[coldtotouch]

Planning on driving down to florida last week of august. Planning on swapping the motor (its old...), changing my rad (its ancient...), changing my brakes, and changing the bushings on my car.

Now heres the question. What else should i change? I'm going to give it into a shop, cause i have about 3 weeks and a bit to get all work done and have the car good to go. I need to know what else you guys would recommend i'd need to do to prep the car for a non stop 24 hour drive...

lets hear it guys...

 

[stick]

If you don't know how old the timing belt or waterpump are, I would replace those while the motor is out. (much easier than when the motor is in the car). You may also want to replace the oil seals on both ends of the engine if they are leaking. (behind the crank pulley, and behind the flywheel) Check the oil pan gasket for leaks too. These are all things that are much easier to deal with when the engine is out of the car.

Other than that, take some extra fluids with you (oil and coolant) and maybe a couple of 2L bottles filled with water. Pack a small set of tools (metric wrenches, pliers, etc). Take 30 min breaks from driving every 3 - 4 hours. The CRX isn't meant to be driven for more than 3 - 4 hours at a time, and you probably need the break to stretch and get some food and fresh air anyways.

 

[coldtotouch]

Thanks man, i was planning on changing all gaskets and seals while the motor was out anyway, going to put in a fresh clutch and flywheel too. Any other recommendations? Should i change my motor mounts? Axles and seals (i'm not sure if this is a necessity for the swap)? Also, while i'm getting the bushings changed, should i get the suspension done? I don't know if my struts/springs need it...

btw the motor thats going in is the 3 Stage Vtec D15B

 

[jmart]

Take 30 min breaks from driving every 3 - 4 hours. The CRX isn't meant to be driven for more than 3 - 4 hours at a time.

What!?! I'm calling bull**** on that statement. I definitely drove from Boston to Southern California in 3 days before. That was around 1000 miles per day and I only stopped for gas every 350 miles. I guess that going 80 mph, 350 miles only takes about 4 hours or so, but I'm sure the CRX could run for longer if it had a bigger tank!
But ya, I'd say rebleed the brakes to make sure they ae fresh and stiff. I would also nut and bolt the suspension, basically chaeck to make sure everything is tight and not goign to come off. Then like stickershop said, carry and extra container of coolant, oil, water, and brake fluid jsut in case. Also make sure your tires have plenty of tread and aren't wearing funny.

 

[stick]

What!?! I'm calling [bologne] on that statement. I definitely drove from Boston to Southern California in 3 days before. That was around 1000 miles per day and I only stopped for gas every 350 miles. I guess that going 80 mph, 350 miles only takes about 4 hours or so, but I'm sure the CRX could run for longer if it had a bigger tank!

I didn't say it couldn't be done. I'm just saying that it is not good for your engine and components to be running hot for that long. You're supposed to change your oil regularly too, but I know people who go for more than a year before changing their oil. It's just hard on the car. And sooner or later, it'll catch up with them.

 

[coldtotouch]

Great stuff guys, yes i'm getting an alignment done as well as fresh rubber before we take off on the trip (i don't want the 1 thing that connects me to the road to be compromised!)

The brakes are getting changed fresh, including a brand new M/C, rebuilt front calipers (used barely after rebuild), rebuilt rear calipers (freshly rebuilt), new rotors
I got all the fluids all ready to go already, and i'm going to take an extra charged battery and plug in battery charger (incase my alternator decides to die)

Should i not be concerned with changing the shocks/springs? Is there anyway to check the quality of these parts still (ie. if they are on their last life line or what)... furthermore, the rear LCAs are getting changed (with the bushings)...

Question here, anyone know of things that can be done to help improve ride quality... i don't know how excited my girlfriend will be about a 25 hour drive thats not so smooth... :?
right now the car feels like crap, mostly cause my rear right lca needs to be changed, and my alignment is OFF... I'm looking to get all of this dealt with in the next week (ie. fixing all suspension issues, fresh rubber and alignment)...

 

[stick]

Question here, anyone know of things that can be done to help improve ride quality... i don't know how excited my girlfriend will be about a 25 hour drive thats not so smooth... :?

Use the stock rims (14's) with the stock 185/60/R14 tire size. (using larger rims and low profile tires makes the ride rougher). Use oem rubber bushings. (polyurethane bushings make the ride rougher). New shocks (takes the boing boing out of bumps by dampening the springs better).

 

[Charles]

Take 30 min breaks from driving every 3 - 4 hours. The CRX isn't meant to be driven for more than 3 - 4 hours at a time, and you probably need the break to stretch and get some food and fresh air anyways.

I have never heard this. Where did this come from?

I would think that humming along the highway with lots of airflow would be better than shutting it off and then getting it going again.

 

[coldtotouch]

Question here, anyone know of things that can be done to help improve ride quality... i don't know how excited my girlfriend will be about a 25 hour drive thats not so smooth... :?

Use the stock rims (14's) with the stock 185/60/R14 tire size. (using larger rims and low profile tires makes the ride rougher). Use oem rubber bushings. (polyurethane bushings make the ride rougher). New shocks (takes the boing boing out of bumps by dampening the springs better).

Thanks again man, that was my plan for the rubber, and bushings, as i've read in multiple instances certain poly bushings bind... limiting movement.
Interms of changing the shocks, any suggestions? i'm thinking about progressive springs too, i believe those help as well if i'm not mistaken. I know there are coilovers that have good setups, but i'm not ready for a $1000+ coilover set...

Take 30 min breaks from driving every 3 - 4 hours. The CRX isn't meant to be driven for more than 3 - 4 hours at a time, and you probably need the break to stretch and get some food and fresh air anyways.

I have never heard this. Where did this come from?

I would think that humming along the highway with lots of airflow would be better than shutting it off and then getting it going again.

Charles you make a strong point... i'd like to understand both perspectives further.

 

[grouch]

Personally, I rent cars for long trips...

No wear and tear on my own car, no annoying break down/repairs, not having to spend $1000+ on my car just before a big trip, a much smoother ride for long distances

You also want some time to shakedown the new engine BEFORE the trip. You don't want to get 400 miles form home and puke a rod.

 

[jmart]

I don't see there being much of a problem for a properly tuned, well functioning motor to have a problem driving for many hours. After running for a little while, everything in the engine comes to a steady state temperature, as regulated by your cooling system, and I garauntee that your motor can hum at that rotational velocity and temperature all day long with no problems.

 

[coldtotouch]

Personally, I rent cars for long trips...

No wear and tear on my own car, no annoying break down/repairs, not having to spend $1000+ on my car just before a big trip, a much smoother ride for long distances

You also want some time to shakedown the new engine BEFORE the trip. You don't want to get 400 miles form home and puke a rod.

You make a good point, that was a concern, but i bet i'll put about 1000km on the motor before i take her on the trip... (i drive ALOT)

interms of having to spend a large amount of $, i've been meaning to do these things for a WHILE now... this is just motivation

i think renting would be a good idea, but at that point i'd fly...

driving my own car costs me half, and i get to break in the motor :lol:

 

[Charles]

I am with Grouch on this. You can find rentals with unlimited mileage. Used to be they restricted you but because of competition, there are lots of weekly rate deals with unlimited miles.

Check with Alamo. I have found pretty good rates with them.

 

[Dodo]

Thanks again man, that was my plan for the rubber, and bushings, as i've read in multiple instances certain poly bushings bind... limiting movement.
Interms of changing the shocks, any suggestions? i'm thinking about progressive springs too, i believe those help as well if i'm not mistaken. I know there are coilovers that have good setups, but i'm not ready for a $1000+ coilover set...

You can get a good set for about $750. Teins are top of the line and the only suspension that will go in my car. Not to say that there's not other good company out there, this is the only one i trust.

Things to carry on the trip, isnt there a list on here already,
http://www.crxcommunity.com/viewtopic.php?t=2430

Hope this helps. Have fun in Florida, and dont get caught by the girlfriend looking at all the other girls. Just remember, thats why sunglasses were made. 8)

 

[stick]

I have never heard this. Where did this come from?

I'm pretty sure it was my owner's manual. I'll have to double check. I know it was from a Honda document of some sort.

 

[coldtotouch]

i was thinking that...
i think i'm going to be driving about 8 - 9 hours a time, considering i'm hoping to get about 800 - 900km per tank. I bet the girlfriend's gonna wanna stop alot more often though :?

 

[jfrolang]

900km!! That would be some kind of record, I think. :shock:

 

[coldtotouch]

900km!! That would be some kind of record, I think. :shock:

With the 3 stage Vtec Running properly, i'm expecting 50MPG+ (more since its almost ALL highway driving, and i will gear my tranny for this)

this is a guesstimation, but really i want 1000+ out of a tank.

 

[jfrolang]

I guess if you drive it at just 90km/h it might get close...

 

[coldtotouch]

I guess if you drive it at just 90km/h it might get close...

Ok to make a long story short, 3 stage vtec when in optimal condtitions under about 3000rpm activates whats called lean burn mode, where it runs a 20:1 afr. Its in 8 valve mode at the time too (under 3000rpm, first stage) so what i want to do is basically gear my tranny to run under 3000rpm while going about 100 - 120kmph (between there)... i'll achieve this through the HF 5th... (i still have more research to do) but this is the plan...

heres some info on the motor...

The 3-stage VTEC engine runs in 12-valve mode up to around 3000rpm. In this range, running in ideal conditions will activate the 'lean-burn' mode, where air-fuel ratios as high as 20:1 can be used to take advantage of the intake swirl induced by the 12-valve operation. This lean-burn mode is what makes the 30km/l mileage.

keep in mind this is all hypothetical, i have yet to try any of this out...