What Is An "EL" Acura???

[nsxt2000]

Although I am fairly familiar with the line-up of Acura vehicles over the years, frankly I did not know anything about the "EL". A little reading informed me that it was "born" in 1997 in Canada exclusively for the Canadian market and manufactured until a replacement in 2005. It was initially segmented as an entry level luxury car (hence the designation "EL") based on a successful design from Japan. It appears to be a nice package and evolved over the years into an even nicer ride. I was wondering if anyone ever bought the EL to the U.S.?

On a somewhat related point, I noticed that this week for the first time the Canadian dollar in now on a par with the U.S. dollar. It wasn't long ago the ratio was 1.4 to 1. There go the inexpensive Canadian goods...

[Randy]

Basically you have it figured out Mike.

The EL was brought in to the Acura line up as an entry level sedan.

This car is pretty much the same as the civic like the CSX which replaced the EL is just like the 8th generation Civic.

The Acura has different lights,trim and other bits and pieces to add some luxury to it.Same suspension and chassis as the civic and many of the parts are interchangeable.

[AddLightness]

I always thought the "EL" was the Latin edition.

EL Acura.....Spanish for....The Acura

:D :D

[Bill]

I always thought the "EL" was the Latin edition.

EL Acura.....Spanish for....The Acura

:D :D

Maybe they should have named it "la" for the french speaking Canadians?

Oh wait, Renault already made "le car".

- Bill

[iluvmycsx]

no i didnt write this was taken from another site but here it is


Well, I’m sure people are saying “What the hell? It’s just a fancy Civic!”. Well, either that or “Stop putting Acura badges on your Civic, ricer!”

But WAIT! The Acura EL is not very well known because it was created exclusively for the Canadian market. This is why most Americans have to do a double-take if they see one on the road.



The Acura 1.6EL was first created for the 1996 model year, and basically, yes, until today has been a gussied-up Civic EX sedan. No coupe was ever available. The 1.6EL (96-00) is outwardly distinguishable from the Civic sedans by:

- different rims (standard 15” steelies on the base model, Sport and Premium models came with 15” alloys)

- totally different front end, fenders to headlights to bumper

- unique trunk lid

- corner taillights with a clear indicator strip, as opposed to the amber strip found on civics

The 1.6 resembles the equivalent-year Civics more on the interior, but also came with:

- optional sunroof and heated leather seats

- cruise control

- power heated mirrors

- keyless entry with trunk release and alarm

- standard CD player (did this come on Civics or did they have tape standard?)

The D16Y8 motor (1.6L VTEC) came standard with all models of this first-generation EL. The “JDM” appeal of an EL front-end conversion rests in the fact that Honda Japan did the reverse of its normal process and brought the EL to its own market, making such changes as clear bumper and corner lights, RHD (obviously) and adding the option of all-wheel-drive. Thus getting an EL front-end on your Civic and badging it with the H instead of the Acura A, you could pass it off as a Domani front-end conversion. But it didn’t stop there! There are Domanis in Jamaica (I’ve seen pictures!) and Isuzu eventually ended up selling the same chassis and body with their own engine in it, calling it the Isuzu Gemini and selling it in South America. Just like the EK/EJ Civics of the same years, the 1.6EL got a minor facelift in the 99-00 model years, with slight differences in the front grille and engine hoses (number coming in and out of the intake). Everything else pretty much stayed the same.



The Acura 1.7EL came out at the same time as the 7th-gen Civics, and was also only available in Canada. No one else in the world is selling these. Also based on the American Civic EX sedan, the Acura 1.7EL came with a 1.7L VTEC motor for both Premium and Touring editions, as well as a Limited edition that was simply a gold-badged Premium with spoiler. 15” multi-spoke alloys, heated power mirrors, cruise control, rear disc brakes, heated leathers and sunroof (on Premium and Limited only), unique trunk lid and interior taillights, remote keyless entry and immobilizer with trunk release and alarm, and cruise control all come standard. The front end is what really distinguished the EL from the equivalent-year Civic. Instead of the gentle curving of the Civic front bumper, an Acura EL’s hood and bumper come to a pronounced point, not unlike that of the TSX and RSX. Headlights, hood, bumper, and fenders are all different. The EL shares the Civic sedan’s suspension and interior components for the most part, except that EL center consoles and door trim come in a faux-wood plastic, which most find gaudy. In 2003, the EL (like the Civic) was upgraded featuring a tweaked suspension, improved gauges, climate control, and slightly changed shifter console (more faux-wood trim). An expensive dealer-installed Aero kit was offered as an option this year as well, consisting of a proprietary front lip and the same side skirts and rear lip found in the Civic OEM aero kit. Yes it WILL fit the 01-02. In 2004 (again like the Civic), there was another round of changes, now featuring a glossy painted front upper grille, blacked-out headlights, yet another set of gauges, indigo wood trim (less ew, but still ew nonetheless), yet another tweaked suspension, and two different sets of rims, further separating the Premium and Touring lines. A new front bumper (with standard foglights), rear bumper, and trunklid also came out. The taillights were all changed to EL-only sexy (IMO) ones, whereas the 01-03 shared their corner tails with the Civic. Side moldings, which were stock on the 01-03 1.7EL’s, were omitted, and Acura stopped badging the car with “1.7”, instead following their current practice of using only letters to designate models (ie TSX, TL, MDX, etc etc). An aero kit for this model year has also recently been made available.



So now the big questions: What fits? What do I do to convert? It is relatively easy to convert front ends. If you have an EK or EJ civic, the 96-00 1.6EL front clip is all you need – fenders, hood, headlights, bumper (with foam reinforcement dealie), bumper lights. You will have to extend your signal wiring so it runs down into the bumper instead of up at the headlight. Since the Civic and EL share the same doors and frame, the front end bolts right on with hardly a mod to speak of. The EM and ES Civics can just as easily bolt on a 1.7EL front end, using the same parts listed above. EL’s and Civics of equivalent years share the same doors and rear fenders. Swapping trunks to get the taillights is dead easy on both cars, but you WILL have to do something about the fact that EL’s of all years do not have keyholes in the trunk lid. They are remote-release only, either by cable next to the driver seat or the trunk button on the remote. You could probably just swap your keyless unit or deal with pulling the trunk release by your seat. If you want EL tails, you will have to swap your trunk and pick up the full taillight assembly. This will only work for Civic sedans. The 1.7’s rear disc brakes are easily swapped in, as evidenced by several cases on the forum, but from what I see, they’re just Si (Canadian=SiR) rotor/caliper assemblies anyway, no point going all the way to Canada for it.

The main problem with getting parts for an Acura EL to fit on a Civic is AVAILABILITY. No EL’s in the States means you have to go to Canada for everything. If you go to the dealership, I’ll tell you right now, an unpainted 04 EL bumper is $500 Canadian. Add paint, fenders, headlights (another $600 Canadian) bumper lights, and wiring, and you’re looking at a very expensive modification. May as well get that turbo right? Well, if you’re feelin lucky, you can try poking about in junkers in Canada – I see wrecked EL’s weekly. Problem is, if an EL is totaled and in a junker, it’s probably due to a smashed front or rear – the parts you’re looking for are history. But well, there you go, a brief rundown of the Acura EL and its relationship to the Honda Civic.

[nsxt2000]

The "EL" sounds like it has possibilities, but for me I would stick with something more of an "American" version - especially now with Canada's dollar at par with the U.S.$

Thanks for the research!
-Mile S.

[rsxrunit]

i think i know what ur talkin bout.. it's like an honda accord 98 mix with a civic 97 taillights and headlights.. with a body of a civic? there's one black female driving that around here in north miami beach completely stock it was a very strange lookin car and she's the only one that has it for miless cuz i never seen any1 but her to have that strange looking.. it's like if a civic and an accord has sex togetha and made a mix civic and accord.. and they brand it an acura. cuz it has a acura emblem on it

[iluvmycsx]

the 04-05 el were nice had one before i traded it in for my csx like said it is almost the same design as the civic just a few changes

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v424/iluvmyel/DSCN0383.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v424/iluvmyel/DSCN0384.jpg

[iluvmycsx]

here are a few more pics

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v424/iluvmyel/05-31-pic3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v424/iluvmyel/05-31-pic2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v424/iluvmyel/DSCN0198.jpg

[nsxt2000]

This is a nice looking car. Clean lines and I like the wind deflector and rear treatment.
-Mike S.

[iluvmycsx]

This is a nice looking car. Clean lines and I like the wind deflector and rear treatment.
-Mike S.

thanks

i do miss that car never had any problems whatsoever.

[Philly]

Couple pics of the 1.6.



http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o128/philysofikal/IMG_0011.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o128/philysofikal/grille2.jpg

[Randy]

Nice pics,where abouts are you from??

[Philly]

Thanks. I'm located in Niagara

[drakon]

more pic's of a 1.6 that isnt 2 tone like phillies :p

stock under the hood:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v124/LRS_Shadow/IMG_2188_8.jpg

front angle:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v124/LRS_Shadow/IMG_2182_3a.jpg

whole body shot (from before my accident)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v124/LRS_Shadow/MyCar3a.jpg


... and what iluvmycsx's post was talking about when he said they r usually missing the conversion parts if u find em in a junk yard...

[drakon]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v124/LRS_Shadow/IMG_2154_1a-1.jpg
cosmetic damage comes easy - this wasnt even a bad accident and i had to

replace the hood, drivers side fender, headlight

fix passenger side fender, fix grill, fix bumper. etc lol



oh ya, these are all pictures of a 1998 sport model with obviously after market wheels

[iluvmycsx]

welcome to the site guys

[Randy]

Thanks. I'm located in Niagara

Hmmmm interesting.After putting 2 and 2 together I think I have a good idea who you are!!!:)

[Randy]

Welcome aboard Drakon!!!

[Philly]

Hmmmm interesting.After putting 2 and 2 together I think I have a good idea who you are!!!:)

Uh oh! LOL!


Anyway thought I'd post an interior pic for our U.S. friends.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o128/philysofikal/124Parnell0019.jpg

[nsxt2000]

From the interior shot there is no mistaking who makes the EL. Acura wants to make sure you know who it is by.
-Mike S.

[Philly]

From the interior shot there is no mistaking who makes the EL. Acura wants to make sure you know who it is by.
-Mike S.

I'm glad it looks so natural, but the I put the "ACURA" emblem on the dash after I shaved it off the trunk lid.

The silver interior trimmings are a modification as well.

;)

[drakon]

philly i'd love to know where u found that trim - it looks really good in there

[nsxt2000]

I wondered if that was standard trim. Sort of sets it off.
-Mike S.

[drakon]

ya, standard trim is the same shade as the leather u see there, it all blends into 1

[Philly]

Shaved the "A" off my ass.



http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o128/philysofikal/HPIM0391.jpg

[Randy]

Looks good!

BTW I never noticed your plate before...thats an oldy!!:eek:

[cookiecandy21]

How come you knew that! :p For additional info Acura EL was born as a compact entry-level compact entry-level luxury car developed by Honda as entry-level vehicle (the EL in the car name), and sold only in Canada. And talking about Acura, I like the Acura Cl seat belt (http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/shop_parts/seat_belt/acura/cl.html), which has a 3-point rectractable belt, w/center push buckle, 48mmx131" and 1 pair (LH & RH).

This is a sample of EL Acura.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/%2799-%2700_Acura_EL.jpg/800px-%2799-%2700_Acura_EL.jpg

[nsxt2000]

I notice that you are from Honolulu. Ever see an "EL" in your parts of the world?
-Mike S.

P.S. - I have visited Hawaii four times and every trip was fantastic! What a nice place and nice people. We have a former NSX'er who left a great corporate job, sold virtually everything he and his wife had and bought a bed & breakfast in Maui, changing their lifestyle completely. They say they love it there - although the cost of living is more than Atlanta - a lot more...but it is the cost to live in paradise they say.

[Philly]

Looks good!

BTW I never noticed your plate before...thats an oldy!!:eek:

Thanks, I like to do that for pictures. That way I don't have to blur it out in photo shop afterward or anything. Last summer. After one photo session, by accident I drove around half the day with my "ClubEL.ca" plate on the back of my car. I'm sure it was a conversation starter for anyone driving behind me, lol.

Anyway here's a recent pic taken while doing a little cone hunting.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o128/philysofikal/ch.jpg

[Philly]

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o128/philysofikal/HPIM0413.jpghttp://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o128/philysofikal/HPIM0416.jpg

[Randy]

Nice lip philly!!!:)