Acura 1.6 EL Tech Thread

[Deetz]

Today's update- the EL arm rest with leather option

Since a number of EL's came with factory leather, the matching armrest looks real nice and is a good upgrade from the civic. Also, the console came with seat heater switches

[knightsef-eg]

15" turtles and heated leathers (i have the sides for the rear seats)

[tommycharlton]

oh how i cant wait to get my el

[SportEL]

Originally Posted by Deetz

Options on the Premium models would add a leather interior upgrade with heated seats, rear disk brakes, sunroof, maplight, mag wheels, rear wing spoiler, lip kit, gold emblem pkg and exhaust tips.

I am pretty sure there was no option for rear disk brakes. They all came standard with rear drum brakes.

[Deetz]

Originally Posted by SportEL

I am pretty sure there was no option for rear disk brakes. They all came standard with rear drum brakes.

hmm...could i have sworn i've seen rear disk on the EL.......aww, i did, sorry, they were rear disk on the 1.7EL, not the 1st gen 1.6

[Mr Fatty]

there was never an option for rear disks on the 97-00 Acura ELs, only 2001 and after.

Also, the Acura EL center console is GARBAGE. I don't know why anyone would want it because:

1. Your cup holders are not useable. Want to drink something bigger than a closed coke can? Sorry, toss it in the arm rest or have the passenger carry it. It's so ridiculous when I have to put my coffee in SIDEWAYS.
2. the storage tray isn't that great, you can't really keep much in there
3. the pocket behind the cup holders is stupid because if you put anything back there, you can't safely get to it if you're driving
4. your cup holders are not usable!!!

Take it from me, I've owned 3 ELs and on 2 of them I swapped the center consoles to Civic ones! Best decision ever!!

I mean seriously... take a look at what a friend of mine had to do to get decent cup holders in an EL.. how stupid is this? Look at his deck below the aftermarket cup holders...


This is what I did... and I even tolerated the off-colour match.

[Mr Fatty]

Here are my old ELs... I just sold my last one... It will be going to a new home this week :'( Sadly, this car is too small for my growing family....

My first 2000 VSM 1.6 EL base model (RIP)

On Winters


On Turtles

On Meshes

RIP Drunk driver FTL


My 2000 Beige 1.6 EL Premium model



My 1999 Black 1.6 EL base model

[97ej6dx]

Alot of the EL guys do the Civic Consol swap because you cant get a Large drink in ther because of the DIN. The Climate control requires rewiring and an air splitter so its not a DIRECT fit but you can make it work. I Did the Climate control swap and had to sort of pick through it my self. i still cant figure out how the rear Defrost wires so i have my civic Dfrost buttons still hooked up . Looks a little tacky.

[marrben]

pretty awesome how this thread is coming together! i love it because i dont like posting stuff under the civic sedan thread. lets keep this one coming!!! i <3 my EL.

[95civtecex]

Subscribed!! Very nice an unique car would love to have that front end on a 4 door someday but I have to buy one first lol can you get the conversion out here or have to order outta country? That could get expensive but then again what isn't haha

[sumoneEK]

Originally Posted by marrben

pretty awesome how this thread is coming together! i love it because i dont like posting stuff under the civic sedan thread. lets keep this one coming!!! i <3 my EL.

[DeSchlong]

Here's a helpful post showing the operation of the Rear Window Defogger for the 1.6EL. A user expressed that they had trouble wiring it up - here is an excerpt from the 1997 Acura 1.6EL Service Manual which should help clarify things.

[mugenej8power]

I really wish the rear decklids fit the Civic coupes.