Okay, so I've done my share of Chevy and Ford buildups, but now I'm playing with imports: a 1990 CRX DX that has the stock 1.5L SOHC. I wanna put a new engine in it, but I don't speak the Honda lingo, and the engine names (B18C, B16A, ZC, etc) I don't know what any of that means. Could somebody take the time to help me out? At least point me in the right direction.
What I want is to spend minimal money (I'm in college and I pay for the car I drive also) putting a decent engine in this car...not for endurance racing or drag or anything like that, but something I can afford that'll get me off the line quicker than stock. All I know is, the DX is slooooow. Is there any way to track down engines from wrecked Hondas? I'm thinking something like a Civic Si V-TEC (would that make any difference?).
I'm asking what will fit, and what can I afford?

thanks in advance

p.s., my DX 5-spd grinds in 1st and sometimes in 2nd. What's the deal?

Thanks again

 

B series engines will fit with little effort using aftermarket mounts such as hasports or some other brand, you can swap in a sohc si cam for a little more performance, or do a mini me and put a sohc vtec head on your motor its all going to cost money just depends on how much you want to spend and how much performance you want

 

Honda codes its engines based on the series (B-series, D-series, H-series, and the new K-series) and displacement. Thus a B16A is a 1.6 liter B-series engine. A B18A is 1.8 liters. All B-series are dual overhead cam (DOHC). But not all are VTEC. B16A and B18C's are VTEC, but a B18A or B18B or B20 is not.
That should get you started.
As others always tell beginners: "Use the Search function."

 

That's really good info, and exactly what I needed. Just from these I've learned about 400% more than I started out knowing, and that shows you my import knowledge, so thanks. Does the letter at the end of the engine code have anything to do with the size/performance of the engine?
Do you think I can get a decent engine (let's say, from a totalled Civic Si or some other racy Honda engine no one needs...not a new engine of course) for under $400? I mean, I know it's been done, but do I have a chance? I guess I just need to know the right places to look (*nudge nudge nudge*)

Thanks again


Modified by urbancowboy19 at 1:45 PM 1/25/2005

 

sounds like if your budget is 400$$ D series is the wat to go, saves a lot in mounts and linkage and a lot easier to find, and if you want more power turbo the D

 

Hmmmm, well I don't know what would be the best for the money; I was just guessing. I'd like a V-TEC engine though. I guess I'll just have to buy one used.

Does anyone know what the performance increase would be if I put in a B16A1 1st gen. (V-TEC, 160hp) with ECU and appropriate tranny? This is for my CRX by the way.

Thanks!

 

the letter at the end and the occasional numeral after it does not really mean anything in general.
do like i did and search google and visit sites like b-series.net for specs on every honda engine ever made.
for $400 you can get maybe a d16a6, which is an older civic si (non=vtec) engine.
go to http://www.homemadeturbo.com and visit the forums to see what some resourceful folks have done with turbo d-series engines. that engine is great bang-for-the-buck, which is why the HMT guys (and other people) love it.
parts are cheap, it bolts right in, etc.....
or $400 will get you a b16a head

edit: well it does in fact seem like d-series is the way to go for the $$ you want to spend, so here's another bit of info:
the d16z6 (and there are probably other codes ... d16y8(?) ... i am not a d-series guru) comes from civic ex's and IS VTEC! single overhead cam

 

With all this information told, I would like to welcome you to imports....

 

The numbers in the engine designation (for example B16) show the engine's displacement. That is one easy way to remember a Honda engine's size. For example the engine in my CRX is a B18A. It is obviously a B-family engine (all of which are DOHC) 1.8 liter. Or to you, that would be 112 cubic inches LOL.

You are going to have fun with your CRX dude.

 

Wow, this is great information. I've learned a lot from searching other places too. Thanks a lot for your help so far guys.

Okay, so it sounds like this D-series engine is good. I was under the impression that a D16A6 was what came in the CRX Si around the 1990 model, so I guess that'll fit right in like you said----but I'm thinkin I can get a DOHC motor that'll be faster than that (the more to work with...). If I get an engine (like a B-series) that's apparently too big for the bay, how much cutting or whatever will it take to get it in there? I'd like to keep my a/c and power brakes, but I don't have power steering. I'm wondering how far away from the factory mounting specs I'll need to get before this'll work. (I'm still considering everything, including the B-series, because I can cut and weld if that's what it takes, and I want the best engine I can get).
I found a B16A engine with a cable-type tranny and ECU for $1500 at nippon-motors.com. For me (Chevys and Fords), that seems cheap for a whole transaxle, but I don't know my imports well enough to judge that. What do you guys think?

I love this car by the way.......at least I'm sure I will once it can do better than a run in the 10's. Thanks for all your help so far.

 

Here is an example of some things you would need to do to swap in an Integra B18A engine like what I have. I realize you havn't said this is what you will do but it gives you a basic idea of what is involved for a B engine.

Since you have welding skills, the shift linkage from a 90-93 Integra will need to be shortened by 2 3/8 insches.

You will need the new engine's wiring harness and an injector resistor pack from an Si or the Integra.

I believe you will need to buy a special AC mounting bracket. I don't know because I chose to have no AC.

The driver's side frame rail needs to be dented in to fit the alternator.

Depending on what mounting kit you get or make, you will have to dent in the rear crossmember as well.

Make sure that before you put a new engine in your CRX, do some maintenance. Like I would replace the seals, and check things like the clutch, timing belt, water pump, etc.

You'll need a throttle position sensor I think since you have DPFI. I'm not exactly sure about which one though.

You'll need a 90-91 Integra throttle cable.

 

Hmmmmm, that's a bit of work. I was hoping to not be doing quite that much fabrication and welding for such a small engine. Would I at least get a decent performance boost out of a stock B16A? (the B18C is alot more expensive from what I'm looking at. I still dunno if $1500 is a good price for a B16A engine, transmission, and ECU?)

I'm still hoping to find some Civic Si or something that's been hit in the rear and totalled. Then I guess I doulc just take the engine and wiring harness and everything out of there and use it, after making sure it checks out first of course. I'm assuming the wiring harnesses are adaptable?

I think this is the last post I'm allowed to have for today, being a trial member or whatever, so I'll see you guys tomorrow. Thanks for all your help.

 

make sure that if you are swapping engines that you also switch to MPFI (multi-port fuel injection). the stock system in the DX you have is DPFI and much more slower and restrictive. upgrading to mpfi costs about 150-200 dollars and is well worth it.
once you do that, i would reccomend swapping a d16z6 (civic ex/si engine). it is a few cc's bigger than the one you have now, has higher compression, is used to mpfi, and, most importantly, it has VTEC! it puts out around 120 hp, fifty more than what you are pushing now. and most likely, it will be a newer motor with similar displacement and your gas mileage will either be unaffected or improve. not that you car much since you were a domestic guy....
also, you dont need new motor mounts or need to dent up your frame or anything like that to fit it in. its a same-series swap, so alot of things are the same.

for your reference, the engine you have is the D15B2. just so you can learn the codes and compare them.

 

Hey man, don't worry about it too much. It isn't as bad as it sounds.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by KFBhonda &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">the letter at the end and the occasional numeral after it does not really mean anything in general.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

If it has a number at the end of it, that means that it was an american engine. For instance the d15b2 came in your american civic DX.

However, the b16a was made in Japan, and came from the Japanese civic SiR. Most all importers sell the Japanese versions. The b16a3 came in the american Del Sol VTEC.

For another comparison, the d15b vtec was a japanese engine; it came out of the japanese civic VTi and makes around 130 HP.

I am doing the ZC swap, which came from the Japanese civic SI. The engine has 130 HP. It bolts directly in, no additional engine mounts required.

As a general rule, all D series engines bolt up directly in your car, someone correct me if I'm wrong on that. The ZC shares all the characteristics of a D series engine, it just has a different engine code than all the other engines.

Simply putting a b16 or a b18 in your car would allow you to run 15 secon or better quarters. It takes next to nothing to get our cars moving. I have seen a turbo CRX beat a viper up to 100 mph, and much more run low 14 second quarters.

Good luck with your car. First thing I would do is qire up that MPFI.

I have priced everything that we need for a b16a swap from the company http://www.hmotorsonline.com and it came out to be like $2100. That includes shipping, mounts, linkage, etc. I just ordered my ZC from there (engine + 5spd tranny + axles +intermediate shaft) and it came out to be $974 shipped to work. They were backordered with ECU's so I am getting that elsewhere.

edit: on ANY new engine you put in, especially if it was from an importer and had to make a long trip from the motherland, replace the timing belt. Optional, but highly recommended, is replacing the water pump, and maybe the oil pump. I know a friend who had the first two give out after they swapped in the ZC, as they had not replace the old ones.

This should help you with your engine lingo a bit. http://www.hondaswap.com/forum...29825

 

i have a zc swap in mine and i love it. i havent been beat by another crx yet i can hold my own pretty well in the drags. i got a nice tranny though also, im not sure what. im still noob at the lingo aswell. but i would go zc if i was you.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by the-pepsi-man &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i have a zc swap in mine and i love it. i havent been beat by another crx yet </TD></TR></TABLE>

Is it turbo?!

 

not turboed.... yet im swapping for an ls vtech though turboed or i was told to look into a b20...

 

Incredible. Thanks so much for your help so far. I did look on HMO's website and found out that a ZC engine and transmission would be a lot more affordable for me. So that sounds like a great option. How much performance increase will I get with the ZC?

I keep having to remind myself that this is also my weekday car, and i need to drive it over 800 miles a month. That being said, i need to consider fuel economy as well. Do you think a ZC engine would break the bank on fuel consumption? I'm hoping to get about what I get now (35mpg) if not better, just since I have a crappy job now that I'm back in school. What do you guys think economy-wise?? (don't hate me. i need to make ends meet.......while having a decent car at the same time)

So basically, I'm teetering between a ZC, and D16Z6, and a D15B. With price, performance gain, and fuel economy as my main factors, which of these would yous guys recommend?? The best of all worlds is what I'm hoping for.

Thanks again, you guys are rockin


Modified by urbancowboy19 at 3:39 PM 1/26/2005

 

I would go with the D16Z6 personally.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by the-pepsi-man &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">not turboed.... yet im swapping for an ls vtech though turboed or i was told to look into a b20...</TD></TR></TABLE>

ITS VTEC ! ! !

 

I would say go for a sohc vtec engine from a 92-95 ex or si you can probably find one cheap.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by the-pepsi-man &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">not turboed.... yet im swapping for an ls vtech though turboed or i was told to look into a b20...</TD></TR></TABLE>

vtech....hehehe isnt that a phone&gt;?

 

Okay so everyone pretty much likes the D16Z6 the best I guess....or at least wants me to get one. Can I ask why? I mean, it seems like the only difference between the ZC and the D16Z6 is that the ZC is DOHC and the D16 is a VTEC. Those are the only differences I can tell that are significant, and the ZC is a lot cheaper and also puts out 5hp more than the D16. So why the D16? Is it just because of the VTEC? Pardon my naivete', but how much difference does the VTEC make in the performance of the engine?

What I'm asking is: since both engines seem almost exactly the same, and the ZC is cheaper and puts out more horsepower, why do you think I should go with the D16Z6?

Thanks for hopefully understanding my question and thanks for the help

 

sohc vtec engines shut off half the intake valves in low rpm's, which helps low end torque and fuel economy, so the z6 should get better gas milege. you could also do a "mini-me" which would be putting a vtec head on your block, depending on how many miles it has (it would have to be in the same series, for you, D) so you could do a z6 head on your block, convert to multi- point fuel injection, and change your ecu/get a vtec controller. do not use an rpm switch to control vtec.