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Should I Buy This Crx?


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#1
Mateo

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Hey all, first time posting here. I was directed to come here from a member of Honda-Tech.

Anyway, on to the question.



1985 CRX.
225150 miles
$395 + tax

The dealer said it spits out some white-ish smoke when the gas pedal is pressed. I'm guessing it is the head gasket or one of the valves. The smoke does not appear when it idles, however.

This is all of the information I have. Any idea what the problem MAY be, or how much it might cost (or how much work I may have to put into it) to fix?

I don't want to drop a b-series engine into it, but I'm not opposed to getting someone else's old HF engine and swapping it out if that could fix my problems.

Anyone have a HF engine (maybe from a 86 or 87) that they want to give away?

Would swapping with another engine be that big of a challenge? What about rebuilding the engine? I have no past engine experience but am very mechanically inclined.

If swapping is a bad idea, how much work can I get myself into replacing the head gasket and perhaps the valve covers?

#2
Omega Mugen

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QUOTE (Mateo @ Jun 22 2005, 01:07 PM)
Hey all, first time posting here.  I was directed to come here from a member of Honda-Tech.

Anyway, on to the question.



1985 CRX.
225150 miles
$395 + tax

The dealer said it spits out some white-ish smoke when the gas pedal is pressed. I'm guessing it is the head gasket or one of the valves. The smoke does not appear when it idles, however.

This is all of the information I have. Any idea what the problem MAY be, or how much it might cost (or how much work I may have to put into it) to fix?

I don't want to drop a b-series engine into it, but I'm not opposed to getting someone else's old HF engine and swapping it out if that could fix my problems.

Anyone have a HF engine (maybe from a 86 or 87) that they want to give away?

Would swapping with another engine be that big of a challenge?  What about rebuilding the engine?  I have no past engine experience but am  very mechanically inclined.

If swapping is a bad idea, how much work can I get myself into replacing the head gasket and perhaps the valve covers?


Are you sure you want to swap a b-series into it? It looks rusty. I wouldn't do it unless you had deep pockets.

I would find a better chassis. I wouldn't waste my time fixing a rusty one.

Going to Hawaii? You need a Dune Buggy.

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#3
Mateo

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QUOTE (Omega Mugen @ Jun 22 2005, 12:38 PM)
Are you sure you want to swap a b-series into it?  It looks rusty.  I wouldn't do it unless you had deep pockets.

I would find a better chassis.  I wouldn't waste my time fixing a rusty one.


NO NO NO... I do NOT want to swap b-series.

Basically I want a good road-trip car that gets good gas mileage. I already have a 89 Civic LX but I recently blew the radiator hose which caused the head gasket to blow and overheated the entire engine. I'm skeptical to take that out on another roadtrip until I get the engine looked at to determine if I warped the head or anything.

So I'm looking for a cheap fun little CRX to drive around. I also might be better off just investing the money back into my LX.

#4
kamikaze_fish

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ok, just my .02 The crx would be worth it. I'm guessing head gasket or maybe something simpler. But, if you're willing to swap stock for stock into the rex, I'd recommend you consider a swap on your '89 first because it will probably be easier to find support for. If I were that close to the rex, I'd probably be all over it personally. If you buy it, I'd like to be the first to say, congrats and as long as you're not ricing it out (which it sounds like your head is on straight so no worries there), you've found the perfect place to get all the information you could find.
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#5
Omega Mugen

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QUOTE (kamikaze_fish @ Jun 22 2005, 01:48 PM)
ok, just my .02  The crx would be worth it.  I'm guessing head gasket or maybe something simpler.  But, if you're willing to swap stock for stock into the rex, I'd recommend you consider a swap on your '89 first because it will probably be easier to find support for.  If I were that close to the rex, I'd probably be all over it personally.  If you buy it, I'd like to be the first to say, congrats and as long as you're not ricing it out (which it sounds like your head  is on straight so no worries there), you've found the perfect place to get all the information you could find.


OK. I'd try to get it for like $300 or something. Then swap a Si motor or ZC. That should not cost more than a few hundred.

Going to Hawaii? You need a Dune Buggy.

WTB: 14x8 or 9" Panasports or Watanabe RS.

WTB: 3g Civic hatch gauge cowl, brown.

 

WTB: ZC header--FOUND


#6
Mateo

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QUOTE (kamikaze_fish @ Jun 22 2005, 12:48 PM)
ok, just my .02  The crx would be worth it.  I'm guessing head gasket or maybe something simpler.  But, if you're willing to swap stock for stock into the rex, I'd recommend you consider a swap on your '89 first because it will probably be easier to find support for.  If I were that close to the rex, I'd probably be all over it personally.  If you buy it, I'd like to be the first to say, congrats and as long as you're not ricing it out (which it sounds like your head  is on straight so no worries there), you've found the perfect place to get all the information you could find.


I'm not a big fan of ricing out my cars. I originally bought the 89 to save gas. I overpaid for it, but was happy. Here she is after I've replaced some of the dents and rusted parts. I figured it woudl be cheaper to just replace the parts than to sand it, bondo it, patch it, and primer it.




That's right, I found OEM optional rims at the salvage yard.

Anyway, I think you're right about working on the 89 first. I was just thinking that if I have $400 + tax + DMV fees + whatever it will cost to fix it so it passes emissions then I might as well just drop that money into my LX and maybe get my engine rebuilt.

Speaking of, how much should I expect to pay to get my engine rebuilt? The only tools I have myself are socket wrenches, so I might as well pay to get it rebuilt now instead of buying the parts AND the tools to get it done.

#7
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I'd hate to live in the states having Hondas lol..
Over here it would cost about $50 to repair that civic...I’d just buy a rusted out one in the paper for cheap...they're always in there, I don’t know about USA but shits real cheap over here unless its from the junkyard...I need to buy a new boot for my crx before I can finish painting it but I’m afraid it will cost me $1000000000000000 because our "salvage yards" are rip offs.

If you bought a body fucked crx/civic with the right engine for cheap then you’ve got everything you need to do the conversion (not including oils and shit)…should only take like 2 days, 3 days max if your lazy (like me).

#8
JDN14

it's hard to go wrong with a car that runs for $400.

That CRX doesnt look too bad aside from the back.

enjoy,

Jacques
93 Toyota Previa: Mid Engine, AWD people mover.


#9
zakats

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you cant go wrong with the a crx, doesnt matter what year actually.
You can usually find an hf(1.3liter)engine anywhere really for about 100~ that said if you just want it for road trips and gas milage, thats the car of choice as many members report 50+mpg. (and the geo something with the 1.0 3cyl gets 45 HA!)
BUT since you already have a honda the rule of honda applies for that car: fix it right once, drive on it for another 200k miles. which might be best for you.
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#10
kenny86si

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i would buy it. if it runs and you need a car then go for it.

#11
badpenny

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and if for some reason after you buy it you can always part it out here and ebay.
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