1999 HONDA CIVIC SI - for why? Idiot alert.

[Dave7CDMTYPER]

Looks like a turnkey operation.

[AndyD]

I'm confused. Did you just get that red shell or have you had it and it's almost rebuilt?

One thing I've learned is many times cheaper priced cars cost more in the end to rebuild.

I'm looking at two 80's Porsches right now. One is a shell missing the complete interior and engine bay empty for $450. Then there's one complete car that isn't running for $1400. Full interior, drivetrain, and full engine bay. I was tempted by the $450 shell but I had to slap some sense back into myself. Lol

[JDMJNKY]

Looks like a turnkey operation.

So I'm not alone.... I thought the same thing. Those pics were so misleading LOL.

I'm confused. Did you just get that red shell or have you had it and it's almost rebuilt?

Both..... I'll get there. Let the beat build haha

One thing I've learned is many times cheaper priced cars cost more in the end to rebuild.

I use to feel this way, and in rare instances I still do. If we can even call this logic or logical I prefer to look at final dollar for dollar. If I pump x amount into a shell, it will be tailored to me; I'd rather go that route. With proper patience the two sometimes align, but rarely. When they don't, you're left with a beautiful high price ride (if in cali), + the expenses of tailoring it to your liking. IMO, id rather avoid spending twice if possible.

I'm looking at two 80's Porsches right now. One is a shell missing the complete interior and engine bay empty for $450. Then there's one complete car that isn't running for $1400. Full interior, drivetrain, and full engine bay. I was tempted by the $450 shell but I had to slap some sense back into myself. Lol

See in that scenario the complete non running one makes sense. All parts are present. Can you find all the missing pcs for 1k? probably not. So skip the shell. If so, in come the variables because you now have a stripped Porsche ready for paint haha (if that was the option). Basically It all depends on final vision too, which one best suites the criteria.

[coolhandluke]

You are downright mad, I like it.

Given your track record on build threads, this will be awesome.

[JDMJNKY]

You are downright mad, I like it.

Undeniable.

Given your track record on build threads, this will be awesome.

My wife keeps track... it's a disappointing 5 of 31. Don't believe the hype.



Grin & Bear It - If you lie to yourself long enough, it’ll soon become a truth.
In May, of 22 I was able to collect the shell and see it in person. I wasn’t trippin at what I discovered but I knew it would be a task to find all the missing pieces. First discovery was the harness that was supposedly just pushed back into the chassis was non-existent.

Harness was not existent
Fenders were not OEM repainted.
Door harnesses, glass, cluster, locks, ignition, all out of wack. Either missing, mix matched, not included.
Suspension & Wheels were bring your own
Trunk garnish gone
Engine bay components weren’t even on the table (this I knew).

But I couldn’t complain, it was “free” w/ tow assistance of $60. Getting it back to the lab was most important.

ENGINE BAY

• Random unpacking/Inventory

• Christopher DONOR - I originally set out to purchase this car from OP, but when I arrived he said, “you were the first serious person about it, you can have it!” Heck, I couldn’t pass up free, see the trend… it had so many things I’d need. A friend that worked for a local tow yard hauled it to the lab on his lunch break, that night his son and I tore it down ASAP, then scrap it. Funny thing is, scrapping it cost more than the car ($150). Moral? Nothing’s free, it will always cost someone something.

• Then piece by piece I began to put the EM1 back together.

• 00 EX & 99 SI tank side by side. Identical

• Tank in, lines in, I decided to do something cool since it was all there. Give it a Canadian spec upgrade by adding ABS.

[AndyD]

I love seeing a car pieced back together!

I wish you were closer. I still have some parts from my EM1. Front and rear seats, interior carpet, and a few harnesses specifically.

You have a list of things you still need for it?

Has the engine bay been painted before? Know why the front door isn't original?

[JDMJNKY]

I love seeing a car pieced back together!

I wish you were closer. I still have some parts from my EM1. Front and rear seats, interior carpet, and a few harnesses specifically.

All those parts you have sound lovely. But I'm going to stray from the norm w/ this car. While I wouldn't mind stock interior I've strayed from it as you will see here shortly. I'm tempted after usage to return the interior to all stock.

You have a list of things you still need for it?

I do. Things like 1/4 glass moldings, roof moldings, trunk seal, license plate lamps, front hood seal/rubber, hood stopper rubbers

Has the engine bay been painted before? Know why the front door isn't original?

Yes, the entire car was repainted or so I was lead to believe. So far, I've identified that the front radiator support and right fender apron has been replaced too.

[AndyD]

Do you know the story on why the car was stripped down?

I should have the trunk lights if you can't find any.

Just curious why you didn't prep and paint the engine bay.

I'm intrigued which engine you're planning for this build. B20VTEC?

[JDMJNKY]

Do you know the story on why the car was stripped down?

I didn't ask, I really didn't care as it was "free." I will be honest, I feel it was a front end collision, a bad one too. Especially if it crumpled an apron. Why didn't I care? B/C either this car or the R, whichever doesn't sell would become my road race car. For sport, not for wheel to wheel.

I should have the trunk lights if you can't find any.

Just curious why you didn't prep and paint the engine bay.

Sweet & Thanks. The engine bay is dusty but it has been recently painted. As I said above, I'm truly not going for the worlds most mint em1 here, just a nostalgic cruiser I'm not afraid to molest. I'll leave the original 000012 units for the clout gods.

I'm intrigued which engine you're planning for this build. B20VTEC?

hehe coming soon, method to the mayhem. I'll tell you this I began the engine build before even owning an em1 I had planned to get a sedan and swap it for a sleeping grocery grabber. For the record I'm anti-b20v.



Let’s Handle it. Poverty spec.
Every car needs suspension, and this one needed it as quickly as I could assemble it. Luckily I owned the majority of it. I also owned the wheels that lead to the build anyway. I couldn’t sell the wheels for whatever reason and I surely wasn’t about to let them go to waste.

• Picked up some roller tires

• Set out to overhaul the basics

• when you forget you're adding ABS

• Rinse & Repeat process for the front

• While I take a break and build a one off oem bbk I move onto the front end and attack the rack n pinion

- I ditched the em1 subframe in favor of the ex, as I prefer a traction bar over the EM1 "rigid" LCA.

• if this photo doesn't say it, I will learned a lot this night. first ever rebuild

• Rear suspension on first as I had all the pcs. At this point I was awaiting the rear LCAs to arrive from HT Marcus. Ebay cheapies are the space saver.

• couldn't resist proofing the vision

• Not sure what happened to my BBK docs. but onward we go (Andy can't wait haha)

- front & rear using DFC3000 pads

• Lost these caps for months, when I found them, I rushed to get them "color matched."

[AndyD]

Nice updates!

I love hearing stories behind each car, especially ones that meet fates like yours. Some cars aren't cars to me. I love trying to envision whst it went through, kind of similar to interesting people I meet. Many of my friends say I ask too many questions. Lol!!

The plan for it is music to my ears! I agree. Not all unique cars need to be restored to showroom condition. Yours has had an unfortunate life, but that doesn't mean it still can't be enjoyed! I also agree that cars with checked pasts leave opportunities to reconfigure them for even more fun! It pains me to see a perfectly good car torn apart.

Owning prior cars and parts makes builds like yours much more financially viable and easier to rebuild. Parts cars are awesome for projects like yours. Things like suspension and wheels add up fast! With all my spare EM1 and ITR parts, I wouldn't be opposed to take on a project like this.

I rode in my first B20V late last year. I was always more of an H-Series enthusiast but I was thoroughly impressed with it!