[Xander]

Hello!

This is my first post here, I am glad that I've found you! It was a pleasure reading the technical section, a lot of good info over there.

My name is Alex and I'm a Honda owner and lover from Bucharest, Romania.

I recently bought a nice '02 Accord Type R CH1 (around 100k miles on odometer), after owning a TypeR FN2 and a CL7 Accord (not the Euro-R, but the "regular" 2.0 Sport). Since there are only 2 ATRs in Romania (at least this is the official known number on local Honda forum), I'm having some hard times putting the pieces of knowledge together to make the car shine again. This is the area where your support is really helping me.

The car was well maintained, at least for the last 2 owners that I personally know and they are also big VTEC fans. The only problem I've seen from the first drive was the pressure plate (hard pedal), which failed on me eventually - right now the car is at the local Honda service, being disassembled, waiting for a new clutch kit and flywheel (since I'm paying the labor, it seemed like a good idea). Other than this, we got a pretty bad oil leak of the left side, at the timing belt, I suppose an oil pump seal or something.

The rust is not a big of a problem, the bottom of the car looks clean, but I've saw some marks under the right fenders, where the front wheel probably threw some chips. I will take care of those after this winter and also gave it a good water protection underneath. The car got some brand new Dunlop SportMaxx RT tires on OEM Wheels and EBC Turbogroove rotors and DS2500 pads.

I just drove the car for about 200 km before the pressure plate broke, but I just love it! Such a nice engine, definitely better than the K20 in the FN2. I also like the LSD and the steering feedback, not the mention the effortless way she seems to handle any curvy roads. The suspension is still OEM, changed 30.000 km ago, so in good shape I guess. Love the seats, the low driving position and the practicability of the car.

Although I drive a '14 C Class Coupe as a daily drive, I can't get my mind off her, I had a 3 months break from owning a Honda (sold the FN2 in July since I already had the Merc) and it sure felt like an eternity.

Based on your advice, I request a quote at VTEC Direct (Andy) for an OEM clutch, XTD Flywheel, MTF, clutch fluid, front engine mount (was also gone), timing belt kit and others. I think they are really busy over there, we chat a little but no final quote at the moment, Andy if you can read this, please HELP !!

Sure, I have a list of things to change or repair at the car, but these are the most important right now, to get her going. I have a thing my the cars, my FN2 was mint when I've sold it, so I want the same for this piece of Honda history also.

Long story short, nice to meet you and hope to post pictures with the car rolling soon enough, why not some track days shots.

Cheers!

PS: A photo from the last owner, now it got the OEM grille back and the OEM wheels also. I've kept the reg. plates thought, as they were perfectly chosen!

Attached File(s)

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[bails]

Welcome!

[kp]

Hello and welcome

[craigl]

Welcome.

[Stoo]

[Shuthan]

Welcome

[SEVEN40]

Welcome Alex!

Nice car, hope you 'll drive it soon

[Moyz]

Welcome aboard!😉

[slED9e]

Welcome :-)

[toyracer69]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

[Xander]

/>

Managed to pay the items to Andy (VTEC Direct), hope to get them in Romania soon enough.

For the oil leak, I requested an aluminium cam end seal and also a rocker gasket. Any advice on what else can cause the oil leak?

Also, I need a new gear knob, since the original one is pretty damaged (I think one of her ex owner's got some rings on the right hand - my car is LHD). What do you recommend? Skunk2? Or something else. I regret not including it on the current transport from VTEC Direct...

This post has been edited by Xander: 05 November 2015 - 03:29 PM

[MattLimb1989]

Hello and welcome to the forum

[SEVEN40]

About the oïl leak on the driver side ( talking of LHD car), it should be the balancer shaft oïl seal.
It's usually fixed by putting in place a new seal and adding the OEM oïl seal retainer

[craigl]

Xander, on 05 November 2015 - 03:28 PM, said:

/>/>

Also, I need a new gear knob, since the original one is pretty damaged (I think one of her ex owner's got some rings on the right hand - my car is LHD). What do you recommend? Skunk2? Or something else. I regret not including it on the current transport from VTEC Direct...

Gear gnobs here>
http://www.accordr.o...rket-gearknobs/

[toyracer69]

I'd fit a Pre Titanium one as yours will probably be a ally Facelift one.

[Vilot]

Car looking very nice! If you don't go OEM gear knob I recommend either BLOX or Skunk2. So what are your future plans with it?

[bails]

Replied to your Pm about gearknob

[Xander]

@Craigl: Thanks for the tip, I will buy a pre.

@Seven40: Thanks for the support, already spoken with my local Honda dealer to order the seal.

@Bails: Replied you!

@Vilot & Others: I want to get her going as it should - like new let's say. Since there are only 2 in Romania, I MUST keep her in good shape, it will be a shame otherwise. I want to make it a clean, OEM, Accord Type R - OEM wheels reworked to look like new, all stickers and badges back on the car, put the big spoiler on the boot (I don't have it since the car was originally configured without it, so I have to buy it somewhere, if you have some info). A prefacelift style front lip would be nice also. />

I need to take care of the small rusty points under the front arches and also apply a good seal after this winter - if you can help me with some advises here it will be great! I will be putting some new leather on the steering wheel and gear lever and fit the new titanium gear knob from Bails and also change the bulbs of the dashboard - they are so dimmed know - I've found some new ones on ebay.com.

The car cries for an interior detailing, as the exterior look really clean and non-scratched. Also, I am glad that the Recaro seats looks really good, BUT the one in the driver side doesn't keep the air on the lumbar support - you can inflate it, but it will reverse in 15 minutes... If you have a solution, please share!

I was thinking about fitting a 2DIN navigation system in front of the gear knob - actually considering an Android one (Parrot Asteroid) in order to have a OBD scan tool installed (with a bluetooth OBD reader) , but I've just found out that the Accord OBD doesn't send out relevant info like Oil Temperature and Pressure etc. /> Really sad about this...

Another small problems are: the seat belts aren't retracting well, so I guess I'll have to clean them really good. Any advice here?

Aaa, and not to forget about the air conditioning. It runs cold as a freezer, but only for one hour let's say, after this it suddenly works at 1/3 of its power. Not a big concern, but we have some really hot summers here. What do you think it could be?

On the power mods, nothing special for this moment, since I've already paid a "small fortune" on the car and repairs (cam-belt kit and seals, clutch kit and XTD flywheel, gearbox gear selector and cables, new engine mounts - frontal one being the uprated one from VTECDirect etc.) compared to the prices that you sell your cars over there. Here (and in Germany also) a good enough LHD ATR will be arround 5k+ EUR, so...

Also, I am really impressed how the car pulls, it literally pulls like a train in VTEC, honestly better than my ex Type R FN2 Special Edition with factory fitted LSD. /> Also, the OEM suspension is really nice and comfy, but manages to eat any curvy roads without breaking a sweat. Such a nice manner I'd say. The FN2 was also a track weapon, but after Fast Road Setup, new suspension and new tires (Michelin Pilot Super Sport). Even then, the car was uncomfortable. The brakes could be better but are OK at the moment with EBC Turbogroove and DS2500 pads fitted all around.

However, I got a K&N CAI and I'm gonna fit the XTD flywheel from VTECDirect next week, I've read here that these are one of the best mods to do on an ATR. Maybe a de-cat Manifold in the future, but nothing too loud. If you have any suggestion, please share.

Also, I am thinking about taking her to some track days on Romania's only registered track - Adancata. Not to break any records, just for fun and some old-school VTEC sound. Not so sure at the moment, but you are free to help me out with the necessary work to do in order to take her to the track - I know about some fresh competition brake fluid and some slicks like AD08R, but you know better for sure.

Hope you aren't pissed of about my long post, hope to hear advises from you.

PS: I've searched the forum, but didn't find a "Board Journal" section, to keep in touch with you and post updates about my car. It is OK to do this here or what are the rules? I want this in order to ask you things, I have a nice Auto background, but for ATR's you are playing in another league.

This post has been edited by Xander: 06 November 2015 - 10:28 AM

[SEVEN40]

Take a look at the " vids, pics and links" section.

http://www.accordr.o...pics-and-links/

[Xander]

Hello guys!

I need your help one more time, please.

Just spoken with the Honda engineers and they told me they managed to install the clutch kit and lightened flywheel (OEM clutch kit and XTD Flywheel from Andy), along with new gearbox cables and some fresh clutch fluid. It took a while to get the parts because of some transportation problems etc.

The problem now is that I have a really messy knock in the clutch pedal after it goes in the second half. So you press it and after it reaches the half of the movement, it knocks badly. For sure it is not ok...

The gearbox seems to work properly, engages gears really smooth etc. What do you think guys?