I cant get a straight answer from anybody on this topic, so I've turned to HT for some help. I drive an old school civic- chassis code is EA I believe, so thats 3rd gen.

My timing belt broke and Im not a mechanic so I dont want to start wrenching on it by myself. I cant get my friends to come out and take a look so Im kind of stuck. I dont know yet if I got lucky and only need to replace the belt or if my valves were bent. I figure since the engine has seen better days I should just replace it regardless.

The 86 is an Si, its fuel injected, 1.5L, cable trany. The D16A6 is also cable trany and seems like it would be a direct bolt in. Most agree but then others are skeptical. I would need a straight answer before purchasing any engine, and I cant seem to get one from anybody. I've called numerous places and asked a lot of people.

Will the d16a6 bolt right in? Same engine and transmission mounts? Can I use my existing axles? Anything else that I dont know about that needs to be discussed regarding this swap?

If the A6 fits then the DOHC ZC should fit also, correct? Would I have any problems passing emissions with the ZC motor?

Would I be able to install a newer, more reliable, motor? ie- Y7, Y8, Z6, or any of the CX, DX, VX [etc] engines from any other models.

Im not picky, I just need something to get me back on the road. Reliability takes priority over performance in my situation. My budget is around 650-700 and I'd like this swap to go as smooth as possible so Im leaving B series out of the question. And yes I have seen the EA with the b16.. I think from FF Squad(?).

I have a digital camera, if any pics of the engine bay might help you answer my questions, let me know and I'll get right on it. Any help and advise you can offer would be appreciated. Thank you.

ps- if you want, you can reach me on aim at night - ghettohatch or yahoo - z6turbo.

 

Try redpepperracing.com for all 1g civic/2g CRX questions before honda-tech, they seem to be a lot more helpful. Also, in response to your questions about the dohc zc/d16a6 etc... they are not direct bolt ins and from my understanding are a complete PITA and not worth the time and/or money. Your best bet would be the d16a1 out of a first gen integra which is a dohc d series much like the JDM dohc zc. this is more or less a direct bolt in and should yield hp similar to the sohc zc motors/d16a6=(118/108 respectively), D16A1= (113hp@6250rpm99tq@5500rpm). For comparison, the DOHC ZC is 130 HP. Hope this helps, someone feel free to correct me if im wrong in any of my statements.

 

Thank you BAZ for your input! I'll check out that other site when I get some time, probably tonight when I get home from work. I've got a civic though, not a rex, just fyi. I think the D16A1 sounds like a good fit for what I need. This one also has a cable trany? And what about the mounts, all in the same location? Would I also need the axles from the integra? If I find a D16A1 for sale but needs to be rebuilt, are parts easy to come by? And just so I know when Im searchnig the classifieds for this engine, what is the ecu code for this engine?

Thanks again!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by smashin &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thank you BAZ for your input! I'll check out that other site when I get some time, probably tonight when I get home from work. I've got a civic though, not a rex, just fyi. I think the D16A1 sounds like a good fit for what I need. This one also has a cable trany? And what about the mounts, all in the same location? Would I also need the axles from the integra? If I find a D16A1 for sale but needs to be rebuilt, are parts easy to come by? And just so I know when Im searchnig the classifieds for this engine, what is the ecu code for this engine?

Thanks again!</TD></TR></TABLE>

The 1g civic is identical tho the 2g crx mechanically so dont worry. All hondas ran cable trannys until '92 i believe so yeah, the d16a1 would be the same. the mounts are the same, like I said it drops right in. As far as axle, I'm not 100% sure but I think you do use the integra units. Try searching the archives or redpepperracing to confirm. As far as finding parts, I'm sure it shares a lot of the same parts as other d series motors or possibly the stock '86 motor, again, I'd search to confirm. I'm not sure what the exact ecu code for the enginre is but the 88-91 CRX/Civic Si ECU can more than likely be used if you have trouble locating the stock ECU. You'd probably have more luck picking up an entire first gen Integra than just a swap, these can be had for dirt cheap. Upon searching I found this: https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1185372 I'm sure you could get it for less than the asking price

 

wow redpepperracing is the ****!
I'm sure I'll find all of my answers there. And its also rekindled my luv for the old school style!

The following quote from redpepperracing confirms that I would need to use the teg axles:

'As For the front brakes you would be silly not to use the teg brakes. Because you must use the teg axles, spindles, hubs, knuckles and brakes a Compleat swap as one unit, a no brainier really.'

I just added that in incase somebody else is looking for the same info. In addition, while I was searching the archives here on HT I didnt really come up with all that much info regarding this type of swap so maybe its good that I started this thread.

The engine for sale in the link you gave me is all the way in NY Im in Seattle. But good looking out! I am now on the hunt for a D16A1!

 

you cannot swap a d16a6 into that chassis, the d16a1 will.

often called a brown top ZC, its a nice motor, and will fit in your car.

call nippon-motors they used to carry them, may still. just make sure to specify "A1" on the block, dont let them send you a 2nd gen Si engine, it wont bolt in.

you need axles and whatnot off an integra but you have the right fuel tank and lines since its an Si, so you dont have to do any converting there.

good luck with the swap, and yea redpepperracing is a first gen crx paradise. lots of good people and info.

to this thread.

 

Night time bump.
Does anybody else have anything to add?

Thanks, doublethink, for your words of wisdom =]

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BAZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The 1g civic is identical tho the 2g crx mechanically so dont worry. All hondas ran cable trannys until '92 i believe so yeah, the d16a1 would be the same. the mounts are the same, like I said it drops right in. As far as axle, I'm not 100% sure but I think you do use the integra units. Try searching the archives or redpepperracing to confirm. As far as finding parts, I'm sure it shares a lot of the same parts as other d series motors or possibly the stock '86 motor, again, I'd search to confirm. I'm not sure what the exact ecu code for the enginre is but the 88-91 CRX/Civic Si ECU can more than likely be used if you have trouble locating the stock ECU. You'd probably have more luck picking up an entire first gen Integra than just a swap, these can be had for dirt cheap. Upon searching I found this: https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1185372 I'm sure you could get it for less than the asking price </TD></TR></TABLE>Er...I think you meant to say that the 3g civic is mechanically identical to the 1g crx, right?!


Re: getting a browntop ZC engine from an importer, I don't think they will say "A1" anywhere on the block, just "ZC".


Yeah smashin, redpepperracing ROCKS! As far as your swap goes, the USDM 86-87 Integra drivetrain w/D16A1 engine really is your best bet because of the vacuum advance ignition. You could use an 88-89 D16A1 but you would need to do some wiring and use the 88-89 teg ecu because it has electronic advance ignition. If you can find a JDM browntop zc engine that's great but now they are really hard to find. And if someone else hasn't already said it, your swap will be 1000x easier if you buy a complete car (wrecked in rear?) because of all the little odds and ends you might need. I don't know if you have access to a lift, but you can remove the entire engine/drivetrain/front suspension from underneath as a unit and swap it into your car like that so you don't have to take each piece off and put it back on again. I think the FAQ over at redpepper should cover all of it. PM/email me if you have any questions.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tjbizzo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Er...I think you meant to say that the 3g civic is mechanically identical to the 1g crx, right?!
</TD></TR></TABLE>

D'oh!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tjbizzo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Re: getting a browntop ZC engine from an importer, I don't think they will say "A1" anywhere on the block, just "ZC".

</TD></TR></TABLE>

right, the brown top says zc, the older teg motor says a1

rock on first gens!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by doublethink &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">just make sure to specify "A1" on the block, dont let them send you a 2nd gen Si engine, it wont bolt in.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by doublethink &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">right, the brown top says zc, the older teg motor says a1</TD></TR></TABLE>

A little confused. So it will say A1 or it will say ZC? And what year('s) did the A1 come in?

A friend suggested rebuilding my trany and purchasing a Z6 instead. Am I able to rebuild and reuse my transmission? What would be involved, money and labor wise, in rebuilding an old transmission like mine? Would I still be able to find the oem parts, from a honda dealership for example, needed to do the job?

Thanks!

 

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

A little confused. So it will say A1 or it will say ZC? And what year('s) did the A1 come in?

A friend suggested rebuilding my trany and purchasing a Z6 instead. Am I able to rebuild and reuse my transmission? What would be involved, money and labor wise, in rebuilding an old transmission like mine? Would I still be able to find the oem parts, from a honda dealership for example, needed to do the job?

Thanks!</TD></TR></TABLE>

A z6 wont bolt in. The only D series that will bolt in is a D16a1. I dont even think the browntop zc will bolt in. I am unsure if you can use the existing transmission on a d16a1 motor.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BAZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A z6 wont bolt in. The only D series that will bolt in is a D16a1. I dont even think the browntop zc will bolt in. I am unsure if you can use the existing transmission on a d16a1 motor.</TD></TR></TABLE>The 84-87 USDM Civic/CRX trannys will ONLY bolt to 84-87 Civic/CRX engines with the following exception (which I probably shouldn't even mention). For some odd reason, Honda gave the USDM EW blocks/trannys in 84-87 Civic 4wd wagons the D16A1 bell housing bolt pattern. Why? I have no idea, except that it was probably an off the shelf part from another country. Some racers have on rare occasion used a 4wd Civic wagon block with a D16A1 tranny in an 84-87 Civic/CRX racecar because it is a stronger tranny and/or they could find an lsd for it. And don't even ask about trying to use that 4wd tranny to make anything else 4wd because it's weak as **** and poorly geared, so.....just don't ask, mmmkay? Also, the early browntop zc will bolt in just like the early browntop D16A1 will bolt in, but good luck trying to find one in good shape without a gillion miles on it.

Cliff Notes: 1) 84-87 USDM Civic/CRX engines ONLY bolt to 84-87 USDM Civic/CRX trannys! (*mostly*)

2) 86-89 USDM D16A1 engines ONLY bolt to 86-89 USDM D16A1 trannys! (*mostly*, also to a rare early zc tranny but a) good luck finding one and b) you'll never find an intermediate shaft for it so don't bother)

3) 88+ USDM Civic/CRX engines ONLY bolt to 88+ Civic/CRX trannys! I won't even go into all of the cable vs. hydro vs. 88 oddball stuff, lol

Please take with a grain of salt. YMMV