Things I should know about the B16 - Going to look at a rex to buy

[cottagecreep]

So, what should I look out for with these motors?? The rex I'm going to see tonight has one in it. Anything particular.?

[masta shark]

check the mount kit...take a look at the shift linkage to see if it was cut and wleded cleanly, look at the axles to make sure they arent being bent at a weird angle (if the car is dropped with the wrong axles, you might be able to see its not correct),

make sure the tranny is smooth through all of the gears. check to see which tranny it is, and remember that and the engine code as well.

look at the wiring and the engine harness, make sure its someone clean looking...not spliced wires hanging all over the place. ask him also if you can take a look at the ecu and see how its wired into the ECU.

check to see that the hood clears the engine, open it and shut it slowly so you can feel if it hits or not (it shouldnt, but if it does take note of it)

check the front cross member, you can see it underneath the exhaust manifold. see if its been "modified" (ie, cut up) and if it has been "modified" see if it looks like someone took an axe to it, or if it looks like a professional just make some cuts in it to make more space.




you can also take a magnet to see if bodywork has been done on the wheel wells, and front fenders (if the magnet doesnt stick, it means there's bondo there), take a look at the brakes and smell the exhaust gases to see if the engine is focked or not (if its colored, or smeels strong like gas [running rich], or practically chokes you [burning oil?], take note of it)

i would also take a look in the radiator fluid reservoir and see if it looks like coolant, or oil (do the dipping of the finger because it will look dark to the eye most likely....but when its on your finger you should be able to tell if its antifreeze or oil)


also, make sure EVERYTHING works...horn, brakes, radiator fan, reverse lights, turn signals, headlights, etc...


the major things though are:
-check engine mounts
-check shift linkage
-check front crossmember
-check to ensure tranny shift smoothly through all gears
-check the exhaust gases, radiator fluid, and axles.


it sounds like a lot, but know EVERYTHING about the car before you buy it...otherwise you could easily end up being stuck with someone elses troubles...or with someone elses former racecar (ie, heavy abuse)

[cottagecreep]

ya man, thanks, I just havn't had much experience with the b16. Thanks dood, I'll have to bring a really good flashlight too, cause it's going to be dark. Only time when I could get down there. Ahhh well, about the shift linkage. Specifically, where can I be looking at that, do I have to get under the car??

[hondastaR]

Just tell him that if he screws you over, you will make him look like the human torch!

J/K

[cottagecreep]

haha, cool, I'm heading out now, so thanks for the help, I'll probably have more questions when I get home.

[steel]

Another thing I would check for is the cross member that the back motor mount connects too.  I have seen them peel if the motor had been put in shoddily.  ALso check for ECU codes.

[cottagecreep]

I looked at it... too much work was involved. Plus, he took me for a ride in his GSR crx. God #### that thing had balls. I watched the tach stop at 8k, and than the shift light came on than BOOM!!! another gear... how sweet it is:) My first ride in a really fast rex. I'm sold.