Beans: 1997 Accord Coupe LX

[Chrisnick]

Trans parts came in, assembling tomorrow.

Ordered a rywire Kevlar clutch line and k tuned spherical shifter cable end bushings as well.

Pulling new CL hubs tomorrow(finally) and will probably have the ARP's pressed in this weekend.

Dropped faces off at powdercoaters to have them done in satin black, now just have to decide if I want to do the lips gloss black or polish them. Polishing is just cost of materials, gloss black would be another $100.

[Chrisnick]

Faces came back from powdercoaters, washed the barrels and lips, and test assembled without bolts. Good Lord do they look good. Pics coming soon.

Started assembling the mf4 again, after a couple times restocking the gear sets, got it right and will be finalizing assembly sometime within the next few days. I still can't believe the deal I got on that, it's absolutely perfect inside and has a dual conecarbon Synchrotech 2nd synchro.

Got the k-tuned shift bushings, FFC shifter bushings, new energy suspension front shock bushings(sold,my lowers to a friend and now need them, can use uppers on rear shocks), a Kevlar clutch line from rywire, pressed in the ARP's on the rear hubs, finally got the cl hubs pulled-pressing in ARP's soon. Gotta get a new clutch master and some various other things, but it's all coming together for a massive weekend thrash to get it all together. Intake still at porters, but set up my retune for April 17th.

On nother front, my 7.25" tall 550lb eBay coilover springs have turned out to be a bit too much for the rear shocks. The passenger rear blew the deal and lost fluid. Dropping down to an 9" tall 400/450lb summit racing spring and sending my bilsteins back for a warranty. Front seem to be doing just fine still, but I'll keep an eye on them. Zero issues were had with the Bilsteins on the much more conservatively sprung progressive skunk2 coils previously.

[Chrisnick]

CL hubs have ARP's, put new ball joints in spare knuckles, and trans assembled!

Ordered two new rear bilsteins(sending old in for warranty), all-star Coilover sleeves and collars for rear, 400lb and 450lb 9" long springs, and picked up a pair of helpers and collars for the fronts. Gonna buy new front bearings so it'll be a quick and easy swap. Still waiting on hubcentric rings and valvestems to come in from threepiece.us for final assembly on the wheels.

Spending way too much money lately.

[Jarrett]

Was it you who was talking about the different types of Bilsteins that are not available to us here in the States, directly? Which model do you have?

[Chrisnick]

Yes, that was me. We get a CB specific and CD specific set of B6/HD's. For the CD, the model # matches that of the euro spec B6 for the CE wagon. Not sure about for the CB.

[Chrisnick]

New rear Bilstein's arrived, as well as allstar performance coilover components, 9" 400/450lb springs, and hyperco spring tenders/perches(which will go on the fronts).



Tired old Bilstein:





And now what you've been waiting for:

[Chrisnick]

Installed new rear Bilsteins and summit/all-star stuff in back, installed extended top hats and spring tenders up front with the energy suspension lower shock bushings. Currently at 13" hub center to fender all around, have about another inch of lowering if I want. Holy crap, it's so crazy smooth. Much more neutral. Can't wait to get the 18's on it now.

[motohead623]

Why did you decide to replace the Bilstiens? aren't they rebuildable?

[Chrisnick]

They are, but they're also covered by a lifetime warranty. Just sent them back to tirerack monday, should hear about warranty coverage soon.

[Chrisnick]

M2F4, Exedy Stage 1 clutch, New flywheel, clutch master, rywire clutch line/dampener delete, and k-tuned shifter bushings installed. Holy Shit this gearing is short, but soooooo Damn good. 4th ends right around 100 now, it's perfect. Need to adjust the clutch pedal a little bit more, but it pulls so nice and shifts like butter. Huge improvement.

[sonikaccord]

Yeah the M2F4 (and its variants) are very short geared compared to the F trans. I hated it on the highway but loved it on the street in the Lude.

I see you're using the DA upper control arms. I'm going to assume that an SPC adjustable camber kit fits?? Or since it is a more popular platform, they probably have other camber adjustment options. I would enjoy the increase in caster. I think I'm sitting at about +2.8 degrees now.

[Chrisnick]

I'm sure it'd fit, but not sure if it's worth it.


Some progress pictures.









Threw on the Legend Type-II coupe lip, will paint it soon. Doesn't fit great and it's a little short on the sides, but I really like the way it looks.

[willbill642]

I'm sure it'd fit, but not sure if it's worth it.


Some progress pictures.
~snipped~

Threw on the Legend Type-II coupe lip, will paint it soon. Doesn't fit great and it's a little short on the sides, but I really like the way it looks.

~snipped~

Out of curiosity, how'd you end up getting the transmission and engine to separate? When I tried mine it seemed as though it was seized in.

[Chrisnick]

Two people, one wiggling from below, I had a pry bar to separate from above.

[talonted1990]

Your wheels look great and I like the lip alot. Your drivetrain is almost exactly what I want for my Accord. Keep up the good work your whole car is awesome.