Got a '92 lude! Rebuild Advice? - Honda Prelude Forum

justincgd · 08-11-2009, 08:31 PM

So I picked up a '92 lude "S". It took me about three years to finally have the opportunity (my gf totalled my VW Golf) so here I go!

My plan is to park the car in the garage this weekend and pretty much start taking my baby apart. The body is in pretty bad condition so I had a guy give me some quotes. He basically said I'm looking at about four grand (Can.) to get the car in paintable condition. He also said if I'm willing to put in the work I can save about three grand by finding body panels and prepping the car for him to weld in the new panels. I can't weld, and I'm not spending the money on a welder and time learning to use it... yet.

Anyways, my basic plan is to get the rust/rot repaired and then strip the car. Then I wanna swap in a H22A and tranny, then work on my suspension and when the car is mechanically sound, do the interior followed by the exterior.

I am an apprentice electrician by trade and am mechanically inclined (pop's a mechanic, mum's just plain smart, and I'm a good mix) and I'm wondering if I'm jumping in waaaay over my head by attempting this all on my own, with the help of a Haynes manual. I want to do all the mechanical myself and get the body work done by a pro. I have the average Joe's understanding of cars such as oil changes and minor adjustments but I've never done anything too in depth.

Does attemping the rebuild with little to no experience asking for trouble or should I give it a shot? I would really like to do it myself because, well, that's the whole point. I'm just looking for info on where I may run into big hurdles.

Thanks alot!

G_Loc · 08-11-2009, 08:46 PM

With a Haynes manual you won't get much done. Pick up a Helms instead

justincgd · 08-11-2009, 09:02 PM

My mistake. It is helm's. I glanced at the wrong book. Helm's is the trick?

G_Loc · 08-11-2009, 09:03 PM

Yep! Its got everything you need and more.

Got any pics of the car?

h22vtecgirl · 08-11-2009, 09:34 PM

Can yo buy helms at stores?

G_Loc · 08-11-2009, 09:38 PM

No. Here: www.helminc.com/

There's also PDF versions floating around. This link was posted in your thread: Free downloadable Honda and Acura Factory Service HELMS Manuals

h22vtecgirl · 08-11-2009, 09:51 PM

Ok. I know about the site. Was just wondering if there was a quicker way to acquire one. lol

Rodmunch · 08-12-2009, 01:02 AM

Quicker than downloading?

It's free too! So you don't have to bother your daddy to pay for it.

yohan420 · 08-12-2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodmunch

Quicker than downloading?

It's free too! So you don't have to bother your daddy to pay for it.

Dude what's your deal? This is the 2nd post I've seen of you making remarks about having somebodies dad pay for parts .. the culture on PO isn't flame everyone, its help every one.

I've asked my fair share of questions years ago when I first signed up, now I just contribute all of the things I've learned with the help of everybody here. Quit spoiling it man, pay that same privilege forward and you'll notice the people that don't tolerate the lip will stick around and help you when you need it in the future.

G_Loc · 08-12-2009, 01:46 PM

In his defense, she did state in another thread that her dad is paying for her repairs and whatnot

Kronn 98SH · 08-12-2009, 02:34 PM

Sounds like you're all set. Once the repairs are done, get rid of the girlfriend. Because if you let her drive the Lude, we'll organize a lynch mob.

justincgd · 08-12-2009, 05:08 PM

Yeah, the lude will be off limits. Her daddy did buy her a spankin' new civic for us to use so she doesn't need to touch my car anyway, nor does she even want to. It really sucks losing a car, especially when you have never hit a thing in your life, but hey, I got a lude out of it!

I can post some pics but there's nothing much to look at. They will mostly be for "before" pics. I suppose I'll start a build thread once I start tearing her down.

Any advice before I start would be greatly appreciated. I'm thinking alot a masking tape and tonnes of ziplock baggies. Good thing I have a spare bedroom for parts.

Another note, I downloaded the Helm's manual from this site. I wasn't free but I think it was 5 bucks or something. That's nothing compaired to buying it from a store.

G_Loc · 08-12-2009, 09:26 PM

But its a free download from spooner tuner

Good luck to you!

justincgd · 08-12-2009, 10:36 PM

Oh well. Five bucks to the forum doesn't hurt me. It was there in front of me and easy.

justincgd · 08-13-2009, 10:37 PM

Sooo... I've been pulling stuff out of my car (beginning to strip it) and before I even got too far I noticed some sleazy little things. Nothing big, but I'm starting to think this car may cost more than it's worth in little parts. Example... I pulled out the climate control and all the little tabs and controls were snapped/non-existent. They previous owner had it jimmy rigged so it worked so you couldn't tell without further inspection. Then there is the mounting bracked for the radiator fluid overflow chamber. GONE! A bunch of screws are missing in the front bumper. Found this out when I went to remove it. The list goes on and on. Mechanically the car works fine, but asthetically I'm going to need to unload a lot of cash in used parts. The guy took me pretty good.

So I cracked tonight and starting checking adds again and I found a 95 lude with a claimed "mint" interior and just a little rust on the rear quarters. It's dirt cheap cause he neglected to change the timing belt and the engine needs a rebuild (if it's even salvagible) so I might swap in my F22 to get me by, or just wait till I can get an H22A. I'm also contemplation doing a frankenstein with my f22 block and the H23 head. Just throwing some ideas around. I'm going to check it out tomorrow night. Fingers crossed!