Lewis's Milano Red EP3
Lewis's Milano Red EP3
I was a massive lurker on these forums for a while whilst i weighed up the pro's and con's of buying a Honda.
My previous car's were VW's i loved the whole "DUB" scene. But couldn't bare the repair costs everytime the thing went up the creek. It was burning a serious whole in a shallow pocket of a 19 year old. So enough was enough and i chopped it in.
Next came the transfer from Das Auto to JDM. Bought myself a Glanza replica, as i didn't want to buy a turbo V and insure it as a 1.3 non-turbo. If i ever killed someone, i would be mortified. I LOVED the thing. 1.3 16v DOHC was a little rocket ship and i stripped it, throwing in some seriously light D2's...Weighed in at 820kg.. POWER TO WEIGHT!
Glanza Replica
Then the VTEC virus infected me after a insanity ride in a DC5 re-mapped.
At the time, there was lots of different Honda's around my area. 2 DC5's, about 8 modifed EP3's,a slammed CRX, EK-K20..
But slowly they died out leaving around 4 EP3's which where all really nice. I saw noticing them more often and thought i wonder what the Insurance is like on them. Turns out wasn't overlly bad for a 20 year old. £2300.
I ended up picking up a banged up Milano Red.
Facelift
81,000 Mileage, FSH up to 72k.
Severse paint fade
Scratches and dents all around
K&N Typhoon Induction Kit
Magnex Full Oval Exhaust System
TEIN Superstreet coillovers + upgradded top mounts with reciept. (£1,350 fitted.. hock: )
So the spec wasn't too bad.. just the bodywork was a heap. The guy was USELESS at t-cuting. up for £3,100 but we took one look and said it needs a re-spray mate. I'll give you £2100 take it or leave it. Well, he moaned and groaned and then agreed.
It does'nt look too bad. But belive me it was neglected on bodywork for atleast 2 years..(It looks really red in these shots but its not!)
Laquer peel all over bumper..
As you can see it need'ed severe TLC & lots of love.. luckily i was in love with the thing.
The weather started to pickup and i gave it a full clean, polish and hoover. I have a AutoGlym bag of goodies my GF bought me. (No i wont post **** pics pamsign: )
About a month after owning i noticing coming down through gear in high RPM was literally impossible. It wouldnt engage into a single gear until i was almost at a standstill. Further inspectin from my mechanic - Clutch. So this was replaced for a OEM one. As im not planning on serious power for another year or so. This improved the car so much, i didnt realise how rough and dog like it was until the clutch was changed!
Next up i decided it needs some lows so it was time to fit my 40mm springs i bought the first week i owned. I pulled up at a friends and he said "You know what, it looks awfully low" and i thought it does have a really hard ride..
It was ass down.. then we realised it was rolling on TEIN Superstreet Coilovers & Added Top Mounts!! BONUS. So jacked it up and wound the coilovers dont on the fronts to compensate. But we could only get a few turns. They've seized, so i need to get them un-seized for more lows.
My friends EP3 which is now at a new home, was absolutely gorgeous loved the thing!
So, it has some gastly induction kit on it which looks completely awful and was ruining the appearance of the engine bay. So i searched around an bought a K&N Typhoon of a friend who just gone for a AEM V2. I know its bad for heat soak and all, but it was cheap and new they are reaonsably expensive..
At the same time i decided to do a HID upgrade, had them on all my cars and would never not want them, so they had to be done..Visibility is superb. Aimed as low as they can go, just in case the dazzle but still not been flashed by anyone! [smilie=karls_thumb.gif]
HID's
By this time i was getting fed up of the rough bodywork and the sarcy comments people were saying, so a months saving and it was booked in for a full re-spray. You never realise how many imperfections a car has until it's in a bodyshop being rubbed down! - Look for yourself!
After about 2 weeks i was getting impatient with excitment, i need'ed it back and i was absolutely desperate to see the results. I rang them and they said i can come and see it, its currently baking in the oven drying for the next few days..
I was amazed at how goergeous Milano really is when fresh!
I was chuffed at how well the painwork came out.. Literally was having a minor excitment wee whilst i driving CAREFULLY home.. Was smiling ear to ear..
So i'd had my re-spray and things were tight after that, had some hefty debts i need'ed clearing so i put the civic on hold.. But not for long! Next up was to spray the wheels Championship White to finish the colour off..I couldn't afford a professionally sand blast, and spray but i have a friend who is awfully handy with his compressor, so i bought the materials and he said he'd do it for £20.. I couldnt grumble with 2 holidays coming up this year, but i will get them re-done end of the year time!
End result turned out to be ALOT better quality than i predicted. The odd blemish here and there, nothing like a Pro, but not a bad attempt. Even up close they look professional its only when you really get down and look for the marks your see them!
This is now my favourite picture of my car!
But i was awaiting postage from eBay for my new Honda wheel decals and also my new Type-R side skirt stickers as i was running with "Meister" for some random reason since the re-spray i was too lazy to buy them i guess...But after the Honda decals were on the wheels it emphasised the red/white and sets them off! in my opinion.. Just need some D2 red wheek nuts now i think!
So that's it up until today..Future plans are for Mugen Rear spoiler/carbon.. black wrapped roof and a carbon bonnet.
Thoughts and opinions!?
Then i made a late night road trip to collect some D2 rear lower control arms;
He was a legend. Managed to persuade him to bring the 3 month old baby out and the missus at about 10pm! Hero!
So this will be making an appearance on the MilanoBaby soon!
included all bolts and the special nut to get the bolts out the current ones! happy happy happy!
Next up was braking!
Update timeeeee!
So the brakes are getting almost unbearable. Weirdly, you brake but the car in front just seems to get closer! Stopping is shocking.
From closer inspection my discs are completely warped and the pads are on metal.
So a complete overhaul was in order! - Ordered these little baby's!
And....
To finish it all off..
All being done next week along with my D2 LCA's
Can't wait to feel the breaks, really want Brembo callipers next!
Abit of "Winter" cleaning was in order. I decided to remove my VTEC plastic cover sitting on the manifold. To my horror, and i knew it was going to be bad. It was THICK black all down the rocker cover. I dont have "finished" cleaning pictures, but i'll grab some tonight!
I used a £1.00 Engine Cleaner/Degreaser from The Range. Expecting nothing, i was actually suprised it lifed alot of muck, and i was only using an old rag. With a wirebrush/brillopad i reckon it would of cleaned up alot better!
We also did a oil change on "Artur_JDM" Milano whilst it was draining out the engine, we attacked mine with the degreaser. My oil was changed about 1 month ago, so should be A-Ok for now!
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So, the first of the newly order items arrived as my work today.. After ordering them at 2pm Friday Afternoon, EPIC delivery speed!
They look sexy as fook! There green because the calipers will be going green as well! As i want a mad combo!
Also, just purhcased this off the classifieds, as it'll tie in with my Red/White theme, and it was cheaper than a new one! [smilie=karls_thumb.gif]
Another hard day in the office, more items arriving!
The numerous boxs that have arrived..
Naughty new brakes & Brembo Pads!
Cheeky strut brace, interested to see how this changes things..
Booked in tommorow at my garage for;
D2 rear lower control arms
full brake fluid drain
front discs
front pads
braided hose's
Motul 5.1 DOT fluid.
Can't wait, hopefully it will change the way the car feels in braking/cornering with the strut and LCA's!
The strut brave arrived today, fortunately I'm blessed with an underground carpark out of the cold & wind.
So decided to fit it!
A few other snaps..
The glare from the HIDs is worse in this picture.
Cars going in the garage tommorow!
It gets treated on the reg, to a full wash+polish. Every 2 weeks if weather permits! It's still as shiny as it was back in oct 12, when the respray was complete!
Update; So this weekend i treated the calipers to a yellow painting. Basically, was bored as hell, went to B&Q and bought some hamerite. Jobs a good'en. Will need to be gone over again, but for now, it'll be fine!
Excuse the DODGY shots, iPhone camera is poop.
Also, 2 weekends ago, i was and polished it went for a ride on a 140cc Pitbike. Stopped for a Tesco's sandwhich and took some snaps! - Again poor quality.
Also, arriving next week is a carbon fibre OEM style bonnet. VERY much looking forward to this!
Update;
The carbon fibre bonnet fell through, agreed terms price, and the seller hasn't replied in a week.. Gutted to say the least!
On wards and upwards!
Cleaned/Polished the car this weekend and got bored with a mate so we drove up to Lakeside (Thurrock) to see if anything was happening.. Nice 60 mile venture. Stumbled accross a big car meet and had a chat with another Type-R owner. Wasn't from the forum though, but i pointed him this way! Few snaps from a petrol station just before we left!
Also, i decided i wanted to know how my car sounds, so my friend willingly stepped out into the cold and video'd me pulling away in 1st/2nd. (Within the speed limits)
http://s1323.beta.photobucket.com/user/A...2.mp4.html
How can i make that video appear here?
Also my favourite buy this year.. CANNOT WAIT!!
Racing all day Saturday on the strip!
Some nice mods there mate, look forward to seeing this at a few shows this year with the club!
AaronTypeR Some nice mods there mate, look forward to seeing this at a few shows this year with the club!
AaronTypeR Some nice mods there mate, look forward to seeing this at a few shows this year with the club!
You should come to Japfest with us, oh and JAE is an awesome show in mid September, highly recommend that one! Be nice to have another EP3 on the club stand with me! The respray looks awesome, how much did it set you back?
AaronTypeR You should come to Japfest with us, oh and JAE is an awesome show in mid September, highly recommend that one! Be nice to have another EP3 on the club stand with me! The respray looks awesome, how much did it set you back?
AaronTypeR You should come to Japfest with us, oh and JAE is an awesome show in mid September, highly recommend that one! Be nice to have another EP3 on the club stand with me! The respray looks awesome, how much did it set you back?
**** thats a fair bit of cash! Im currently saving for some new wheels then i'll be getting more performance orientated mods.
I know someone selling an OEM style carbon fibre bonnet for £240