chap99cvc

I recently just aquired my first project car, a dark grey metallic 93 Civic DX Hatchback. I have located a b20z shortblock near by and need to know exactly what other parts I will need to do the swap into the hatch. I am not running CRVTEC yet, I'm just getting this engine into the car first then I'll do the VTEC afterwards once I get more money. I have the cash to purchase the block and will have about $1500 more after that. As you can see I'm on a tight budget. I plan on purchasing the head (type R) in about a month. What tranny should I use (going all motor once new vtec head is on)? Also, what ECU? I would like to just purchase the parts I will need for the VTEC setup if they will run without the head installed. Any help is appreciated. Can anyone supply a checklist too possibly?
I've looked at the hybrid page and the b20.net page, but I still don't know exactly what I will need. Any part numbers are useful too.

HX_Guy

I noticed you said you located a "shortblock". Shortblock usually refers to the bottom part of the engine...WITHOUT the head.

Find a GSR tranny..that will be a good choice before and fater the VTEC head.
As for the ECU, you can use a 94-95 GSR ECU after you do the VTEC conversion. Before the VTEC conversion..a LS ECU would be best..but the DX ECU that came in the car will do for a month or so until you go VTEC.

Other than that..you can use the mounts you already have in teh car..and you need axles to go with whatever tranny to decide on...not much else..its pretty straight foreward.

Balrog

if it's the stock bottom end, wont he have to worry about valve clearance?
guys here talk about destrokeing just so the valves have room. dont know, thats why i ask. and who would want to destroke?

HX_Guy

No...as long as ou dont mess with teh cam gears clearance isnt a problem...however it is recommended to modify the stock pistons (or better yet get aftermarket ones) just to make sure that at higher RPMs, where you can get valve float, the pistons dont hit the valves.

As fpr destroking..this has nothing to do with valve clearance..the reason some people destroke is to egt a near-perfect rod ratio so there isnt as much load on the cylinders when doing forced induction.

70WHP LOL

hx guy...very nice swap....thats the exact swap i have planned for my 96 hatch...i want B20 preferably the B20Z with a 99 Si tranny or settle for GSR.....can u answer a couple of ?s for me? what harness do i use? what computer? what engine mounts? any thing else that i might forget? my friend also wants to do the same with his 92 DX hatch...i gather it will be the same process right? whats the going rate for B20s? sorry for the newbieness

HX_Guy

what harness do i use? Use the wiring harness from your HB

what computer? Integra LS ECU

what engine mounts? mounts that wont match you will have to get from a 99-00 SI

whats the going rate for B20s? Check out http://www.car-part.com and do a search..thats how I found my engine...mine was $1235 but taht was back in December

92 DX hatch...i gather it will be the same process right? Same process..except he will luck out because he can use all the mounts that are on his car already

with a 99 Si tranny or settle for GSR Get a GSR tranny over the SI...first of all, the SI tranny is too short geared...when you shift at redline the RPMs in the next gear will be high..which wont take advantage of the B20s low-mid range torque...second, when cruising on the highway at 70-80 mph...the SI tranny will keep the engine at 4500+ RPMs in 5th gear..which isnt good for the engine in long trips.

70WHP LOL

o wow, i never thought of the SI tranny like that...i just assumed that since it has the shorter ratios that it would pull harder, but thanks. now i want B20Z w/ GSR trans. if i dont come by a GSR trans...would i be better with the SI or the LS tranny? OR if i dont even find a B20, would a B18B w/ GSR tranny be a good choice? this is just for street use, im miles away from the nearest 1/4


[Modified by 70WHP LOL, 11:55 AM 5/18/2001]

HX_Guy

Either the GSR tranny or SI would work with either teh B20Z or the B18B
Stay away from the LS tranny for NA applications