b18a1 swap into 97 civic
 

I recently got a b18a1 obd0 engine for a steal. Ive read about obd1 to obd2 swaps, and obd0-obd1 swaps But havent had much luck finding obd0-obd2 swap info. From my understanding the main issues are with the ecu. I have the engine, ehaust manifild, intake manifold, and wiring harness that is from the engine. This is my first swap and any help would be appreciated

1. Can i run a obd1 ecu with a jumper to the obd0 harness?

2. what parts are going to be needed for a clean swap?

3. Do i have to find a hydro B series tranny or can i run some sort of cable to hyrdo adapter?

Re: b18a1 swap into 97 civic
 

You can run a obd1 ecu with that motor with the proper jumper harness. You'll need the proper mounts for your chassis and spare wiring is always a plus. I would recommend converting your chassis to OBD1 completely. Yes they do make hydro converters for cable transmissions

Re: b18a1 swap into 97 civic
 

Re: b18a1 swap into 97 civic
 

what all would be involved in changing the chassis into obd1? what models carry a b series hydro transmission? I wanna do this correctly and clean the first time so i apologize if im asking dumb questions

Re: b18a1 swap into 97 civic
 

Just use an OBD2A to OBD1 conversion harness and an OBD1 ECU, that' basically it.

'94 - '01 Integra, '94 - '97 Del Sol VTEC and '99 - '00 Civic Si.

Re: b18a1 swap into 97 civic
 

So i just use my stock obd2 harness on the engine and run that to a obd1 ecu via jumper harness? i think the engine is out of a '90 or '91 integra which would make it obd0, is that gonna matter?

Re: b18a1 swap into 97 civic
 

Yes.

You will need to lengthen and swap certain connectors at the engine end of things. Injector clips need to be swapped (or run OBD2 injectors from a 'Y8 or B-series) The same goes for the distributor plug and a few others as well.

Re: b18a1 swap into 97 civic
 

is that going to cause it to throw codes at all? I dont need to pass emissions or anything, just dont want the light on all the time

Re: b18a1 swap into 97 civic
 

You don't change the chassis to obd1 wiring, you wire the motor up as obd2a ( because your car is obd2a ) and you run an obd2a ecu. You can spend a little more to get the conversion harness and the obd1 ls ecu but you'll need to wire up the CKF to an obd1 distributor.

Re: b18a1 swap into 97 civic
 

maybe im not understanding correctly but wouldnt it be easier to run the b series(obd0) harness and have a conversion harness to a obd1 ecu. the reason behind a obd1 ecu is there are less sensors to deal with and im having trouble finding information on a obd0 engine swap into a obd2 chassis

B18a1 Identification for swap into 97 Civic
 

I just picked up a B18a1 today. The guy thought i came out of a '90 or '91 teg. Are there any identifying marks to be able to tell what obd it has. Im swapping it into a 97 civic so the more info i have the better

Re: Engine Identification
 

If it's from a pre 96 vehicle it will not be OBD2.

I'm not sure what year OBD0 ended and OBD1 started.

Re: Engine Identification
 

my research says obd0 ended in 91 but they still put b18a1 in there till 93. so there is a chance at it being either. i just wanted to know if there is a sure fire way to find out

Re: Engine Identification
 

Look near the head stamp, and there should be numbers in circles. Those numbers are the month and year the head was cast. Safe bet it's one less than the year the motor was put in a car.

Re: Engine Identification
 

it looks like an 89 but im not sure

Re: b18a1 swap into 97 civic
 

Because your car is obd2, the wiring harness for an obd0 will not work in an obd2 car.

Re: b18a1 swap into 97 civic
 

could i run an obd1 ecu and something like this?

http://www.rywire.com/catalog/obd2a-...ness-p-14.html

Re: Engine Identification
 

That does look like an 89, which would theoretically make it out of a 1990. That would make it an OBD-0 head.

Re: Engine Identification
 

could i run my stock obd2 harness to the engine and run that to an obd1 ecu with a obd2-obd1 conversion harness?

Re: Engine Identification
 

Nope. Distributor, alternator, and injector wiring are ALL different.

Use the distributor, alternator, and injectors from an OBD2 LS and you should be fine. There are probably other things I'm forgetting, but if you research OBD0 to OBD2 conversions, you should find what you need fairly easily.

Re: Engine Identification
 

List your cars year and trim (EX, DX, etc) as the wiring will vary according to model:

-Like NAR said distributor, alternator and injectors won't be plug and play, you'll need to either rewire or use adapters for the injectors and alternator.
-You can't use the B18 distributor unless you use an OBD0 ECU or the injectors without a resistor box
-use a 96-99 Integra distributor for plug and play
-In addition to that you'll need to find a way to run the correct map as the OBD0 MAP sensor is mounted on the firewall not on the throttle body. So you'll need to find an OBD1/2 throttle body unless your car is an EX then you can swap that over.
-If your model is anything but an EX you'll have to convert the IACV to 2 wire.
-You'll need to run the wiring for the fan switch from your engines thermostat location to the back of the block on the B18.
-Your best bet for ECU's is to find an OBD1 P74/75/PR4, use an adapter harness and use some OBD2 EX injectors for plug and play if your model is anything but an EX, if your car is an EX use your injectors
-if you use an OBD2 ECU, NOT RECOMMENDED, you're going to have to wire up multiple OBD2 emissions pieces or bypass certain ones (CKF, secondary 02, EVAP components, etc)


These are just the wiring differences if you plan on using the transmission you'll need to use a conversion kit for cable to hydro or find a 94-01 Integra or 99-00 Civic Si transmission. The mounts are another factor. Shift linkage 99-00 Civic Si, Integra 94-01. Axles 99-00 Civic Si or 94-01 Integra.

Someone feel free to fill in the gaps.

Re: b18a1 swap into 97 civic
 

An OBD1 distributor is exactly the same internally as an OBD2 distributor. The only difference between the 2 is the plug(s) There's no good reason to go with an OBD2 ECU in this particular case.

It varies a little. OBD1 started in '92 for most vehicles, but Accords started in 1990. I think some '90 - '91 Preludes were also OBD1.

Yes, that's basically exactly what I said earlier.

Re: b18a1 swap into 97 civic
 

my car is a 97 civic ex

Re: b18a1 swap into 97 civic
 

Does it matter what year axels i use or will any b series axels work?

Re: b18a1 swap into 97 civic
 

Ok that helps a lot, use your harness and do the following (you'll have some spare plugs left over, the knock sensor (back of the block, two pin round plug), CKF (by the crank pulley, 3 pin plug), EVAP purge (black two pin plug by the fuel rail):

-distributor: either find a 96-01 Integra LS distributor for plug and play OR use a 92-95 Integra LS distributor with an OBD2A to OBD1 adapter harness. The B18 distributor you have is useless unless you run the OBD0 ECU

-injectors: reuse your EX's injectors as they are the same flow rate as the B18

-alternator: either find an OBD2 B series alternator for plug and play OR for some model alternators you can swap over the voltage regular to an OBD0/1 alternator OR use an OBD2 to OBD1 alternator adapter harness

-ECU: as long as you don't need emissions testing find an OBD1 P74/P75/PR4 ECU and use an OBD2A to OBD1 adapter harness

-rewire the fan switch from the thermostat housing location on your current harness to the B18A's switch in the back of the block

-reuse your EX's throttle body as the LS's doesn't have a MAP on top of it OR you can use almost any 92up D or B series throttle body

-none of the EVAP stuff will be looked for on an OBD1 ECU so don't worry about hooking any of that up, just make sure that any vacuum ports that go to them are plugged off

-reuse your EX's primary O2 sensor

-Intake air temp sensor will have to be placed into the intake arm somewhere OR you can wire up the round style plug and plug it into the intake manifold sensor

-Exhaust manifold: not exactly sure but I believe it should bolt up to your factory exhaust if not you'll have to take it to an exhaust shop

-engine mounts: 99-00 Si drivers side timing belt mount, 99-00 Si "T" rear bracket

-transmission: if it comes with a cable one you'll have to use a conversion kit although its recommended to use a 94-01 Integra (any model) or 99-00 Civic Si as they are hydraulic

-Axles: 94-01 Integra or 99-00 Civic Si with half shafts from either

-Shift linkage: 94-01 Integra or 99-00 Si

-Fuel Lines: ???????
someone else can fill in the blanks or correct me on any mistakes