I just purchased a 1990 CRX DX mostly because of the gas mileage but now I am really enjoying this car. It is in really good shape, but it does need a little work. The windshield is cracked, there are several door-ding style dents in it and it needs a paint job in general but there is no rust whatsoever and it runs very well for having 186K miles on it.

I bought it knowing that I would have to put a new engine in it eventually so I would like some advice.

How easy is an engine swap in these cars and do you have any tips. How cheap/easy would it be to upgrade the engine to a 1.6 or even something better. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks

 

1.6 SOHC or DOHC? A B-series motor is kinda pricey compared to a ZC or D16, just because of mounts.

Whats your budget?

 

If you want cheap than stick with a D16A6 or a DOHC ZC. You will still have to convert from dual point to mpi. So basically you will need some parts off of a 88-91 CRX/Civic SI or HF. These two swaps are the easiest cause they dont require much work at all. Pretty straight forward.
If you want something just a bit more then go for the D16Z6 or a D15B Vtec. You will have to convert your electronics over to 0bd1 and such. It is still pretty straight forward since all these swaps are still D-series, so the mounts etc. are the same.
The next step would be a 1.6 DOHC Vtec(B16A1, B16A2, B16B, etc.) or a 1.8(B18A1, B18B, B18C1, B18C5) 2.0(B20B, B20Z) All are DOHC and you have Vtec or non-Vtec options. These are the B-series swaps. They require motor mounts and more misc. items to complete. They are a bit more advaced.
If you have the time and money you can swap in H22, H23(prelude) or a F-series from the accords. They all require a lot of work and special motor mounts just like the b-series. Anything that isn't a D-series will require different or modified axles, shift linkages, mounts, ecu, wiring, etc. Dont forget money and time.

-Lor

 

Low budget. Remember I bought the car for economic reasons. I am looking for simple and cheap. I don't know much about Hondas yet so any explanations or advice is welcome.

 

I was thinking about doing something like the D16A6. What is involved besides just the engine swap. I assume I would have to get a new chip. Would I have to change the tranny at all.

 

with the a6, you can basically make your dx an si. Its definitely a fun little setup for daily driving, my dx is basically an si and i have hella fun. BUT, the motor you have in there now is not much different from the a6, im running a low 15 with the dx motor and everything i can do to it. id suggest a sohc vtec z6 or y8, your gonna have ALOT less miles on the motor, and its a little more efficient.

 

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1016251

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by manson &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1016251</TD></TR></TABLE>

Haha, I didn't think you guys were actually start using Driven's topic.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by yellowcrx1991 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Haha, I didn't think you guys were actually start using Driven's topic. </TD></TR></TABLE>


HAHA thats why he made it....

 

i would say go with a d16z6 or d16y8 the motors will have less miles so you wont have to do a whole rebuild and they will be able to drop right in. they also get great gas mileage. you will have to do some wiring(dpfi to mpfi and vtec and obd1 conversion) but with the help of honda-tech its not that big of a deal. if you want a little more fun but a little more expensive i would recommend gettinga b18 out of an integra great low end torque that is great for daily driving and you still get great gas mileage. overall the dseries motors are gonna be cheaper and will prolly get better gas mileage...plus mad vtec YO!