Merlin's 1993 BA8 Si - Because Race Car

Post by **Drax** » Tue Jan 28, 2025 9:35 am

i was obviously lucky on my auto-manual swap back in the day as i didnt need to swap the internal loom as she was a vtec already. im guessing your trouble was because it was a 2.2 non vtec originally.

same would apply going from a 2.0 uk manual to a 2.2 vtec manual i would guess, internal loom swap required?

Post by **Merlin** » Tue Jan 28, 2025 10:24 am

Yeah, non-VTEC to VTEC was part of it, although adding a wire for the the VTEC solenoid wouldn't be too bad.

Really, the diving force behind the loom swap is not wanting to use the auto engine loom, and having old auto ECU plugs still present. It was easy enough for me to do as the car doest have all the heater blower stuff in the way, I don't know how easy it would be with this stuff in place.

Since I was in that position, 3 hours of loom swapping was more preferable to unknown hours of wiring gremlin chasing. It seems the write-ups on the internet are for VTEC auto to VTEC manual swaps, whereas I'm adding in the complication of moving to VTEC as well.

I found this to block off the holes in the firewall left by the heater pipes and the AC pipes https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305667355624 so bought two sets.

All the grommets on the car https://www.parts-honda.uk/honda-cars/P ... 10/5/25191

nalla · Post by **nalla** » Tue Jan 28, 2025 7:15 pm

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89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Tue Jan 28, 2025 8:52 pm

Nice progress.
Getting the engine and gearbox out of the engine bay is not fun - very tight fit, as you say (a bit easier with all the ancilliary gubbins in the bay also gone though!)
That shell sure is in nice condition!

Post by **Merlin** » Tue Feb 11, 2025 8:45 am

A few pics of the Speedfactory detent spring kit that replaces the OEM gearbox springs with stiffer springs for a more crisp/positive gear change. Fitting them now before I paint the gearbox.

OEM on the left. Speedfactory on the right. They are much more stiff than the OEM springs.

I want to also get new stiffer selector springs, but I can't see any for sale outside the US.

Post by **Vtecmec** » Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:30 am

I have the detent springs fitted, I'm on the fence about them. For a pure road car, the gearshift is a bit notchy for my liking, though for a race car I'm sure they'd be of benefit.

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Tue Feb 11, 2025 1:11 pm

Didn't know you'd done that mod, mec.
Would be interesting to see what that feels like.
Do either of you have a short shifter as well, or still both running the the standard?

Post by **Merlin** » Wed Feb 12, 2025 9:03 am

The front suspension was put on the BA8 last night. While I didn't get the opportunity to break everything down to give it a really good paint, I did manage to get some paint on the knuckles and lower arms. I will need to replace a few polybushes on the lower arms as they don't look great any more.

New suspension parts for this car include HardRace adjustable camber upper arms (front and rear) and HardRace ARB drop links.

My Whiteline solid ARB did get a good coat of paint though

The original 260mm brakes

And the KSport 330 x 32mm 8 pots

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Wed Feb 12, 2025 12:30 pm

More good progress - will be ready for this season?

Post by **Merlin** » Thu Feb 13, 2025 8:45 am

I'm not planning on doing anything beyond track days this year. Ideally, I would like to have a roll cage fitted for safety and the improved handling, but I could compete if I keep my interior whole.