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MB2 K-Swap Civic project - from base spec to race spec


btjtaylor
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Posted (edited)

Bolt in half cage fitted today. Quite an awkward install as there's a lot of holes to drill and try to keep everything on centre but we got there eventually!

 

Very impressed with the welding and paintwork - definitely recommend JP Cages who supplied it

 

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Edited by btjtaylor
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  • 1 month later...

Spent a (very hot and sticky!) bank holiday in the garage fitting seats and harnesses

 

 

Thanks to a very helpful poster (above) I found out that the Planted USDM Accord 94-97 seat bases fit the bolt pattern of the MB chassis. Much easier than having to modify the factory seat or have something new fabricated.

 

I then fitted Sparco sliders and side mounts. I got away with only having to drill 1x extra hole in the seat base which by all accounts is a lot better than most manage! Without the sliders the job would've been much easier but i'm glad I persevered and fitted them as I wanted different people to be able to drive the car, and it's much easier to get in and out if you can slide the seat back.

 

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The seats are Mirco RTS fibreglass buckets. I picked them up pretty cheap used as the FIA certification had expired on them (they came out of a competition rally car) but other than some general scuffs and scrapes they're in good nick, and totally suitable for track days. Much better than what I could've got new in the same price range. 

 

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Still lots of adjustments to make on the harnesses as I didn't really know what I was doing but at least it all fits!

 

 

 

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Looks like a tidy job, and good to be able to keep them adjustable. Also look nice and low still - my Ep3 seats suit quite high with fixing them too the standard rails (though I'm used to them now, and tbh I'm close enough to the ground anyway 😁

Seats look spot on as well. 

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Yes - it's not bad really, i've definitely sat in much worse. The seat could possibly go a little lower but I will probably mess about with that once i've actually driven the thing in its current form (getting restless now 🤪). I can reach the controls comfortably, that'll do for now!

 

Without the sliders in it could go REALLY low. The sliders add a tiny bit of height but you also can't mount the seat at the low position at the front as the locking bar fouls on the seat and you can't adjust it.

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...
Posted (edited)

Finally finished the last piece of the brake upgrade today.

 

PXL_20260607_123254981.thumb.jpg.534d0ba9408e226da565e038a7d540b4.jpg

 

MB6 master cylinder and ZS180 brake booster (seems to be the same as the MB6 one but I found a good deal on a ZS180 unit. One of those parts that people are asking stupid money on ebay for but if you put in the time on FB groups etc you can get one for a more reasonable price.)

 

Unfortunately the MB6 master cylinder has the brake line fitting slightly further away from the prop valve than the MB2 does so I had to remove the line from the car and bend it in the vice to straighten it out which resulted in the below. I'm not particularly proud of  myself and I should probably remake it properly at some point or maybe get an MB6 pre-bent line but it does work!

 PXL_20260607_123248373.MP-EDIT.jpg.2560d4be5bb05341aee3ed36fcf9a2e5.jpg

 

Need to sort out a problem with the handbrake (it's not working very well - unsure why at the moment) and give it a wheel alignment before it can go for an MOT.

 

I'm going to have a go at doing a string alignment in the garage next weekend. I've not done one before but if I can get it 95% of the way there then at least it avoids me destroying the tyres until I can get a proper alignment setup. That being said, many professionals do string alignments in the pits, so they can't be that bad! 

Edited by btjtaylor
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Done quite a bit of reading and come to the conclusion that the handbrake cables I ordered were just crap quality. I can max out the adjustment nut on the handbrake handle, it seems like the cables are stretching or the wrong length.

 

It looks like the Honda MB and Rover 45/MGZS handbrake cables are the same so i've ordered a replacement set from DRMGS (Rover 45 / MG ZS Handbrake Cables - SPB100720 / SPB100730 / SPB000580 – Discount MG Rover Spares - Tel 02380 001133 / Email sales@dmgrs.co.uk) - im hoping they are better made as i've good experiences from stuff i've bought there recently. Fingers crossed.

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23 minutes ago, btjtaylor said:

Done quite a bit of reading and come to the conclusion that the handbrake cables I ordered were just crap quality. I can max out the adjustment nut on the handbrake handle, it seems like the cables are stretching or the wrong length.

 

It looks like the Honda MB and Rover 45/MGZS handbrake cables are the same so i've ordered a replacement set from DRMGS (Rover 45 / MG ZS Handbrake Cables - SPB100720 / SPB100730 / SPB000580 – Discount MG Rover Spares - Tel 02380 001133 / Email sales@dmgrs.co.uk) - im hoping they are better made as i've good experiences from stuff i've bought there recently. Fingers crossed.

I want to replace DDs handbrake cables at some point too, let me know how you get on with those Rover/MGZS ones mate.

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On 6/7/2026 at 11:34 PM, Dave said:

I want to replace DDs handbrake cables at some point too, let me know how you get on with those Rover/MGZS ones mate.

 

Turns out the handbrake problem was actually user error :oops:

 

I found a post here that showed me I hadn't followed the correct procedure! Once I did that it was all fine and I didnt need to swap the cables in the end (so I can't comment on the MG Rover ones i'm afraid)

What I can tell you is these parts are the correct length and and do work, but the quality control was a bit suspect (I had to file open the hole in the handbrake cable bracket slightly and file off a bit of badly machined cable that was hang out the end of the pin)

 

92.10.5233 COFLE 10.5233 Handbrake cable 1655, 1469mm, Disc Brake | AUTODOC price and review

92.10.5234 COFLE 10.5234 Handbrake cable 1636/1449, 1636, 1449mm, Disc Brake | AUTODOC price and review 

 

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