Thoughts or comments welcomed of course!

1. Oil + filter, air filter change
2. Full brake fluid flush
3. Brake pad change
4. Transmission and differential fluid change
5. Spark plugs change
6. Stainless steel lines
7. Fix any paint chips
8. If no oem front lip, get one

Can't wait... gonna make sure she lasts a long time and planning to keep her pretty stock.

 

Good lost. Things you probably don't need to do include the plugs, unless your car is 100k plus miles.

The stock brake pads are really quite good. No need to change them until they are worn out.

Braided Stainless Steel brake lines get their firm pedal feel from their teflon linings. The braided steel just protects from track debris and abrashion from causing damage. The stock lines are teflon lined. Braided lines won't add much firmness. Instead gravity bleed and ise good performance dot 4 fluid.

 

If you're getting an AP1, do the retainers. Enjoy the reliability of the car

 

Nice post. I recommend before purchasing the car to do a compression test to make sure the motor is healthy.

 

1. Oil + filter, air filter change -- Don't forget the cabin filter. Use the Honda OEM engine oil filter
2. Full brake fluid flush -- When last done? This is something like every third year. Flush with clean brake fluid, not a solvent.
3. Brake pad change -- Why? Best practice when changing pads to to resurface the discs too.
4. Transmission and differential fluid change -- Good idea and you're under the car anyway. Hypoid gear oil in the differential NOT Honda differential oil.
5. Spark plugs change -- Why? These last 100+ miles. Maybe when you're checking the valve clearances as the engine turns over easily with the plugs out.
6. Stainless steel lines -- Of no value and don't improve brake feel or function.
7. Fix any paint chips -- Of course
8. If no oem front lip, get one -- Finding one may be difficult

-- Chuck

 

Shin-Etsu grease every piece of rubber on the car. Steering rack boots, half-shaft boots, clutch slave cover, every hood, door and soft top seal, every hose ...... go nuts with the stuff.

 

SS brake lines for $100 are a wise investment / upgrade, especially on an older car.

 

Hi all - thanks so much for the feedback, much appreciated! Let me shed some more light on some of my reasoning below:

1. Oil + filter, air filter change - will add cabin air filter!
2. Full brake fluid flush
3. Brake pad change - car will likely have 40-60k miles but wanted to just in case
4. Transmission and differential fluid change
5. Spark plugs change - I got a set of free oem spark plugs
6. Stainless steel lines - car will be around 10 years old and just to be safe than sorry esp with anything brakes
7. Fix any paint chips
8. If no oem front lip, get one - I am going to get oem from ebay (galpin honda) for AP2

I don't mind spending a small amount of $ now for longer term enjoyment! Planning to keep the car for along time.

 

I've got 70K miles and 14 years of autocross on the original pads and rotors on my '03. No need to change them unless there is an issue. I would skip the plugs too. Add a valve adjustment and a clutch fluid flush.

 

Definitely do a valve adjustment. Don't forget a valve cover gasket.
Spark plugs will give you a good idea of running rich/lean, hot/cold. You can check the compression now too.
Make sure to use an OEM oil filter and torque to spec. Or I believe it's make contact against block and turn additional 7/8 turn.
All new fluids are a great idea.
Check those soft top straps, replace if necessary! Take care of any holes or wear spots before they get worse. Treat the top and the seats.
Check the condition of the compliance bushings, motor mounts, diff, etc.