j9chan

Just wanna share with you guys my experience of replacing distributor cap and rotor... I've done that over last week for my EK Si and I've noticed some definite increase in hp. In fact, with the AC turned on, my car now feels as if it has the same level of hp as AC off before the replacement! Needless to say, having the AC off now gives me even more hp.

I would highly recommend you do it if it is time for you to do so. It's easy and it's relatively cheap (got OEM parts from Brett at Parkway Honda for less than $40 together). There's no point in doing other upgrades if the basic maintenance haven't been taken care of first.

Take it easy guys.

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

Excellent point... I did mine a little while back... I did a bunch of other stuff too... small replacement items to keep the car it top shape. I've never once had a part fail on me, since I replace whatever - whenever I feel like it. Though I've owned the car since brand new, I understand that after 5 years and 110K kms, the car is no longer brand new, and does require some basic and general maintenance. Next is a timing belt and accessory belts for fun, maybe a thermostat too... PCV valve too.

j9chan

Wow, good for you! Is the thermostat hard to replace? I just got myself a floor jack + stands combo over the weekend and from now on I'll be doing oil change and other basic stuff myself (like flush the radiator). I'll be putting in a new PCV valve too, once I get a chance to play with the jacks.

By the way, speaking of the PCV valve, the home-made oil catcher that I've done along the PCV line has worked quite well! I can see some oil collected in the filter, which has a clear plastic housing!

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

Do you have pics of your oil catch-can, I'd love to do something like that!

Naw, the thermostat is easy to do, it's in the back of the engine compartment, behind the distributor... I had it out before for general inspection during my rad-flush. Remember NOT TO GET any oil on it - it will fail for sure! Now, to get to it... you'll see a bunch of thick coolant hoses running to this one central location behind the distributor (in the general area) - remove the big hose and stick your finger (be sure the engine has cooled off first) in there and you'll feel your thermostat. Remove the bolts (if I remember right there were 3 on mine), and your thermostat will be right there ready for replacement.