Bleakened

Hello, H-T!

I just recently did a B16A + S4C manual swap into my 1998 Civic Hatchback. I converted it to manual from automatic in the process as well.

Now when I drive, under acceleration the car will pull left and I have to correct the wheel to the right and as soon as I let off the gas, it will jerk back to the right and I have to move the wheel left to correct again.
This effect is greater under heavier acceleration and even to the point where banging gears in wide open throttle feels dangerous as it becomes difficult to keep going straight on the road.

So before the swap, I had an automatic D16 and did not have this issue at all. Also, the B16A was previous installed and daily driven in a 1999 EX Civic coupe by me and it did not experience this problem so I know it's not torque-steer.

Some details:

1. Suspension is completely refreshed/rebuilt in the front, somewhat worn in the rear but nothing crazy.
2. Only new parts that came with the swap were new Autozone CV axles.
3. Old D16 motor had some terribly worn motor mounts but the B16 motor has new-ish poly mounts all in good condition.
4. My e-brake cable feels funny and brakes hard on 1 side and lightly on the other. If I rip it firmly enough even at walking speed, it'll lock 1 rear wheel and tilt the rear of the car up enough to notice.
5. Both brake calipers in front are new, new brake pads and semi-new rotors. Recently bled, too.
6. I do need an alignment but I have always needed an alignment even before the motor swap.
7. Front tires are both 195/55/15 but may need balancing.

I have a feeling this is related to my e-brake issue and that maybe something is wrong in the rear of the car but I'm not super experienced into all of this.

Any ideas?

JRCivic1

Before you got to the potential rear brake issue, my first thought was your front lower A-arm compliance bushings. If you don't know what they are, they are found at the rear of the lower A-arm and are bolted to the rear k-member. Definitely check those rear brakes to make sure it isn't the problem.

Bleakened

You are referring to #7 in this diagram, correct? If so, yes I have done those on both driver and passenger side of the car along with the front end refresh.

Bleakened

Anyone else?

SpeedRacerEX-R

I have the same problem. I was told it was because I need an LSD, but I'm not buying it...

Bleakened

Okay so I wanted to come back and post what fixed my problem.

It ended up being the toe on the passenger side was waaaaayyyy off and the driver said was only a little off.

So, an alignment fixed everything.

SpeedRacerEX-R

Awesome. Thanks for the update!