Kickin It Ol' Skool (That One-Off Build) '89 Accord Coupe

[dacantu]

Just a little walk through of the history behind the car.

In Early 1989 the car was purchased by my aunt in El Paso, TX. She owned the car until about 1997 when it was passed on to my brother.

Between 1997 and 2007 everyone in my family used and abused it.

In late 2007 (My Senior year of HS) I took full ownership of the car by having it lowered and having 50 series tires put on the 15" Konigs that were on it at the time (at this point everyone hated even sitting in the car because of the rough ride)

Since 2007 I began lurking 3geez.com and learning quite a bit about the platform and common vehicle failures (most of which i was forced to learn how to fix on my own because of lack of $, or had help from fellow 3geez members.)

The Coupe has seen many major transformations since 2007
1. Stock(ish)

2. Auto Trans went out and did a 5 Speed Swap, beginning to mod the engine with bolt ons with the little aftermarket support that the A20A3 actually has, semi riced out color scheme in the bay.

3. New wheels and dumpedness (also causing a wiring short in the loom in the fenderwell)

4. About almost a year of being parked with a bad wiring harness and a bad starter and being put back to stock

5. The new current build beginning 01/2011 which will be LONG, ONE-OFF, EXPENSIVE, but WELL WORTH IT!!!!

This project will be moving pretty fast with lots of attention to detail, lots of custom retro-fitting, and best of all a SWAP so dont stay away for too long or you might miss something.

[dacantu]

Here are some pics of the car from when the mods first started to where it is now.

Phase 1- Before any real mods began and just lots of broken, old, faded, cracked pieces had begun to be replaced with used but good parts from the JY

Same time frame (ol' nasty bay)

[dacantu]

Phase 2- Jacked up and removed Huge Stock Airbox, wiper fluid reservoir and stock exhaust manifold.



Picked up a *RARE* SE-i Cupholder and Armrest and sent the Armrest out to be reupholstered


Modified and Installed a 2nd Gen Integra/DA AEM CAI to fit the bay of my CA6



Installed a *RARE* discontinued DC Sports 4-2-1 (if i remember correctly), I also began getting spray can happy here (facepalm)


At this point in time my Auto Trans took a shit and I went ahead and did a 5-Speed Swap in about Decemberish 2009
(Did not document the swap)

Then I picked up a 2nd Gen Accord Valve Cover and I ended up going with a different color scheme (RICE LOL)

[dacantu]

Phase 3- New Wheels
After waiting about 4 months from a local Rota Dealer here in AZ I finally received notification that my wheels were in.
Rota JMAGS 16"x7" Absolute Polish with Brand New Toyo Proxes 205/40/16s





I also managed to find this *VERY RARE* JDM Duck Bill/DuckTail spoiler specific to the CA model Accords.


Here she is with the new shoes mounted on (Still not dumped at this point)

[dacantu]

Phase 3- cont'd

This was after I decided that the colors in my bay were a little bit ridiculous


Freshly Painted/Restored OEM Mudflaps/Mudguards


Newly Painted and Reupholstered OEM armrest and console from an SE-i Accord. New head rests also installed (First pictures you can see anything related to the 5 speed swap)



2/16/2010 Last day before wiring short occured and being parked for about a year

[dacantu]

Phase 4- Out of Commission and got rid of a couple goodies
During its time that it was parked it also had these A-Tech Monoblock 15"x7" wheels put on just for shits n giggles (I thought they flowed well with the look of the car actually)

[dacantu]

Phase 5- Fast Forward to 1/2/2011 (Current Build)
I got the car running.
- Had lots of help with my wiring issue from a very talented Honda Tech/Electrician (LX-Incredible from 3geez.com) ***He also donated a stock exhaust manifold and stock catback (Thanks again buddy)
- I also Replaced the starter that went bad
- After these couple of things the car started right up and ran for a couple weeks no problem, thats when my clutch finally gave out on 1/24/2011.

Here's where I begin to get the motivation to start up with this project again.....

I called around to a few places to get the best deal on a clutch and clutch cable I could find and on 1/26/2011 I started putting in work. I ran into a couple problems with the light of day, and my clutch cable so finally by 1/27/2011 I was finished with the new clutch being installed, and even had the energy to give her a real nice wash. How 'bout them SI's huh? Used to hate em but on here I absolutely love em.




NEW VS. USED





1/27/2011(Still) After the clutch install it felt just right, shifted smooth, and made me want to keep doing work. SOOOOO, I gave her a nice little wash.

Back on stock suspension



1/29/2011
I decided to get back to work and remove the remaining tint left on the back window. (Fishbowl FTW)

[dacantu]

Phase 5-cont'd


1/31/2011
Lots of work got done...
1. I Picked up a couple new headlight motors (Mine never worked properly after I had the wiring issue go wrong. So for about a year or so my headlights were permanently popped up)
-I cleaned/restored em to their original finish and voila Brand nUsed VS. the old used ones.




2. Did a little bit of spring cleaning (Can you spot the parts I removed?)



3. Installed a NRG Quick Release Steering wheel setup that I got in a trade. The setup came with a NRG V2.0 Short Hub from a 94-2001 Integra, a NRG Gunmetal quick release, and a cheap eBay Steering wheel. (I got a hell of a deal in the trade) ***Still needs a little bit of tweeking but its on and functional. Im going to have to look into swapping in a different steering column possibly for a little bit better fitment.

[dacantu]

Phase 5-cont'd x2
2/1/2011:
Went to Checker/O'Reilly and picked up 5 feet of new 3/8" P/S lines and a box of clamps. Grabbed a clutch master cylinder from a DC Integra out of my parts pile and went to work on my P/S delete reservoir (this reservoir and bracket are temporary until I find something a little bit more appropriate) I am more than likely going to pick up the same bracket and reservoir that (JFern) picked up for his P/S delete, he is who inspired this simple mod.



Enjoy for now boys!
Also Update for tmw: Can you guess what these are? Yup, cut DropZone Lowering Springs on blown stock struts lol (These are VERY temporary, i just hate the monster truck look and already have new suspension in the works ). Theyre already put back on my car and yet again I'm pretty damn low. Pictures of the car will have to wait until tmrw when I get the car washed after this last rain/dust/wind storm that randomly came through AZ.


And for the very near future, Here's a little something I picked up. Some 4 door rear handles for a key hole delete, and the 2 way pager alarm with door lock actuators out of my old crashed DC Integra.

[forrest89sei]

Looking Good!!!!

[dacantu]

Looking Good!!!!

Thank you, I needed to get motivated again.

[Jajle]

Very nice! /subscribed
Makes me want to put work into my SE-i and get it running again.

[ShyBoyCA6]

Looks good and keep it up Dan. Finally to see a Black coupe being Worked on and cared for i dont see that on here and giving me more motivation to finish mine . Black Coupes Rule!!!

[poison2003]

very cool i like it

[dacantu]

Very nice! /subscribed
Makes me want to put work into my SE-i and get it running again.

What are you waiting for?

Looks good and keep it up Dan. Finally to see a Black coupe being Worked on and cared for i dont see that on here and giving me more motivation to finish mine . Black Coupes Rule!!!

Thanks Mark I'm hoping nothing gets in the way this time. I hate neglecting my accord ever.

very cool i like it

Thank you, stay tuned.....

[Jajle]

What are you waiting for?

It's practically totaled. I may see what I can do though, I love the car way to much to see it's progress come to an end.

Btw, the Si's are SEX, can't wait for pics of the Jerry-rigged suspension. :P

[MessyHonda]

you have a nice looking car

[dacantu]

It's practically totaled. I may see what I can do though, I love the car way to much to see it's progress come to an end.

Btw, the Si's are SEX, can't wait for pics of the Jerry-rigged suspension. :P

Eeeh I dont know about the jerry rigged susp, its very bouncy. I hate how it rides but I absolutely love being LOW, all my cars have always been lowered to the point where I'm used to bottoming out. Hopefully sooner than later if things go as planned I will be purchasing BRAND NEW quality susp, and because this particular Manufacturer is local to me I might be able to get it much sooner than having it shipped.

Sorry to hear about your SE-i though. I know what its like to have a practically totaled car and not have the will to let it go. I recently sent that one vehicle I was proud of (a DC Integra) to the Scrap Metal yard completely stripped. I know the feeling

you have a nice looking car

Thanks Jesse. Hows yours coming along?

[stat1K]

cars gay.

[-$MOKIN-]

Sweet ....LOL How many sets of rims do you have ?

[dacantu]

cars gay.

lol I know huh

Sweet ....LOL How many sets of rims do you have ?

just 3. 2 of which are not pictured. Everything pictured besides the SI's are no longer in my possession.

[Hondamonster]

i really didn't hate the bay with the red valve cover. interested to see what you do with it! and just so you know, pull the drivers side fender and stuff that huge wiring loom way up high so your tires don't hit it. i've burned through it in places. and not to mention the hood release cable...

[Pico]

the car is looking good, glad to see you getting back into it

[2drSE-i]

aaaand subscribed.

[RobT5580]

Looks good i need some motivation as i have been lacking. Good luck?