method w/Speedi-bleed Post #476
- Brake Bedding Procedure Post #23
- wheel lug torque specs Post #23
- Rays/Volk TE37SL 18 x 9.5 +45 pressed double black Post #66, #75, #77, #88, #93, #147, #217
- Project Kics Iconix M14 x 1.5 Black lugs Post #69, #88, #147
- Woolies and wheel cleaning Post #80, #217
- Kics Koyo el hub centric rings Post #91
- Bridgestone RE71R 265-35-18 Post #88, #92, #199, #203, #311
- Yokohama Advan A052 265-35-18 Post #603
- Rays center caps and wheel adapters Post #220
- J’s Racing titanium wheel lugs Post #340
- Removing front damper guide pins: Post #711
- JRZ RS Pro coilovers w/ quick disconnect rear reservoir hoses **awaiting install
- HKS error cancellers **awaiting install
- RV6 Compliance Mount **awaiting install
- RV6 Rear Sway Bar With Billet Endlinks **awaiting install
- RV6 Rear Camber Arm **awaiting install
- RV6 Rear Toe Control Arms **awaiting install
- Ceramic coat, PPF clear bra, window tint Post #2, #32
- Washing a ceramic coated car. Post #79, #80, #81
- Fake vent removal and cutting plastic vents. Heated blade trick #71, #115
- Raceseng front tow hook Post #66, #213, #214,
- Raceseng license plate relocator Post #284
- OEM rear tow hook Post #728
- Depo smoked sidemarkers Post #82
- Black Chrome Civic lettering Post #87
- J’s Racing hood. CF/FRP. Aluminum mesh and rain guard Post #153, #342, #352, #362, #368
- J’s Racing grill Post #219, #223, #255, #256, #257, #258, #259, #260, #261, #262, #263, #282, #285, #670, #690
- J’s Racing grill emblem holder Post #835
- J’s Racing front wing lip spoiler Post #900, #901, #902, #905, #906, #910, #911, #912, #913, #914, #915, #916, #917
- Sliplo scrape protector Post #1034
- J’s Racing side wing and canards Post #920, #925, #926, #928, #929, #936
- J’s Racing front vents aka garnish Post #931, #935, #936
- 1/4” CF vinyl tape - red pinstripe delete Post #218
- Voltex Type 2V Rear Wing Post #207, #215, #225, #228, #229, #231, #234, #251
- Morimoto/Coplus headlights Post #263, #265, #280, #289, #639
- Morimoto fog lights smoked Post #341, & yellow Post #351, #641
- Black Chrome Front and Rear Emblems Post #313, #645
- Front bumper removal Post #316, #901
- Carbon Zone Poland mirror caps Post #518
- Carbon Zone Poland vortex generator caps Post #518
- APR CF fender vents Post #374
- Varis rear fender extensions Post #379
- BMSPEC rear duckbill spoiler Post #615
- Spinnywhoosh Magnetic Trackday number Post #607
- Honda license plate frame Post #669
- Tommy Kaira Titan Baby shift knob Post #7, #8, #10, #67
- Acuity full shifter and boot Post #64, #65, #67, #171
- Acuity shifter cable bushings Post #30, #74, #171
- Acuity pedal spacer Post #36, #204
- Broadway 300mm flat rear view mirror Post #239
- Broadway 400mm convex rear view mirror Post #264
- Broadway 400mm flat rear view mirror
- Carbon Zone Poland CF trim pieces Post #514, #515, #516
- Carbon Zone Poland Steering Wheel CF/Alcantara Post #667, #674, #676, #677, #678, #679, #680, #681
- The Bracketeer fire extinguisher bracket Post #473, #1024
- H3R HG250B fire extinguisher Post #473
- Radiator refill using a vacuum pressure bleeder tool Post #431
- Front brake pad change Post #841, #842, #846,
- Gyrodisc front rotors and Front pad change Post #19, #20, #21, #22, #33
- Brembo front caliper rebuild Post #841, #844, #845, #846,
- Rear brake pad change Post #847, #848, #849, #850, #851, #852, #853, #854, #855
- Brake bleeding (1) person method Speedi-bleed kit Post #476
- Brake bleeding (2) person old school method Post #23
- Brake Bedding Procedure Post #23
- wheel lug torque specs Post #23
- Oil change. Fumoto drain valve. Reading dipstick. Motiv funnel Post #24, #110, #144, #830
- Valve cover oil leak check Post #350
- Transmission fluid change. Amsoil Synchromesh Post #34, #38
- Transmission fluid strainer cleaning Post #385
- Battery and ECU removal Post #42, #570
- Harmless error messages when reconnecting battery Post #60
- How to remove downpipe studs/nuts without breaking Post #387, #394
- Turbo Boost leak detector 2.75” how to perform a boost leak check to resolve vacuum leak and spiking idle. Post #31, #41, #44, #45, #46, #48, #51, #60, #104, #109, #145
- Exhaust care and cleaning Post #157, #216
- Serpentine belt removal Post #817, #818
- Fuel pump safety recall for 2018-19 models Post #363
- Cabin air filter change Post #349, #718
- Autel AP200 ODB scanner Post #14
- Rear window seal warranty item Post #76, #149
- Comet 1700 pressure washer, Kobrajet hose, SGS28 gun, PF22 foam cannon, Worx leaf blower, washing a ceramic coated car. Post #79, #80, #81
- Bleeding the clutch. Post #443
- Radiator electrolysis check Post #459
- Cleaning the seats Post #468
- Spark plug change Post #691, #692
- Performing a master reset Post #709
- How to get head unit anti-theft code *Credit @SCOPESYS* Post #722
- Tire pressures for track and street. EP Auto tire inflator Post #627
- Key FOB battery change Post #861
- HJC Racing Helmet - Post #188
- Bell Racing Helmet - Post #698
- Alpinestar driving gloves and shoes Post #551
- Track days and prep Post #181, #192, #193, #194, #195, #196, #197, #201, #204, #209, #212, #221, #238, #240, #242, #243, #244, #247
ACCESSORIES:
Various tools, torque wrenches
Stealth Portable air compressor
Awaiting install:
JRZ RS Pro coilovers
HKS error cancellers
RV6 Compliance Mount
RV6 Rear Sway Bar With Billet Endlinks
RV6 Rear Camber Arm
RV6 Rear Toe Control Arms
Motec oil pressure and temperature sensors
Wish list:
MoTeC C125Data display
MoTeC V2 video kit + GPS
Girodisc rear rotors
Girodisc track pads
Blackvue dashcam
Track days: 10
Big Willow 2/16/20 AROSC
Big Willow 4/3/20 Speed District.
Streets of Willow 5/17/20 Speed District
Button Willow 5/22/20 Speed District
Streets of Willow 8/22/20 LA Shelby Club
Big Willow 10/11/20 AROSC
Streets of Willow 10/31/20 Speed Ventures
Big Willow 2/21/21 AROSC
Streets of Willow - Novice TT School 1/15/22 AROSC
Big Willow 1/16/22 Speed District
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