DG's Cosmic EP3

[Its_Me_DG]

Hi Guys

Obtained my first EP3 this weekend in Wales and brought it back down to the south. Paid a good price for it and it seems in pretty good condition. Needs a new clutch as it's really stiff and biting point is close to the floor but I've read this is pretty common after 100000 miles. Plenty of cosmetics stuff I'd like to get done on it like the peddles, door strips, floor mats, wind deflectors etc.

Anyway, here's the pics.

 

[EnzoUK]

Looks well cared for, nice example . Is it going to be your daily? Any current mods? That rear anti roll bar doesn't look stock.

 

[Its_Me_DG]

Looks well cared for, nice example . Is it going to be your daily? Any current mods? That rear anti roll bar doesn't look stock.

Yep, this will be my daily which once the clutch is replaced will be quite a nice drive. While the car is stiffer than my previous car (Mk2 Ford Focus) it's actually a really nice ride which took me by surprise. Also - how many cubby holes and cup holders does this thing have?!

It currently has a K&N Typhoon S intake which really makes a difference with the VTEC sound and has made everyone grin so far. It's got Brembo discs and Ferodo DS2500 pads (I think! Still green to this). The brakes are a little noisy but I've been told with that combination of pads and discs, it's quite common. The rear anti roll bar isn't standard of course but other than that it's standard.

I've got a few cosmetics bits to work on replacing which I'm really looking forward to restoring and will be sure to get advice on. I'll post updates when I get the work done

 

[Flashy]

Welcome to the cosmic club

 

[Its_Me_DG]

Welcome to the cosmic club

Thanks. Happy to be a part of it!

 

[Nidge76]

Looks very tidy that and in the best colour of course

Sent from my F3311 using Tapatalk

 

[Its_Me_DG]

Looks very tidy that and in the best colour of course

Sent from my F3311 using Tapatalk

Thanks, Nidge. I've been looking at your Cosmic's progression and it's given me some great ideas and things to watch out for. I hope I can keep it as clean as yours!

 

[Nidge76]

Thanks, Nidge. I've been looking at your Cosmic's progression and it's given me some great ideas and things to watch out for. I hope I can keep it as clean as yours!

Thanks bud, kind words. It's nice to do a few mods but with the age of these cars now it's also worth concentrating on the maintenance side of things.

Plenty of members on here with some really tidy cars and nice modifications so worth a good browse of the members section for sure.

And of course the main thing is to enjoy it.

Sent from my F3311 using Tapatalk

 

[Azazl187]

Welcome to the club buddy! Treat her well with regular oil changes and she will run forever. Obviously NHB is the best colour right?

 

[Its_Me_DG]

Welcome to the club buddy! Treat her well with regular oil changes and she will run forever. Obviously NHB is the best colour right?

Thanks very much! I've checked the oil after the trip back from Wales and a few other drives and it hasn't lost a drop so that's good news. I'll be checking the oil each week and I have a bottle in the car just in case. How often would you say the oil should be changed and does that include the filter too?

The choice for me was either NHB or Cosmic and this happened to come up at the right time for the right price. I really, really like the Cosmic though and can't wait to start making it really shine.

 

[mike.h]

Looking like a nice example there. I hope the Welsh roads made for a fun trip home too!

Obviously NHB is the best colour right?

Lulz, outnumbered.

I traded up to cosmic from NHB.

 

[Its_Me_DG]

Looking like a nice example there. I hope the Welsh roads made for a fun trip home too!



Lulz, outnumbered.

I traded up to cosmic from NHB.

Cheers, Mike.

Ah, it was only picked up between Cardiff and Newport so it wasn't long before we were back on the M4 sadly so nothing amazing to give it a good drive on.

I've been looking at yours and it looks really nice. I'll be adding lists on here for what I want to get done and the progression of it over time.

 

[mike.h]

I've been looking at yours and it looks really nice. I'll be adding lists on here for what I want to get done and the progression of it over time.

Thanks, she still needs a fair bit of work (I'm waiting on heat-wrap and a new rear engine mount for when I swap out the cat at the moment). We'll see how it goes. I'm contemplating just paying somewhere to do a proper underseal rather than doing it myself, depends on the cost.

I look forward to seeing the progress on yours.

 

[Its_Me_DG]

So not much of an update for the car but instead a few purchases related to the upkeep. I've never detailed a car before so I've never had the products to start and with the recent purchase of the EP3, now's a good time to start!

I went to the local Halfords to see what was available as I wanted to get a few bits to give the car a clean this weekend:

So to start I found the Auto Finesse - Complete Protection Kit. After hearing good things about the brand, I figured this was a good place to start.

Comes with a few bits that you can see below and should be good to get me started!

Some cloths, a chamois, a towel, and a new bucket.

A couple of other bits I liked the look of and again, heard great things about the brand.

After seeing Nidge redo his door strips and seeing how much they are to buy replacements for, I got some paint. Looking at it now though, this may be the wrong one and I'll need to go back and get the Vauxhall Star Silver II.

I also ordered these bits from eBay as some small things to do while I wait for the clutch replacement quote from Triton Motorsport.

Bonnet Latch Handle in metallic red as the black plastic one was snapped.

Mugen Reservoir Covers. I've seen these on other progression posts and they look like a great addition.

Let me know if there's any other detailing bits I missed or anything you swear by as I'm looking to build up the maintenance kit

 

[Nidge76]

Yep silver star 2 is probably a closer match. It's not perfect but I'm happy with it.

The trouble with detailing is there are so many products. Depends how far you want to go with it.

Not sure if you have a pressure washer but with the soft Honda paint ideally you want a prewash and pressure wash it off before you touch the paint with a mitt and shampoo.

Also you may want to do a full decon, ie. Tar remover, iron remover for brake dust etc. And clay before a polish. Then add you lsp such as a sealant or wax.

The options are endless. I like some of the Auto Finesse stuff bit not all so it's a case of trying things out to see what suits you.

Sent from my F3311 using Tapatalk

 

[andyherts]

Nice looking car, enjoy it, dont forget to post some photos after detailing

 

[Its_Me_DG]

So I've just had my quote back for the clutch and it's come to £780. Now I don't know how much a clutch kit, gearbox oil change, and labour is on average but that seems a little steep?

Has anyone else had a clutch fitted anywhere in the South that paid less than this or is this what you would expect?

 

[EnzoUK]

So I've just had my quote back for the clutch and it's come to £780. Now I don't know how much a clutch kit, gearbox oil change, and labour is on average but that seems a little steep?

Has anyone else had a clutch fitted anywhere in the South that paid less than this or is this what you would expect?

Grinspeed by me offer the Exedy OEM clutch for the car @ £380 all in (parts, fitted, labour etc). These guys are Honda specialists, build and deal with Honda race cars... so it's not like they're a cheap 'run of the mill' garage either.

https://grinspeed.co.uk/shop/exedy-oem-clutch-fitted/

Who and where has quoted you that much? You are being ripped off. I paid £580 all in for a timing chain replacement, tensioners & valve clearances and that is a MUCH bigger job.

- OEM Honda MTF (gearbox oil) is £30 if bought online, and it's a 1 hour job all in to do the gearbox oil alone. So £30 + 1hr labour where ever you go is what you should be looking at.

 

[Azazl187]

That is a crazy amount of money. Standard clutch and fitting should be 500 absolute tops. Get more quotes. How far away are you from TGM?

 

[Its_Me_DG]

Grinspeed by me offer the Exedy OEM clutch for the car @ £380 all in (parts, fitted, labour etc). These guys are Honda specialists, build and deal with Honda race cars... so it's not like they're a cheap 'run of the mill' garage either.

https://grinspeed.co.uk/shop/exedy-oem-clutch-fitted/

Who and where has quoted you that much? You are being ripped off. I paid £580 all in for a timing chain replacement, tensioners & valve clearances and that is a MUCH bigger job.

- OEM Honda MTF (gearbox oil) is £30 if bought online, and it's a 1 hour job all in to do the gearbox oil alone. So £30 + 1hr labour where ever you go is what you should be looking at.

Wow, okay. What a difference.

Sadly, Grinspeed are 6 hours away from me They sound really ideal though.

The quote was from Triton Motorsport in Bournemouth who I know deal with Japanese cars in particular but was very surprised when I heard the price over the phone and had to ask him to repeat it to make sure I didn't hear wrong.

This is where I wish I had the mechanical knowledge to do it myself as I'm not sure who to trust in this area.

I will have a look around for some other reputable garages. :-k