Is it just me or are things rather quiet on here lately? Maybe I just remember the good ole days about 5+ years ago when the list was generating 100+ e-mails a day!!
I'm getting ready to turn over 200K miles on my '89 DX that I bought new 9/25/89. I'm currently at 199,93x.x miles. I've got digital camera in the car, ready to take that picture that has to be taken when you flip one over. Also, I need some advice. Let me lay a foundation, first of all. While this car previously saw a lot of autocross lots, it hasn't in a few years, and probably won't see that many more. It has finally started to develop some of the famous rear wheel arch rust. This is my "work" car, in that I normally drive it back and forth to work, 30 miles each way, each day. I plan on driving this car until: 1. My 15-year-old daughter wants to drive it next year, or 2. Until my 12-year-old daughter wants to drive in in a few years, or 3. Until it breaks apart from rust. I will continue to drive it in winter, and it will see salt from the road. I run Hakkapeliitta 1's on it, 175/70-14 for winter use. No problem with traction!! It may see some rallycross action, one a year, or so. Speed isn't important to me. My commute is 55 mph (I go 65, or so - V1 works great!!), on fairly desolate 4-lane road. Therefore, 2-lane passing isn't much of an issue. I've been averaging around 40-42 mpg the past few thousand miles, which is important. My head gasket is oozing some oil down the side of the block, not much, just enough to be annoying. Engine "appears" to use little, if any, oil. I have very little power below 3K rpm -- so much so, that it is a pain starting off from a stop at times. It's time for new belts, including timing belt. Clutch is worn. It has about 90K miles on it. Tranny is fine. Mainly just shift bushing wear. I can't see spending a bunch of $$$ for performance, so I want to keep this as cheap, and as reasonable as possible. I'll do all the labor myself, except for machine shop work. I've got air tools, and regular stuff. I'm planning on driving this winter, and parking in the Spring, to do some work on it. I need to get my shopping list together, and want to get all the pieces and parts that I'll need for it over the winter, so I'll be ready to go when the time comes. I have backup transportation if anything major should go wrong. Now - here's what I need the advice on: Engine - Should I just rebuild? Valve job ($125), new rings, hone, head gasket, etc. Probably around $250. - Go with a D16A6, and Si engine, 108 hp? Cost unknown, but I know folks have them "sitting" around. I'd have to do ECU and wiring mods for my DX harness. - Go with a D16Z6, a Civic Si engine, 125-7 hp? Cost, again unknown, and I'd have to do ECU and wiring. - Go with a ZC, 130 hp? Cost of engine, ECU, and wiring probably around $750???? Tranny - I'm convinced that I want to keep the DX tranny for the gearing. Can anyone tell my of a reason not to based on what I've said above? - Maybe replace synchros, as a precaution, and seals? - Replace shift bushings - what kind, where do I get? Other things that I should do while it is apart? (shocks/struts/springs are fine. I'm fine on wheels/tires. I don't do "rice".) TIA- David Miller [EMAIL PROTECTED] '89 CRX, DX, white, 199K miles (old faithful - GO CAR) '90 CRX, Si, yellow, 49K miles (sleeping - GO CAR2) '02 Civic, EX, ruby, 26K miles (wife's/family car) '94 Helix, black, 17K miles (scooting along at 70 mph!) '91 Dakota, red/silver, 110K miles (mulch hauler!)
