My son is 14 and to keep him out of trouble, I purchased him a 90 CRX (his choice). I can get a good D16A1 out of a teg for dirt. What's the consensus on this swap... I know this engine is fairly low compression and has strong rods. Of course its DOHC and OBD1 which should make it a good candidate for tuning and later forced induction... This is is first car, I know he will wreck it (we all wreck the first one, right?) so I hate to put the money in a B16 swap in his first car...

So, what will I need, what can I keep? The block is the same is it not? So, can I use the CRX axles? What about mounts... I think you just have to change one, right? Wiring/computer? I'm pretty sure the distributor is different... does it connect the same?

And... what about tuning? I'm thinking h/c pistons, cam gears, etc...

Any input is appreciated... this is a family affair and a first for both of us... I want it to be a good experience.

Thanks,

Scott aka B-Kerr

BTW... I own a salvage yard in KY if you guys need anything...

 

well first off the d16a1 is not obd1...2nd the 87 d16a1 uses a vaccume advanced distributor and makes about 113hp to the crank...not worth the time, money and hassle for an extra 5hp...for the money and time put on a intake, header or exhaust if you want power...but if i were you i would spend the money on maintance, brakes and auto-x racing for your son. it will keep the car in good shape to drive and teach your son the abilities of the car...and of course you can drive it there too...

since your son is 14, not sure if he can actually race then? sorry...but you can still ...

 

Well, I see I am ignorant! Regardless, if it is OBDII, then the computer systems would be similar I would hope... I knew the engine did not make a lot of horse power, but I figured there was a lot of potential in the DOHC set-up. I knew when I was younger (my first car was an 88 CRX ironically) the teg enines were a popular swap. I am sure suspension upgrades will be a must, and maintenance is definitely a mandate - I have a WRX and the oil is changed every 2500mi and we are always working on something we own from the WRX or M3 to the Jeep and Defender. Plus, he is in scouts and he just earned his Auto Mechanics Merit Badge; he seems very interested and dedicated..

Thanks for the input, anything else is appreciated.

Scott

 

years for obd1 - 92-95, obd2 - 96+

the d16a6 is very potential as it sits right now...you can make decent power with some bolt-ons...intake, header, exhaust, camshaft and some tuning and you will be at a very good starting point and this should be fast enough for a beginner...heck i dont even have those mods on my crx and it is still fun and decently fast for me...

 

Keep the single cam, people dog on those motors but they are some of the best motors you will find. The teg motor is in no way better than the d16a6. The first one I had had 130 k on it when I got it, run it with a small junkyard turbo with zdyne for 2 years on 12-13 psi with 0 problems.

IM 28 now, and I have personally owned 12 cars, 2 mustangs, a few comuter cars and then all my modded hondas weather it be turbo, built all motor, ls vtec all motor ect ect and I have never wrecked any of them...ever. I dinged 2 fenders the whole time driving, one I hit a deer and the other time I went off the right side of the road in a blizzard to avoid an ambulance driving at high speed in my lane.

The deer:
I tried my hardest to miss him, but a 6 point, a geo tracker and 65 in traffic usually = somethng totalled and I got out of it with me scared, deer **** up the side and a bent fender.

The ambulance:
Severe utah blizzard. 8-10 inches of snow on the road. I was in an 87 5.0 gt mustang, I went off to the right into the deep snow to avoid the head on, kept my foot in it to avoid getting stuck, and I musta ran through some old barbed wire a farmer had left by the fence, cause I scratched up my front bumper pretty good.

So no we do not always wreck the first one, and yes accidents happen, but it is best to try to learn the best way out. I think you should teach your son to avoid wrecks, not tell him it is gonna happen. Sure it prolly will, but I'd hope it is someone elses fault and that they wrecked his car.

 

Listen to Gator on this one...

The CRX and '87 teg were both obd-0 but '87 vacuum advance is not compatible with the CRX electric advance. You also have to fab a mount for the drivers side...Its really not worth the trouble for 5hp.

The stock CRXs D16a6 has plenty of potential for power...especially on a first car. I would spend more time and effort on a suspension and brakes.

Keep your eye out for a 90-93 teg or a 92-95 Civic EX/Si. They both offer more substantial gains

 

Actually the d16a1 is pre-OBD or OBD0 as we refer to it as. Personally I would look at the ZC, D16z6/y8, or b18a1 engines.

The ZC makes 130 hp and bolts right into the 88-91 civic/crx chassis.

The d16z6/y8 is a little more work but it is OBD1 and has VTEC. It makes about 130hp.

The b18a1 is nice because it makes 130 hp but also a lot of torque and is a great engine to add a turbo to.

 

88-91 crx is obd-0 and I think the 87 tegs are also. The motor is a d series so it could bolt to the si trans and bolt in. I would not suggest it though, just not worth the hassle.

 

Well... I'm glad to hear that the d16a is not worth the swap. I have a 56k D16Y8 we could swap, but I thought that would be too much work. I've had several b18a1s, but they are all gone now. I also have a H22A1 out of a 92 lude w/ 173k, but once again, more work than I want to tackle.

How much work is the D16y8? Is there a link on here as to what would be needed to swap it? On the flip side, what can be done to the d16a6? I know the info is probably here somewhere... a link in the right direction is appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott

 

d16y8 swap is cake to put in...it bolts right up and you can either convert the crx to obd1 or leave it obd0 and wire in a vtec switch...if you seach on this forum for mini-me or sohc vtec swap you will find tons of info on this type of swap...

 

d16 y8 the key there is the first 3. d series meaning you can bolt your si tranny to it easily and you could run it with the si computer (switching the injectors, distrib and wiring onto it) and a vtec controller, or switch it to obd-1 (using the y8 injectors, distrib, si harness and getting an obd-0 to obd-1 conversion harness and a p28 ecu, 4 wire O2) The second would cost a tiny bit more, but would run better.

Do you have any 88-91 civic in your junk yard that would have any good door trims on it. I am missing all my door trims on my 89 hatch. Sorry I would pm you but your a trial user so I can't do that.