Almond Cream Makes the Ladies Scream *UPDATE* RAGTOPPED!

jameskjamesk Wagonist
in Rides & Builds- Civic wagons
Hello,

After a year of looking at wagons, I found one in decent shape. A 1988 almond cream automatic :( that was owned by an 89 year old lady.

This is how it looked:
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Under the hood...nasty!
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Bye bye!
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Hello b18a1
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KYB gr-2 + H&R sport + ebay lca's
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Innovative shift linkage (no more auto!)
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Yay!
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Cheapo rotas!
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More pics to come...
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Comments

  • The_HeadThe_Head familEE
    Very nice, I like it.
  • jameskjamesk Wagonist
    In the process got the normal stuff done: new clutch/flywheel, accessory belts, timing belt, water pump,etc.

    Next up: audio, tint, LS-v?
  • The_HeadThe_Head familEE
    How many miles are on the chassis?
  • jameskjamesk Wagonist
    Lots--180k
  • wagodizzlewagodizzle Council Member and EDM expert
    word, great intro! i like where this is headed.
  • NJCIVICWAGON1NJCIVICWAGON1 Council Member
    wagodizzle wrote:
    word, great intro! i like where this is headed.
    2x's. Great job so far. Wats next?
  • RevmaynardRevmaynard Council Member
    Great start! I'm glad to see another almond cream wagon sign up!
  • simplyhondasimplyhonda Council Member
    Looks great 180k is alot for an old lady! How you liking that B18 in there?
  • jameskjamesk Wagonist
    Short term plans are mild tints, audio, exhaust, k&n drop in filter.

    Possible long term plans are LS-vtec, full coilovers, paintjob?

    Weird pics coming up...

    Can you find the hidden cream filling?
    226.jpg

    There it is!
    227.jpg

    228.jpg
  • jameskjamesk Wagonist
    Yeah, I was wrestling with the thought of the b18 swap with 5-spd vs. d16z6 and staying automatic.

    I pushed it for the first time today and spun the hell out of the tires when I shifted to 2nd. It made the gf go "whoaaa!" I probably spent 1,000 over what I would have if I had stayed with the d series. I cannot say which is better because I've never gone for a spin in a z6 wagon.

    Ultimately, I think the b18 is pretty awesome and I'm happy with the car. It is so much more capable and I no longer fear merging on the hwy!
  • simplyhondasimplyhonda Council Member
    Cool pics!
  • jameskjamesk Wagonist
    ^^I noticed you live in Winston Salem. I lived in an apartment on High Point Rd in Greensboro, NC over 10 years ago!

    Visited a couple years ago, the place is really shaping up!

    I live in Tampa now.
  • simplyhondasimplyhonda Council Member
    Cool, I live on High Point Rd. In Winston, totally different road, but I work near High Point Rd. & Holden in Greensboro - Near the waterpark. Place is growing like crazy!
  • SparklesSparkles Wagonist
    Nice wago! Looks great so far
  • unlimited02unlimited02 Senior Wagonist
    nice work and looking good...
  • absolutetintingabsolutetinting Wagonist
    i like the title
    i like the car.
  • fishsticksfishsticks Wagonist
    i like it, i like it alot!
  • 87civicshuttle2187civicshuttle21 Band Wagon
    clean ass cream
  • wago_danwago_dan Wagonist
    Very nice!
  • JesseCRXJesseCRX Council Member
    almond joy!
    looks really good.
    Like the candy coated LCA's
  • freddog509freddog509 Band Wagon
    looks good
  • 1988rt1988rt Senior Wagonist
    So very nice
  • CarGuyCarGuy New Wagonist
    Quick question. Is it basically plug an play when swapping an A1 into a wagon?
    As in same harness with work fine?
  • jameskjamesk Wagonist
    I enlisted the help of a local mechanic, and I wouldn't say was exactly plug and play. It would have definately been easier if the car was already a 5 speed, but you may not have that issue.

    I needed a new harness, I found one on ebay for $70. I had to use the b18a1's ecu (pr4) and convert over to obd1 as well.

    I also needed EF to B-series mounts, and the hasport a/c bracket. Luckily I was able to pick them up used from locals.
  • superhatchsuperhatch Moderator
    The swap is almost plug and play if you get the right year A1. Ive done the swap with an Si hatch and an A1 and it was very straight forward with lots of write-ups on the internet. I -think- that I had to splice 3 wires. It was a long time ago so I cant remember too clearly.

    The wagon looks great!
  • ludemanludeman Wagonist
    looks real nice man
  • jameskjamesk Wagonist
    Update:

    My B18a1 crapped out on me... But that what you get when you buy from shady people at a cheap price.

    Installed new (to me) JDM B20b model year 2000 from hmotorsonline.

    18.jpg

    Hope this one lasts!
  • LowFlyin'LowFlyin' Moderator
    That aught to be a good fit for the wagon.

    I loved my '01 CRV, 5-speed RT4WD. It would have been a lot more fun sans a few hundred pounds, though.
  • cthomaspanamacthomaspanama Band Wagon
    Is it sold>?
  • 90shuttle90shuttle Senior Wagonist
    love the sky scraper photo!
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