As the topic states I finally have some extra $$ to put into my engine and I'll tell you the details:

1988 Civic STD Hatchback
Stock EVERYTHING

There that about does it. I have 900-1500 to spend. I know that severely limits me, but I'd just like your thoughts. I have a couple of options open to me in terms of cheap modifications.

Now keep in mind I live in Long Island NYC area and I can have NY people vouch for me that stuff's more expensive out here. Si motors can go for upwards of 300 bones in good condition. Junkyard people out are, unfortunatly, not stupid. So they can be rapists.

I need new tires so I've equated that in. I also would need to take out the dredded STD exhaust and replace it with something halfway decent.

Also I really consider the MPFI Swap because my motor is under 85,000 miles and runs great. But it is a B1 which makes me think otherwise (CAMS take a **** at 4500RPMs). Please give your opinions because I'm tired of getting served by Geo's and Hyundai's. I just wanna break that 100hp mark

Thanks a lot!

 

b16 thats all i can say or single cam w/ some boost

 

why not b18a1 . then some boost later. they are cheap motors.

 

Yea a b16 swap into a STD for 1500.

I would look for a complete a6 swap and do tires and a cheap exhaust.

 

Hey i did it

 

How about a z6 and whatever else you can get with the leftover money? You could boost it later or go with a head/cam package later on.

 

Without some good hookups that would be a ghetto *** b16 installed for 1500.

 

Why does everything that is cheap have to be ghetto. So if you boughta rex for 500 bucks it makes it ghetto. wtf that doesnt make sense

 

a6 motor with a bottle

 

Thats not a bad idea either

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kaoss_11 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Why does everything that is cheap have to be ghetto. So if you boughta rex for 500 bucks it makes it ghetto. wtf that doesnt make sense</TD></TR></TABLE>

Who said it did?

When a b16 swap is 1k+ and you have to get mounts, linkage, etc that 1500 is gone quick. You would still have to buy gaskets, clutch, seals, etc unless you wanna half *** do your swap. Maybe you did a good b16 swap for that cheap but that is an exception and definately not a rule. Not everyone has those hookups.

 

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

Who said it did?

When a b16 swap is 1k+ and you have to get mounts, linkage, etc that 1500 is gone quick. You would still have to buy gaskets, clutch, seals, etc unless you wanna half *** do your swap. Maybe you did a good b16 swap for that cheap but that is an exception and definately not a rule. Not everyone has those hookups.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Well since you explained urself. thats true but i still think if anyone searches hard enough it can be done

 

Heres what you do, in this order.
Get an SI tranny from a 89-91. Anywhere from 125-200 bucks.
Get a light flywheel, and new clutch to match if urs isnt newer. 200-400 dependin on clutch or no. I have an Exedy oem replacement clutch for 92+, and act prolite flywheel 8.4 lbs, best mod i've done to my car in my opinion.
MPFI swap. $$?
Si Cam.......or.....you could get a cam from Delta for like 130 bux.
Custom exhaust setup. 300-400 depending on your preferences.

That right there is at most about 1300, and it really shouldnt be that expensive. With all this stuff you'll really feel a difference from all that stock stuff.

 

LS! one of the greatest all around engines IMO best 900 bux i ever spent.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jester88Si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">LS! one of the greatest all around engines IMO best 900 bux i ever spent. </TD></TR></TABLE>

eXACTLY get an LS swap, and its not even necesarilly 900 bucks, around here u can get complete swaps for 500...Money left over for upgrades.

 

thanks for all the responses!

I had forgot to mention that I have changed to a 5spd DX transmission.

I was thinking maybe a B18A1 and then add boost later... but that would have to include mounts, axles, linkage, and I'd have to change my hubs out. I have other issues on my car that I need to deal with (wheels/tires, brakes, exhaust) so it's not really in my budget.

I think WeaponRex86's idea sounds like the best. I'm a little worried about installing a cam I've never done that before. I could buy a delta cam that would be sick. I think Si tranny w/ light flywheel/new clutch, MPFI, Si/Delta Cam, inexpensive exhaust and wheels.

Is the cam install hard? Is there a "how-to" per say?

kaoss_11: I've done a B16 with my brother in his CRX. It isn't getting done for less than 1500... no way. Also because I need to have some extra for other things. You live in Cali... it's much easier for you to find those engines cheaper and then not have to ship them. It ain't so easy here.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sporkcrx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">a6 motor with a bottle</TD></TR></TABLE>
no NOS, need this to work for more than a year

I could look for a Z6... what do they generally go for? I guess all I need is the block, then get an Si tranny... but wouldn't I need a non-OBD--&gt;OBD1 harness? Adds more $$ no?

Thanks again!

 

heres what id do.
go out and get a a6 block cheap
si or zc tranny
z6 or y8 head
y8 intake manifold
rpm switch to activate vtec
get a used zex 59300 cam
cam gear
pg7 ecu
get a stock pressure plate and a act heavy duty disk
hf flywheel= 12lbs
youll hit 14s easy cause ur in a std.

 

A ZC can be had for $800 shipped. Tires can be had for $3-400, so we'll say $1200 right there. You still have $300 left for clutch, and other mainatnenec items. That's what I would do.

Or, you could buy tires, and do the MPFI swap now, and pick up an A6 for a few hundred & rebuild it over time.

 

home made turbo

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eumoria &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> no NOS, need this to work for more than a year</TD></TR></TABLE>
just cause you have nos doesnt mean you are going to blow the motor up... get it tuned properly and you will be fine as long as you arent running a crazy shot.
I know hmotorsonline.com sells the d15 vtec motor for like 500 bucks... if you took your time and did the wiring your self that could be a good swap for you.

 

yes NY junkyard people are dicks check out http://www.urbanracer.com You can get a z6 for like 300 and a si tranny for like 150. Do what i did. get a y7 and bulid it and than go turbo. there are alotta deals to be made in NY you just gotta know where to look. hit me up on aim and i'll help you out. GoFast2unD

PS:I;m in suffolk county

 

From your choices that you give, I say go with an Si swap.
The MPFI swap will help you on the STD motor, but it won't be like the Si.

Plus, if you want to do upgrades later on the Si motor will be stronger ... even ston enough for some junk yard turbo boosting action!

 

Blow it all on ******* , poon and beer

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eumoria &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I'm tired of getting served by Geo's and Hyundai's. I just wanna break that 100hp mark
</TD></TR></TABLE>

AMEN TO THAT! With that cash, I spent my rebuilding a nice D16A6 motor (I picked up mine with axles, 5 speed si tranny, decent block, head for 150 bones in cali) You can get a custom made exhaust from the muffler shop for 300 bucks(magnaflow or flowmaster muffler, 2.25" back, 18"+ resonator), Decent header (used DC sports float around here and there on the boards or maybe u can score one at the local yard), cheap ebay intake w/ K&N Filter and some falken azenis with some SI rims. Your set, just my .02 cents.

-Jon


Modified by CRX-Fluffy at 12:47 AM 11/26/2004

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eumoria &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I'm tired of getting served by Geo's and Hyundai's. I just wanna break that 100hp mark
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Agreed. I have that same problem lol. I would put tires last on the list, because I forsee no hookup problems, unless the ones you have now are so bald that you spin accelerating at normal speed in light rain (=me ) I'd throw in the ZC swap with dx tranny (if thats possible) with an ebay intake, or even an a6 would do well.

I'm with ya that having 70 HP SUCKS!!!!! (and I still have the 4 speed tranny) I'm doing a ZC swap this january, so good luck with your build

I hate all the people that think because I have exhaust and I'm lowered (which is how I bought my car) that my car has a flashing sign on it that says "RACE ME DAMMIT!!!"