Attention: 13secondcivic

[SiRedge]

Hey man... remember on PH you did a post entitled "Finding that perfect 4th Gen... then modding it (Part One)"? Well, I'd like a Part two, if you've got the time!!! Let me know your email address and I'll send you a copy of your original post (slightly altered by me - punctuation, but it's still basically the same... I'm sorry )

I'm keen to see some more info on doing up 4th gens... I WANT ONE!

[kris]

That would be pretty cool to see. Maybe you could repost the first thread here again? Also, you can email him HERE. That might get through faster.

[SiRedge]

Originally posted by kbslacker
Maybe you could repost the first thread here again?

Right then, here's the original thread
(Originally written by 13secondcivic, supplied and edited by SiRedge):

Finding that perfect 4th Gen Civic.....and then building it (part 1)
I thought it may help anyone looking for a 4th gen, preferably a hatch (as I know them better than my wife). This whole outline is based on having some disposable cash....you'll need it but not a lot.......

1. Finding that 4th Gen!
This is the hard part. Once they are going on 11 years old now, and older!, it's hard to find them in good condition, with low miles. Care as well is an issue as most folks don't do anything but drive Honda's! You'll find a few out there that are really taken care of, but Honda, being so bulletproof, makes most people lazy when it comes to basic maintanence. However, if you aren't worried about an engine, like I wasn't, then it won't really matter. What I look for first is a solid body. It's easy to drop a JDM motor in a Civic... but another story getting rid of horid amounts of rust! Trust me on that one.

Now you don't have to have an Si, but it's a better starting platform... a bit more money, and a bit scarcer to find, but a much better start. A nice DX is fine, painting bumpers and mouldings and such isn't a big deal... and if the car will need an overall paintjob it won't matter anyway. And seeing as how most of you will be "hopping" that Civic up... suspension, seats, wheels, motor swaps, etc... your Si won't be an Si anymore anyway!

Money is another thing... these bad boys are going for $1000.00 (US) in 'fair' condition (which means crappy!) to $2500.00+ (US) in mint condition (which means fair). Anyway... every now and then you get lucky, like I did, and find one cheap! I got mine for $200.00 out the door! That was a steal! Nothing really wrong with it... but I didn't tell them that! And don't get one from a dealer! Unless you know one well... like I did get one from the street or paper.

The 5 'KNOWS' of 4th Gens:
KNOW YOUR HONDA!
Know your 4th gen inside and out!
Know what to look for!
Know what you want!
Know what you can afford in the long run!

Ok, back to the important stuff... RUST is the biggest killer of a Civic, 4th gen. Nt the motor, exhaust, suspension.... RUST! Period! The biggest culprit is the wheelwells. If possible, try and look behind the rear bumper. Not crazy like, just enough at the very top corner where it meets the quarter and see if you see any brown/rust. If so run! If not, check the other lower quarter area behind the door and in front of the rear tire. Then the lower rocker areas... then the wheel arch lip under the factory rubber seal... if all looks clean you're good to go. Most other areas are easily fixed... such as doors (replace them) any trim pieces (replace them), etc. ONLY be majorly concerned about the parts that can't be replaced, at least without major work! Rockers, quarters, roof, etc....

Like I mentioned, a motor swap is easy compared to rust repair... don't worry if it's high miles or runs poor... unless you can't afford the $700+ to drop a ZC or B16A in it!!! Don't worry about exhaust, suspension, clutch, etc... most of these will be replaced by the time the car is in your hands for a week. Trust me, I know... I'm in that mode now.... lol! And if the car has under 100k on it... and it runs bad... the odds are it's something stupid... NO H onda runs bad with under 100k on it! Like the one I got...a loose distributor made it appear like a blown motor... Doom on them... I stole that damn car!

Well.... absorb this! I'll be back tomorrow (SiRedge: What? *cough* When??) with the next phase... 2. Getting your 4th gen home!