Monte Carlo Blue AP1 UK Restore
 

Hi Guys,

I've been on Honda forums since I was about 13 years old, always wanted an S2000 since a kid and decided to buy one now at 19 years old hahaha

Just looking around for S2000's for sale a decided to see this S2000 up for sale on Monday purchased it on Wednesday.

Vehicle is Monte Carlo Blue underneath I believe but could be wrong, and was wrapped nearly 3 years ago in Matt Grey by Totally Dynamics in Surrey. All Honda badges and S2000 badges have been replaced in mimicking vinyl.

Just under 114000 miles, all Honda invoices, MOT's, services, parts receipts all documented.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...2009.22.57.jpg

When I went to see the car...

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...612_071506.jpg

At home on the driveway just before I had a deep look around the car.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...2009.23.38.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...2009.24.23.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...2009.25.11.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...612_074859.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...612_074907.jpg
Found all this gunk up in the rear arches :(
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...612_074918.jpg
Surface rust on both sides
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...612_074926.jpg
Common problem of ripped/ moving carpets
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...612_074930.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...612_074938.jpg
Rusted and creaking door hinge which need to be sorted
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...612_074952.jpg
Mould in the boot under the tool box which all tools were rusted
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...612_091653.jpg
All wheels previously refurbed, painted in gloss black with red Honda logo's; looking beautiful
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...612_091718.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...612_091727.jpg
Alpine Bluetooth connectivity stereo with AUX and USB audio
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...612_091842.jpg
Few dings/ dents which I will get sorted out at work, and a crack in the matt grey vinyl

Any comments, DIY's or things to do please list here, I am open to listening on what you think looks good as well.

Will do a routine service at home soon, Plugs, Oils, Filters, bushes and so on.

List of things to buy:
ASIMO G-Force meter

congrats on the purchase, looks like you have some work ahead of you to get it back to 100%.

I would take the vinyl wrap off and see how good the paint underneath is. The rust on the rear quarter panel probably isn't fixable without repainting it, but Monte Carlo blue is an amazing color. I'm not sure if you have any good paintless dent removal guys in your area, but they might be able to fix the little dents.

I'm pretty sure with a steam cleaner and some elbow grease you can get the carpets cleaned up. You might have a leak in the trunk, check the trunk seals, soft top drain tubes, etc
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/465...trunk-picsfix/
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/915...-in-the-trunk/

I know in the states, 02+ s2000's had 2 posts that held the floor mat in place to prevent sliding. Maybe get an 02+ driver carpet & those posts? Same goes for the dead pedal... 02+ had a metal dead pedal, simple little upgrade.


Cleaning up the engine bay won't be too hard. nothing a little cleaner wont do to make it look nearly brand new. Possibly take the valve cover off and repaint it or have it powdercoated
engine bay cleaning how-to
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/278...ur-engine-bay/

Thanks for the above post. I will look in maybe taking the wrap only reason why I don't want to is because it is quite different.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...612_210618.jpg
Took the centre console apart and covered the faded chrome plastic with 3m Carbon Fibre wrap. Cleaned all of the gunk inside the centre console, somehow found loads of coins of usual gubbins from buying a used car lol

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...612_215655.jpg
Fixed the little storage pocket as the flap wouldn't open, took damn nearly an hour to just get the tension on the spring!

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...612_212206.jpg
Tried to clean the gear knob with my watch cleaning kit haha, ended up looking the same as before the clean. Looks like I'll end with a skunk2 shift knob now...

Ordered red D1 spec lug nuts, hopefully will be fitted soon making these beauties look better and painting calipers red again.
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...609_205152.jpg

Forget watch cleaning kits......

Gearknob + drill + sandpaper = this...

http://i62.tinypic.com/246wbcm.jpg

http://i59.tinypic.com/29yk021.jpg

(i got rid of the shift patern too but you can keep it just dont go nuts with coarse grit)

Thanks dude!!

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...614_125937.jpg

So managed to clean up the shift knob, and cleaned the headlight plastic with degreaser then plastic cleaner...

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...614_141820.jpg

Finally, moving on... got to here just as it started raining... So looks like we'll be Monte Carlo Blue again!!!

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...616_155821.jpg

The blues going to look awesome! :thumbup:

:thumbup: to removing the wrap. Made it look like it was primered.

Slowly getting there lol. I need a heat gun, not hot enough with my mums hairdryer lmao

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...616_194212.jpg

Bodywork is an average condition underneath, however will need paintwork... Will get the whole front bumper smoothed then attach a custom plate holder afterwards.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...616_194221.jpg

The Bonnet lip

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...616_194226.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...616_194229.jpg

Right arch - small stone chip and light scratch (near top left of pic)

Will be sanding the TCT gear soon, rattling sound when the engine was warmed. Hopefully the dremel tool will help defeat the problem :)

I wouldn't dremel the worm gear in your TCT. Only correct way is to sand blast it.

Also the blue looks way better, shame that the condition isn't that great, but it's nothing that can't be fixed!

Thanks for the heads up. I'll order a sandblaster...

Now unfortunately I have pulled more of the wrap off today, just 3 panels left to being all Monte Carlo Blue and the underneath of the car is in a very bad state. I cannot believe the person that chose to wrap this car didn't have the bodywork at least treated before applying the wrap. Make me so sad to see an S2000 like this. There are a lot more dings and creases that I can now see, and a lot of rust spots all over the car.

I will be treating the rusted boot well now with direct metal to rust paint.

Pics of all the above will follow shortly... :(

[UPDATE] - Pics of the poor car :(

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...617_164641.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...617_164647.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...617_164658.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...617_164707.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...617_164716.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...617_164721.jpg

I have a lot of work to do, but first the engine! Will get the TCT sorted as soon as the sandblaster arrives. (Thanks DrakeValle), then a routine service updating all fluids, then to the bodywork.

Updates to follow shortly

:thumbup: :thumbup: to reviving this car.

Check out this thread for more information on sandblasting the worm gear:
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/808...ent-or-repair/

Also read this for Billman's input on dremeling the TCT:
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/808...t__p__22798669


Really sad to see the condition that you found this S2000 in. Bring it back to the way it should be! Subbing :thumbup:

Late updates as I was so busy during the last few weeks of June at work, but I have had a few things arrive today which will be fitted over the next few days!!!

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...4507509532.jpg

Civic FN2 Type R Gearknob as a spare

Billman Gen X TCT has arrived

K&N Air Filter


More to come soon...

I have been very busy at work once again LOL

I managed to install the Billman TCT and what a difference it has made the old rattle that was there...

I haven't installed the K&N air filter yet as I am awaiting the vehicles rust removal and the respray in MCB.

I removed the seats and the carpets from the interior, gave them all a clean and sorted out the drivers seat bucket and bolsters.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...715_090434.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...715_090439.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...715_100840.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...715_100845.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...715_101905.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...715_105505.jpg

Removed the rust from the undertray and sprayed in rustoleum silver.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...715_105523.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...715_121932.jpg

More updates to come soon!!!

Good work!

nice work! The body is in pretty rough shape, is there any residue left behind after the vinyl removal? cant wait to see more pics.

Man that wrap looks terrible, like it's rattle can grey.

Show the monte carlo blue, oohh I wish we had that color in the U.S.

looks like you have your hands full. keep up the good work. if it was my car i would just do a full paint job after all the kinks are fixed.

Also took the Valve cover off of the car and resprayed it at home with winkle VHT paint.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...624_154509.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...625_193443.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...629_105613.jpg

I know it look orange LMAO, but that was because of the direct sunlight from the morning. It doesn't look stock in the sunlight, but it is pure red and no cracks!!!

When I went to play tennis at my usual place during the week I spotted an S2000 right outside the park and of course I had to park right next to it!!!

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...708_093155.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...708_093200.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...708_093212.jpg

More to come hopefully on Tuesday!!!!!!!

Our colour of car is just fantastic!!

that blue is a billion times better :thumbup:

Furthering a little bit more throughout the restoration and build.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...721_200516.jpg

Cleaning the car up decided to completely strip the interior out, give it a full clean, maybe rust remedy the floor plan and put the interior back in.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...721_200519.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...721_200524.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...721_200533.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...721_200536.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...721_201018.jpg

^^^ Rear fog light glue had diminished, my dad gluing it back in LOL

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...721_201022.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...722_181023.jpg

^^^ Sockie Tech hood dampers/struts in place. They seem to be very powerful, as soon as I undo the bonnet release the bonnet shoots up with quite a force. Not sure if this is good or not... Also K&N FIPK Gen 2 installed, makes a beautiful sound.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...722_181845.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...722_181850.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...722_181853.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...722_181900.jpg
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...722_181917.jpg

And finally I just wanted a bit of advice on how to go about cleaning the bottom half of the block, I hate opening my bonnet and seeing the gunk on it, just on how to make it nice and shiny again :)

A few good parts coming soon so updates will be on the way!!!!

I was going to remove that timing chain cover and clean and paint it then reattach... quite an easy job and will make an improvement on the bay itself!

For the rest of the head (clean), there are products out there... I have the same issue with my intake manifold as well, looks horrendous!

Brake cleaner does a great job of cutting through gresase and general engine grime. Just don't get it on the paint.

Got a few more things done on Tuesday, spent about two hours removing rusted bolt on the front end of the car, an absolute nightmare.

Clean up the engine bay slightly, also Tegiwa radiator, PasswordJDM gold rad stay, PasswordJDM gold dress-up kit.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...805_174933.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...805_174937.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...805_174945.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...805_174949.jpg

Removed some pieces and plastic trims and resprayed; new wipers, wiper blades, new windscreen fitted and heat shield resprayed.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...805_174922.jpg

And some more things to come and be fitted over the weekend. D2 Coilovers!!!!!!

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...809_001008.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...809_000947.jpg

Hopefully an exhaust system goes up for sale soon, a Q300 system or a BuddyClub Spec II would be great!!!

Coilovers have now been fitted again an absolute nightmare as with everything I try to do to this car!!!

Tried replacing the callipers last Tuesday and spent all day trying to remove the brake disc screws, ended up drilling them out. Also tried placing the track rod ends and I have been unable to remove the seized alignment bolt that locks the end together!!! Starting to hit a brick wall, spending all day outside on the car and nothing seems to be getting done :( I think my neighbours are starting to hate :D :D

https://i1239.photobucket.com/albums...811_195908.jpg

https://i1239.photobucket.com/albums...812_173851.jpg

https://i1239.photobucket.com/albums...812_173904.jpg

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Had a few problems again all in all as listed below.

Couldn't remove bottom bolt on the exhaust heat shield, the one underneath the 2 main visible bolts to install the Engine Torque Damper. :banghead:

Secondly couldn't install HEL braided brake lines and couldn't remove the 10mm bolt with the flared spanner so goodness what I'm gonna do... :crycry:

The plan with the AEM wideband is to install on the righthand side of the dash, I have removed the dash surround and will just have the start button with the AEM wideband, as the controls for the head unit do not work as the previous owner had changed it to an aftermarket one.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...902_181322.jpg

More updates soon with proper pictures!!!

UPDATE : 7 September 2014 - 09:59 PM

Still progressing through the build. Tried the blowtorch on the exhaust manifold and no joy :angry: Will need to buy a 12mm hex spanner or just try to destroy the bolt as it will coming off soon with the new manifold on the way.

Engine torque damper is partially on the vehicle until I remove the heat shield. Front brakes are now complete with the HEL braided brake lines, resprayed the callipers red and installed the front bump-steer kit; front section is done! Until I get some more parts lolol

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...907_115011.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...07-WA0018.jpeg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...07-WA0020.jpeg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...07-WA0008.jpeg

As per my previous post with the AEM air/fuel ratio gauge I will be cleaning the dash layout to what is a necessity for me when driving. Most likely will remove the A/C at a later stage for track use next year.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...07-WA0014.jpeg

Also couldn't get the drive shaft spacer in due to the awkward location of the bolts while the car is on stands, and rear calipers being off the car, they will be on soon. Will also replace the rear toe arms probably with the exhaust when it arrives.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...07-WA0016.jpeg

The rust has now been ground all the way back to metal and is being treated. The great thing is that it's only surface rust, the whole underneath of the vehicle is done and all the open and bare section of the chassis. What the car looks like at this moment in time.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...07-WA0010.jpeg

And finally all dings have been beaten out of the S2000, everything has been filled in and sanded to be as smooth as a baby's bottom :thumbup:

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...07-WA0012.jpeg

More to come soon!

b]UPDATE : 14th September 2014 - 09:10 PM[/b]

Very small update guys.

Finally got my head round to remove the rusted bolts.

Bought these, and they worked an absolute charm.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...L._SL1500_.jpg

Also, felt slightly bored with the gold engine bay washers. So i decided to take them all off and spray them all black including the PWJDM radiator stays. :thumbup:

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...914_125134.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...914-WA0028.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...914_131618.jpg

Finally got this little helper on!

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...914-WA0022.jpg

All the milky blue/black staining that you see on the inside of the arch and on the arch lining is rust remedy. It worked within 10 minutes and then I painted all the inside black with hammerite black.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...914_121249.jpg

Got my hardtop which will be wrapped in black :drool:

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...914-WA0016.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...914-WA0014.jpg

Pretty much wraps up my day today.

Bonnect latch ending up breaking just as I was finishing up today as the wind slammed the bonnet shut. Replaced the right hand side spring, pieced back together and it was all good.

More to come soon hopefully :)

UPDATE: Haven't started the vehicle in nearly 2 months so just tested till engine was warm...

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...914_112833.mp4

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...914_112917.mp4

UPDATE : 19 September 2014 - 20:43

Hi guys.

Hope everyone is well.

Ordered some 3M wrap from a UK supplier and started wrapping the hardtop!!! :cool:

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...919_131802.jpg

Finally got the clear side markers from Germany :drool:

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...919_145109.jpg

I absolutely love this piece \/\/\/

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...919_145129.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...919_145133.jpg

Not much was done today. spent about 3 hours trying to put my rear view mirror on with the new windscreen, took about three hours :banghead: :bang head:
After that was done I clipped on the broadway mirror which I love. :thumbup:

More to come soon!

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Did the AEM gauge after work today.

Very happy with the result and ready to go in the dash, just awaiting the wiring to be completed and once the manifold is on the vehicle should all be working well.

Pics from start to finish... :tipwink:

From the day of the idea.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...902_181322.jpg

Till tonight.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...923-WA0005.jpg

Test fit.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...923-WA0006.jpg

Done. Still got the wrapping on the face of the gauge. Will leave it on until it's in the car.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...923-WA0001.jpg

More soon!