97 #00151 Returns

[Dc2-ProductionS]

First cruising again.... Now wrenching!? We are making progress here!

"The itch just needed a scratch..."

[jayhaire]

First cruising again.... Now wrenching!? We are making progress here!

"The itch just needed a scratch..."

That made me laugh.

Finished phase 1 of fixing the intake manifold situation. Removed the old one and replaced it with my spare JDM ITR manifold.
This engine never ran right, and chasing down the problems is something I put on hold for awhile. One issue was coolant leaking between the intake manifold and head, and I believe some of it was getting into the combustion chamber due to that. We pondered bad gasket and / or possibly warped surface. Keep in mind, I did not assemble this engine, but looking back on it, I should have torn it apart before dropping it in. Lesson learned. Here is why:

Removed intake manifold:

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No gasket and then thought maybe it's stuck to the head...

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Unbelievable.
My spare cleaned up ok:

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Since I am not running EVAP, I needed to plug the vacuum line on the manifold as well as the throttle body (JDM throttle body has an EVAP line there).

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Quick test drive after reassembly, testing fuel pressure / leaks, and bleeding the coolant, and we're running MUCH better. I'll change the plug(s) affected next and then replace the valve cover gaskets and cam plug / seal.

[jayhaire]

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Test drives have been great. Maybe this car will make the trip to TX for NSXPO.

[jayhaire]

Decided to remove the ancient Comptech foam filter, which had largely disintegrated, and install either a stock intake or my old Mugen (removed from the DB8R a few years ago).

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Some observations...
- Mugen designed this for RHD vehicles. It installs very easily on the DB8R, minutes at most. The lack of AC lines and such make it a simple, rotate, drop, rotate back, and bolt up. Even the two lower bolts are fairly easy to get to on an RHD.
- LHD with AC lines, wow. I disconnected mine to make moving them easier (system is currently drained and no belt installed). It was still awfully tight, so I wrapped the intake with black duct tape / 100 mile tape to protect it.

I pondered re-installing this on the DB8R and getting a Comptech / CT Engineering Icebox for this instead but remembered the difference in quality (owned one briefly on the GS-R).

Sorry this is not the cleanest engine bay in a project car. This car is more function and fun for me.

[aw614]

I still have bad memories installing the Mugen intake on my Integra, and I dreaded pulling it out a few weeks ago to prepare for the engine removal. It wasn't bad with the radiator off the car. Did you leave your ac bracket in or did you remove it? I am currently not running that bracket that holds the lines on mine. Having the AEM low profile engine mount bracket also helps with clearance, but they stopped selling that.

With how tight it is, it feels really easy to damage the intake ...

But it sounds so good and looks great in the engine bay

[jayhaire]

The brackets are still there, but I disconnected the lines around the air box. I will try reconnecting and eventually charging the system someday (maybe). I agree, it was a process that I was starting to think maybe I shouldn't bother (and put it back in the DB8R). I seriously cannot emphasize enough how easy it is to install in a JDM RHD vehicle.

The intake is now wrapped in the tape I mentioned above to protect it from the lines. Previously, I had wrapped where the intake velocity stack connects to seal it up better and will do that again on this one. However, I may end up putting this back in the DB8R and putting in a DIY Icebox setup given the AC lines.

[jayhaire]

Small update:

While going through some overdue maintenance items on the DB8R, I moved the Mugen intake back over to it. It took me longer to remove it from the 97 USDM R than it took to install on the JDM DB8R.

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Look at the open space on the JDM DB8R for a big intake.
...
97R related, finally removed the faded purple a tint a few weeks ago. You can see a few key things in the next image including the tint going all the way into the panel (nice work honestly) plus the fade vs not.

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[SlothKing]

Hooray for small progress!

[jayhaire]

Hooray for small progress!

Yeah, funny how in my early 20s, this was no big deal. Now, finding the time is the biggest challenge.

Also, for those removing old tint, steamers are the best. Also, use plastic blades wherever needed.

I suppose I am slowly preparing both vehicles for a potential Expo Reunion in 2025.

[coolhandluke]

Hooray for small progress!

Yeah, funny how in my early 20s, this was no big deal. Now, finding the time is the biggest challenge.

Also, for those removing old tint, steamers are the best. Also, use plastic blades wherever needed.

I suppose I am slowly preparing both vehicles for a potential Expo Reunion in 2025.

Perfect, if a certain car doesn't become available for me, I'll help drive one of yours in the caravan.