SoFresh1189

I have a question. Im trying to convert my civic to rwd and ive read somewhere that you can use the drivetrain/differential out of a honda s2000, my question is do i also need the subframe? I imagine i do but i have people telling me i should just build a custom pipe tubing frame and set the civic shell on that. Im not sure i want to go that route tho, anyone already done this? Im guessing i need the subframe but id like to know for sure before i spend my money on one.

90Rexx

theres no bolt in conversion or anything like that. its all cut and weld. and its a dumb thing to do anyways in mine and most peoples opinions. the subframe will do you no good, you will need to have a tube welded suspension and setup in back

hard_boiled_EG

ask this guy if your really serious...https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/check-out-my-awd-civic-eg6-2618576/

lponcian5799

It's been done before, but it is HELLA work and manufacturing, imma see if I can find the link to it.

SoFresh1189

im not concerned about the work involved i know how to cut and weld i just wanna know if thats a part that i will need before i spend my money on it

not to be an *** but i dont care if nobody thinks i should do it. i plan on it and its been done before im just asking what i need and dont need

hondamark35

first, i'd like to know where you read that. i'd like to read it for myself.

second, you may be completely legit and capable.. but you've been on here for a week so i'm strongly inclined to call BS. benefit of the doubt though, what's your experience with "frame-up" rebuilds and welding?

last.. if this is your first build and your budget is less than $9,000... back to the drawing board!

SoFresh1189

i have no experience. gotta start somewhere tho right?

SoFresh1189

cmon seriously tho, im not looking for people to tell me not to do it, can someone just answer my questions?

also, i may have only been on the forums for a week but its not like ive only been working on cars for a week. ive got a round-about idea what im doing ive just never done a swap like i intend to do.

Vindicator9000

Most RWD Civic/Prelude/CRX projects that I've seen, people completely fabricate their own subframe and reuse an existing differential. If you're doing an S2000 swap, it would make sense to use an S2K diff, except that they don't hold a lot of power. I've seen people use Nissan diffs in high power F20c applications and they tend to hold up better.

In the above link with the AWD EG hatch, the guy is using a CRV subframe and CRV diff, which appears to work for him with a bit of modding. I would advise not using the CRV diff on a high horsepower application either though... it also doesn't hold much more than stock power, and since its a clutch setup, it tends to slip more than people want. They are a bit problematic, even in stock HP CRVs. I've seen people use AWD Civic wagon diffs on AWD B series setups with better results... since it's a gear type diff, it tends to be stronger. Don't know if it'll mate to an F20c driveshaft, but anything's possible with enough $$ and welding.

98civdx

well first of all how much money do you have? your going to 10's of thousands to do this.
your going to need to be one hell of a technition to pull this off... i have only seen it done 2 or 3 times. and ones a full drag car,and the other has a vet motor.

boarding2008

the guy i bought my first car off of had two rear engine, rear wheel drive cars (i cant remember what kind, i believe a crx and a 5th gen civic hatch) he said he bought a spare shell for each and cut out the front end and put all the subframe, engine mounting locations ect into the rear of the car. but thats rwd, rear/mid-engine. it sounds to me that yur looking to do a front engine, RWD car tho.

lo_jack

Are you planning on keeping the motor in the front?
Are you planning on using the stock motor?

SoFresh1189

thank you vindicator for actually answering my question

would any other differential fit in an s2k subframe?

SoFresh1189

my intensions are to put a rotary motor in the front and convert it to rwd

im more concerned right now about the rwd conversion. what would be the best setup? if i shouldnt use an s2k rear subframe/differential/suspension what should i use?

lo_jack

That entirely depends on your motor choice and location. If you went with, say, a Northstar V8 in the back over the wheels, it would be much different than the wenkel in front with a torque tube, divorced transmission/3rd member - which is high HP compatible.

Basically you are at a juncture where you have a lot of options that depend on motor mount points and overall motor/trans length.

98civdx

Just make a build thread.

I'd do a s2k motor simply because it has been done and its not to big either.
A north star v8 in the rear!?! The **** will pop a wheely and never come back down lol
I would definetly keep the motor in the front for weight reasons

ifIexplode

A buddy did a RWD CRX with an Ls motor, There is Alot of custom fab in doing this, Cutting/welding/fitting.













http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j3rbPUNkaY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diL3Q7fF8X4

97ej6dx

Either MR or FR . Lots of cutting> the S2000 rear subframe would have to be fitted to the rear of the car if you intend on doing FR but frankley It would be cheaper to do an AWD swap. Since honda actually made civics with Real time 4wd that would be my choice. but thats just me

lo_jack

Well the point of northstar in the back was you could drop the whole K out for ease of use. It wouldn't be much different in concept than an L67 Fiero swap, which is pretty tried and true.

I'm just saying motor location and type is the determining factor of what rear setup to use. Certainly s2k would be simpler...take the PCM and all and swap it on over.

Vindicator9000

Actually, if he was going MR setup, there's a guy who's already done an H22 into the back of an Integra *very* cleanly. If you can find his thread, you can see exactly what you're up against.

I like craziness as much as anyone, but I'd be very afraid of a northstar in the back of a civ lol.

98civdx

^^ that thread scared me lol
did he finish it yet??

lo jack-- i know what you mean. either way its going to be a pain the *** and hes going to have to be pretty motivated to pull this off.

Vindicator9000

The mid engine, RWD H22 Integra is done and racing, and it's apparently a beast:



Side scoops are necessary for cooling:


Entire thread here, as the pics are dead on the h-t thread now:
http://www.team-integra.net/forum/di...TopicID=106670

Even if you don't want to do a midengine setup, this will give you a very good idea of exactly how much fabbing is required for a project this big. For his rearend setup, he actually cut out part of the front framerails from a prelude and used them in the rear of the Integra.

98civdx

nice. and youd never even know

V8CVCC

I HAVE A 79 CVCC THAT AM GOING TO INSTALL A LS6 IN WHEN GET BACK FROM DEPLOYMENT ,IF YOUR GONA SPEND THE MONEY JUST MAKE IT A FULL TUBE CHASSIS AND NARROWED 9 INCH

o0(EBOY)0o

ok. poor mans rwd swap. first off lets open or minds to what makes everything work. take a 97 civic turn the d16 or b18 or what ever motor and trans and turn it sideways in the engine bay. build mounts for the trans and motor and get it to hang there. then pull the trans out and split it weld the diff inside the fwd trans. and bust out your aluminum welder and weld a circle plate over the cv shaft input which would normally be the driver side one. then put all back together and put it in. the dismantle the pass cv shaft and take it to your local custom car shop and have them cut the cup off and weld on a s13 ujoint end. cut a tunnel through the middle of your civic to the rear of it. then get some 1/4 inch steet plate and a s13 rear end.... pumpkin, crossmember, and knuckles and stuff. since your a fabricator you should be able to finda a way to mount it in there cut WELD and re cut and reweld. once its in build a single piece drive shaft and finish all the little things. this is a ruff outline BUT IT WILL WORK IF YOU ARE AS GOOD AS YOU SAY!!! figure it out its just metal wires and fun stuff. any questions IVE DONE IT. so hit me up. thanks. DO NOT FULL TUBE AND 9 INCH IT. its not worth it.