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Update 2024: 17th Annual Road Trip 1987 Honda Crx - Dallas To Panama


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#91
greasemonkeyreborne 5x1g's

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    • Group: 2018 Contributor
    • Location:Foreign national in TX
    • Drives: 9 crx's: #1 228k 87si beater, #2 concours 25K, #3 108K 87si, #4 98K parts car, #5 213K 87si parts car, #6 84 straman, #7 86si 150k #8 67k parts #9 129K si for straman conversion
i havent looked up shim kits yet. im stocked they would be plastic. do u have a source? love ur new rex!


got everything back together monday. holy #&*!,!, this transmission feels amazing!

ive had so much slop in the shifter and backlash in gears. driving down the highway in 5th, the old shift knob would wiggle side to side 2-3. this one wont budge

feels precise and slick shifting gears

i had figured i was a crappy clutch shifter. it would always bounce between gears..... the new clutch w tight springs engages the clutch so much better. my clutching is way better now.....

the other morning at cold start up there was a slight bearing rattle w cold oil. my concours did same thing when i bought it (was in an accident by po, i had thought that was a release bearing. it wasnt and a tranny shop fixed it). i think this one is similar. im sure its fine to drive, but will take out of service for a tear down. i might end up putting this one on the shelf for future..... if feels way to good to burn up driving all these road trips

changing to honda mt fluid now. and to change rear hubs as second hub arrived 2 days ago. then recheck alignment camber.

i rotated the front drivers ball joint 90 degrees clockwise. curious if that changes camber
Keepin' it OEM

#92
CSPCRX

Thanks the new CRX is coming along.

 

MOOG makes the shim kit.  Basically a plastic or nylon, not sure on actual materials, disk that allows you to adjust toe and camber.  I looked into this for my 86, that sees mostly track time, and was not liking the idea of plastic with the loads the suspension sees.

 

here is a link 

https://www.partsgee...DIaAsppEALw_wcB

 

i looked at Honda shims for Fits, as they have a solid rear axle design as well, but the dimensions were different.  I have also seen some that are just thin flat plates that go over two of the hub bolt holes.  This got me thinking that it wouldn’t be too hard to just make my own out of 16th or 32nd thickness sheet metal.  Once you know how much a specific thickness moves thinks you could easily figure out what you need.  Also metal that thin could be cut with hand shears.

 

something like this.

https://www.eeuropar...XwaAqSmEALw_wcB
 

nice job on the transmission.  That’s one thing on my new CRX, the miles are so low it’s like butter and so precise.  Not used to that in the old cars.


Victor
86 K24 Powered CRX SI (SMF Solo2, HPDE-4 NASA & TA-A Time Attack

85 CRX DX totally original
07 Harley FXST Softail

2021 Tacoma Tow/Daily


#93
greasemonkeyreborne 5x1g's

  • Leadfoot
  • PipPipPipPipPip
    • Group: 2018 Contributor
    • Location:Foreign national in TX
    • Drives: 9 crx's: #1 228k 87si beater, #2 concours 25K, #3 108K 87si, #4 98K parts car, #5 213K 87si parts car, #6 84 straman, #7 86si 150k #8 67k parts #9 129K si for straman conversion
replaced the rear hub bearings w bca. easy, just pulled right off. camber stayed the same on RR. LR came in to -1.0. i’ll look for a shim kit after i figure the toe. i think they could have gone much longer. one less thing to worry about.

i rotated the LF ball joint mentioned earlier 90 degrees clockwise during xmission change. moved camber from -1.1 to -.8. good enough for now until i rebuild the subframe and raise the torsion bars.

drained the tranny of the dino oil. installed honda mt fluid

Had vibration getting worse over past few road trips. balanced all 4. tread was down to 2/32-4/32. tire shop said belt going bad on a front. new tires ordered and installed.

selection is really crap now for 185/60r14 tires. i need good road tires. tires i can take back on 2 tracks w sand and mudd. i went w general altima. can say it’s the best tire. sure drives and feels great down the highway. vibration gone. they’re not performance tires. the tread width touching the concrete is not as wide. they lose the sportier look. i’ll probably set up a second set for around town

lastly,.... night driving really sucks w oem headlamps. been wanting to instal extra driving lights. my wife drives an acadia. the lower foggers have a nice sharp horizontal beam, 55w. i picked up a couple of sets from a junkyard a while back. installed them a few days ago. used a drummer to carve out holes in my bumper. looks pretty clean.. night driving looks much better

heading down to austin this weekend to visit my daughter on campus, then final preps for trip.....
Keepin' it OEM

#94
CSPCRX

 Upgraded my bulbs in my 86 to some from PIAA years ago,  much better at night and never had issues with overheating the wires.  My camber has never matched on the rear.  One side is -1.1 and the other is -.78.

 

I was just looking at tires for the 85.  Man just so few options from the name brand tire manufacturers.

 

Hope you have a safe, event free trip.


Victor
86 K24 Powered CRX SI (SMF Solo2, HPDE-4 NASA & TA-A Time Attack

85 CRX DX totally original
07 Harley FXST Softail

2021 Tacoma Tow/Daily


#95
greasemonkeyreborne 5x1g's

  • Leadfoot
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    • Group: 2018 Contributor
    • Location:Foreign national in TX
    • Drives: 9 crx's: #1 228k 87si beater, #2 concours 25K, #3 108K 87si, #4 98K parts car, #5 213K 87si parts car, #6 84 straman, #7 86si 150k #8 67k parts #9 129K si for straman conversion

51669872134_8b6a40151f_c.jpg

 

 

1993.   My college buddy and I drove to Kentucky to pick up the black crx.  Note his Prelude.  He bought a back end and welded it on from the junkie....

 

On the way back to michigan, I kept looking out the back window admiring the car..   so i bought it off him.  This is the earliest pix of the beater I have

 

 

 

51668389002_5eabc0eeae_c.jpg

 

 

1995 ish.  Lived in NYC.  Frequent ski trips in Vermont.

 

 

 

51669200366_d83657e5bd_c.jpg

 

 

2002 ish.  Under the tarp is CRX #4 I parted out.  Taking it to the scrap yard.  Got a lot of use out of that trailer.  Took a toll on the tranxmission.  


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#96
greasemonkeyreborne 5x1g's

  • Leadfoot
  • PipPipPipPipPip
    • Group: 2018 Contributor
    • Location:Foreign national in TX
    • Drives: 9 crx's: #1 228k 87si beater, #2 concours 25K, #3 108K 87si, #4 98K parts car, #5 213K 87si parts car, #6 84 straman, #7 86si 150k #8 67k parts #9 129K si for straman conversion
51668415282_4405e1a8c1_c.jpg
 
 
GM driving light off acadia/outlook/travers/malibu/camero/equinox.  I removed the inner fixture from the frame and screwed it into the bumper w wood screws for now to get this going on the trip.  The frame must act as a heat shield.  I'll need to keep an eye on this so I dont melt my bumper until i get it figured out.
 
Notice the 20yrs of road rash on the bumper....
Keepin' it OEM

#97
CSPCRX

Creative solution, let us know how they work!


Victor
86 K24 Powered CRX SI (SMF Solo2, HPDE-4 NASA & TA-A Time Attack

85 CRX DX totally original
07 Harley FXST Softail

2021 Tacoma Tow/Daily


#98
greasemonkeyreborne 5x1g's

  • Leadfoot
  • PipPipPipPipPip
    • Group: 2018 Contributor
    • Location:Foreign national in TX
    • Drives: 9 crx's: #1 228k 87si beater, #2 concours 25K, #3 108K 87si, #4 98K parts car, #5 213K 87si parts car, #6 84 straman, #7 86si 150k #8 67k parts #9 129K si for straman conversion
I cant' say I'm proud of the fogger solution,  but it'll work until I can figure it out.   Cheap too.  Got 2 sets for $40 w the bulbs..  lol..   Its nice to have the light spray out side to side.  Can see the animals better on the side of the road
 
 
This is the type of backwoods driving the beater is taking me...   Hence why she's called the Beater.  A hellava work horse!  Old pix posted in past.  Lost when server changed.  Taken on previous trips back to Michigan
 
51675176565_955e946db8_z.jpg
 
Grouse Hunting 
 
 
51674308366_8c3a5f9940_z.jpg
 
This is why I love going back home.  The hidden treasures driving back in the woods
 
 
 
51674543523_d24fe30fca_c.jpg
 
That bowl was a foot deep.  About crapped my pants on this one
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#99
greasemonkeyreborne 5x1g's

  • Leadfoot
  • PipPipPipPipPip
    • Group: 2018 Contributor
    • Location:Foreign national in TX
    • Drives: 9 crx's: #1 228k 87si beater, #2 concours 25K, #3 108K 87si, #4 98K parts car, #5 213K 87si parts car, #6 84 straman, #7 86si 150k #8 67k parts #9 129K si for straman conversion

Tires.....    Few and far between for name brand tires.  Lots of no names from china I want nothing to do w...

 

51675173790_81399661bc_c.jpg

 

Far right my old Toyo Extenza HP A/S 185/60r14.   DOT 2015.  I think they were discontinued shortly after I bought them.  Were made in Japan and M/S tires.  Reasons I bought them.  Contact tread is 6.25" @ 3/32".  I liked the profile for my purposes

 

Middle are new Uniroyal Tiger Paw 185/60r14's M/S.  I just got in.  Contact tread 5.75" new.  These seem to be a fair replacement to the Toyos.  Currently on the rear for my trip

 

Left General Altimax 185/60r14.  I just got.  Tread contact 5.25" new.  Have these on my front right now.  I can't really see profile too much.  Seem to be a more aggressive traction tread for the distance/weather driving I do.  The tread spacing is the largest of the three.  I feel these will work well in rain and the Michigan backwoods 2 tracks I drive.

 

Obviously, I'm not going for racing performance street tire. 

 

I was surprised how many really aggressive meaty snow tires are out there by brand name companies

 

The Generals/Uni's don't have the nice straight sidewall like performance tires.  They are a bit balloon like.

 

I want a nice comfortable tire for distance driving, better rain and snow performance and backwoods,.. well, any help I can get there.

 

I'll set up a second set for around the town.  As I don't drive in the rain at all locally


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#100
greasemonkeyreborne 5x1g's

  • Leadfoot
  • PipPipPipPipPip
    • Group: 2018 Contributor
    • Location:Foreign national in TX
    • Drives: 9 crx's: #1 228k 87si beater, #2 concours 25K, #3 108K 87si, #4 98K parts car, #5 213K 87si parts car, #6 84 straman, #7 86si 150k #8 67k parts #9 129K si for straman conversion

a few years ago we had an overnight rain and the 2 tracks iced over.  I followed my father in the woods opening deer season.  Car was slipping and sliding.  Had to have my dad help push it up the hill in one case.  

 

So I pick up a set of these off ebay this week for $30 NOS.  I'm not a fan due to the fender clearance.  Went w cables vs chains for that reason.  I'd need to keep the wheels mostly straight.  I think they'd help me get out of mud holes as well...  but how to get them on under water...

 

 

51675173075_89677ae751_c.jpg


Keepin' it OEM

#101
CSPCRX

Much better than chains.  I was looking at tires for the 85 and just so few choices in the 13s in stock size.  Seems Discount tire and Tire Rack have the same choices, very few!

 

the tires on the 85 have lots of tread but the sidewalls are showing since of developing cracks due to age.


Victor
86 K24 Powered CRX SI (SMF Solo2, HPDE-4 NASA & TA-A Time Attack

85 CRX DX totally original
07 Harley FXST Softail

2021 Tacoma Tow/Daily


#102
greasemonkeyreborne 5x1g's

  • Leadfoot
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    • Group: 2018 Contributor
    • Location:Foreign national in TX
    • Drives: 9 crx's: #1 228k 87si beater, #2 concours 25K, #3 108K 87si, #4 98K parts car, #5 213K 87si parts car, #6 84 straman, #7 86si 150k #8 67k parts #9 129K si for straman conversion
Patched a crack I picked up bottoming out in a mud hole a few years ago.
 
51784214263_66da02c36f_z.jpg
 
I worked at the plastic company that formulated and manufactured Saturns plastic body panels in the 1990's.  Ironically, I drove my CRX there.  At the time, I had no idea those panels on the rex were plastic.   Sooooo, I did a lot of processing/testing/analysis on the saturn material.  PC/ABS blend.  Pulse resin.  Tough stuff.  I remember testing at 0 and -40C doing Izod impact, knotch and tensile testing.
 
A later life I worked at a defense company.  I was in their non metallics division working w plastics/rubbers/adhesives for a while.
 
Put this together...   Bonding body parts on steriods...
 
3m 2216 is what we used on missiles, aviation and warfighter hardware.  Survives nuclear/biological/chemical attack.  spent 10's of thousands of dollars bonding this stuff to different rubbers and plastic.  Then testing from -40c to 130f.   Its great stuff.  I know it, so I use it.  Its $200 a pint, not cheap.  get it a specialty avionics 3m supply houses.
 
Then you need material....   The key is material compatiability.   Since I was very familiar w Saturns material, I later put it together this was very similar to Hondas "HP Alloy" as they called it back in the 80's.  Which is a pc/abs blend.   Key was material campatibility and coefficient of thermal expansion.  Must bond the same materials.  Then they expand/contract identically over temperature so the bond doesn't break apart over thermal cycling.  And the 2216 holds up to NBC over more extreme temperatures than our Hondas will ever see.  The 2216 remains a little flexible, so it gives during thermal cycling to maintain the bond.
 
Enough of science lesson....
 
51783189582_7f00a236a3_z.jpg
 
Finished product.  Patched good enough until I remove the rocker sill and patch properly from the other side.  This patch will keep it together when I disassemble later on.  This silver patch is the piece of a saturn door panel i pulled off several years ago.  Material is near identical to the CRX panel.  I picked silver and white panels since it reflects UV and had minimal degradation of material.  I can still bend the saturn plastic.  It bends and yields before it snaps.  Great patch substrate! 
Keepin' it OEM

#103
greasemonkeyreborne 5x1g's

  • Leadfoot
  • PipPipPipPipPip
    • Group: 2018 Contributor
    • Location:Foreign national in TX
    • Drives: 9 crx's: #1 228k 87si beater, #2 concours 25K, #3 108K 87si, #4 98K parts car, #5 213K 87si parts car, #6 84 straman, #7 86si 150k #8 67k parts #9 129K si for straman conversion
These road trips to Austin and all the new construction is beating the hell out of my beater.   Sand blasting and rock missiles..  2 cracks in my windshield and a cracked headlight this past year.
 
I removed the bumper and head panel.  removed the headlights.  I had problems aiming lights as adjusters would not work (car was salvage title back in 1988 and this is another after effect of that accident).
 
The adjusters have metal posts connected to the headlight frame.  The posts are square to they don't rotate when adjusting.  I had to rebend the metal to fix.  I disassembled the adjusters, straightened the adjuster posts (oversized screws), and greased the mechanisms.  All works as Honda designed!
 
Then, I bend a coat hanger, attacked coffee filters to the end.  sprayed w windex and cleaned the insides of the glass.  Crystal clear now.
 
The light beams use to cross over each other, offset to the right, poor visibility.
 
Now its all clear and adjusted.  Using the sylvania silver star ultra 9004s are huge improvement over stock halogens.
 
51783143892_303618824a_z.jpg
 
I picked up a set of halogen H11's for the foggers in silverstar ultra and put them in tonight.  Another huge improvement.  Love the 4 headlights now.  probably 300% better w the improved adjustments, clarity and brighter bulbs.   Now we'll see how often i have to replace them
Keepin' it OEM

#104
greasemonkeyreborne 5x1g's

  • Leadfoot
  • PipPipPipPipPip
    • Group: 2018 Contributor
    • Location:Foreign national in TX
    • Drives: 9 crx's: #1 228k 87si beater, #2 concours 25K, #3 108K 87si, #4 98K parts car, #5 213K 87si parts car, #6 84 straman, #7 86si 150k #8 67k parts #9 129K si for straman conversion

Lastly, protecting the radiator from rock damage on my road trips.  All I need it a facture in the copper to shut me down somewhere cross country waiting a week to get a replacement radiator....

 

 

1/2' mesh backing.  I used home depot painted metal gutter guards.  Mesh is larger than window screen.  Felt it was  a good balance of airflow to rock size.

 

51783955651_7608d29765_z.jpg

 

Looks fine w bumper/header back on.   She's my road warrior, not trailer queen!


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#105
greasemonkeyreborne 5x1g's

  • Leadfoot
  • PipPipPipPipPip
    • Group: 2018 Contributor
    • Location:Foreign national in TX
    • Drives: 9 crx's: #1 228k 87si beater, #2 concours 25K, #3 108K 87si, #4 98K parts car, #5 213K 87si parts car, #6 84 straman, #7 86si 150k #8 67k parts #9 129K si for straman conversion

I replaced the ignition coil w an NOS last week as well.  over 270K and 34 years old, mitigating future roadtrip troubles..


Keepin' it OEM