Double TYPE R now! DC2 and EK9

[britishracer]

Hello folks!

I am back after a loooong absence. Mostly due to my work schedule. I've been so busy that I hardly have the motivation to freely surf the forums or even the net. However my PC got a virus and finally got it fixed.

I have finally achieved my dream! Yesterday, I took possession of a 1999 EK9. I now have the original Honda Type R double aces!

DC2 and EK9

Not to mention being in Japan where there it is easy to find parts and service.

Here are some initial photos I took at the car yard together with my DC2.

The car has done 92,000 km. No chassis damage with only a slight misaligned rear bumper indicating a reverse parking bump that is common in Japan. One cause of concern though which I discovered after buying the car was on the edge of the roof line near the rubber strip are visible tiny cracks with a little rust showing. I don't know what could have caused it. Anyway, as a precaution I covered it with touch up paint for the time being to prevent it from getting worse.

Also, the engine/transmission mounts are pretty much buggered. Other than that the engine is smooth and the footwork can't be faulted much.

I got this car really cheap compared to what is available in the current used market. I have always wanted one to use as a daily driver with light mountain duties. My DC2 needs lots of repairs and overhaul. I also intend to tune the DC2 in a more hardcore circuit approach.

After an initial drive to Tokyo on the motorway I noticed that it had a hard time getting up to speed above 120kmh. I opened up the throttle a bit and did a high speed run. After reaching Tokyo in city traffic the car became noticeably more responsive. I think the last owner only used it around town. Hardly used VTEC and drove it lightly. I will have to clear all the carbon.

Tomorrow I will check the sparkplugs, give it a clean and order stock CIVIC TYPE R decals.

More pictures and updates to come.

 

[_JT]

Wow, how nice is that That's better than having 2 children

 

[rvm]

britishracer, you're so lucky, you have my "dream" garage, I have 97 dc2 now, I just need a ek9! hehehe

post more photos man!

 

[TheBooosh...!]

Lucky b*****d!

''That's better than having 2 children'' haha you got that right _JT!

 

[-NS-]

Nice,very nice dude ilike your cars)))

 

[Jokeshopbeard]

Nice find Britishracer, good to hear you're back again!

Wow, how nice is that That's better than having 2 children

Nice work JT - that gave me a good chuckle. Just what I needed after a 6 am start at work

 

[Fresh'86]

Was the car repainted? Just wondering about those cracks with slight rust you mentioned...also the rocker panel stickers are missing...

 

[tico_ek9]

wow I need to sell my soul to the Devil also!

 

[britishracer]

Was the car repainted? Just wondering about those cracks with slight rust you mentioned...also the rocker panel stickers are missing...

Hi!

After checking the EK slowly in the daylight, I am positive it has areas of it resprayed. I am not complaining as the colours seem to match. Also in Japan, it is common practice to spray the entire panel or area of rear three quarters to fix a small area. Concerning the roof though, the spray job was pretty bad. Its like it was incorrectly dried or done in a hurry, therefore exposing the edges which made it prone to rust. The rust itself isn't bad. Just peeking out from the hairline cracks. For the moment I covered it with touch up paint to prevent it getting worse.

The front though looked almost brand new. When I inspected the car prior to buying it, I saw no obvious signs of frontal damage or replaced radiator subframe. Suspicious but not complaining.

The missing side stickers and incorrectly affixed rear hatch sticker indicates a paint job too. Already ordered new ones from Honda dealer.

 

[britishracer]

Here are some initial photos after spending the day looking for a car park to register it under my name. In Japan, the car changes number plates everytime the car changes owners. So it is difficult to tell at first look the age of the car.

Also, to register a car, it must have its own registered parking space. Most of the time normal folks pay for it monthly. Unless you are lucky to have a house with your own space.

When the registration is done, you will see the Kanji on the plate change to the same Kanji on my DC2.

Stereo unit is a Honda Gathers Kenwood dealer option that hasn't been changed. Even has a cassette loading bay. Ahh...1998
The thing in the utility space is my portable type navigation.

Rare on Type Rs to find the stock Recaros in this state. Colour isn't faded. Passenger seat in near perfect condition while the driver's seat side bolsters had the usual wear, but not awful.

Engine bay dirty but everything in place. No oil leaks from the usual places like VTEC solenoid valve, rocker cover and oil pan.

 

[Jokeshopbeard]

Looking good man, have you got any plans for it?

 

[britishracer]

Looking good man, have you got any plans for it?

Well, besides my dream of wanting both the original Type Rs (excluding the NSX-R), the idea was that my DC2 was getting quite worn out from hard use. The gearbox is pretty much buggered and the shafts and wheel bearings feel strange. The DC2 is already halfway tuned for circuit and mountain road attack, which I do every weekend. So the EK9 will stay stock spec wise. It is much more comfortable to drive around town or to places that doesn't require revving up or tackling corners. I have hard Ohlins suspension, loud Fujitsubo exhaust and the 98 Spec close ratio with hard clutch can be tiring to drive to the supermarket.

The EK9 in stock form on the other hand is like a normal car. Very comfortable, good miles to the litre, sitting position is more comfortable.

So the idea I have is to restore the EK9 instead of tuning.

Here is the initial list in order:

Engine and transmission mounts

Transmission Oil

Clutch and Brake Fluid

Radiator Coolant -Billion Type R
Low temp thermostat and thermoswitch

Fuel Filter

Tyres - Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec

Brake pads - Endless Type R

Brake discs- Dixcel PD

Timing belt, tensioner, water pump

Rear trailing arm bushes

Front and rear stabilizer bushes

wind shield weather strip

Fix the roof rust

I will still drive the EK9 on the mountains and circuit but it won't be competitive.

 

[WAZ-4169]

very nice, lucky man... not the original ek9 but the 2nd/facelift 1 lol only messin... looks like a clean car.

 

[shooter mcgavan]

i like your style,trying to keep the ek9 as honda intended while still having a more hardcore one in the dc2,if i had the money,id be on the same route,fair play!

have you any plans to get the civic dynod,im DYING to know what one would make over in japan!

 

[ecksjay]

thats badass. how long have you been in japan? did you move from uk? do you mind me asking what you do?

 

[fintovtec]

what a combo!! they look the buisness

 

[britishracer]

Here are some updates on my EK9. I had to replace the engine mounts as they were pretty much buggered. I opted for the Spoon ones because the OEM ones aren't strong enough for me. Plus, I had a good feeling of the Spoon mounts on my DC2. Responsive without undue vibration at idle.

Here are some pics.

You can see how the original ones have completely been ripped off the mounting bracket. Scary! It was like having a jelly in the engine bay.

I had the brake and clutch fluid changed at the same time to high grade ones.

The difference after the service was immediately different. It was as if the car had been revived from the dead. Throttle response was instantaneous.

After reading a post by Jugzbug about the Okuyama Carbing Strut bar, I decided to go for it instead of the usual Cusco or Spoon and what not. I couldn't afford the light as hell aluminum one but the steel bar isn't that heavy either. I must say that these things are worth every bit of the money spent no matter which one chooses. There are no pivot screws that are likely to flex. The welding is world class. The result, after driving in the touge I could feel that the rear of the car stayed as one solid piece. I could go into the corner faster with more confidence.

Here is a collection of the stuff I put in to the car so far. Street 0-400C brake pads by Hyakushiki Factory. Very cheap compared to pads of the same performance from famous makers.

ELF Excellium 0W40 engine oil. I chose this as it was on offer at Super Autobacs. My intention is to use this to flush out the carbon and gunk left by the previous owner. Next I will put in Motul 300V 5W40.

NGK Iridium Max spark plugs. For B-engines, there is only one choice.

HKS Hybrid drop-in air filter. And the giant box that the strut bar came in.

While I was waxing the car today I met a bloke with a near stock DC2 just like mine. I couldn't miss the opportunity to get some photos as my own DC2 isn't stock looking.

And finally a photo in the evening after a job well done. I like how Championship White looks under streetlamp lights.

 

[hogancf4]

nice cars mate!

 

[britishracer]

thats badass. how long have you been in japan? did you move from uk? do you mind me asking what you do?

I haven't lived in the UK for over 10 years now actually. Been in Japan for 4 years now. I am of Japanese parentage you see. I feel the Japan is much more my home than Europe. But inside I will always be British. I am a Primary School English teacher.

 

[daniel]

I haven't lived in the UK for over 10 years now actually. Been in Japan for 4 years now. I am of Japanese parentage you see. I feel the Japan is much more my home than Europe. But inside I will always be British. I am a Primary School English teacher.

wow..nice car dude! anyway maybe u can share ius bout the touge scene in japan and more pics please..