[maksimus]

Hello,

I have finally decided to create a build thread as I have been doing a few bits to my lovely civic.

I have joined this forum a while ago but did not get time to create a dedicated thread where I can show my progress and log my journey

I have had the car from November 2013 and so it is coming up to 2 years of owning it now. I have done some extensive civinfo browsing and found some great inspiration over the past 2 years.

I am in the process of gathering all the photos and records of all repairs/mods I have done.

I hope this thread will be useful to all and they will too find the inspiration to make their car that little bit more special to them

Stay tuned...

 

[maksimus]

Photos

Here are some photos taken not long after I got her

 

[markvirgo]

Mine looked like that when I got it.

Good luck with the build

 

[maksimus]

Thanks dude yours looks amazing now !

 

[maksimus]

First repair job

Here was my first nightmare with my civic...

I woke up to my mirror being in this state. Thankfully there was no damage to the paint work so I got on the case straight away. After doing some research I was quoted £100+ for the replacement.

Then I came across a £40 mirror in bits on ebay so I bought it. Bit by bit I combined both into one good one.

I have noticed that the mirror limit module had a blown fuse.I have located a repair guide on here (civinfo forum) and ordered the matching component and replaced it. Otherwise, the mirror auto folding function won't work.

After that I put it all together and the nightmare was over

 

[Farqui]

A good starting point there, the mirror incident must have been a bit of a shock.

Will be interested to see how your build progresses.

 

[maksimus]

Sensor Replacement

The next step was to deal with my engine management light. I have used my OBD dongle and the ODB doctor software in order to try and clear it but it kept coming back.

I have noted down the error code and spent some time browsing the code databases. The code turned out to be the coolant sensor No.2 fault.

At first, I could not locate the replacement part. Then I looked under the bonnet and realised that the coolant sensor No.1 at the top of the engine is the same as the one I need.

I have located a supplier on Ebay and asked them to double check just in case. They were very helpful and quick to reply. The part matched and ordered the same day !

Civinfo forum came in handy as always and I have located a step by step guide on how to change the sensor.

Firstly, I took the bottom shielding off (just a couple of clips and screws) and located the sensor.

I have unplugged the connector and the problem was apparent. The pins of the connector had rusted sensor pins inside them. They have broken off and were stuck inside it. The connector itself was not in great shape so I decided to replace it completely. I cut it off and stripped the ends ready for the replacement.

Coming back to my mirror repair, I have noticed that HONDA uses that type of connector on the mirror indicators.

I had some spares left from the repair so I cut off one of the connectors which was in great condition

I have proceeded with emptying my radiator.

The sensor was removed and as can be seen the pins were broken off. Next to it you can see the new sensor.

I have soldered the new connector and used heat shrink on the joints to protect them from rust and shorting out.

I have put everything back together and cleared the code with the OBD dongle+software. The job was done

 

[maksimus]

Thank you Farqui

Yes it was a nightmare and the first ever incident with the car. However, if it wasn't for that I wouldn't have found this forum and learnt so much

Now I make sure that the mirrors are tucked in and the car sits as close to the curb as possible.

 

[Farqui]

Well done diagnosing and fixing the coolant sensor issue.

The forum is really useful for gaining info and inspiration.

 

[maksimus]

Thanks There is more to come ... I have finally sorted all the photos and things I have done.

It is a great place indeed and I am so glad to be a part of it

 

[maksimus]

Mods

So after fixing her up I have decided to treat my civic to some nice mods. I have been reading up and gaining inspiration which lead to building up a list of things I wanted to add

The first thing was the induction kit. I have done some research and decided to go for the K&N i-57 kit.

With the help of my friend the kit was installed.

The next bits were interior mods:

The bits installed:

- JVC Double din head unit

- FLI 1200W subwoofer

- Front and rear footwell LEDs wired to two carbon toggle switches (decided to make use of heated seats button blanks)

- Blue interior lights

- Volt gauge

- Mugen silver gear knob

All this made the car just that little be nicer to be inside ... ohh yeah and the intake noise was really interesting to get used to

 

[maksimus]

Rear Visuals

I have ordered some visual bits for the rear.

Conveniently, the CIVINFO sticker came just in time too

 

[maksimus]

Wrapping

It was time to carbon wrap some bits to improve the looks. This mod is great and changes the look quite a bit.

Thanks to my friend and a few long hours the mirrors and bonnet were wrapped.

Additional to that I have installed some for light protectors with silver MUGEN logos.

 

[maksimus]

Engine bay mods

I have purchased some Mugen reservoir socks, oil cover and battery clamping plate.

I had some K & N stickers so decided to throw them in too

 

[maksimus]

Latest updates

The latest fix was installing new shocks. Thanks to helpful people (Farqui and others) on here I have obtained a set of shocks and had them fitted after an unlucky attempt.

Whilst I was at it, I have decide to throw on a full set of Dunlop Sport BluResponse tyres 205/55/R16. I must say these tyres are incredible and are the best I have owned. They are highly rated and commended by the AutoExpress magazine

I have also made some aluminium sheet washers in order to repair my exhaust heat shield which came loose in a number of places.

The shield was now secured and hopefully will stay attached

 

[Farqui]

Top work there, you have been busy

 

[CDT808]

Good work matey you did a great job with that bonnet!

 

[maksimus]

Thanks a lot guys I would love to take the credit for the bonnet but in this case I was mostly the helper. I did learn from it though

Have a few more bits to upload tomorrow and then hopefully get parts sourced for my own custom cold air feed mod

 

[maksimus]

Earthing upgrade

I have browsed the forum and noticed quite a few people upgraded their earthing connections. So, I have decided to give it a crack since I was eager to do something on a Saturday rather than sit indoors

I have noticed that my earthing connections were quite aged so I have decided to upgrade them. I went for 100% 4 AWG copper wire to aid better connection compared to cheaper copper plated aluminium.

Image of the standard earth connection battery to chassis

I have obtained all my bits from ebay which included:

- 3 x 4 AWG crimp ring terminals
- 5 metres of 4 AWG 100% copper wire (multi strand)
- Multi battery terminal (terminates 2 AWG - 8 AWG)

Some bits I had at my disposal:

- Hydraulic terminal crimp
- Heat shrink (non adhesive)
- Wire cutters

The process:

The battery earth terminal wire was crimped first. It only had to be crimped at one end as I opted for the 'screw to lock' battery terminal.

Then the heat shrink was added to protect the crimp terminal and to reinforce the bend once it will be attached to the chassis.

Engine earthing wire was made

Both were installed and tested

 

[maksimus]

Photo

Today I found out that my photo I submitted of my car made it to the Honda's official August 2015 Fan Gallery on their Facebook page Quite chuffed