Mugen Beat Refresh Project

[R@tch]

Nearly 2 years ago now me and my brother purchased our beat of a member here. It was in need of some tlc because of overheating issues. Due to other projects, work and some unfortunate circumstances it's been in storage for long periods in between the things we were doing to it . But the deadline is to rly get it finished for summer 2015 and we would like share our project here .

This was just after I picked it up in Banbury and after a wash:
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/...pse65c9ed5.jpg
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[R@tch]

It came with the original mugen front and rear bumper and best of all the beat specific 13" front 14" rear Mugen nr-10 wheels:
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/...psc6727c37.jpg
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[R@tch]

We began stripping it down inventorying all the parts and searching for rust and other probable issues.
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/...psfde99d32.jpg
Hardly found any rust on the chassis but we soon discovered that the coolant system was in really bad condition which probably led to the overheating the previous owner had mentioned.
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/...ps31aa083b.jpg
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[R@tch]

The coolant pipes that run underneath the car were in a dire state, rusted through and repaired by cutting out the rusty bits and connecting the ends with rubber hose.
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/...pscd15e506.jpg
The internal rust of the pipes led to rusty red coolant throughout the coolant system . I don't know what happened in the engine bay, but at some point it has sprayed the rusty coolant water everywhere as can be seen on the subframe,drive shafts, exhaust and aluminium oilpan in the picture where we took the engine out, luckily the subframe was nice and black underneath when we washed it off
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0cdd9c7b.jpg

[Gavin]

Ah I remember you saying about the pipes to me ages ago!! Mine went on the bracket right near the back, I may be getting a new aluminium radiator. Car is looking great very rare to get all the mugen parts in one go

[R@tch]

So the plan was to overhaul the complete coolant system, new radiator, waterpump, thermostat, pipes and if possible hoses. Started ordering parts from Japan and through the local honda dealer
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/...psb2155e73.jpg
At the same time purchased a zebra mat set and sunvisors as none came with the beat when we got it, also got a better condition ashtray that will never be used
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The radiator is a dual core item with a lot more capacity compared to the original, not bad with a high revving midship engine

[R@tch]

URL=http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/Ronjohnalex/media/rimg0003iMedium_zps9bf45c07.jpg.html]http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9bf45c07.jpg[/URL]
We were thinking of making our own first but opted for getting a used set of pipes from Japan in the end. With only very little surface rust which they all seem to have. Next after taking lot's of pictures beforehand inventorying every bracket, nut & bolt we took a bucket full of stuff and the coolant pipes to a local company that de-rusted and galvanised everything and then added a yellow pasivation layer making it look like factory new again.
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/...psc74f2ee6.jpg
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To further protect the car from rust I grease every nut & bolt and brush linseed oil on the galvanised bits before putting them on the beat. They look a lot better than the old pipes, you can also spot the old waterpump in the box with it's rusty inside:
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9a0605b9.jpg

[C-Rex]

Really nice Beat! Wondered where it was now since I saw pictures of it before on the NR10s

Are the coolant pipes OEM Honda?

Where did you get the replacement Mugen bumper stickers?

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0c1e117d.jpg

[R@tch]

Ah I remember you saying about the pipes to me ages ago!! Mine went on the bracket right near the back, I may be getting a new aluminium radiator. Car is looking great very rare to get all the mugen parts in one go

I would've left replies earlier but the forum doesn't allow me to post most of the time. thank you for the offer, but as you can see we went with a new dual core radiator with more capacity, they're still for sale on the Japanese yahoo auctions. The quality is really good and would definately recommend, there's also less expensive alluminium radiators on the yahoo auctions. Unfortunately the beat didn't come with all the mugen extra's but we've collected some more, the the spoiler, exhaust, exhaust manifold and side decals are still on the wishlist a mugen hardtop would be amazing.
@C-Rex, definately interested in the spoiler

More Mugen parts we collected: mugen sideskirts, mugen suspension, mugen shiftknob from Japan
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/...pse3eecbc5.jpg
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[R@tch]

I did the rocker cover in wrinkle red, sanded back the lettering and added a mugen oil cap which was a gift. I'm quite pleased with the result for a first time try.
http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8280979d.jpg