My "kitty kar" build

I'm just going to copy/pasta my build thread. I started in November of 2008 when I purchased my Legend. She's gone thru a few changes. Currently I'm working on swapping the taupe interior out for a JDM black interior. After that I'm going to work on her stance some more and start on small cosmetics to freshen her up.

~Jen

Kitty Kar is my baby, she's what got me started working on cars and put me where I am at now. 

I bought her November of 2008 with no plans of making any changes. Little did I realize this car was a POS and the previous owner fibbed a little....ok maybe a lot....when he sold her to me. The car overheated before I was even a mile away from his house >.< So that week I dropped her at my mechanic (yup, I used to have a mechanic lol) and paid $942 for a new water pump and timing belt. Still overheating. New t-stat then a new radiator. Still overheating. Changed every sensor on the cooling system. Finally I snapped out of denial and realized I had a blown head gasket lol

So while chasing the overheating problem I made a couple of upgrades. I ordered some Ksport coilovers, swapped out the fake wood for burlwood, had all of the rust taken care of and peeling paint taken care of and added an oem spoiler...

Before
[IMG]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v474/35/45/515231735/n515231735_1529786_4840.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v474/35/45/515231735/n515231735_1545785_2707.jpg[/IMG]
After
[IMG]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v474/35/45/515231735/n515231735_1529790_5748.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2251/35/45/515231735/n515231735_1873218_9065.jpg[/IMG]

Then I added JDM headlights, clear bumper signals and Hella fogs
[IMG]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs026.snc1/3131_78040276735_515231735_2139332_958769_n.jpg[/IMG]

and this :)
[IMG]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2608/35/45/515231735/n515231735_1946545_3241421.jpg[/IMG]

I bought another set of is300 wheels because the original agreement was the po would get his wheels back and give me the ugly stock ones unless I wanted to pay for those. Of course after I found out that he blatently lied to me about the blown headgasket....I sold his wheels and bought my jdm interior lol
[IMG]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v3325/35/45/515231735/n515231735_2193939_540125.jpg[/IMG]

Once I knew that motor was trash, I tried to blow it up. Tried everything. Took her to autox, drove her to Chicago overheating, everything. She wasn't going to let go before it was swap time lol

[IMG]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs035.snc1/4326_89737096735_515231735_2309852_2863078_n.jpg[/IMG]

(cont.)

So here we go, from beginning to end. Wish me luck!

Arrival of my 3.5 from a 2003 RL with 53k
[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/kitty%20build/pickup.jpg[/IMG]

Goody box compliments of Alperovich and some of the parts I ordered from AoS. The yellow notepad you see contains weeks worth of notes from reading and asking questions. Us girls are organized like that :giggle:
[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/kitty%20build/parts.jpg[/IMG]

And today I spent all afternoon prepping the valve covers. I'll spend the entire day down at the body shop finishing those and working on the intake manifold. Kyle, owner of Kirk Kustoms, has been so gracious as to let me come into his shop and do my own work and taking his time to instruct me on how to go about with this project.
[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/kitty%20build/valvecover1.jpg[/IMG]

It doesn't look like a lot, but it took up most of my day :lol: I went down and finish prepping the valve covers for color and went over to the place to order what I needed. Then I came home and took apart the intake manifold and proceeded to clean it up along with the underside of the valve covers. The gaskets were a &*$#% to get off but I finally got every last bit off. I realized I wouldn't be able to get the top portion of the manifold clean enough to make me happy so it's over at a machine shop right now.

Before:
[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/kitty%20build/kittybuild003.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/kitty%20build/kittybuild005.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/kitty%20build/kittybuild006.jpg[/IMG]

After:
[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/kitty%20build/kittybuild009.jpg[/IMG]

The rest of the manifold should be done tomorrow afternoon or Friday and the best part of my build is being delivered on Friday :D I'll post another update then...

[COLOR="Red"]This was my big surprise for the guys, I kept the auto to 6spd conversion under wraps until my trans showed up. This was kind of a big deal because I'm the first and only girl on the forum to do the 3.5/6spd swap lol[/COLOR]

Go big or go home. What good is my 3.5 without a 6mt??

[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/kitty%20build/tranny.jpg[/IMG]

All of my parts were there and it was time to start working. I took a 3.5 V6 from a 2003 RL with 53k on it and put Legend 3.2 Type II cams and manifold on it. 

I made a little progress today. Got the intake manifold dropped off for polishing. The guy gave me a 45% discount because business is slow so I went ahead and let him take on the project saving me time. A few friends came over and my a.d.d. kicked in so I made some brats and burgers then polished the headlights on my friends S2000 and finally got to working on the car :lol: So far I got most everything pulled off and the new water pump put on. Tomorrow we should be finishing the cams and timing belt. The timing belt was my biggest worry because I don't want to screw anything up so I'm glad I've got some Honda buddies that know about our motors :D

tada! shoes!

[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/kitty%20build/kittybuild025.jpg[/IMG]

I was awarded this lovely "princess crown" as they called it. JDM tyte yo! 

[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/kitty%20build/kittybuild026.jpg[/IMG]

All torn down...
[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/kitty%20build/kittybuild029.jpg[/IMG]

Does this surprise you, really? :lol2:
[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/kitty%20build/kittybuild031.jpg[/IMG]

Tomorrow I'm going to clean up my garage, there was some sort of explosion. Then back to finishing the cams and timing belt. Getting close!
[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/kitty%20build/kittybuild032.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/manifold.jpg[/IMG]

Today I managed to get the drivers side cam in and the passenger side started. I put my intake manifold back together and started polishing a couple of parts. I also took my design down to have a stencil made for the valve covers. The countdown starts, this baby is getting dropped in this weekend!

Lubing up before reassembly: 
[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/kitty%20build/6171_103966586735_515231735_2536949.jpg[/IMG]

That's all I got for ya today :D I'm going to charge up the camera because it's going to be a busy week!

:jen:

Little update for today, finished the cams with one minor set back :/ Set the manifold back on, started polishing a few other parts and sent off my clutch disc for reman. 

Well, it was funny afterwards....
[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/n515231735_2542550_6834337.jpg[/IMG]

:D And a little sneaky peek...

[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/kitteh-1.jpg[/IMG]

[COLOR="Red"]This is the day the actual swap starts. I was worried the last of my parts wouldn't show in time lol [/COLOR]

Look! UPS and FedEx came! :D

[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/kittybuild.jpg[/IMG]

Thanks everyone! Here are a few pics of the removal prep:

Hood removal, yeah this one is a treat for you guys :lol: 
[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/kittybuild043.jpg[/IMG]

Hood gone, fluids drained, a few pieces removed:
[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/kittybuild044.jpg[/IMG]

That's it, it's been a long day, I'm tired :lol:

[IMG]http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs122.snc1/5248_1071284990616_1480873702_30146090_1939696_n.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs122.snc1/5248_1071415473878_1480873702_30146265_2407023_n.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs165.snc1/6171_105471151735_515231735_2556819_5085628_n.jpg[/IMG]

:mhihi:
[IMG]http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs165.snc1/6171_106030196735_515231735_2566070_3555142_n.jpg[/IMG]

Getting ready to drop the motor/tranny in, here are some pics while you guys wait...

[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/kitty%20build/kittybuild048.jpg[/IMG]

NOS!!!
[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/kitty%20build/kittybuild051.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/kitty%20build/kittybuild056.jpg[/IMG]
Poly filled mounts
[IMG]http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/ymisoqt23/kitty%20build/kittybuild063.jpg[/IMG]

It's in! 

[IMG]http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs142.snc1/5248_1072164492603_1480873702_30148168_5179481_n.jpg[/IMG]

Then I added some more pretty stuff in the bay, some wheels and the jdm interior and wala! Kitty Kar :)

[IMG]http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c270/black94sol/DSC_0126.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c270/black94sol/DSC_0127.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs019.ash2/34327_138023522891987_100000530191386_285314_2518528_n.jpg[/IMG]

And her newest present :D lol
[IMG]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs007.snc4/33737_442215666735_515231735_5771630_1843180_n.jpg[/IMG]

I'll have some of the interior when it's done. Everything has been wired up to work except for the heated seats and I still need black carpet and to figure out what I want to do with the headliner. I don't have any interior shots yet but this is the jdm interior and edm console...
[IMG]http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/13569_197463126735_515231735_3501831_4050416_n.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs266.snc1/9329_161225411735_515231735_3219728_5389315_n.jpg[/IMG]

Wow what an epic build, welcome to the site!

what are your future plans? I expect you intend to add vipstyle flavor if your on this site :shrug:

Pretty impressive work so far!

nice work ! thanks for the treat

^ Thanks guys!
[QUOTE=Brandicus;370244]Wow what an epic build, welcome to the site!

what are your future plans? I expect you intend to add vipstyle flavor if your on this site :shrug:[/QUOTE]

She's def going to get some vip love. Aftermarket support for these cars suck so it's hard. My strut bars and tie bars were custom made, as well as the wheels and I ended up making the eyelids myself because they are impossible to find. It's a slow and expensive process but I like having something different than the norm. I've been looking at lips and skirts to see if I can find something I can mod to fit.

That muffler tip makes me lol. Its awesome!

wooooow, welcome.  great engine work!

Nice build so far!!

looks great keep it up.

Thanks everyone :) This is my first build so I'm still learning. Before I did this swap I barely could change my own oil lol

[QUOTE=radiokilla;370259]That muffler tip makes me lol. Its awesome![/QUOTE]

I bought that just as a garage decoration but the guys convinced me to put it on. Surprisingly it gets a lot of positive attention lol

Guess I'll start looking for a new lip, I just demolished mine in the snow :shrug:

Welcome to the forums...quite the build going on.  Nice to see a girl actually doing the build.  Very cool.  When I saw the screen name before clicking I really hoped you were a girl, otherwise..well, yah.  Hahaha...we don't need to go there.

Would be cool to see some real vip influence go into this.

[QUOTE=elpresidente;370377]Welcome to the forums...quite the build going on.  Nice to see a girl actually doing the build.  Very cool.  When I saw the screen name before clicking I really hoped you were a girl, otherwise..well, yah.  Hahaha...we don't need to go there.

Would be cool to see some real vip influence go into this.[/QUOTE]

This car would be further along in progress but I took a break last spring to build the del sol. It's taking a while, but she's coming together. If only I had some really good pics of this car when I bought it, she was a piece haha

haha, pretty awesome.  you need that Junction produce hello kitty stuffed animal, that's like a must have item for you.  They have two styles now, one w/ the fusa, and the new one has a track jacket.

the back needs to be dropped a lot. but :biggthumpup: for being a female and wrenching your own sh*t. i almost picked up one of these when i was getting rid of my 97 accord. but then i picked up a Q instead.

[QUOTE=romeo291;370486]haha, pretty awesome.  you need that Junction produce hello kitty stuffed animal, that's like a must have item for you.  They have two styles now, one w/ the fusa, and the new one has a track jacket.[/QUOTE]
I have the one with the pink fusa and ordered the one with the track jacket this week :) 
[QUOTE=VI IX;370487]the back needs to be dropped a lot. but :biggthumpup: for being a female and wrenching your own sh*t. i almost picked up one of these when i was getting rid of my 97 accord. but then i picked up a Q instead.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I dropped the front when I did my swap but the rear coilovers were seized and I had been in the garage 15+ hours a day for four days already so I said screw it, I just wanted to drive her and check out my work lol Once my garage is freed up again I'm going to take those rears off and work on them and lower the front down a little more too, I still see gap. I bought my first legend because it reminded me of my accord :)

so far so good. =)

Nice build, not to many girls like to get dirt under the nails.
also good to see girls in the "vip" scene even if its non-traditional cars.
:biggthumpup:

[QUOTE=MR.J;370669]Nice build, not to many girls like to get dirt under the nails.
also good to see girls in the "vip" scene even if its non-traditional cars.
:biggthumpup:[/QUOTE]

I won't lie, I hate grease under my nails, it makes keeping up with my manicure twice as hard!

Up next, Suspension. You got Ksports, do you have lots of adjustment left? I heard those can slam out. If not, maybe UAS? Next, fender work so you can fit some wider wheels without as much contact/rubbing. Then some adapters/spacers that change the bolt pattern to something more common (like 5x114), then a used set of wheels with what some might consider a "weak" offset, compensated by the adapters, to end up with the correct offset for a flush fitment to the fenders. Stretched tires. Then one of these kits .... Dooo iitttt!!!!

[img]http://www.memoryfab.com/images/product/000350/ins_sps_ka7lefend_fb.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.memoryfab.com/images/product/000350/ka7legend-frontbumper.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.memoryfab.com/images/product/000350/ins_sps_ka7lefend_rb.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b43/blingting/bucket%20of%20photos%202/aa47c9e2.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b43/blingting/bucket%20of%20photos%202/admir2.jpg[/img]

123 into the four///i see some potential here girlie...get em!!!

[QUOTE=CrazyHawaiian;370848]Up next, Suspension. You got Ksports, do you have lots of adjustment left? I heard those can slam out. If not, maybe UAS? Next, fender work so you can fit some wider wheels without as much contact/rubbing. Then some adapters/spacers that change the bolt pattern to something more common (like 5x114), then a used set of wheels with what some might consider a "weak" offset, compensated by the adapters, to end up with the correct offset for a flush fitment to the fenders. Stretched tires. Then one of these kits .... Dooo iitttt!!!!

[img]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b43/blingting/bucket%20of%20photos%202/admir2.jpg[/img][/QUOTE]

I have lots of adjustment left, the last time I adjusted them I had 17's on the car so I wanted to wait until my 19's came in to really adjust them but the ksports will definitely slam out.

As far as wheels, I had these custom made at a price tag of 4k so buying another set isn't in my plans. I am talking to my guy about getting bigger lips for them though. The bolt pattern is already 5x114 so I don't need adapters. I'm running a mild stretch right now, after I get the new lips I'll need different tires so I plan on more stretch. I am also having my fenders rolled but I want to get a kit and do paint at the same time. I really like that last one that you posted. 

Here is a closer pic of how the wheels fit. The bigger lip is going to change things a lot so I want to get those first. 

[IMG]http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/154671_454601366735_515231735_5954895_3926706_n.jpg[/IMG]

I was about to say... I don't know why she would need a 5x114 adapter when these come stock that way. These Hondas use a FULL set of lugs!
 
Great car Jen. Well built, and fun to drive. Get an E-brake! =)

Those wheels are very sporty, I personally think your going to have a very hard time injecting a luxury look into your legend with those wheels.

I think she can pull it off, just have to have the right aero and stance..maybe mod that aero a bit with a few sporty cues and it'll look great.  There's many vip cars sporting mesh/lace net wheels:

[IMG]http://carview-img02.bmcdn.jp/carlife/images/user/318752/p1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://carview-img02.bmcdn.jp/minkara/usercar/000/000/623/353/623353/p1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://carview-img02.bmcdn.jp/carlife/images/user/849704/p1.jpg[/IMG]

My bad, I don't know jack about Honda's :pat: Just tryin to help .... :biggthumpup: 

Should have figured it out when you posted the pic of the is300 wheels. When you do the fender, get it pulled tooooo

Epic headband

Did I say impossible? no.  The examples you posted up mikey have extensive modifications and custom touches.  not to mention access to a better market of parts from ze motherland.  Lastly theyre all under 10 years old.

Again, I dont want to be the voice of discouragement, but your in for a long, arduous voyage that might not even get you where you want.  The easier path would be to apply classic touches (i.e. euroline dh style wheels, etc) and go from there.

Of course, if your like most of us and dont give a shit about labels, just keep doing you :biggthumpup:

[QUOTE=CrazyHawaiian;370952]My bad, I don't know jack about Honda's :pat: Just tryin to help .... :biggthumpup: 

Should have figured it out when you posted the pic of the is300 wheels. When you do the fender, get it pulled tooooo[/QUOTE]
lol it happens :) I'm definitely getting them pulled at the same time I have them rolled.
[QUOTE=C8V6C;370962]Epic headband[/QUOTE]
Can't build a motor without a princess crown ;)
[QUOTE=99Blackhatch;370930]
Great car Jen. Well built, and fun to drive. Get an E-brake! =)[/QUOTE]
Thanks Josh :) As soon as I figure out where I can put an E-brake without chopping up my EDM console I will! 
[QUOTE=Brandicus;370963]
Again, I dont want to be the voice of discouragement, but your in for a long, arduous voyage that might not even get you where you want.  The easier path would be to apply classic touches (i.e. euroline dh style wheels, etc) and go from there.

Of course, if your like most of us and dont give a shit about labels, just keep doing you :biggthumpup:[/QUOTE]

Anyone that knows me, knows I never take the easy path =) You should see my Del Sol build haha :) If I really cared what everyone else thought I wouldn't have put a Hello Kitty exhaust tip on my car lol I'm sure down the road I'll get another set of wheels just so I can have some variety but I love these ones so they are sticking around. 

Let's face it, I drive a 94 Acura Legend, she's not going to get a spread in any magazines :shrug: It's already been a long voyage, I've been thru some ridiculous shit with that car and even though she's not done I get a smile every time I look at her. 99blackhatch knows, this car is like my second child lol

[QUOTE=ymisoqt;370970] shit with that car and even though she's not done I get a smile every time I look at her. 99blackhatch knows, this car is like my second child lol[/QUOTE]

Poor Gabe. Lol

with brando on this one, its an older car that doesnt lend itself quite as well to the scene right out the box..also theres a difference between the wheels she has and the mesh wheels on the cars posted, mainly the shape of the spokes and the convex of the face.  however, it is possible and the car will be built how she wants, and im in for updates!

My whole point was, don't discourage what we know HAS worked.  If it's done right, it'll look right.  And don't forget...with a few modern touches it could look far newer.  Hell, my Jag is only two years newer than her car, yet people keep thinking it's at least 5+ years newer than it actually is.

Take note of the newer Acuras and take some styling cues from them..hell, even take a few parts from them if they can be worked in smoothly and to appear stock.  It'll really make a more...ehem, "mature" car seem younger.  Haha..

Being an older car it's definitely going to take more work but I've always loved the older body styles with Acura and Honda. Nothing wrong with taking it back to the old school ;) haha

Sorry I had nowhere else to use this and I wanted to really really bad.  ¯\(o_o)/¯
[IMG]http://www.combatgold1.co.uk/images/funny/misc/4chan-girl.png[/IMG]

But you have done more work yourself on your car then I've done on my own...so I can't even say anything. Keep up the good work!

The valve covers look great

Good job you're doing a lot more work on your car then I am on mine

[QUOTE=urmyhero4now;381971]Sorry I had nowhere else to use this and I wanted to really really bad.  ¯\(o_o)/¯
[IMG]http://www.combatgold1.co.uk/images/funny/misc/4chan-girl.png[/IMG]

But you have done more work yourself on your car then I've done on my own...so I can't even say anything. Keep up the good work![/QUOTE]

:smiley-rofl:

lol ^ 

I've never been the hey I'm a girl blah blah. My locals know I'm just one of the guys :) I'm in it for the cars, not the boys.

My Legend has been sitting unfortunately, because I bought a 240 and have been playing with her too much lol I'll get back to her soon tho.

nice stuff! always wanted a legend.. more pics and updates please! :)