After purchasing my FD last August I began to lay out a build plan. Though there were a few things that took time to sort out, its really starting to come together. I am now ready to start collecting for my big single setup....

LIST

Power Flex FULL poly kit
Pillow Ball bushings
Improved Racing end links
Stoptech SS brake lines
Rebuilt OEM Calipers
Hawk HPS pads
Speed Bleeders
Tie Rods
Tie Rod Ends
Steering Bellows

I am running Tein S-tech springs & KYB shocks. Overall, they have served me well. I realize the KYB's aren't the best. I will likely upgrade to Illumina's in a few months. I was going to go with coil-overs, but just can't justify it. The ride height is perfect with my wheel setup, and I have had no issues. I also felt no need to upgrade the sway bars. This is a street car, and with everything brought back to life, the OEM bars will be more than antiquate for my street monster. I may look into aftermarket mounts eventually, but my OEM ones were fine, upon inspection.

There are a few other things I will likely do. A diff brace is probably a good option. My IR Poly mounts are great, so that should keep everything solid.

Overall, I'm pleased with the project. It has been fun taking my time and doing things right. Did all the work myself, and it feels good.....

Well, on to some pics

Getting started




The old








The Parts










The BLING




Installed & Finished

 

lookin' good. did you paint or powdercoat the brake calipers?

 

Thanks.

I painted them with Plasti-Kote 900F paint. I cleaned them very well with a dremel, and applied 4 coats. Hopefully it holds up well. I found the paint from the caliper rebuild thread in the FAQ's.

 

sharp bro! what was your reason for attacking all the steering and handling components first?

 

It's simple..... I'm shooting for 500whp on pump with AI. That is a lot of power. The chassis needs to be able to handle & control it. Too many times I see people dumping money into going fast, but don't consider the cars ability to stop & control the power.

So.... first things first

 

All those suspension components looks brand new.

Good job!

 

<--- lol

i feel guilty now. thanks. hahaha

 

Looking Nice man. Like the poly busihings and the clean components. See you got new tie rods and all. Do you how the distance of the tie rods from the end for the stock alignment or a good alignment. I recent de-powered my steering rack but i didn't mark the tie rod end on the shaft so i want to know what is something good to put it on until i can get to the alignment stand.

Good luck with the project,,,it looks great so far

 

Thanks.

I will measure them tonight and PM you.

 

Were did you get the Power Flex FULL poly kit? and how much?

 

Looks awesome! What did you spray your wheel wells/liner with? I like that.

 

Uno Flash hell yaaa


I'm not sure if i'm dredding or looking forward to doing bushings and pillow's to my car.

 

http://shop.jklre.com/products/power...ion-bushings-1

These bushings are quality. I went with the full kit because I kept my stock bars. The full kit also comes with rear LCA bushings, which others don't. If I'm doing bushings, I'm doing them all.

 

The fenderwells turned out nice. I sprayed them with degreaser, then scrubbed them with a brush & dish soap. I then rinsed them thoroughly with a power washer & let it dry overnight.

Masked everything off & applied 3 solid coats of good old Rustoleum Semi-gloss paint.

 

sexy, i likee

 

Calipers came out nice

 

Love it. I plan on doing the same with the bushings.

 

Sweet... sounds like I've got some cleaning to do! LOL Makes the car look so nice with it all clean and painted there. Well done!

 

Agreed, but that level of power, a Stop-Tech big brake kit is warranted. Check out the brakes on something like a GT3, that's what you want.

Did you notice any decrease in squeaks, clanks, or rattles with the new bushings? I'm getting set to put my Superpros in. Did you do the work yourself or hire someone? I got a quote of $1000 to do the work (!)

 

Eventually, I can see myself dropping the cash for a big brake kit. I will also likely go with some 99 spec rears. However, I wanted to see how the stock brakes will fair. If they stop well, I will keep them, otherwise, I will eventually upgrade.

As far as the bushings go, I have yet to test them. We have about a foot of snow on the ground here in NJ and another coming in the next few days. The FD only sees clean roads. On a side note, my Civic has had fully Poly bushings for over a year, and I also installed them in my previous FC's & FB's. I expect the FD to ride rougher as usual, but handle amazingly. Poly bushings make all the difference.

I did all the work myself. I am in the USAF, and the hobby shop on base has a shop press that they let me use. It is very straightforward with the right tools. $1000 is quite ridiculous. You can easily purchase a shop press, the desired socket sizes & do it yourself for under $300. Harbor Freight carries presses for a good price.

The new bushings can be pressed in with your hands. They are all 2 piece bushings and go in very easily once greased. I had to use my bench vice only on the toe links because they are one piece & small.

As a note: To anyone doing bushing. You need a period of break-in before you get an alignment, otherwise you will be doing it again in a few weeks

 

Nice job!! Looks great!!

I'm also in the USAF @ KEESLER AFB and yes the hobbie shop kicks A$$!

 

Thanks. I went to tech-school at Keesler. I was there during and after Katrina. Good old 338th. I actually bolted up my 3" exhaust on my old bugeye at that hobby shop. It is quite nice. McGuire's is comparable.

 

Looks good!

I'm planning on doing the same thing pretty soon. I'm curious as to what you used to clean up all the arms, they look a lot better than some others I've seen.

 

If anyone in the Charlotte area wants to make a little cash pressing in bushings, send me a PM no way I have the time to mess with it

 

Looking good! Did you replace the boots on the ball joints? If so, where did you get them?