1979 Honda Civic Restoration and Modification

[koosjer55]

Today I customized the exhaust so it fits on the RS exhaust manifold. Quite a time consuming job, but I'm happy with the result so far. Next week I'll spray the complete exhaust heat resistant black or silver. Also will my Panasports be back from powder coat. Nice :D

[koosjer55]

Got my wheels back from powder coat! Very happy with the result :D Gonna order some Falken tires right now (185/60).

[koosjer55]

Project "Exhaust" is nearly finished :D Have to make a bracket and maybe a little bending here and there, but I'm pretty satisfied with how it looks.

[koosjer55]

Got the tires (Falken ZIEX ZE-912, 185/60 R13) on! The width looks great :D

[koosjer55]

Today I've put on the new wheels and they look great and give the car a nice sporty touch :D As expected the gap between the wheel and the fender is a bit larger than with my other wheels, cause the tyre size is different (was: 175/70, is 185/60), but for now I'm happy with how the car looks (and I'll wait till Jay comes up with some decent Gaz-shocks ). Customizing the center caps was quite a job though, but with the "teeth"-solution it finally works fine (center bore is a bit larger than standard). Finally, my girl friend did some interior jobs, so we're getting there 8)

[koosjer55]

My new tyre specs are 185/60/R13 and if you compare it to the original standard Civic tyre (155/80R12), you will http://www.1stgencivic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12526

http://www.1stgencivic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4523

http://www.1stgencivic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12528 that the diameter of these two sizes are the same. That means that the suspension is the only lowering factor here and the King Springs lower the car by 35mm. Cause of the 6" width of these rims it probably does look a bit different/lower than a for instance my previous Accord turbine wheel (4,5", same offset). The new ones fill the fenders better.

Check the tyre size calculator half way down http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible_pg4.html this page. You'll see that a 175/50/R13 tyre will leave a bigger gap between the tyre and the fender compared to 185/60/R13 / 155/80/R12, so you should lower the suspension more to make it look nicer..if that is what you like.

[koosjer55]

Last 2 weeks we've been busy fitting the windscreen (incl. the new trim, which fits very nice. Did my arm rests with this trim as well). Not very happy with the little corner pieces though, so I'll have to redo that.
Also fixed all the wires for the rear wiper and washer, so that must be okay right now, and put the dash in place. Finally, my girlfriend has the plastic corner pieces covered with black speaker fabric. They were a bit cracked and this looks tidy. She's also doing the trunk bottom. Next week the battery will be in place and maybe fire it up for the first time 8) TBC

[koosjer55]

Interior is coming together nicely and gives a real cosy look 8) Love my new NOS center console. The wooden shift knob is from a Austin Mini on which I put a Honda key chain emblem. Finally decided to put on the RS badge at the rear, so we have a match with the front grille. Enjoy

[koosjer55]

Couldn't resist and we decided to spend a couple of hours today on the car in grandpa's garage.....and ladies and gentlemen, we have light!! 8) Also the rear wiper and washer works great, I only have to get me a smaller wiper blade, cause now it's wiping the upper edge as well :? Maybe a blade from a Mini will do the job. Anyway, all goes well and next week all the seats can go and stay in. Tbc!

[koosjer55]

Instead of cadmium plated my treatment is called electrolytic zinc plated and yellow passivated, maybe it's the same??

Here is a DIY, looks pro!