White Lightning - 2004 Civic HX

[OG VX]

Great thread! I'll be following along. I always liked that model of the Civic coupes. Should be a nasty little eco-machine. Don't worry about the wife. Mine feels the same way. That's why I removed the passenger seat, and saved even more gas!

Good luck.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Donahue

I wonder, do the HCH have electric steering racks? 7th gen SI hatchbacks do. If the hybrids do too, it might be another route for me to consider down the road.

Why wouldn't the setup from the hatchback be supposed to work in your coupé?

[Donahue]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Why wouldn't the setup from the hatchback be supposed to work in your coupé?

All though the 7th gen hatchbacks really don't share much in common with the rest of the 7th gen, the racks are compatible. They are also rare and expensive. Maybe using a hybrid one would be less common and therefore cheaper.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Indeed. Though I'm not sure about the steering rack of the hybrid featuring EPS, there might be some other EPS setup you could retrofit into your Civic, as it's becoming increasingly popular.

[MPGomatic]

Sweet HX! I was looking for a seventh gen before I picked up Slambo ('99), but they are tough to find around these parts.

I saw a nice MPG bump with an EGR clean. Put that one on your to-do list. =)

Working on the rear belly pan now. Just had my best legit tank.

https://youtu.be/zFl6n1T1FCw

I'm not keen on losing the mirrors or installing a kill switch, but it's a hoot to throw into neutral and glide.

[Donahue]

agreed on the mirrors, I'll accept the aero penalty. I'm coasting now using the key, i can coast the last mile to my house and even with a couple of turns onto different streets, ive got enough momentum to pull into my driveway. the brakes seem to be fine when off, either there is plenty of vacuum reserve, or the vacuum assist isn't super powerful to begin with. But EPS would be nice, or maybe just removing the PS and convert to manual.

[whatmaycome14]

Originally Posted by Donahue

All though the 7th gen hatchbacks really don't share much in common with the rest of the 7th gen, the racks are compatible. They are also rare and expensive. Maybe using a hybrid one would be less common and therefore cheaper.

I have a 7th Gen also (2003) and I've been running the stock power steering rack with the reservoir and pump completely removed. I don't really notice any situation where I have problems arise as a result. You may want to try this first and save yourself the cost of buying an all new rack!

[Vman455]

Originally Posted by whatmaycome14

I have a 7th Gen also (2003) and I've been running the stock power steering rack with the reservoir and pump completely removed. I don't really notice any situation where I have problems arise as a result. You may want to try this first and save yourself the cost of buying an all new rack!

I did this too; it worked fine for 2 1/2 years (until the car was totaled). I used this tutorial.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by Donahue

agreed on the mirrors, I'll accept the aero penalty. I'm coasting now using the key, i can coast the last mile to my house and even with a couple of turns onto different streets, ive got enough momentum to pull into my driveway. the brakes seem to be fine when off, either there is plenty of vacuum reserve, or the vacuum assist isn't super powerful to begin with. But EPS would be nice, or maybe just removing the PS and convert to manual.

I get about three full pushes on the brake pedal before the pedal gets hard. Even then, it will still brake OK, but I typically start the engine and kill it to build up vacuum again. If you have lots of downhills where you regularly run out of vacuum, you can add a vacuum reservoir.

My power steering is disabled. I don't miss it a bit. It's a light car, I don't feel it is needed at all.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Would you actually consider to delete the brake booster?