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Progress so far Started to strip out the engine - radiator (probably leaking) and AC condenser (also probably leaking) removed: Painting the rear bumper - to cover various marks and scratches but also somewhat of an experiment to see what it looks like with rubber strips colour coded (from photos i've seen I think it will look better) I've started putting together a list of parts that i'd like to acquire (the amount of small parts you need for a K-swap is crazy. It's all bolt on but you definitely need a spreadsheet or similar to manage it!)

It almost seems old fashioned to create a build thread these days on the age of social media (one of the worst things that happened to the car community is the 2382834 facebook groups full of scammers and people asking the same questions over and over - but thats a rant for another day). I always find they are a great thing to do, if for nothing else for my own benefit to remember what I did previously 🙃 also found lots of great gems of info already on this forum - and more to discover im sure A bit of backstory - I've been bitten by the Honda bug after buying a 2010 Honda Accord with a K24Z engine - I'd originally intended to get something as a cheaper, ULEZ compliant run-around (I don't live anywhere near a ULEZ but sometimes have to drive into them for work) after getting bored with a non-ULEZ diesel Mercedes that i'd owned previously. I then discovered the scene for those cars, and good they look with the right modifications. I love it to bits but it's heavy, and the modifications you can do are somewhat limited by it having the less desirable R40 head on the engine and the rarity of 2.4 petrol, manual examples in the UK. Most buyers bought a diesel version (it was peak era of buyers being encouraged by the government to buy a diesel - how the tables have turned). I only know of a handful of others in existence and even fewer are modified. They are popular in the USA so some tuning parts are available over there but it often results in expensive shipping, import duties and long waits for things to arrive, and no chance to get anything second hand as most sellers aren't willing to ship internationally. Me and my father in law have been looking for a project to do together for a while as we've reached the end with most of our other projects (mostly just repairs and upgrades to our other cars) - initially I thought maybe a restoration project but we went to a car show recently and saw lots of cool JDM cars and thought that it might be an idea to do something along those lines. I have always been interested in a K-swap of sorts anyway and as I know quite a lot about Hondas and K-series engines from modifying my accord a plan was formed.. Initially I started looking at the usual suspects for a K-swap like an EG, EK, etc but we missed the boat on getting one for a good price and even rotten examples are changing hands for more than £2000 now, so I started digging into more unusual choices. After speaking to an acquaintance he mentioned to me that the MB civic might be a good place to look as it shares a lot of parts with Civic EG and Integra DC2, two now (to me at least) unaffordable cars but with great aftermarket support. I also looked at a few more leftfield choices like a really high mileage Honda CR-Z (came to the conclusion the subframe was rotten) and a Honda logo (too much fabrication). The MB/MC seems to be the last affordable 90s Honda, so it was now or never. I found a low mileage MB2 for sale. It was a 1.4i model, completely base spec, but that didn't matter for our purposes. In fact, I was quite interested because it didn't have a sunroof, and I've had nothing but grief with sunroofs in the past letting in water and making the car smell like an "old man's ball sack" (as my fiancée succinctly put it), and the low spec didn't really matter anyway for what we were going to do. Because of the low mileage (56,000) and original looking condition, including what I believe to be original dealer plates and stickers, I thought this could be a promising lead on a shell. It's very late for an MB2 - March 2001 on a Y plate - I've seen EP/EU civics rolling about on older W and X plates so they must've been sold at the same time - it would've looked and felt incredibly dated by comparison I imagine! The pictures weren't great as they were clearly from an auction (you know the ones I mean with the car photoshopped badly onto a showroom backdrop) I arranged with the seller dealer to go and see the car (near Bradford by the way - the stereotypes are alive and well) and when we arrived I was told the car wasn't available as there was "a problem with it" and it was parked at his house (undoubtedly this is why it was auction in the first place). Whilst being annoyed at him, I explained that we wanted to buy the car as a shell anyway and asked what was wrong - some kind of overheating issue - so we went around the corner to have a look at it on a driveway. The car looked fine although very dirty, and the sills/bodywork etc seemed to be solid other than normal age related surface rust and mileage genuine as the seats look almost new. The bodywork was unfortunately a bit tatty with various dubious repairs and perished rubbers but it's to be expected for the price/age. I took it for a quick test drive - which was a particular highlight as the prospective seller lit up a cigarette while I was driving around - without asking permission might I add - but other than the rising temperature everything seemed fine, so we agreed a price - so I drove it to the nearest petrol station, bought a bottle of radiator sealant (it seemed to be losing coolant) and poured that in, along with some water, and then drove it 1 hour home with the windows open and heater blowers on full to try to make sure I didn't break down on the M1. The car made it back fine although the temperature was climbing when stopped in traffic, it went down again when on the move. Here's the only picture I have of it at the moment: The current plan is basically to do a K-swap with a K24A with mild upgrades (K20 oil pump, 50 degree VTC), and an EP3 civic gearbox. We would love to build a boosted car eventually, but lets get the basics done first. As it's a heavier (by 90s standards) car and K24s are much cheaper these days, it seemed a better choice than a K20. In terms of styling i'm not really sure at the moment - probably try to keep it OEM+ for sleeper factor although not full sleeper - the wheels will definitely need to get changed as it's currently running 175 wide 14" tyres, budget brand that were getting on 10 years old (can confirm - they have no grip whatsoever). Watch this space 👀

Some pics from tonight's show at the car barn

Looking forward to it 😎

We're away on hols then I think. Not being to Donnington for ages, last time we were there was on the civic5 stand in 2014! Jeese! We really need to hit the shows again!

New OEM-grade replacements should be a safe bet. Even if they are not as stiff as 'upgrade' parts (which are only an upgrade if you want to track your car), they are still a lot better than any old, chewed out bushings.

Hi. I need to put new bushings on the front and rear lower arms of my MB2, but I'm not sure what to buy. I've seen Hardrace ones, but they don't have them for the rear lower arms. Do you have any suggestions? I don't want them to be super super hard, because it's my daily car. But I want them to have some stiffness so I can have fun every time I drive it.

Hope that it's going to someone who'll take good care

Really pops!

Is anyone headed to JDM JAM at Donnington? https://www.donington-park.co.uk/2025/may/jdm-jam The Broons are booked up for it 😎 looks like it's going to be a good day

No probs, if the experts say it's fine then it's fine. Power steering ain't my forté to begin with, so better trust those who know what they're doing.

Your input & insights are really appreciated Patrick, I've since posting managed to speak with 3 different Honda specialists & all seem to be of the same mind in as long as it's the red PSF then it's fine to use, so I topped up with it after fixing the pipe that was leaking, but I will keep my eye on the top up tank for any signs of foaming & replace it immediately if I see any or notice any signs. I was & am not concerned about spending that bit extra on the correct PSF as you are totally right in saying there's nothing a expensive as cheeping out, but all 3 guys I chatted with have been maintaining & working on Honda civics for many years, so I figure they "should" know, I may just grab some PSF-s & drain the system & fill it up with that for peace of mind, which is priceless.

As far as I know, regular PSF ist more viscous than PSF-2 or PSF-S (2 is less modern than S) and has different additives, so it's a bit like differently weighted oils. That means that topping up a PSF-2/-S system with regular PSF should be okay for a bit, but there are also many other factors like corrosion prevention, temperature resistance and all kinds of things at work in those different fluid standards. Not as drastic as with DOT3/DOT4 brake fluids, but still big differences nonetheless. Better to get the proper fluid or you're possibly going to damage something in your power steering system over time. Nothing's as expensive as cheaping out. Edit: You can also check the reservoir for any foaming that'd indicate problems with running that fluid (-mixture).

PS seems like the PSF-S is also described as PSF-2 Additional - just managed to have a chat with Saj who deals with these Honda's over in Birmingham & he said as long as it's Red power steering fluid (which it is) that there should not be an issue, obviously I'd still like to hear from anyone on hear if they think/know that this is not the case, I don't want to damage my baby for the sake of a few quid on the wrong fluids.

Hi all, I hope someone can help me regarding this. I got caught out while away this week with a power steering fluid leak & on a sunday, so limited access to anything. My PSF top up was as good as empty when I discovered the leak & could only get my hands on some regular PSF Comma brand power steering fluid, so botch fixed the leak & topped up with that. After doing some reading on my return & checking my manual it states only Honda power steering fluid should be used (PSF-S) as thee regular PSF1 can cause seal damage. I'm about to get thee leak fixed permanently & top back up & just wondered if any of you know if this really is the case & I do need to only use the specified PSF-2 official honda steering fluid? Car seems to have been fine since I topped up with the regular PSF, but obviously want to swap it out if it does need this specific PSF-2, I know not everything written in these manuals is set in stone as it were. Pic of the fluid type I had to use include below - many thanks for any help in advance.

Ideal glad you got it sorted!

Thank for your help, i took the plung and just ordered it and i can confirm the Firstline FEM3499 fits perfectly so now its straightened up the engine and my back box dont knock against the rear strut anymore! 😁

Hello mate, not sure if you've got this sorted - you can use this site and put in your vin number. Then find the right drawing and it should tell you the part number https://www.parts-honda.uk/honda-cars/search_vehicle/chassis

Hi guys, im looking for a new replacement main LH engine mounting as its failing for my 2000 MB3 D15Z8, its an alloy type just wondering if anyone would know if a FirstLine FEM3499 will fit as looks identical to mine, I'm struggling to find one! I have attached pics but not too good! The last one is a stock FirstLine pic. Many thanks. Nick.

Yes it is a before and after. It has great shine when throwing flash light on it ☺️

Is that wrapped in that last video? The shine looks awesome and the amount of metallic in it is amazing!

That's a whole lot of work you've been doing mate, hats off to you! Nice to see these Civics being pampered and cared for.

Sad to see you selling mate, really stunning deck that. If she does sell, be sure to point the owner here to the forum and our Facebook group. Would be nice to follow her progress.