2005 Honda Civic EP3 Type R

[imprezaworks]

Looks a great example tbf.

 

[Danith]

Sorry just seen your reply - I'm in West Yorks and TBH there aren't many Honda specialists around these parts. Any easy jobs I have friends that can help me out. I follow VTEC Monkeys on FB, been very tempted at so much aftermarket stuff however I'm trying to refrain as want to keep it OEM as possible!

Best way. Plenty of oem bits too if needed. They'll post out no probs or can collect once this corona thing stops.

 

[BaileyWolves]

Found an old clip of my ep3 god I miss it 😢

 

[Conor03]

always fancied a civic type r, prefer the ek9 but them rusty hondas demand strong money

 

[S-JM]

Morning all,
Few small bits done during the lockdown period - it's hardly moved since my first post due to working from home since mid-March. I've become more invested in it recently and the 'to-do' list just keeps getting bigger and bigger, as well as the amount of bits I've been buying and collecting.

First up whilst browsing eBay for parts I didn't need, I came across a used K&N Typhoon going for £65. This jumped out at me as I know these are £200+ brand new (although ECP have them discounted atm), so I took a punt. It didn't come with some of the fittings but a quick trip to Screwfix for some hose clamps and bolts and jobs a good one.

Before:

After:

First thing you'll notice is how grubby the engine bay is, I've never really given it any loving however this should be changing soon. Also, the real stand out is the rocker cover (you can see the state of it on the lower left), I'm going to be sourcing a used cover soon and refurbishing it myself to replace this one.

Regarding the K&N, it's not the top choice for induction kits for EP3s, any Honda snobs will pretty much sneeze the words 'Gruppe M' at any mention but these are very expensive and I saw this as a good short term buy. It sounds fantastic over 5-6k, the VTEC really does sing, however the downside is they do suffer from heatsoak due to the positioning of the filter, especially on hot summer days in standing traffic (doesn't bother me).

Next up were the plugs, never touched in my ownership so whipped them out and they looked pretty alright:

I did have a set of NGK plugs at the ready so I swapped them over anyway just as a full refresh. The K20A suffers from something called the 'K20A sneeze' where it makes a pretty loud crunching noise upon startup, since I changed the plugs it's never done it (touch wood!), any folks know if this is just a coincidence?

Next up was the gear knob, the factory knob has seen better days so I decided to swap it out with a cheap Epman option, at £17 it's a bargain especially compared to the Skunk2 or original items which are going for £60-70 nowadays. This is purely temporary, as I'm going to look at polishing the original knob up when I have time - however the Epman item is suprisingly weighty and does the job just fine.

Finally, I noticed the headlights were starting to yellow again slightly. The home-refurb usually only lasts a year so it was about time this happened. I picked up a Meguiers 2 stage refurb kit to have a go with and it worked suprisingly well, ideal for only when a light refurb is required.

Didn't get any proper pics but just snapped one quickly out the door (you get the idea). Unfortunately we live on a partially complete housing estate so the current wind and dust has caused the cars to become absolutely caked, absolutely no point in washing them anytime soon. Second pic is from its last wash, for when it's actually clean!

This weekend I'll be getting the rear in the air and removing the rear arch lines to see what horrors lie beneath, fingers crossed it's a good one! I'll be making some proper purchases for it soon but I'm not taking any punts until any potential rust is sorted.

Thanks

 

[dann2707]

Nice work mate! Looks awesome.

I'll have to check to see if mine sneezes when I start it up too although I'm wary that once I hear it I'll never unhear it 😂

When you change the rocker cover I'd recommend using Honda bond along side the seal as they leak in 4 places. I learnt the hard way... 👀😁

 

[imprezaworks]

Lovely car. Had a kn on mine, nice sound..like you say the gruppe m are very expensive

 

[adamlstr]

Tegiwa rep of the GruppeM is also a good alternative, had one on my DC5. Sounds like an S2000 touring car with one on.

Didn't realise these were bad for rust, tbh.

 

[npyke]

Fellow EP owner, cracking cars if you can get a clean one! Yours does look impeccable.. Great cars and even better with some tinkling! Is it going to be a long termer?

 

[S-JM]

Fellow EP owner, cracking cars if you can get a clean one! Yours does look impeccable.. Great cars and even better with some tinkling! Is it going to be a long termer?
View attachment 1473631

Thanks mate, yours looks like a great example, premier edition? Can I have your seats?
Yeah likely a long termer now, I was going to sell it a few months back but I'm too attached to it, they are just cool as f*ck!

Tegiwa rep of the GruppeM is also a good alternative, had one on my DC5. Sounds like an S2000 touring car with one on.

Didn't realise these were bad for rust, tbh.

Rear arches are the more prolific area for rusting, these have fabric arch liners on so over time the rain and wet soaks through to the shell and ultimitely causes rusting. Most owners need to address this at some stage, hopefully mine isn't too bad as it's a lower milage varient (when I say low miles, we're talking sub 100k!) and it's not been used a huge amount over the past 4-5 years.

Other areas include the rear crash bar which I'll also be checking, the rear subframe / control arms and ARB, and also there is a small well below the rear speaker (above the rear arch) which can rust but to get to it you need to pretty much take all the rear interior out. Typical rust treatment can sort these out, the tipping point is if the arches have any holes in!

 

[Philip.]

Looking good! Spooner Restorations can do you a spoon coloured rocker. I got one off him for the old FN2.

My EP3 and DC5 used to suffer from the odd k20 sneeze. Nothing to worry about ☺️

 

[JackJack]

I did have a set of NGK plugs at the ready so I swapped them over anyway just as a full refresh. The K20A suffers from something called the 'K20A sneeze' where it makes a pretty loud crunching noise upon startup, since I changed the plugs it's never done it (touch wood!), any folks know if this is just a coincidence?

Yeah it's the starter motor that makes the noise.

 

[RDH]

Looks great that. Loved the 3 months I had with mine before it got nicked.

 

[Danith]

Tegiwa rep of the GruppeM is also a good alternative, had one on my DC5. Sounds like an S2000 touring car with one on.

Didn't realise these were bad for rust, tbh.

Oh yes! Rust is a big thing on these. Same for any old honda, Uk or import

 

[Ol’ Tarby]

Yup I stupidly bought one blind and got rid as soon as I had the chance to check it over a couple weeks later. You could see the floor from inside the boot lol.
They do sound incredible with a teg m/gruppe m

 

[Danith]

Mine went on the front of the sills - not the sills themselves but just behind, there's some sort of gutter with s**t rubber bungs that water sits in. seen loads of them do the same.

 

[imprezaworks]

Can't remember the last time I saw an ep3. Used to be a cosmic around by work.

 

[Danith]

Can't remember the last time I saw an ep3. Used to be a cosmic around by work.

You live in a posh area tho, ha.

Loads around Stockport and Warrington. I've not seen a clean stock one for a while tho.

 

[leeds2592]

Sure I can hear your car now when you zoom out of the street … MANIAC!

 

[Philip.]

You live in a posh area tho, ha.

Loads around Stockport and Warrington. I've not seen a clean stock one for a while tho.

Yeah bloody loads round here still! 😂

 

[S-JM]

Sure I can hear your car now when you zoom out of the street … MANIAC!

You're probably confusing it for one of the construction lorries.

 

[S-JM]

Small little update, wanted to get the rear arch liners off to see how the rear arches looked as these are the prime spot on these for rust, I've seen some horrific looking arches so safe to say I was a bit anxious about them.

Unfortunately being a complete newbie mekanic I bought a jack that didn't get the car high enough to get the jack stands under - luckily @leeds2592 lives 3 doors down so came round with his to help a neighbour out.

Also, unfortunate as it was one of the arch liner bolts was completely rusted and wouldn't budge, but managed to peel the liners back to have a bit of an inspection to see what we're dealing with.

Safe to say, it's one of the good ones, same on both sides

I'll pick up a new jack shortly and get this wire brushed down, then will treat with Kurust, primed and waxoyl'd.

If anybody is curious as to how bad the rear arches and sills can get, this is one of the recent posts by an EP3 broker 🤣

 

[imprezaworks]

Winner

 

[Philip.]

Not bad at all! Get it sorted ASAP though 😬👍🏼

 

[S-JM]

New rubber on today, decided on a set of Avon ZV7s as I deemed them as a suitable option for daily use.
The Bridgestones I had on were cracked between the tread, and I noticed the fronts kept sagging all of the time which did my head in. I checked the date code and they were fitted in 2015 so were definitely past their peak. Also, I've noticed alot of road noise whilst driving so did add this into my considerations, the ZV7s are highly rated for reduced road noise, quiet as can be!

New centre caps on too, as the old caps were atrocious

Just needs a good clean now!

 

[imprezaworks]

decent tyres tbf

 

[S-JM]

Small but worthy update.
MOT passed last week with zero advisories, cracking result (2nd year on the trot too). Car is also booked in for a full underbody restoration and underseal in September.
Finally, booked provisional track time at the end of August at Blyton, first time on track so no doubt I'll be a bag of nerves but always wanted to do it.

Went hiking on Saturday in the North Yorkshire Moors and set off a little earlier so I can cane it round a few country lanes, weather was dodgy but still had a blast. PFA.

 

[leeds_182]

Small but worthy update.
MOT passed last week with zero advisories, cracking result (2nd year on the trot too). Car is also booked in for a full underbody restoration and underseal in September.
Finally, booked provisional track time at the end of August at Blyton, first time on track so no doubt I'll be a bag of nerves but always wanted to do it.

Went hiking on Saturday in the North Yorkshire Moors and set off a little earlier so I can cane it round a few country lanes, weather was dodgy but still had a blast. PFA.

View attachment 1483668

Who’s doing the underseal chief?

 

[S-JM]

Who’s doing the underseal chief?

JR Classics in Batley - https://www.jrclassics.co.uk/
Loads of pics of their work on their FB page, think the waiting list is around 2-3 months.

 

[leeds_182]

JR Classics in Batley - https://www.jrclassics.co.uk/
Loads of pics of their work on their FB page, think the waiting list is around 2-3 months.

Yeah, they’re pricey but the attention to detail is up there.

 

[S-JM]

First tracktime last weekend in the lawnmower, for me as a driver too. Bag of nerves all morning but by the afternoon I was so much more confident and really started to push myself and the car.

Prior to the day I had a JDM rear ARB fitted at Bram Racing plus an alignment just to make sure everything was looking good. Unfortunately a few of the bushes at the rear looked pretty beaten, and the rear springs have become quite corroded but didn't stop me from throwing it round Blyton.

Can see the buzz about it now, taken me years to finally get on track and no idea why I hadn't done it sooner. Will be looking to do another very soon.

Few pics from Javelin's album:

 

[imprezaworks]

At home on track.

 

[Danith]

Small little update, wanted to get the rear arch liners off to see how the rear arches looked as these are the prime spot on these for rust, I've seen some horrific looking arches so safe to say I was a bit anxious about them.

Unfortunately being a complete newbie mekanic I bought a jack that didn't get the car high enough to get the jack stands under - luckily @leeds2592 lives 3 doors down so came round with his to help a neighbour out.

Also, unfortunate as it was one of the arch liner bolts was completely rusted and wouldn't budge, but managed to peel the liners back to have a bit of an inspection to see what we're dealing with.

Safe to say, it's one of the good ones, same on both sides

View attachment 1475754

I'll pick up a new jack shortly and get this wire brushed down, then will treat with Kurust, primed and waxoyl'd.

If anybody is curious as to how bad the rear arches and sills can get, this is one of the recent posts by an EP3 broker 🤣

View attachment 1475757

Get the rear speakers out and put some kurust down there. they're bad around there to rust from inside out.

 

[F12 Josh]

Looking good. Were you on track on the Sunday?

 

[S-JM]

Looking good. Were you on track on the Sunday?

Yes mate, were you there?

 

[F12 Josh]

Yes mate, were you there?

I was, think I remember seeing you on track now. I was in the blue 182. There was some rapid cars there!

 

[S-JM]

I was, think I remember seeing you on track now. I was in the blue 182. There was some rapid cars there!

You may have been parked to the right of us, there was me plus two lads in an Exige and a white EK9!

 

[Philip.]

Looks ace on track. Corroded springs and bushes are a great excuse for upgrades.

 

[F12 Josh]

You may have been parked to the right of us, there was me plus two lads in an Exige and a white EK9!

Oh yeah, I was and definitely remember you guys being next to us! I think I must have very briefly spoken to you when the red flag came out in the afternoon. 😂

That EK9 looked great too.

 

[Hixle]

Looks great on track! Nice work, must be getting tough to find a decent one nowadays.