TunaNoMayo's Daily SSM Driver

[TunaNoMayo]

Hey everyone! My name is Max, I'm from Long Island NY and I'm pretty pumped to finally be a member here on Ephatch.com. As of yesterday I am the new owner of this 02' SSM. I found the car on craigslist and traveled 2 hours to get it. Overall, I'm pretty happy with what I picked up and am excited to get under the car and start tinkering!

Today, I'm getting all the paperwork at the CT DMV (car is getting registered in CT under my pops address) and then going to my local guy to check out what needs to be taken care of to get everything at 90-95%. As of now, I know I need a new passenger front or rear motor mount, a valve job, and hopefully, some other small bits around the car.

In the next couple days I hope to order parts, head home back to Long Island, build some wooden car ramps (see link below), and change all fluids and do whatever I can to tighten the car up.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=467120

For clarification I plan on following the ramp model with the maroon e39. You guys think it'll offer enough clearance to get under the ep3 and change fluids and do other DIY work? Any recommendations on motor and tranny oil?

Also, if anyone is in the Long Island area and is down to meet up, chill, and help a fellow owner, pm me.

Time for pics! Only one I have so far but stay tuned for more.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/25/8avate6e.jpg

[TunaNoMayo]

Just a quick update. Past couple of days have been hectic between getting everything settled at the dmv and driving back to Long Island. But nevertheless, I'm back home and have already started working on the car.

Today's updates include cleaning off the battery terminals (which had a tremendous effect on initial startup)
, building a pair of wooden ramps, and ordering fluids, filters, brake pads (holding off on new rotors till I can pay a visit to the junkyard), and 2 magnetic drain plugs (motor and transmission).

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/26/umeda9y9.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/26/2epy8e7a.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/26/udegy3am.jpg

[monjarassi]

i like your ramps

[TunaNoMayo]

Thanks! Only took 25 minutes each side! Well worth it. Time to find my jack stands. My garage is a mess.

[TunaNoMayo]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/28/u4uzebyg.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/28/a3yge9er.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/28/tyvunasu.jpg

Just a start of what's to come! Found a friend who has been in the Honda game longer than I have who is going to do my valve adjustment!

[monjarassi]

I need to make me some

[Ubeyo]

thats one sick ramp man! gotta make one also lol

[TunaNoMayo]

More parts! http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/29/dupu8e6a.jpg

[TunaNoMayo]

So my front, driver's side suspension seems like it's blown out. It's fine on flat roads but once I hit bumps in the road it clunks and the car bounces. I found a couple wrecked ep3's at a junkyard near my house and I'm thinking about swapping one of the low mileage, front driver's side suspension as a temp fix until I have enough money for a full set up.

In addition, one of motor mounts is bad cause I'm getting the occasional clunk from the passenger side under load and heavy breaking.

Also, there is a slight vibration so I plan on removing the heat shield. I also plan on gutting out the stock airbox and then replacing it with my k & n filter.

If I could have it my way I would get innovation mounts and rsx a-spec suspension but hopefully this could hold for a while, any suggestions? Inputs?
I

[justanex1]

IMO I like the Hasport mounts instead of the innovative ones. I got the street soft innovative ones and I am unhappy with them. I will be getting those or the Avid mounts when I get there

[GooseGraves]

Tuna where are you? Been running my EP for 9 years, only just now starting on the upgrades. Your first couple shots are making me feel like I need to do a little work. You get your valve adjustments done yet?

[TunaNoMayo]

I'm in Long Island, Nassau county. Hbu? And I wish, still trying to figure out when this guy is available to get them done. I really just want them done already.

[GooseGraves]

Brooklyn. I'd be curious to see that done, I know its something you can do yourself - there are a couple DIYs on here/clubEP3 - but it's always nicer to see it done first. Give a holler if you get that set up, good excuse to crack a few & shoot EP shit. As long as there's no judging about dings & dents.

[TunaNoMayo]

Yeah, no doubt. If I had all the feeler gauges and experience with the k-series I would knock it out no problem, I'm just a bit hesitant.

[1st]

I'm on that ramp hype to I'm going to have to build me a pair.

[TunaNoMayo]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/unesusu5.jpg[emoji594][emoji100][emoji100][emoji100]

[TunaNoMayo]

Just trying to restore the headlights today. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/01/zyha6yvy.jpg

[1st]

Give her some TLC!

[TunaNoMayo]

Looking mint! http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/01/asugygy2.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/01/y5y5yry8.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/01/8y3yma9e.jpg

Really happy with the results!

[justanex1]

Nice tape lol but the headlight are lookin good

[TunaNoMayo]

Haha looked like Stevie Wonder taped around those headlights.

[chrisbtsc]

Good Job!

[TunaNoMayo]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/07/uhyqusa5.jpg did you guys know about this compartment.

[TunaNoMayo]

Hold on.

[TunaNoMayo]

Never mind the compartment haha. Been a while since an update, just been busy working and getting ready to head back up to school.

Today I chilled with my boy Anthony (featured above) and helped him plastidip his 2014 Scion TC. We did a few pulls and he was surprised the lil ole' ep3 was ahead of him till about 60, then he started to slowly regain pace. Anyway, here are some before and afters of the dip.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/09/ygytymam.jpg http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/09/a9ugatyq.jpg

Tomorrow, I hope to get the ac fixed, get tints (25%), then get my new din installed.

[1st]

Fa sho! Keep us posted.

[TunaNoMayo]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/11/u7ejavyt.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/11/avare3as.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/11/a5enezer.jpg

Washed the car today! Tints and din install tomorrow morning at 10.

After that I'm saving up for racelands, energy brushings, new driver side ball joint, and new motor mounts (62a or 60a, opinions?).

[Powers]

Just some food for thought. If I were you I'd stay away from the es bushings and go for hard race hardened rubber bushings. They require less maintenance and when the es are exposed to salt on the road they will pit and tear basically slowly fall apart. As for motor mounts the es motor mount inserts would work just fine for your application. But if you want to step up from there I say hasports 60a

[TunaNoMayo]

Any recommendations for the race hardened brushings?

[TunaNoMayo]

And I'm thinking about installing a camber kit and tie rod combo to go with the racelands. Overkill?

[TunaNoMayo]

Powers, dope build.

[TunaNoMayo]

Having such a moment. Just really cleaned the car today. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/11/rarave8e.jpg

Something oddly peculiar about Honda OEMness.

[1st]

Camber kit and the bearing that goes on the front upper strut mounts for sure. Im on racelands and dropped a little over 2 inches and have no problems with camber wear. But then again I believe in function over form.

[TunaNoMayo]

1st, camber kit all around?

[1st]

Yup front and rear. Ingalls is the way to go.

[TunaNoMayo]

Dope. I'm excited.

[1st]

Longer tie rod ends if you plan on form over function (Stance, Flush)

[1st]

Good look on posting the ramp DIY.

[TunaNoMayo]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/11/ymu7u7e6.jpg
Snapped that from my boys lab top at his house on the way out. That's the diy ramp.

[monjarassi]

We have the same wear and tear on the driver seat.

[TunaNoMayo]

Hey guys, sorry it's been a while since I've had an update but I'm still getting my feet wet here at school.

Anyway, I hung out with my boy Eric last night and we replaced his passenger side mirror and then went out for a cruise. We had no idea why the mirror fogged up like that but after further inspection we came to the conclusion that the mirror was some type of plastic stick on reflective bullshit. Anyway, here are some photos from the night.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/09/01/du9yvyvu.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/09/01/u3ynupad.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/09/01/y4una7at.jpg

Cruise. Quick stop at BK for those chicken fries!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/09/01/5u3ygequ.jpg

After BK we rolled with a silver teggy and it was a close pull from 30 to around 75 but then the ep3 started to pull ahead. Quick pic, sorry for the shitty iPhone pics. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/09/01/taty6u6y.jpg

After the cruise, I wanted to drive so we went to pick up my car and my boy Eric and I drove out to the less populated roads and ended up racing each other from 30. It was really interesting to pull against each other given that we both have ep3s.

Soon after we both raced an 2006 Si. It was pretty close but interesting to have a 3 way race. Overall, it was a good night.