That link is dead, restored from Web Archive, Credit to Google for translating
The same crew and 30 years separate these photos at the start of the Monte Carlo Rally
In 2004, Dr. Shigeru Miyano, tells me that two of his friends who participated in the Monte Carlo Rally in 1979 would like to take part in the historic event. They are looking for someone to put the car together because they have kept the parts.
I receive the photos of the preserved pieces. First of all, I do not believe in this possibility of civic RS having participated in Monte Carlo because we have never listened to speak about this story. I ask confirmation and I ask for more details … Some time later, I receive the photos of time taken during the rally and there is no photo! , it is the good car during the 1979 and 1980 edition. I ask Bernard Fournol, specialist of the civic at the time, if he wishes to take charge of the project because that is not my main subject. Having accepted at first, it declines a few months later, the project comes back to me and I have to say “yes” while thinking well to find someone who will launch …
2005, the case is engaged, I ask to seek another civic RS to complete the empty place in the container and have some parts in advance, Some parts and not least, have just been found (hoop, gearbox , wheels) and I am asked if I do not want the rest of the car and especially the hull because it has been kept (!) Parts arrive via Le Havre by container and the work of reassembly and restoration can begin. Complete reassembly and no particular difficulty to report for this site since almost everything is present, in addition there is a large number of new parts. Only point not yet solved, and size, tinted windows were broken during transport.
The sanding of the base of the hull reveals that it had been completely welded in anticipation of significant effort. The 6-point arch resumes its place as well as the front and rear anti-approach bars. The hood and front fenders in polyester, option of time are put back in place.
The Kayaba gas shock absorbers used during the Monte Carlo 79 are present, during the 80th edition a specific and shortened version compared to the series model is used. A little too firm, the hydraulic part has been replaced byrestored shocks.JPG (35.72 KiB) Viewed 433 times
Koni gas cartridges. The front anti roll bar is 18mm in diameter and 16mm rear brakes remain standard. Minilite 5-inch magnesium rims have given way to aluminum Minilites due to advanced deterioration …
Side gearbox, there is a synchronized gear mounted in the casings of the box GB has 5 original reports. Designed by Mr. Aikawa of HGW (Honda R & D Wako) then proposed “off-the-shelf” catalog by Mugen, the set is right size and gives us a hissing racing more inside the car. The differential is equipped with a self-locking disc. the gear ratio is 22km / h / 1000 trs in 5th gear. Note the necessary cutout in the # 1 housing to view the ignition timing marks that are engraved on the flywheel. This one is Mugen specific and it is lightened by 3.5kgs compared to the set of series. The clutch disk is made of sintered metal.
Below, The engine that fitted the car during the edition 80 as it was kept for 25 years. This one is a Mugen type MS2 engine that was acquired in 1979 from Team Yamato after being used at the Southern Cross Rally in Australia. Due to its proximity to Honda and Advan’s (Yokohama) support, the 80’s car adopts the factory car deco, black with the red ribbing of Team Yamato Rally cars.
On the preparation side, the 73mm two-piston forged pistons have a displacement of 1274cc (origin 71mm), the piston pins are floating in the connecting rods, the specific cylinder head is of Mugen manufacture and receives valves larger than the model of 37/32 series against 35/31. The foundry of the specific cylinder head is very similar to that of the EB3 engine cylinder head that will be found on the Civic range from 1977. The combustion chamber is similar to that found on all Honda engines from 1967 to 1984, as defined on the N360 and Cb 750 air motors. The valve angle is 65 ° The piston dome is almost flat allowing for a compact combustion chamber, two squish strips located on both sides of the valves ensure optimal mixing of the mixture at the TDC, the intake duct is located in the cylinder axis to allow optimal flow by working the entire available surface. Thanks to the offset of the exhaust duct, a vortex effect is generated during the exhaust phase, which has the effect of limiting the unbreated, improve the mixing of the gaseous mass that enters and thus improve combustion.
The piston of the civic RS left and the piston racing forged has two segments in the center, two fabrications possible is the traditional supplier of Honda ART or MAHLE.see Mugen page and files for download.
The engine has been restored from a new block without numbers supplied with the parts
The rockers are adjusted with rings, to prevent any risk of panic …
The ducts receive an intake pipe with 4 35mm CR carburetors powered by an electric pump.
The factory CR ramp is different from the standard CR ramp offered for sale by Mugen.
The tanks are of different shapes made in sand casting like all Honda prototype parts. A single return spring and aluminum cones complete the whole. It was necessary to remake the needles and the needle jets and idle sprinklers to get the whole thing working.
The cast camshaft is stamped MS2. Note that the fuel pump drive gear is missing. , the diagram is measured as follows:
AOA 25 ° RFA 55 ° AOE 55 ° RFE 25 ° The lifts are 10mm, the intake / exhaust timing is 105 ° and it is adjusted thanks to an adjustable pulley.
The presence of the special intake pipe requires the use of a corner gear to mount the igniter, on the MS3 the igniter is driven by the camshaft and mounted at the end of the cylinder head. The crankshaft is lightened like the majority of moving parts. Finally the oil pump has a larger rotor allowing a higher flow.
The drive kinematics of the distribution has been revised. The drive of the water pump is now performed by the timing belt, the belt is guided by two additional rollers and the surface of the block is remaninée to receive this set. The crankshaft pulley is aluminum and its diameter adapted, as for the water pump, at a faster engine speed.
The car is equipped with a specific triple exhaust Y developed by the RSC for the official Civic. This escapement was manufactured by Mr. Kobayashi, a trainer who made the exhaust of the 1960s F1s and worked on making the factory civics’ exhausts before retiring and continuing to officiate at Mugen. The exhaust that equips the car was recovered by Mr. Kakuchi Suzuka in 1979.MS2 engine 1.JPG (35.46 KiB) Viewed 433 times
Note the necessary cutout made in the front crossbar to use the exhaust system as well as the very precise fitting of the tubes to pass in the little space left by the cloisonne oil pan. The use of the exhaust system also requires the offset of the oil filter which is equipped with a water cooler to stabilize the oil temperature (capacity 6 liters).
The tests and the focus …
The engine assembly was put back in configuration and the whole tested on circuit. The result is very healthy and allows a quick start as with all Honda products. The operation is very easy, the chassis is rigid, the whole is well balanced the direction is soft and precise, even if there are some reactions of torque in the steering wheel and a small understeer due to the ‘self-locking, the box is a model of softness and precision, finally the engine / box allows lightning rises at low speeds and grows up to 8500 trs without problems. Side brakes, equipped with Pagid pads and hoses, efficiency and endurance are good, it does not take much distance to stop the 670 kgs of the beast and we dream to modern cars as light!
For the Monte Carlo and following the advice of Mr. Kakuchi, the engine will be deflated to allow more elastic use at low rpm and thus more suited to the rally by replacing the camshaft by
A Mugen MS1 that is a civic RS camshaft with improved crossover times and using the two standard CVB carburetors that are equipped with the indispensable air filter. The regime is thus lowered to 7000 – 7500trs, the estimated power is of the order of 95 – 100CV, the consumption is around 10.5l / 100kms.
The realization of this project could not have been possible without the help of the people who will follow. First of all, this project is dedicated to Bernard Fournol automotive journalist, he was initiated thanks to Shigeru Miyano the man of records and mutual aid in Japan, It could be transformed thanks to Honda Automobile Switzerland in the person of Lionel Zimmer and the Honda dealers who went out of their way to find solutions to our problems. Many thanks to René Degeneve, Dominique Rignanese, Pascal Marin, Michel Quagliozzi, Jean Louis Hontebeyrie, Andre Brias, André Charaud. A big thank you to the French federation of vintage vehicles in the person of Mr. Louis Lamire and Mr. Jean Suttel without whom this car could not drive. Many thanks to our club friends: Takehisa Tajima, Michael Ortmann, Peter Rose, Ronny Lucassen, Luc De Prince, Frank Van Wymeersch, Brian Baker, Volker Moll, George Gittinger, Jerome Clerc and his team, the Pochet family, Maryse and Marie Yukiko Miyano, Florian Clais, Gilles Vitry, Romain Farrands, Nando, Our sponsors and friends the companies GT2I, AD 74-01, MCR, AT & R and the SEE design office for the remanufacture of parts. Finally, a big thank you to the Honda Classic Club team Michel Cumin, Edmond Savelli, Fréderic Lalanne, Massimiliano Carruba, Valérie Dubreuil, Michel Frenoy, Jean Lenoir, Jerome Clerc, Laurent Humbert and Biquet!
CHARACTERISTICS TECHNIQUES Civic RS 1975 Monte Carlo 1979.
ENGINE
Location type: Honda Mugen MS2: 4 cylinders in line – transversal front – Bore stroke 73 x 76mm – Displacement 1274cc – Unit displacement 318,50 cc – Volumetric ratio 11,5 – Maximum speed 8500 rpm – Maximum power 130hp to 8000t / min – Power per liter 102 Cv / l – maximum torque 14.3 mkg at 6500 rpm – Distribution 1 camshaft at the head – toothed belt drive – 5-stage crankshaft – light alloy engine block material – cooling: liquid – Lubrication Wet + cooler – Supply 4 carburetors Keihin CR 35mm – Exhaust triple-y – Electrical equipment alternator 1000W.
TRANSMISSION
Mode: Front Wheels – Number of Ratios 5 + AR Mugen Special Mugen Special Clutch
Reports 1st: 3,18 – 2nd: 1,82 – 3 th: 1,42 – 4 th: 1,14 – 5th: 1.00
Bridge Ratio 15 x 71 (4.73) Second Available 15 x 61 (4.06) – Self Locking Approx. 25%
Frame
Structure Self-supporting steel hull – 3-door sedan – front hood polyester front mudguard – front suspension Mc Pherson – lower wishbones stabilizer bar Mugen – rear suspension: arms pulled – coil springs telescopic dampers – front brake rear discs drums steering rack – rims aluminum minilite 5.0x 13 tires 155 – 65 x 13
Dimensions – Weight – Capacities
Wheelbase: Track AV 1350 – AR 1330 – Length 3545 Width 1505 – Weight 670kg – Ratio real power weight: 5.15 hp / kg – gasoline capacity 38l oil 6l
