My DC2R Ltd Edt, and some handy Type R tips :=)

[juzza]

Gday ;-)

All us noobs have to do this, so the room for improvement on some of the absolutely awesome posts isn't exactly massive, and certainly everything I would have to offer in terms of performance enlightenment is already covered.

So I've decided to simply give a recount of everything that I've gone through with her, and hope that I'm able to shed some light on one of the best handling front wheel drive cars ever to be made! I hope you guys like a story...

June 2010 I sold my SWEET Panther Mica 5spd VS Series II S-Pack Commy (The Whore!) for $10,000 and went on the hunt. My best mate (RPM BOY) convinced me that I could get a DC2R with that much. I didn't believe him and wanted to prove him wrong, so went on to carsales. Fortune favored me that day because within an hour I found her!

I picked her up from a fellow who'd just lost his job, and clearly needed to support a pot addiction (the insides of the car STUNK of stale hash!), and drove off with my very own Type R! I was smiling all the way home; the DC2R is a car I've always wanted to own since I first saw one, but never realised I might be able to afford one! A Black Pearl, 2 door coupe, with Recaro's, MOMO wheel, enkeis, sunroof...did I mention it has cruise control hence the Ltd Edt! I was smitten, and promised I wouldn't modify her...then got bitten ;-)

My mate said that the cars previous owner was probably a dealer, and that I should first send money to change the plates coz a Type R would attract enough Police attention without being associated with a criminal, and I ignored the advice...I would come to regret this (reply to thread for this story!)

So I get her home and Dad wants a blat, so I hand over the keys, and go into the house...this was a mistake. He parks her behind the Landcruiser and comes inside, "Nice car mate!". The next morning (12 hours after purchase), I'm about to get in her and go to work, and decide to, as I would normally, open the door and before I get in, warm her up. I'm standing outside the car and put the key in the ignition, but fail to see that Dad has "parked" the car by putting it in gear WITHOUT the bloody handbrake...the next part happens in slow mo... The gear engages, stalls, but jolts forward and continues to roll whilst I'm desperately trying to hold her back from face planting into the tow bar of the Cruiser...I didn't stop her.
Needless to say I woke the neighborhood with the "FAAAAARRRRRRKKKKKKK!!!!!" at 6:30am, and didn't go to work that day.
FORTUNATELY, (and here's the FIRST Type R tip) the R's front bumper is designed to take an impact of 5km without structural damage and without activating airbags.

Once I decided to mod her, I wanted to keep to the KISS method for street and occasional track day blats. The first thing was obviously a service.

The one thing that I buggered up in the service (SECOND Type R tip) was getting the correct plugs! Honda is so ingenious, that they went to the trouble of changing the dimensions/parameteres of parts of a Type R, obviously so as to monopolise on the spare parts sales...bet the salesmen never told THAT to the first buyers! How have I come to this analysis...well RE plugs, I went to Repco and asked for NGK's for a type R. The car was giving me trouble after a few weeks, and my mate said that it sounded like the plugs were fouled. I rang Honda to get new plugs, and they said that for a DC2R they had 4 different kinds of plug (2 different makes and 4 different heat ratings) and that they'd need the VIN of the car to determine the right part! I've got the right ones now and I tell you, the difference is amazing!

The next thing was to get her to turn properly! I didn't want to compromise the Type R handling so was hoping to leave it, but she juddered at high speed and kinda under steered to the right. SO I took her to Pedders and the $14 check revealed a $2600 problem...leaking shocks and some knackered bushes! Pedders said they had a coilover kit for the DC2R and so I got that over others (i know a lot of you are going WHY!?) because the word was that they were an ultimate product for everyday and "spirited" driving on Oz roads, so I forked over the $1600 and went to install. The front went on great, but the rear foot was for an VTiR, not a Type R. I rang them up and asked for the right foot...turns out Pedders Australia don't make them for a Type R! Fortunately the bloke fixed me up, and sourced the correct rear bases for the Type R LCA from the US, and fitted them for free! SO, atm I'm the only person rolling around with Custom Pedders Coils! But he also did the bushes and told me that he couldn't get Nolothane for some as Honda changed the sizes from year to year on the Type R (THIRD Type R tip); IE don't go off the shelf straight away if you own a Type R!

In the mean time, I've gone and got myself JDM folding mirrors, a new VAFCII, Fujita CAI, JDM 4-1's and CAT, and am waiting on a fairly new MUGEN twin-loop CAT back. I'm hoping to bolt it all up before Xmas (2010) and have it to TODA for a tune in January 2011...I'm hoping for at least 110kw/atw.

Near future mods include a Beatrush underpanel, Miracle x-bar, a repsray and interior clean (it still smells like smoke!), and maybe a Mugen CAI and angel-eye headlights.

Far future mods include K20 conversion, AP Racing brakes, 16" Enkei RPF01's, GT Rear wing, ARC winglets and TopOne Aero side splitters and rear diffuser, Cusco cage...The Power of Dreams hey ;-)

Anyways, hope you've enjoyed and look forward to the next meet!

Peace.

[DC2-PWR]

Nice read, liking the future mod lists!

Have fun and make sure get some pics!

[rpm boy]

Stop buying crap and put a k20 in it ffs -1 pq point for not doing it already :p

[THEEYA]

welcome, need to put some pics of her inbetween the walls of text to make it easier on the eyes :P

[juzza]

Stop buying crap and put a k20 in it ffs -1 pq point for not doing it already :p

Trust you! ;-D

[juzza]

welcome, need to put some pics of her inbetween the walls of text to make it easier on the eyes :P

THANKS!
lol...agreed but I want to wait until I've got her just right!

[michaelz]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought all DC2Rs don't come with a factory sunroof?

Could it be a OEM VTIR sunroof retrofitted?

[juzza]

dunno mate but from my log books, the sunroof was a factory option.
That said, I wouldn't have thought that Honda would make an engineering masterpiece and intentionally bugger it up by ruining its rigidity in cutting out the roof...it's one of the reasons why Im in the market for the x-bar...atm when I go up driveways you can actually here the roof twisting ever so slightly %-(...nevertheless, I love the sunroof...almost all the air of a most desirable drop top without the price tag or shitty insurance :-)

[MWAKU]

I think i need new spark plugs. How much did urs cost. My car runs rich and takes slightly longer to crank over 5% of start ups lol. Im hoping the spark plugs will fix this. When u say it made a world of a difference, what do you mean? Like in terms of how?

[dc2r-0636]

PICSS ??

i got my ngk plugs for $120 i think this time last year lol

[dougie_504]

Pics! And what's the story with your number plates?

[dc2r-0636]

dunno mate but from my log books, the sunroof was a factory option.
That said, I wouldn't have thought that Honda would make an engineering masterpiece and intentionally bugger it up by ruining its rigidity in cutting out the roof...it's one of the reasons why Im in the market for the x-bar...atm when I go up driveways you can actually here the roof twisting ever so slightly %-(...nevertheless, I love the sunroof...almost all the air of a most desirable drop top without the price tag or shitty insurance :-)
I believe the sunroof is a "dealer option"

[juzza]

I think i need new spark plugs. How much did urs cost. My car runs rich and takes slightly longer to crank over 5% of start ups lol. Im hoping the spark plugs will fix this. When u say it made a world of a difference, what do you mean? Like in terms of how?

Well I couldn't tell ya why its running rich, BUT I was experiencing the same problem re the 5% issue.
You'd be right to get the correct spark plugs so as to rule that out first off...I'm assuming you've got an R? You have to ring Honda Parts, provide them with your VIN and they'll give you the price...BUT they'll be pricey ranging from $30-$45 each. SO what you do is (well this is at least what I did) ask them what is the MAKE and HEAT RATING of the plug specific to your VIN. Mine are Platinum NGK with a heat rating of 6 costing $128 odd for the set from Honda. THEN I did some digging on the NGK website and found that the plug they have with a heat rating of 6 was for a VTiR and not a Type R. I spoke to NGK and they said that their part for the DC2R had a heat rating of 7; I have a feeling Honda was trying to dick me around. But with the part number from NGK I went to Repco and ordered them...cost me $87 for the set :-)
RE world of difference, well it's starting every time ;-) and with the generic NGK's there was lag in the pick up IE it was reving as freely. Now with the right plugs, you put your paw down and it does what it's meant to :-D
PLEASE NOTE though...and I didn't know this before hand but both my mate and my GF's dad (used to race superbikes) said that with a high revving motor, if you run it cold IE ignition on then ignition off (just to go up the corner shop and back) the plugs no matter whether or not they are the right ones will foul up...get carbon build up between the element and the solonoid and so you'll get the same 5% problem again. Moral of the story, if you're gonna drive her, Drive. Her. Hard! ;-)
Hope that helps.

[juzza]

I believe the sunroof is a "dealer option"

Yeah sorry...that's what I meant...replying after a full days work and then 3 hours at uni I'm sure you all will agree can amount to some stuff ups. Apologies.

[juzza]

Pics! And what's the story with your number plates?

I KNOW I KNOW...but she's not ready for pics. I want to put some of the old Whore up but it's hard with the boss looking over your shoulder every 6 seconds! lol...anyway re plates.

So I'm driving through the suburb of Redfern notoriously filled with cops for its lovely drunkards, curb crawlers, and dealers, on my way to a gig, with a DC2 full of lighting and speakers, and need to turn right at a T intersection. Now there's no arrow, but the light is green, so I wait for oncoming traffic to pass and make my move, as gently as I ever have. Within 2 meters I've got a WOOP WOOP and flashing red a blue in my rear!
NOW I have NEVER BEEN PULLED OVER BEFORE and if I can manage to get some pics of the Whore up you'll ask why not! It was p-plate defective for sure! ANYWAYS, Im sitting there actually laughing (this is how I cope with being nervous) as the She-cop asks for licence, and asks whats so funny...? Well, officer, firstly I've nver been pulled over before and my mate said I would in this, I'm late for a gig, AND ALSO if you'd pulled me over aboutr 15 minutes ago, you would have caught me without a licence! She says well that is funny, and lucky; for you. I shut up now as I remeber Ive got a friggin fujita CAI sitting under the bonnet...please dont ask me please dont ask me....BUT she asks for my licence and then says are you the registered owner of this vehicle...I reply yes officer...she walks back to the patrol car, and within 30 seconds, she comes back and says yep your free to go mate enjoy your gig...
NOW if this isn't walking away by the skin of your teeth, I dunno what is!
Why I think I got pulled over was that perhaps the car was recognised as belonging to a known dealer, and that they thought they'd get me before I got a chance to rack off...so that when they checked the registration, they had nothing on me...I've now changed the plates :-D

[juzza]

Hey can anyone see my profile pic...? I can't? Help please :-)

[THEEYA]

No profile pic, you need to add a avatar aswell, profile pic is just for ur profile page and is different from your forum avatar :P

[juzza]

No profile pic, you need to add a avatar aswell, profile pic is just for ur profile page and is different from your forum avatar :P

Ahaa...thanks mate!

[dinorider]

dunno mate but from my log books, the sunroof was a factory option.
That said, I wouldn't have thought that Honda would make an engineering masterpiece and intentionally bugger it up by ruining its rigidity in cutting out the roof...it's one of the reasons why Im in the market for the x-bar...atm when I go up driveways you can actually here the roof twisting ever so slightly %-(

You're right. You will notice that the sunroof on your car looks different from OE factory roofs on the DC2 VTiR. It was fitted here in Australia.

I don't get Honda Australia sometimes. The DC2R is a special car. It never had a sunroof, anywhere in the world, because the hole compromised rigidity and the weight of the glass up high went against the ethos of it being a lightweight car. And Honda Australia went all stupid and decided to get local contractors to cut holes in the roof of the DC2R.

The same reason why I never will understand the people who own a DC2R and go apeshit on fitting the car with a rocking sound system (There are so many out there!). It's not that type of car, and in one fell swoop you would have completely negated the lightweight ethos and fine chassis balance of the DC2R chassis with the massive heavy amps and subwoofer. And considering the noise of a DC2R at 110km/h, it's just crazy.

You want a rocking sound system, start with a Audi. Best and quietest interiors ever.

[DC2-PWR]

You're right. You will notice that the sunroof on your car looks different from OE factory roofs on the DC2 VTiR. It was fitted here in Australia.

I don't get Honda Australia sometimes. The DC2R is a special car. It never had a sunroof, anywhere in the world, because the hole compromised rigidity and the weight of the glass up high went against the ethos of it being a lightweight car. And Honda Australia went all stupid and decided to get local contractors to cut holes in the roof of the DC2R.

The same reason why I never will understand the people who own a DC2R and go apeshit on fitting the car with a rocking sound system (There are so many out there!). It's not that type of car, and in one fell swoop you would have completely negated the lightweight ethos and fine chassis balance of the DC2R chassis with the massive heavy amps and subwoofer. And considering the noise of a DC2R at 110km/h, it's just crazy.

You want a rocking sound system, start with a Audi. Best and quietest interiors ever.

Not to flame, but it's their car, they can do whatever they want to do to keep them happy. But I get your point :)

[TheSaint]

In the mean time, I've gone and got myself JDM folding mirrors, a new VAFCII, Fujita CAI, JDM 4-1's and CAT, and am waiting on a fairly new MUGEN twin-loop CAT back. I'm hoping to bolt it all up before Xmas (2010) and have it to TODA for a tune in January 2011...I'm hoping for at least 110kw/atw.

EXACTLY what i would have done - nice

[juzza]

Not to flame, but it's their car, they can do whatever they want to do to keep them happy. But I get your point :)

I agree with both of ya! It's a sports car and should be maintained as one. But there are those of us (I'm one self confessed) that love just love a drive in a gorgeous car with the windows (and sunroof lol) down, sunnies on, rolling along to a nice fat beat ;-)...but I think going any bigger than I have (single din deck, 6" 4ways, splits, and a 10"inch sub with amp) is seriously unneccesary! That said you're right it adds weight which is why I've made it dismantable for when I (eventually) get it to the track! The deck can be quickly unplugged quickly, and so can the sub, amp and splits...you take out the spare and tools at a track anyway so why not the system I say.

That and I'm a fairly slim built fella so I can excuse myself in adding a touch of weight to the old girl! lol

[rpm boy]

I think i need new spark plugs. How much did urs cost. My car runs rich and takes slightly longer to crank over 5% of start ups lol. Im hoping the spark plugs will fix this. When u say it made a world of a difference, what do you mean? Like in terms of how? have been told that depending on year and even month of the year depicts the spark plugs that go on the car...... dont quite understand as the engines are all machine made so wouldt make a diff but whatev, i had the problem with my old em1 when it went to the panel beaters, after they left it sitting there for a week the car wouldnt start..... ended up being fauled platnium plugs, in sying that, vtec runs like shit with notmal plugs so u have to thrash it a bit to get rid of the carbon build up, if its fauling that bad u must have an exhaust or intake which makes the cars run super rich, will probably see a ploom of smoke when u vted it around the joint, basically the car needs to be retuned for the added mods as the computer over supplies fuel making in rich, so vafc would be the cheapest and easiest way to go, and unless your going full rebuild with increase compacity or comp. raio youwould be stupid to go hondata.....


You're right. You will notice that the sunroof on your car looks different from OE factory roofs on the DC2 VTiR. It was fitted here in Australia.

I don't get Honda Australia sometimes. The DC2R is a special car. It never had a sunroof, anywhere in the world, because the hole compromised rigidity and the weight of the glass up high went against the ethos of it being a lightweight car. And Honda Australia went all stupid and decided to get local contractors to cut holes in the roof of the DC2R.

The same reason why I never will understand the people who own a DC2R and go apeshit on fitting the car with a rocking sound system (There are so many out there!). It's not that type of car, and in one fell swoop you would have completely negated the lightweight ethos and fine chassis balance of the DC2R chassis with the massive heavy amps and subwoofer. And considering the noise of a DC2R at 110km/h, it's just crazy.

You want a rocking sound system, start with a Audi. Best and quietest interiors ever. agreed, theres plenty of N14 SSS pulsars to drop in 20's and put a couple 12" subs in, no need to ruin a car that has been engineered into an inch of its life to perform then do stupid sh!t to reverse the time and effort spent to make it go fast.... each to there own though

Also i have some awsome harmon kardon systems at work that are just running a couple 4-6 inch speakers with tweeters up the front with an amp and they will show up most of the $4000 systems u hear in a sss or sx going around, that would be the way i go, just decent high quality speakers tuned properly and hidden from theiving eyes

also update as the new exhaust has gone on, never really got into the whole twin loop craze but im really sorry i hadent, they are f()cken awsome, not too laud and not too quiet, nice tight sound with a burble resmbling some of the supercars we have going around...... and buy when it opens up does it just scream ................ MOVE THE F()CK OUT OF MY WAY, IM COMMING THROUGH, lol
would be good to get it tuned and see what power it makes, couple mods that have been done do make a hell of a difference, and the pedders coil overs are awsome on the bay run :p

[WATAJK]

Pics! And what's the story with your number plates?

Same im curious...
Just me a pm!!

[defect]

I KNOW I KNOW...but she's not ready for pics. I want to put some of the old Whore up but it's hard with the boss looking over your shoulder every 6 seconds! lol...anyway re plates.

So I'm driving through the suburb of Redfern notoriously filled with cops for its lovely drunkards, curb crawlers, and dealers, on my way to a gig, with a DC2 full of lighting and speakers, and need to turn right at a T intersection. Now there's no arrow, but the light is green, so I wait for oncoming traffic to pass and make my move, as gently as I ever have. Within 2 meters I've got a WOOP WOOP and flashing red a blue in my rear!
NOW I have NEVER BEEN PULLED OVER BEFORE and if I can manage to get some pics of the Whore up you'll ask why not! It was p-plate defective for sure! ANYWAYS, Im sitting there actually laughing (this is how I cope with being nervous) as the She-cop asks for licence, and asks whats so funny...? Well, officer, firstly I've nver been pulled over before and my mate said I would in this, I'm late for a gig, AND ALSO if you'd pulled me over aboutr 15 minutes ago, you would have caught me without a licence! She says well that is funny, and lucky; for you. I shut up now as I remeber Ive got a friggin fujita CAI sitting under the bonnet...please dont ask me please dont ask me....BUT she asks for my licence and then says are you the registered owner of this vehicle...I reply yes officer...she walks back to the patrol car, and within 30 seconds, she comes back and says yep your free to go mate enjoy your gig...
NOW if this isn't walking away by the skin of your teeth, I dunno what is!
Why I think I got pulled over was that perhaps the car was recognised as belonging to a known dealer, and that they thought they'd get me before I got a chance to rack off...so that when they checked the registration, they had nothing on me...I've now changed the plates :-D

Nice buy for 10k.

Highly doubt it has anything to do with dealer plates, why would a dealer plate be recognizable by the police. I think its more to do with your driving a sports car and you're a p plater.
so which year model DC2R did you buy? did you get a jap spec 96 one or 99-00 Dc2r?

Also, if you're pedders suspension didnt fit up first go on the rear, I doubt the USDM one will fit, the guy probably bought you vtir lower control arms.

pretty sure all dc2r LCA are the same.

[Alexplicit]

completely agree with last post. if so i really hope he gave you the dc2r lower control arms back.

[juzza]

RE: Nice buy...THANKS!
RE dealer plates...it might have been a fluke, but i had my full license, and they did nothing but ask if I was the owner of the vehicle...?
RE susi: Nope, they got me the correct foot and have not replaced the LCA...I think they must have got them from an affiliate or something.

[juzza]

Same im curious...
Just me a pm!!

Story is above :-)

[juzza]

RPM-BOY mentions the exhaust...he means he installed it on my DC2R...JDM 4-1s, JDM cat plus mugen twin loop cat back = torque in 5th from 1g, the best sounding exhaust EVER, and serious performance right throughout the band...seriously compliments the engine...now for the VAFCII tune at TODA! Woohoo!

[juzza]

OK folks, I managed to get Her to Adrian at TODA.
First run with all mods but no tune saw her pushing out 108kw/atw. He installed the VAFC, played around with something under the hood, and managed to squeeze out 114.8kw/atw! :-) I reckon with a fresh set of leads, new oil, and if I ever manage to get the Fujita-ARC combo on then an easy 115! Nevertheless the mods I want to do are all done and I'm quite happy with a 100kw+/tonne on the road! Unfortunately however, Adrian picked up on some "issues" with the old girl that I thought were there but couldn't quite pick. Turns out the "new" clutch the guy I bought her off put in isn't so new, and the gearbox could need a rebuild, but the extent to which he couldn't exactly tell me until he's opened her up....ah the joys of owning an ITR :-S
Stay tuned...Adrian may have convinced me to install a lighter flywheel when she get's opened up for driveline :-)

[Zilli]

lightweight fly is the best bang for buck mod you can do

[juzza]

yeah no argument about that...but when the next thing that could go bang (and cause me to spend more bucks than need be) is the gearbox or clutch, that's what i'll be saving for. Adrian gave me a price up for what he thinks it could be re gearbox and if it's just that, Im already looking at close to $1000 and that's not including the clutch! :-(...but thanks for the support :-)

[dougie_504]

Nice output mate. However I would just stick to your OEM leads unless they're stuffed. Aftermarket ones (even the cute Spoon ones) are proven to do jack-all for your performance.

As Zilli said, go lightweight fly :)

[juzza]

Boys and girls it's been a while but here's an update...
NEW Box and Exedy flywheel and SportsOrganic clutch kit.
New water pump, oil pump and pickup, and leads.
DBA slotted front rotors.

Me the idiot scraped her passenger side along a brick wall so am getting AAMI to fix her up - getting a respray at the same time also a Mugen style CF front lip, and rear wing with CF blade! :-D THEN with a little help from the Bank, I'm gonna get her interior re-trimmed in dark grey alcantara with red stitching...will look into grabbing a x-bar and spraying it red with a CF c-pillar bar to top of that GT3-RS inspired look!

Stay tuned for those pics that you've been waiting for :-D

[GSi_PSi]

No k swap no care

Lol jks

Post up pics of new parts and install if you have em