RWD Civic Conversion
#1
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RWD Civic Conversion
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.
#2
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New England
Posts: 2,329
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: RWD Civic Conversion
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
#3
Re: RWD Civic Conversion
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/
#5
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: RWD Civic Conversion
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
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
#6
Honda-Tech Member
Re: RWD Civic Conversion
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.
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!
Trending Topics
#8
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: RWD Civic Conversion
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.
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.
#9
318 Curves, 11 miles
Re: RWD Civic Conversion
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 $$ and welding.
In the above link with the AWD EG hatch, the guy is using a CRV subframe and CRV diff, which appears to work for him with a bit of modding. I would advise not using the CRV diff on a high horsepower application either though... it also doesn't hold much more than stock power, and since its a clutch setup, it tends to slip more than people want. They are a bit problematic, even in stock HP CRVs. I've seen people use AWD Civic wagon diffs on AWD B series setups with better results... since it's a gear type diff, it tends to be stronger. Don't know if it'll mate to an F20c driveshaft, but anything's possible with enough $$ and welding.
#10
Re: RWD Civic Conversion
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.
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.
#11
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: MINT BERRRRRRY CRUNCH!!!, WNY
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Re: RWD Civic Conversion
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.
Last edited by boarding2008; 08-04-2009 at 11:12 AM.
#14
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: RWD Civic Conversion
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?
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?
#15
Re: RWD Civic Conversion
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.
Basically you are at a juncture where you have a lot of options that depend on motor mount points and overall motor/trans length.
#16
Re: RWD Civic Conversion
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
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
#17
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Exit19 off Rt80 New jersey
Posts: 1,588
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Re: RWD Civic Conversion
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
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j3rbPUNkaY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diL3Q7fF8X4
#18
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Mars Duuuuuude
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: RWD Civic Conversion
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
#19
Re: RWD Civic Conversion
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.
#20
318 Curves, 11 miles
Re: RWD Civic Conversion
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.
I like craziness as much as anyone, but I'd be very afraid of a northstar in the back of a civ lol.
#21
Re: RWD Civic Conversion
^^ 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.
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.
#22
318 Curves, 11 miles
Re: RWD Civic Conversion
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.
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.
#25
Re: RWD Civic Conversion
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.