I just got a black 97 2.5 GT w/ manual tranny and all the options, even leather. I am getting the car delivered on wed (April 7th). I am so excited. I have worked on hondas for years now so I figured I switch to something else. (I have a 375whp civic)

For now the legacy will be my daily driver but I know I cant ever keep anything stock.

My question is where can I find some good beginners posts like what body codes and engine codes are what, compression ratios and all that newb stuff I have to learn.

Thanks in advance


oh and for the pics: http://www.street-innovations.com/Mike/Legacy

 

Not to "cross over" to the "dark side" or anything, but since we folks share around you might start here;
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...hreadid=212684

Glenn O

 

OH! And beware the Phase1 "Head-Gasket Monster"! If they've never been done on your new baby read up all you can cuz they will! You'll wanna be sure the latest gasket design is used, 11044AA610, and be aware of what to watch for when "the monster" rears it's ugly head. Not, I repeat, NOT being funny!!

Glenn O

 

I have heard that the head gaskets go sometimes. The car only has 61k on it I've heard ppl say the clutch is usually gone by 70k is this true? What other things should I look at?

Thanks

 

That's pretty low mileage so you may be safe for a while. The book says 105K-miles for timing belt and valve adjustment. Valve cover gaskets leak, and various other annoying leaks but if you take a little time to keep her clean it should be easy to tell if it's getting bad. Mine cracked the Y-pipe after the mid-point exhaust mount was snapped from hitting something. Worth looking over when you can get the car in the air. The mount is cheap, the Y-pipe isn't. Replaced mine with a Borla header for about the same $$$. I u/s the ACT clutch is a good way to go for near stock feel but good grab.
In your neck of the woods I'd be very aware of the possibility of rust between front doors and wheel opening. There are pockets in that area that trap sand, leaves and crap, plug up and become a breeding ground for rust. Best to blast them out regularly, directing high pressure blast between the fender liner and fender edge. If they're already plugged too badly to blast out detach the liner enough to expose the area to clean it out.
First mod I'd do is some KartBoy or Cusco shifter bushings to firm up the shift action. Run about $35-40.
You've purchased a sweet handling car. Not a rocket off the line, but nice on a country road or your favorite on/off ramp, and very confidence inspiring in foul weather. Have FUN!! Sorry to run on!

Glenn O

 

thanks for the replies, before I bought the car I checked over the engine and there is no sign of head gasket leak at all, the engine compartment is clean but doesnt look recently cleaned which is a good sign.

What mods should I start with, shift bushings are def a good idea. anything else? Are there any cheap or easy mods that I will actually notice a diff with? What about a header or intake? will they actually do anything for this car?

 

Intakes are tough to match up with due to the MAF. I think Injen has a decent one, but not too many others and pricey. I didn't notice but a little boost from the Borla, but u/s a cat-back and hi-flow cats along with it will free up some HP. Might look at Brullen too. I've heard good feedback about power-pulleys, but wouldn't personally go with an underdrive model. The lightweight's will improve response without giving you dimming lights, etc, issues. A lightened flywheel when you do the clutch would improve acceleration too, but I think the most is to be gained from handling mods, ie, KYB AGX and mild drop, or some coil-overs but the good ones will set you back some big $$$. Larger rear sway, at least 18mm from the OutBack, or an adjustable would be cool, along with some new endlinks, WhiteLine, KartBoy, etc will make the car respond better as well. I have STB's F&R to stiffen up the suspension as well. Benefit is a personal thing. Either you notice it or not. I thought the front one most noticeable. Just look around at what's available using the links here and on NASIOC to see what's out there. Have fun!

Glenn O

 

OH, and if you haven't already checked out my Wagon pics on "what exterior mods for a 98" already, I posted them a couple of days ago.

GO

 

Cool, I dont really mind spending the cash to do it right. This will be the second car I have done. My civic was first. It now has built and turbo'd ITR motor and all the suspension mods to match so I'm not new to performance just subarus. Thanks for all the info.

My buddy has a performance shop and I split the garage space with him so I will def be modding the car within the next month or so. I think from looking around a lot of what I will do will probably be from scratch. Its not to hard for me to get some intake tubing bent up real nice so that will probably be my first mod.

What about things like strut tower bars and anything to make the chassis more rigid. I have a few bars on my civic and it def made a difference especially after I put on the teins.

Again thanks for all the info!

 

Sorry, Guess I could have made myself more clear in last post. STB=Strut Tower bar. Front is a Cusco and rear a Syms, both good quality bars, but despite what I had heard I felt the front bar's effects more noticeable, even with the wagon lacking the torsional stiffness of the sedan in the rear.
Sounds like you have a great situation with the shop space. I'm envious!

Glenn O

 

Thanks for all the replies! I will def keep you posted on how everything goes. I will probably do a custom exhaust and intake. I dont know if I will buy strut tower bars or make them too. Fabrication of these parts will probably start in about 3 weeks when I am done with school for the semester. I'll keep eveybody posted with pics.

I also work with carbon fiber so I will see what I can do with that