The entire rear end needs to be replaced - the stamped LCAs are total shit so they were on the list. Rear disc brakes were a factory option with the 6th gen EX (not standard like on my 5th gen) so getting rid of the rear drums were already on the parts list but digging deeper the trailing arms have a broken bolt and the body mount bushings are gone so they have been added to the parts list as well.
Moving to the front of the car: it looks like when the car was transported over here the core support was somehow bent as when I went to remove the hood it would not come off the latch. It took about 45 minutes of beating it with the BFH in order to get the top-side low enough for the hood latch to release. Thankfully a replacement core support will not break the bank ($100). Other than that the front suspension is pretty much good to go (after replacing the stuts & coilovers) as I had replaced the tie rod ends while the car was on the road.
I did not do anything with the engine yet, I will most likely wait until I have a cherry picker & another engine stand so I can remove the Y8 and get it mounted on a stand. I know the head is pristine from the last time I was in it but the block is pretty much toast just from what I know during the last repair when the car was running (and the fact that it spun a bearing). For the bottom end I plan on using a Z6 crank as it has better oiling than the Y8 crank, this is why more Y8s spin bearings that Z6s do.
Parts list so far
- Core Support
- Trailing arms / disc brake swap
- Rear LCAs
- Rear camber correction
- Brake lines (front and rear)
- Struts & coilovers (Ground Controls + Koni oranges)
Keep in mind this is just the suspension, I have not even opened the can of worms known as the D16Y8 SOHC VTEC engine sitting in the bay. Slow and steady wins the race!
Matt
