As the curtains draw on 2023, it’s incredible to reflect on the journey I’ve embarked upon with my trusty RSX. This year has been a nostalgic revisit to the automotive realm, a reawakening of skills I acquired over a decade ago when I bid farewell to my first black RSX. Fast forward to the present, and I find myself deeply engrossed in the restoration of a vibrant blue RSX, steering it back to its former glory and beyond. While this blog is still playing catch-up with my myriad thoughts, my YouTube channel,@RevCircle, has been buzzing with weekly updates and video DIYs, garnering 332 subscribers and boasting around 48 videos by the end of this eventful year.

The unexpected and small success of my channel has been both humbling and motivating. The positive feedback and comments about the helpfulness of my tutorials have spurred me on, making this return to my automotive passion more rewarding than I ever anticipated.

Undoubtedly, the road to rejuvenating the RSX has been riddled with challenges. From tackling an oil pan leak that led to the revelation of torn motor mounts to deciphering the enigma of a persistent P0420 check engine code, it’s been a rollercoaster of problem-solving. However, overcoming these hurdles, such as replacing the catalytic converter and resolving trunk flooding with a simple taillight gasket replacement, has made the journey all the more fulfilling.

Among the unexpected triumphs was the realization that replacing bushings could be more manageable than initially feared. Armed with the right tools, swapping out rubber bushings and addressing loose suspension components became a satisfying task.

The highlights of the year include successfully executing a full Interior Type R conversion, complete with resolving SRS wiring issues, and the joy of installing Recaro SR4 seats. These moments were diligently documented on my YouTube channel, adding to the repository of my automotive adventures.

Here’s a snapshot of some, though not all, the feats accomplished on my RSX this year:

1. Tune-up: Essential fluid changes, flushes, spark plugs, and coil pack replacements for the 100k-mile mark.
2. Dry Compression Check: Ensuring the internal components were in optimal condition.
3. Suspension Upgrades: Front control arm replacement, new bushings, Buddy Club P1 ball joint installation, KTuned rear lower control arms, and a rear camber kit.
4. Interior Overhaul: Stripping down the interior, adding sound-deadening materials, acquiring and installing Recaro seats, and mastering the art of steering wheel rewrapping.
5. Technological Enhancements: Integration of wireless CarPlay, a double DIN head unit, a backup camera, and HID headlights.
6. Performance Upgrades: Fortune Auto 500 coilovers, Magnaflow California Carb legal catalytic converter, DC 4-2-1 header, Spoon N1 Axle back exhaust.
7. Mechanical Enhancements: Ktuned Steel oil pan, Cometic gasket, Yonaka axles, Mishimoto radiator, and upper/lower hoses.
8. Aesthetic Revamp: Restoration of Type R rims and power-coating.

Reflecting on this list,  but not exhaustive list of everything I’ve done this year, it’s evident that 2023 has been a year of remarkable progress. Alongside these achievements, I’ve accumulated a treasure trove of new tools, some of which I’ve shared as Amazon product recommendations — tried, tested, and recommended from personal experience.

Looking ahead to 2024, the journey with the RSX is far from over and I’ll continue to document it on my YouTube channel and this Project DC5 web page. Plans include exterior enhancements, such as tinting windows and adding visors, while the quest to perfect the DC5 Honda Integra interior continues. The badges may still say RSX, but my goal is to make it a true DC5 experience. Delving deeper into the engine bay is on the horizon, with a valve lash/adjustment project looming as the RSX approaches the 106k-mile mark. The list is long, the tasks are plenty, but the anticipation for what 2024 holds is nothing short of exhilarating. Stay tuned for more automotive adventures!