Rex and Julie's PROJECT: ACCORD

[CaptainHenreh]

I wish I could find some "before" pictures of Andrew's 1993 Accord.

The poor thing, it was used and abused, and when Andrew got the Prius, he decided that Bikes were his thing and passed this unloved creature to us.

When we got it, it needed a full re-do of the driver's side steering and suspension components. In fact, the tie rod end was so blown, that it wouldn't even move with a hammer.

Well today, now that the DSM is gone, we started work on it.

Earlier in the month I found on the ShenValley Freecycle a free 1990 Honda Accord. It's got a bad trans and nearly 200k miles on it, but good front body panels and good front suspension bits. Sounds perfect.


Here is the poor, abused parts car:


We stole the body panels, and swapped them over to the 1993:

Another view:


The 90's front bumper is a little more aggressive, and has a lip on it, oh, and hey, it doesn't sit cock-eyed. w00t! The front frame rail eventually accepted the new fender and headlight, after much pursuading with a shot-filled hammer. Yes, it's technicolor, but as soon as the floor is poured for the garage, I'm going to give it a quick spray. I'm thinking maybe black, cuz it's easy and cheap.

This is Kafn8ed's head, leaning over what is quite possibly the strangest front suspension I've ever encountered:

We got all of the suspension bits that are going to be changed off of the car, but we weren't able to get them off of the parts car for the swap. Since the axle came apart anyway (the inner joint decided to seperate), we are calling it a day.

More to come, though, as this project develops over the summer.

[Feersty]

Andrew got a Prius? Jigga what? Good luck with it. Drop in a H22 and call it a day.

[ScottyB]

in honor of past MM accord tear downs, i hope there was or will be some of this:

[CaptainHenreh]

I actually threw the old bumper. But it didnt' get very far.

And as far as the H22 goes, Julie say:

"No H22, damn it!"

but the Accord says, "Oh yeah, baby, it feels so right, oooh..."

and I say:
"Hrm. 13.6:1 power to weight? Double 'bones and multilink? 30mpg?" Hrmmm...

[Maengelito]

in honor of past MM accord tear downs, i hope there was or will be some of this:

thats one of my favorite mm pics of all time

[Jeff]

I thought the BWM was your project? One at a time for max results. I have learned this and I have done far fewer "projects" then you. Get this car on the road and leave it as it is. The BMW is a way cooler way to spend yo hard earned $$.

[Ginger]

Hush, Jeff! This is a great project! I'm biased... but still. I love this car to death (almost literally) and I'm soo happy to see it getting the attnetion it deserves.

I'll bring you that headlight, too, even though it kind'a looks like you don't need it.

[Andy]

So what's the motivation behind this project? I though Julie already had a daily.

Rex, I don't think you can make it in NoVA. You'd go into shitbox withdrawal before the week was out.

[Jewels]

The Accord is going to be Rex's daily driver, cause the metro is quickly becoming a death trap in all ways. Its slow, and its tiny, and after he's been nearly killed by people running him off the road it was time to starting thinking a little safety. As for the H22, the BMW needs to be our first concern cause its gonna be the track car, and as most of you know, modifying your D.D. doesn't always leave warm and fuzzies. So you all can shut up about it.

[Jeff]

Jewels knows what I am saying. The Accord will make Rex a great daily. But BMW will make Rex a great play car. He could meet in the middle and do an H22 RWD conversion in the BMW. lol...that would be a Rex thing

[Maengelito]

sorry for the OT but damnit jeff, i keep thinking you're jayray cuz of the avatar but you dont say jayray things

[Evan]

seriously. thats freaking me out

[Jeff]

Is my typing not Azian enough for you?

[ScottyB]

Is my typing not Azian enough for you?

needs more VTECH

[WRXtranceformed]

[CaptainHenreh]

Ok, so it's done. Pretty much.

The suspension got all finished, I need to put in the fender liner and then the panel swap is done.

I had an interesting time with the turn signals. When I started, if you turned on the right hand signal, everything was fine. Try to signal left, however, and the car became posessed.

An eerie screaching emitted from the blinker clicker, the wipers came on, the blinker dash light came on and, oh yeah, the blinkers didn't work. I replaced the rear bulb and solved the wiper and screaching problem. Then I was left with a fast blinker and the bottom blinker not functioning at all.

Long story short, (no pun intended) I ran a new ground to the bottom turn signal, replaced the bulb, and everything works great.

The steering rack is loose, I guess I'll have to steal the one off the parts car. Might as well put power steering back while I'm in there.

Otherwise, A+. Eleventy million times better than the Geo.

[JustinG]

cool :wink:

[ScottyB]

nice job! its probably nice knowing you don't have to draft trucks uphill to maintain speed anymore 8)

[Mike]

pretty stout little motor, eh? i loved that car...

[CaptainHenreh]

pretty stout little motor, eh? i loved that car...

Yeah, the motor is really nice. Pulls all the way to the red, and sounds really great. Not obnoxiosuly loud, just a very throaty and mean growl.

Do they make cams for this motor?