New Member and a Forum Noob

[narut0]

Greetings to all.
Before anything else, I would like to share a few info about my ride.

Model: 2000 Accord VTi-L
Chassis: CG5 4dr Sedan
Engine: F23Z2 2.3L
Transmission: 4 speed AT
Color: White
Tyres: 195/65-R15
Rims: 15x6 JJ ET55 (Stock Alloys Made in USA)
Interior: Full Leather trim, Wood Grain trim, Tinted Windows
Audio: Honda Head unit with In-Dash 6cd Changer, Pioneer 6x9 speakers at rear.
Others: Cruise Control, ABS, SRS Airbags, ODO:84,900

All mentioned above is factory stock.

I'm about to start moding my ride so I just have a couple of noob questions:
1. Is an open pod short ram air intake legal or illegal in NSW?
2. From stock, how low can I go which is still street legal?

or any links to sites where it says all the legalities of moding a car in NSW will be much appreciated.

Thanks to any replies.

Chassis is CK not CG. (CK=4cyl, CG=6cyl)

[SiReal]

WELCOME!!!!! Woot woot!! We have the SAME car but mine is black and 2001!!!

See my signature for some modification ideas ;) Esp suspension.

I will have a set of USDM springs for sale soon H&R Sports (1.5F 1.2R) so keep your eye out if you are interseted.

10mm is the standard height off the ground. I lowered 2.2 and 1.9 R and i still had a little room to play but not very much.

edit: also u might wanna be weary of too low. apparently, our swaybar endlinks hit the shock body when too low - it happens with omnipower coilovers, but i'm not sure if it happens with anything else.

[SiReal]

you can also talk to member 'sensei'. he has a same ride with mods as well.

he'll show up soon. just you wait.

[Joeyboy]

hi narut0. WELCOME! there are some articles regarding SRI being illegal if the pod filter is oil-based..the one below might be of help.

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49303&highlight=short+ram+illegal

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47303&highlight=short+ram+illegal

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34775&highlight=short+ram+illegal

hope that helps (somehow)

[narut0]

Thanks for the reply/tips SiReal and Joeyboy.

For now, my first move is to have a service this weekend.
Change engine oil to Mobil1 10w30, Flush ATF and switch to Iridium sparks.
Other fluids will also be flushed if necessary. (Depends on my mechanic)

I will try to post more stuff/questions as I move along my mods/setup.

[Joeyboy]

Thanks for the reply/tips SiReal and Joeyboy.

For now, my first move is to have a service this weekend.
Change engine oil to Mobil1 10w30, Flush ATF and switch to Iridium sparks.
Other fluids will also be flushed if necessary. (Depends on my mechanic)

I will try to post more stuff/questions as I move along my mods/setup.

iridium huh? they Denso ones? how much u paying if u dont mind me asking?

[SiReal]

make sure you use GENUINE ATF ONLY!!! It is vital to the life of your tranny. VERY IMPORTANT!

[narut0]

Joeyboy - NGK Iridium part# ZFR5FIX-11 $17.50 each @ Auto 1
SiReal - Replacing ATF with Mobil Synthetic ATF instead of Honda Premium ATF

[SiReal]

hmmm.... give it a go...but i'd be very weary of replacing genuine honda atf with something else.

honda gearboxes are designed to work with honda atf - there is some special stuff they put in it.

i once used general Dextron 2 ATF, and then my gear shifts bcame lumpy and crap. then i put back genuine ATF, and it was like brand new.

go have a look at v6performance.net and you'll see that ALL the members advise to only use Genuine ATF fluid. They advise this based on experience.

one other thing, please ntoe that the 98-02 CG/CK auto boxes ARE very weak and prone to slipping. hence another reason to stick to the genuine stuff. if honda are willing to put their name/backign on this ATF, then there is good reason to believe that they know whats best for your tranny.

[narut0]

Thanks for the warning SiReal.
Whether I use genuine ATF or not, the 98-02 CG/CK AT box will eventually be replaced/reconditioned regardless. (usually between 80k-120k mileage)
I can feel the shift from 1st-2nd gear now so I might as well try something else.
Will let you know if I end up using Mobil synthetic ATF and what the results are.

[Sensei]

Hi Narut0, & welcome to the forums. (used to be a naruto fan myself...still read up on the manga - ch.347:wave:)

I'll just reiterate some of the comments made by Jeff - SiReal: Honda ATF is probably the best transmission fluid for your auto Accord box (many have tried other brands and haven't had as good results as they did with Honda ATF - v6p.net). Sadly the Accord (98-02) auto box is a bit weak especially on V6 models, so taking care of it properly will help prolong its life.

As far as a pod filter, I think thats already been answered. I'll just add that it doesn't do much apart from create more induction noise (you actually lose low end power and end up sucking in hot air from the engine bay). I'd probably remove the resonator box in the wheel well and drop in a K&N panel filter. Then add some DIY tubing to the front bumper for CAI effect. (Once again, SiReal has this covered in his awesome tutorials somewhere on this site I think)

Springs - ask SiReal...the H&Rs he has are a good place to begin with if you're planning on keeping stock shocks (but highly recommend upgrading shocks at the same time). These springs give a more OEM sporty drop (nothing insane and/or camber wearing). They remove the ugly wheel-well gaps and provide better road feel and minimise body roll w/o being harsh on the ride (I think)

LASTLY - where abouts in NSW are you located? would be great to meet up with a fellow CG/CK Accord owner and have a chat sometime - share ideas etc. I'm from Western Sydney btw.

[narut0]

Hello Sensei.

I did ended up on using Genuine Honda Z-1 ATF and decided to stick with it. The shifting of 1st-2nd gear on D4 is not much felt like before. Funny you mentioned "Specially on v6 models". There was a guy who was having his first service on his newly rebuilt transmission while I was having a service on my ride. Done only 103k's and it has been rebuilt already. He has the v6 model.

I am from St. George area and any invites from meet-ups to cruise, just let me know and I will surely try to be there.

[narut0]

Mod update:

NGK Iridium sparks
NGK spark wires
Injen SRI... vroom...

[narut0]

mod pics

http://www.oztuner.com/pics/injen1.JPG

http://www.oztuner.com/pics/injen.JPG

http://www.oztuner.com/pics/injen2.JPG