just got a sol, couple n00b questions...

[sarcoa]

Picked up a 93 samba green si the other day. 170kmiles and some dings but it's all good otherwise. still have a few questions, tried doing a search but couldn't find any answers, so...

- how the hell do you take the speaker covers off the doors, and off the panels in the back?
- I can't find any retailer selling a neuspeed rear upper strut bar for sols. should the 92-95 civic bar work fine?
- obviously the engine needs to be replaced. im considering an h22 anda b18c1. I know the lude engine will need mounts, but I've heard b series don't need any? could someone clear this up?
- is the antenna supposed to be motorized?
- is anyone using a Suspension Techniques rear sway bar? Being an Si my lca's dont have stock sway bar mounts, but the ST sway bar doesn't need them. anyway if anyone has one, does it clear the exhaust fairly well?
- has anyone seen 1pc headlights for cheaper than $600

hopefully someone can help me out. pics of my del sol are located on my CRX page, click the obvious link @ http://sarcoa.8m.com

[94SolGrl]

Awwww! I LOVE the samba sols.. sooo damn cute. Little skittles. On to your questions..

- Don't be afraid to give a good hard yank. Pulling the interior apart and putting it all back together can teach you a LOT.
- I'm not sure on this one, to be quite honest.. call the retailer and ask?
- B18 doesn't need new mounts. The mounts in the sol are strong enough to hold a b series, since the DOHC VTEC models *like mine* have a b16 in them already. The H22 is going to need lude mounts. I like the b18 or b20 (CRVTEC) swap, since it's less work, and they're not as damn heavy as the H22. You lose a lot of maneuverability when you put in an H22.
- I think it is, but it rarely works. Just put it all the way up and smile at your little RC looking car. Maybe put a little orange flag at the top to complete the illusion?
- I dunno. I have a VTEC model and I don't have a sway bar yet.
- No. They don't exist for less than $600 unless they're broken. I've heard mixed reviews about them, too... might wanna look into an HID conversion instead.

[Plastic_Fork]

Congrats on the Samba. Looks good.

1. Get a panel/trim tool at AutoZone for $5 and pry the front speaker covers off. Only three clips each holding them on. For the rear, just clips holding on the center panel below the window. Pry that off, and you've got two screws holding the panels for the rear speakers on. Take those off and it's a couple clips holding the rear panels on from there. Just pull.

2. Dunno about this one, but you wanna buy my generic front and rear upper strut bars?

3. Your Si has a D-series motor. Get B-series mounts from a VTEC at the junkyard or any other Honda with a B-series motor like an Integra or a '98 - '00 Civic Si. Those should hold any B-series engine. I wouldn't swap in a H22 unless you've got a lot of money to spend. It'll cost way more than a B-series swap and will be more work too. I would personally swap in a B18 flavor and work with that.

4. My antenna isn't powered. I believe that was an option from the dealership when it was purchased as Honda did make a power antenna for the Sol, but it wasn't standard.

5. I don't have a ST sway bar, so I can't offer any opinions.

6. 94SolGrl's right there. Good luck finding them for less than $600 not broken.

[sarcoa]

thanks for the responses!
The H22 swap doesn't cause as much understeer/front weight issues as people say. I've driven a 5th gen hatch with an H22 swap and it handled perfectly, even in hard corners. A guy locally has an h22 sol and he loves it. spins the tires all the way thru 4th, but it looks like fun. Dropping the a/c and power steering will save some weight too.
anyway I'd get a B16 if I hadnt already taken that route with my crx. I'd like some torque this time around.
Most places are selling B18c1's for around $3600 and h22's for $2200. hasport h22 mounts are around $600, so logically here I think I'll go with the h22
again, thanks for the advice

[94SolGrl]

Get a CRVTEC engine built and have the best of both worlds... lighter engine, use stock engine mounts, but still get a lot of torque. (CRVTEC = B20 block with a VTEC head on it. B20 block is out of a CRV, so someone smooshed all the letters together... how cute)

[solchick]

hmmmm...My antenna is not motorized either. Is it possible if it did not come motorized from the factory to make it that way?

[Plastic_Fork]

Originally Posted by solchick

hmmmm...My antenna is not motorized either. Is it possible if it did not come motorized from the factory to make it that way?

I think the Honda dealership can put in a power antenna for 'ya. They did make one for the Del Sol. Otherwise buy it from them and install it on your own to save money.

[SicSohcSol]

Use a coin to remove any interior peices... Keep the sohc, rebuild it, boost it, and fly!!