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Hello all, bit of delay getting a blog going on this but I thought i'd better get to it! It's a long one - sorry!
After hankering after a Type R for a while, I recently sold my Audi S3 and spent ages trying to find a decentish EP2 or EP3 type R for the right money, one which hadn't been thrashed or chavved or generally ruined (a seemingly impossible task!)
After viewing some right haggard old dogs, I eventually found a 2005 Cosmic Grey one which was in pretty good condition considering the age and mileage. Hell, the owner had even run a sponge over it before my arrival which was unusual, most didn't bother their ar*e! Although the mileage was quite high (103k), it was a 2005 model and had been fitted with a recent new clutch. I bought it off a nice chap called Steve in Northampton, coincidentally he was a member on the other forum which I didn't realise at the time. His original build thread is located here:
http://type-r-owners.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?87761-cosmic-grey-05-and-its-mine-mine-mine-)
It had a slight blow in the exhaust from the manifold area, and a few dings, so I was able to bargain with the price and get him down a little. I thought it would be an easy fix and he even included some new bolts and springs. However, nothing is ever easy with cars and I should've realised this!
The plan is to get it back to as mint and original as possible. I already have a 106 Rallye track car which is seriously modified, so this is my fun but practical daily whip. I only drive 8 miles each way to work, so it shouldn't be TOO thirsty. While not quite as savagely fast as the Audi on motorways, it's more fun and 'immediate' as there's no turbo lag. It also handles the rubbish roads round here and is less crashy than the S3. It's fast enough for me as it is!
I plan to sort mechanics first and the cosmetic issues later (although I have done a few things already as it messes with my OCD!) :lol:
Quick run down of issues from when I bought it:
1) Exhaust blow - which I knew about
2) Rear bumper has had some paint on the corner in the past, not perfect but not too bad
3) Few parking dings which I plan to sort eventually
4) Wheels are good overall but I would like to refurb eventually
5) Front under tray has come off slightly so will need replacing (caught on a low kerb at some point so I was told)
6) Gearknob was a bit scratched up - to be expected with the age/mileage
7) Steering Wheel worn - as above
8) Brake discs will need to be replaced soon
9) Tyres were cheap ass mickey mouse brand - already replaced with two front Yoko Parada's - rear to come soon
10) Think I have the dreaded input shaft bearing issue too, but it's not that bad at present so will be sorted as and when
11) Paint peel to rocker cover, will get it painted in OEM wrinkle red by one of the boys on the forum
12) Some wear to the front seats, so MAY swap out with some premier edition ones or even just standard EP3 ones in better condition at some point, but that's on the long finger for now!
13) Was fitted with a PiperX induction kit which I swiftly removed (although it did sound good!) and replaced it with the existing airbox which was a bit scratched up so I bought a brand new top for it from Honda
Overall I am getting through it and starting to feel happier about the car. So far I have done the following:
1) 'New' used OEM manifold off ebay as the bolts were rusted to buggery so was easier to swap out the whole thing
2) New centre section - the old one snapped off with rust a week into ownership! :roll:
3) New Manifold heat sheild and gaskets and bolts from Honda
4) New air box lid from Honda
5) New bolts to replace various rusted ones in the bay
6) Painted various brackets back to satin black in the bay, will replace other bits that have rusted with new bits from Honda too
7) K&N Air filter for the OEM airbox. It already had the Hondata Airbox mod to the internal base which was handy!
8) New Gearknob to replace the scratched up one - bargain refurbed one off ebay, looks brand new!
9) Managed to get a new steering wheel too, well used but it had been in storage for years so is like new and OEM too :bigthumb:
The exhaust job turned out to be a total f*cking ar*eache as all the bolts had rusted on so I had to replace them all and take the whole system off and drill all the old one's out in order to retain the OEM CAT and save buying another. It was a fairly big job but got it all done without too much bother, just a few evenings after work and lots of swearing! :bad-words: Also had the dreaded heat shield rattle after I had put it all back on, so had to take off the driveshaft heat shield and flatten the bolts with a hammer. I kinda feel like since I got it i've had all the common faults rear their head, but I enjoy the car a lot and plan to keep it for a while so want to sort everything on it and use it. That way I know I have addressed all the problems and won't be worried about the 'what ifs'. I was a bit gutted Steve didn't fit a new input shaft bearing when he fit the new OEM clutch and release bearing, as he had everything out to do the clutch but nevermind, that's life!
Sorry for the epistle, here are the photos of the work so far. I haven't been able to take a nice one of the whole car clean yet but will do ASAP.
First job was take all the wheels off and clean them properly:
Then buy a load of bits and bobs from Lings Honda:
Then tackle the exhaust (only took a few pics as I was stressed doing this!):
A few of the old bolts that had been drilled / hacked off - this was a nightmare but got there in the end!
The old heat shield over the manifold had eroded too so I replaced that:
Removed:
New one:
Fitted:
With the exhaust sorted I got on to a few bitty jobs such as bolts swapping and painting bits and bobs in the bay, also fitted the new K&N air filter:
New headlight reatining bolts, before:
After:
New retaining clip for the air sensor (new vs old below):
Fitted:
New Air Filter:
Hondata Airbox Mod:
Fitted:
Warning sticker applied in bay next to the other info stickers:
Sorting the drive shaft heat shield out:
Removed:
Hammer these buggers flat:
Tarting up a few of the little retaining clips for the rocker breather pipe, I also painted the throttle cable bracket but no pics:
All back together:
Bought some 'obligatory JDM reservoir socks!' :lol: Used to think these were ridiculous but when you understand their purpose it does make sense, as there is marks to my rocker cover where fluid has leaked onto it in the past:
New Gearknob:
Fitted:
Fitting the new steering wheel. This is the old worn one in situe:
Removal of the old one, was easy until it came to pulling it off which was a pig of a job, it was properly welded on, but brute force and persistence prevailed and I got the ba*tard off in the end! :mrgreen:
Airbag out first after disconnecting the battery:
Removed:
'New' one, nice dull finish to the leather still once I had cleaned it up with Dr Leather cleaner (great stuff):
Stitching in good nick still:
Old vs new:
Fitted:
New front tyres:
Gave her a good clean and polish the other day but it rained and got dark before I could take good photos (damn winter) but she is beading up nicely in this poxy rain:
Plans for the next few months are as follows:
1) Matching pair of Yokohama Parada's for the rear (next month)
2) Brand new OEM Honda discs all round
3) Engine and Gearbox Oil change and fitment of magnetic sump plug
4) New OEM Honda Type R mat set
5) Full paint correction and detail as soon as the weather isn't turd!
That's all for now, thanks for reading and sorry it;s so biblically long!
Lewis
After hankering after a Type R for a while, I recently sold my Audi S3 and spent ages trying to find a decentish EP2 or EP3 type R for the right money, one which hadn't been thrashed or chavved or generally ruined (a seemingly impossible task!)
After viewing some right haggard old dogs, I eventually found a 2005 Cosmic Grey one which was in pretty good condition considering the age and mileage. Hell, the owner had even run a sponge over it before my arrival which was unusual, most didn't bother their ar*e! Although the mileage was quite high (103k), it was a 2005 model and had been fitted with a recent new clutch. I bought it off a nice chap called Steve in Northampton, coincidentally he was a member on the other forum which I didn't realise at the time. His original build thread is located here:
http://type-r-owners.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?87761-cosmic-grey-05-and-its-mine-mine-mine-)
It had a slight blow in the exhaust from the manifold area, and a few dings, so I was able to bargain with the price and get him down a little. I thought it would be an easy fix and he even included some new bolts and springs. However, nothing is ever easy with cars and I should've realised this!
The plan is to get it back to as mint and original as possible. I already have a 106 Rallye track car which is seriously modified, so this is my fun but practical daily whip. I only drive 8 miles each way to work, so it shouldn't be TOO thirsty. While not quite as savagely fast as the Audi on motorways, it's more fun and 'immediate' as there's no turbo lag. It also handles the rubbish roads round here and is less crashy than the S3. It's fast enough for me as it is!
I plan to sort mechanics first and the cosmetic issues later (although I have done a few things already as it messes with my OCD!) :lol:
Quick run down of issues from when I bought it:
1) Exhaust blow - which I knew about
2) Rear bumper has had some paint on the corner in the past, not perfect but not too bad
3) Few parking dings which I plan to sort eventually
4) Wheels are good overall but I would like to refurb eventually
5) Front under tray has come off slightly so will need replacing (caught on a low kerb at some point so I was told)
6) Gearknob was a bit scratched up - to be expected with the age/mileage
7) Steering Wheel worn - as above
8) Brake discs will need to be replaced soon
9) Tyres were cheap ass mickey mouse brand - already replaced with two front Yoko Parada's - rear to come soon
10) Think I have the dreaded input shaft bearing issue too, but it's not that bad at present so will be sorted as and when
11) Paint peel to rocker cover, will get it painted in OEM wrinkle red by one of the boys on the forum
12) Some wear to the front seats, so MAY swap out with some premier edition ones or even just standard EP3 ones in better condition at some point, but that's on the long finger for now!
13) Was fitted with a PiperX induction kit which I swiftly removed (although it did sound good!) and replaced it with the existing airbox which was a bit scratched up so I bought a brand new top for it from Honda
Overall I am getting through it and starting to feel happier about the car. So far I have done the following:
1) 'New' used OEM manifold off ebay as the bolts were rusted to buggery so was easier to swap out the whole thing
2) New centre section - the old one snapped off with rust a week into ownership! :roll:
3) New Manifold heat sheild and gaskets and bolts from Honda
4) New air box lid from Honda
5) New bolts to replace various rusted ones in the bay
6) Painted various brackets back to satin black in the bay, will replace other bits that have rusted with new bits from Honda too
7) K&N Air filter for the OEM airbox. It already had the Hondata Airbox mod to the internal base which was handy!
8) New Gearknob to replace the scratched up one - bargain refurbed one off ebay, looks brand new!
9) Managed to get a new steering wheel too, well used but it had been in storage for years so is like new and OEM too :bigthumb:
The exhaust job turned out to be a total f*cking ar*eache as all the bolts had rusted on so I had to replace them all and take the whole system off and drill all the old one's out in order to retain the OEM CAT and save buying another. It was a fairly big job but got it all done without too much bother, just a few evenings after work and lots of swearing! :bad-words: Also had the dreaded heat shield rattle after I had put it all back on, so had to take off the driveshaft heat shield and flatten the bolts with a hammer. I kinda feel like since I got it i've had all the common faults rear their head, but I enjoy the car a lot and plan to keep it for a while so want to sort everything on it and use it. That way I know I have addressed all the problems and won't be worried about the 'what ifs'. I was a bit gutted Steve didn't fit a new input shaft bearing when he fit the new OEM clutch and release bearing, as he had everything out to do the clutch but nevermind, that's life!
Sorry for the epistle, here are the photos of the work so far. I haven't been able to take a nice one of the whole car clean yet but will do ASAP.
First job was take all the wheels off and clean them properly:
Then buy a load of bits and bobs from Lings Honda:
Then tackle the exhaust (only took a few pics as I was stressed doing this!):
A few of the old bolts that had been drilled / hacked off - this was a nightmare but got there in the end!
The old heat shield over the manifold had eroded too so I replaced that:
Removed:
New one:
Fitted:
With the exhaust sorted I got on to a few bitty jobs such as bolts swapping and painting bits and bobs in the bay, also fitted the new K&N air filter:
New headlight reatining bolts, before:
After:
New retaining clip for the air sensor (new vs old below):
Fitted:
New Air Filter:
Hondata Airbox Mod:
Fitted:
Warning sticker applied in bay next to the other info stickers:
Sorting the drive shaft heat shield out:
Removed:
Hammer these buggers flat:
Tarting up a few of the little retaining clips for the rocker breather pipe, I also painted the throttle cable bracket but no pics:
All back together:
Bought some 'obligatory JDM reservoir socks!' :lol: Used to think these were ridiculous but when you understand their purpose it does make sense, as there is marks to my rocker cover where fluid has leaked onto it in the past:
New Gearknob:
Fitted:
Fitting the new steering wheel. This is the old worn one in situe:
Removal of the old one, was easy until it came to pulling it off which was a pig of a job, it was properly welded on, but brute force and persistence prevailed and I got the ba*tard off in the end! :mrgreen:
Airbag out first after disconnecting the battery:
Removed:
'New' one, nice dull finish to the leather still once I had cleaned it up with Dr Leather cleaner (great stuff):
Stitching in good nick still:
Old vs new:
Fitted:
New front tyres:
Gave her a good clean and polish the other day but it rained and got dark before I could take good photos (damn winter) but she is beading up nicely in this poxy rain:
Plans for the next few months are as follows:
1) Matching pair of Yokohama Parada's for the rear (next month)
2) Brand new OEM Honda discs all round
3) Engine and Gearbox Oil change and fitment of magnetic sump plug
4) New OEM Honda Type R mat set
5) Full paint correction and detail as soon as the weather isn't turd!
That's all for now, thanks for reading and sorry it;s so biblically long!
Lewis
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