Darrell - 1996 Jdm Honda Legend 3.5 V6

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Darrell

(Daz Best)

1996 Jdm Honda Legend 3.5 V6

I’d been into cars ever since my Aunt took me to the Stock cars and speedway at Bradford and Bell-Vue when I was a kid in the ’70s. My first car in 1983 was a white Triumph Dolomite 1850, which I bought for a hundred quid if I remember rightly. Wood dash, vinyl seats and wing mirrors; It was the business!

At 18; a car is the ultimate feeling of freedom, independence but most of all, fun. This cemented my ever-growing love of all things car and motorcycles. Having now owned probably over 100 cars and bikes over the years. About 15 years ago I found myself buying an imported Integra not knowing too much about them, but this began my jdm obsession. I went through several MR2 turbos, an ST202, ST185 and other such things.

I fancied a change from turbo screamers. So, 4 years ago, after some looking around, I came across my current car. It had been standing for a couple of years but was in really great shape for a twenty odd-year-old motor. I knew I wanted something different and this certainly met the remit. As far as I can tell, it's the only jdm one in the UK of this particular model. Most people have no idea what it is, especially with all the graphics on.

Engine

3.5 V6 24v DOHC. 4 speed auto. Multi-point indirect injection.

There isn’t much to be done on the earlier cars, they don’t even have an OBD port. Luckily the Japanese spec engine started with slightly more power than exported Euro & US models. Additionally, the Japanese cars don’t have the OEM (power-sapping) traction control system. I also removed the OEM variable induction system.

It now has: 

• Cold feed, 
• Ram-Air intake, 
• Various silicone/braided hoses, 
• An oil catch can 
• Mishimoto external transmission cooler, 
• Uprated battery, 
• Upgraded leads/cables. 
• A custom 2.5”, 
• Cat-back exhaust with 5” outlet.

The motor was very restricted, now it can breathe so much better. The engine has great torque, but BHP is nothing special at about 250. 0-60 is around 7.5 secs. I have to say it does go well for such a big car, topping out around the 140 mark. But it’s built as a luxury cruiser, so crazy performance isn’t needed.

Brakes

• Rebuilt callipers, 
• All new lines. 
• Uprated to 320mm drilled and grooved discs all round, 
• Mintex M spec pads.

Suspension

• Reworked and modified OEM struts,
• Triple bellow airbags. 
• Viair compressor & tank. 

I’m currently fitting larger pipes and a new control /monitoring system. The car handles like a large yacht, as to be expected. But it’s one of the most comfortable cars I’ve ever driven.

Wheels

• 18” Two-piece Volks/Rays “SF” Alloys, 
• Pirelli P4’s all round. 

I’ll be replacing it with a lower profile soon, so it will sit a little lower.

Interior

Currently standard (except for audio). It came out of the factory in 1996 very highly spec’d: Full leather, wool carpets, electric & heated everything. Very good even by today’s standards. They were pitched against luxury Mercs and Jags of the time. Having now owned all three, I think the Legend is up there. Mind you it was 42 grand when new in 1996!

Audio

• Completely fresh install. Sony double din headset, with a camera, TV etc. 
• 1200w. 4ch amplifier. 
• 5” Pioneer front speakers with 2” tweeters. 
• 6”x9” Pioneer rear speakers. 
• Twin 12” 1800w active subwoofer in the boot.

Exterior

Full itasha designed and fitted by myself, based around a Highschool of the Dead theme.

• Blacked out rear windows, 
• lights and indicators. 
• Jdm size plates. 
• Bonnet pins with cables. 
• Modified front grill. 
• De-badged and de-chromed. 
• Twin 12”, 150db air horns.

I carried out 99% of the work myself. Currently, I’m upgrading the air ride to an automatic system, then I’m going to do another itasha design, I’ll hopefully have that on my summer. I’m planning to do my own take on a VIP interior and do a proper boot build. I’ll be adding colour changing interior mood lighting, under-glow lighting.

Future plans are to add a little NOS, nothing silly; maybe 50hp, just to help it along a bit and the exhaust cut out to annoy the neighbours a little more. It’s an ongoing affair, I’m always changing something or other.

Owning this car is loads of fun. It’s huge at 5 meters long, silly, unique and loud in every way. Kids point, crowds gather, prudes rant, purest faint. But most of all its fun and it makes people smile. Isn't that why we do this car thing?

About me.

Born and bred in God's own county of Yorkshire. The UK.

My other car is a bike, a Triumph Daytona 955i. My favourite Chinese take out is number 63 with rice. I enjoy sheep bothering, making hoax phone calls and sitting alone in the dark.

I’d like to thank DJ Jon Rundell, Carl Cox, Motorhead & Saxon for the ‘working on my car’ soundtrack.

But mostly our lass for her patience, understanding and the endless cups of tea.

Social Media:

What? I’m 55, so what would I know about #instaface-tweetbook??

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