So back in May me and my friends thought this would be an interesting project as we'd seen it mentioned by enthusiasts numerous times but we'd never heard of one actually being done, so I set about it. I got this Acclaim cheap because of some light crash damage to both ends (it's fine unless you're picky) and drove it around for a month or so including a track day and actually quite enjoyed it with only 75hp. I managed a 1:38 at Combe which is pretty respectable for what it is. Eventually though that wasn't enough so I bought a VTI Civic and ripped that to bits for everything I needed (engine, LSD box, loom, shafts, clutch hydraulics, dials etc) and got to work.
Now we're here, a perfectly driving car. The shafts are custom and strong utilising the original hubs. There's 2 looms in the car - one for the engine, one for the car. This means 2 keys and key barrels, one is mounted in the dash. There are separate fuel pump and rad fan switches. The Acclaim radiator had to be used but it has an uprated fan and doesn't get hot at all. I also removed the horrid grill to help. The reverse lights are wired up and the heater has also been plumbed back in and is amazing. I also fitted a decent head unit and it has a custom Mountney boss and dished steering wheel.
Because the engine is so big for the bay and how it has to sit the shaft angle is offcentre. I had a problem with a shaft popping out but since I renewed an inner CV, improved an engine mount and jacked it up 10mm its been fine.
The boot is stripped and that's where the battery is. The carpet and various bits of floor mounted trim have gone too to make room for the bucket seats and loom. The rear seats are still in as are the front belts and full dash.
It has GAZ coilovers all round which are custom and as far as I'm aware the only set in existence so very saught-after.
The engine is standard except an air filter straight off the throttle body, uprated fuel pump and decat. I've also ditched the emissions curse word, air con and power steering. This makes it around 190hp. It still has a standard ECU so at the moment it limits at 8200rpm but these things are safe to 9k+. The cambelt, water pump and clutch were done last year before I bought the donor car.
The fuel pump is a 255LPH unit mounted on the bulkhead. I fitted this because I was going to turbo it but it turned out quite fast enough! It's quite loud but once you're moving it doesn't make any more noise than the radio.
The clutch has been converted from cable to hydraulic using a Dolomite Sprint clutch pedal assembly with the donor car's master cylinder.
On the outside I've lost the hideous rear bumper and fitted a universal fog light. It also has a MK1 MR2 spoiler, universal arches and 14" baby G60 steels banded to 8.5 and 9.5J. The tyres are new. It did have 20mm hubcentric spacers on the front but it made the steering snappy as the wheels are already very wide. Narrower wheels make it handle better but it doesn't look as badass. On the track day I used some 15" 7Js and it was fine.
Areas For Improvenent
The interior needs some neatening if you're fussy as the fuse box which now sits in the centre under the dash is exposed.
On the dash the indicator and beam lights have been wired up but beam stopped working. There's no fuel gauge at the moment but the rest work.
The engine is secure but one more mount would be a good idea.
I've done over 1000 miles in the car now and except my left leg getting bigger everything has been fine. If noone is interested I will finish it off and keep it as my daily as it's great on fuel.
Nearly 12 months MOT!
£2375 on banded steels or less without.
Now we're here, a perfectly driving car. The shafts are custom and strong utilising the original hubs. There's 2 looms in the car - one for the engine, one for the car. This means 2 keys and key barrels, one is mounted in the dash. There are separate fuel pump and rad fan switches. The Acclaim radiator had to be used but it has an uprated fan and doesn't get hot at all. I also removed the horrid grill to help. The reverse lights are wired up and the heater has also been plumbed back in and is amazing. I also fitted a decent head unit and it has a custom Mountney boss and dished steering wheel.
Because the engine is so big for the bay and how it has to sit the shaft angle is offcentre. I had a problem with a shaft popping out but since I renewed an inner CV, improved an engine mount and jacked it up 10mm its been fine.
The boot is stripped and that's where the battery is. The carpet and various bits of floor mounted trim have gone too to make room for the bucket seats and loom. The rear seats are still in as are the front belts and full dash.
It has GAZ coilovers all round which are custom and as far as I'm aware the only set in existence so very saught-after.
The engine is standard except an air filter straight off the throttle body, uprated fuel pump and decat. I've also ditched the emissions curse word, air con and power steering. This makes it around 190hp. It still has a standard ECU so at the moment it limits at 8200rpm but these things are safe to 9k+. The cambelt, water pump and clutch were done last year before I bought the donor car.
The fuel pump is a 255LPH unit mounted on the bulkhead. I fitted this because I was going to turbo it but it turned out quite fast enough! It's quite loud but once you're moving it doesn't make any more noise than the radio.
The clutch has been converted from cable to hydraulic using a Dolomite Sprint clutch pedal assembly with the donor car's master cylinder.
On the outside I've lost the hideous rear bumper and fitted a universal fog light. It also has a MK1 MR2 spoiler, universal arches and 14" baby G60 steels banded to 8.5 and 9.5J. The tyres are new. It did have 20mm hubcentric spacers on the front but it made the steering snappy as the wheels are already very wide. Narrower wheels make it handle better but it doesn't look as badass. On the track day I used some 15" 7Js and it was fine.
Areas For Improvenent
The interior needs some neatening if you're fussy as the fuse box which now sits in the centre under the dash is exposed.
On the dash the indicator and beam lights have been wired up but beam stopped working. There's no fuel gauge at the moment but the rest work.
The engine is secure but one more mount would be a good idea.
I've done over 1000 miles in the car now and except my left leg getting bigger everything has been fine. If noone is interested I will finish it off and keep it as my daily as it's great on fuel.
Nearly 12 months MOT!
£2375 on banded steels or less without.
?