Hi everyone, Im extremely new to hondas, and new to anything involving CARS, i know a jeep, and 4x4 truck like the back of my hand, and i know alot as far as building motors, or working on engines transmissions and axles. I am looking into getting like a 96-98 civic, and want to know more about them before i buy, i am looking for a 5spd, and either an ex or lx, but i was wondering the diifferences in engines and trannys and cars alltogether between the two. Like the model codes of the engines and trannys, differences in them, likenesses in them, two door vs 4 door differences, and what the hell VTEC is and what it does? I appreciate everyones help, and any help, is help. Thanks

 

VTEC = Monster

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dohcVTECeg2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">VTEC = Monster</TD></TR></TABLE>

vtec isnt monster of anything


anyway
check this web site out to see how vtec works
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question229.htm

if you looking for a 96-98 civic
i would recommend the EX since it has a good bit of power (130hp) with good gas milage

 

for the EX and gas mileage
My 96 EX has 127,xxx still gets ~34 mpg HW and ~29 city and runs like brand new.

96-00 EX

Engine:
D16Y8 1590cc
4 cyl, 16 valve
SOHC VTEC-II
9.6:1 c.r.
PGM-FI (MPFI)
127 bhp @ 6600
107 lb-ft @ 5500
Redline: 7200 rpm

Tranny: (I think these are right but not 100% sure)
transmission code: S40
1st gear: 3.250
2nd gear: 1.909
3rd gear: 1.250
4th gear: 0.909
5th gear: 0.702
Reverse: 3.153
final reduction: 4.250

Well not sure if thats what you wanted or if it helps at all but there it is. Browse around and you will find out the many posibilities of what to get and things to do to it (if you want to). gl

 

what does the EJ8 mean?

 

ej8 is chassis model like the years like 96 up n stuff thats all, and i mean is this honda a project car or just to get around, cause if so go for Lx. n vtec is the valve timing at a certain rpm 4500 is about it the vtec senses kick in and giv the engine a lil more umphh haha! but remeber and ask around all hondas are open to new and powerful motors!

 

VTEC = Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control....all it does is allow you to use two different cam profiles on the same cam that uses hydraulic pressure (engine oil) to lock the cam onto its secondary profiles, this allows you to have a good low RPM cam profile for driveability and emissions but then after a certain RPM it switches to a higher lift and duration to allow more airflow at high RPM, Toyota ,Mitsu, Porsche and many others have something similiar. VTEC doesn't do much for SOHC engines, it just adds to the sticker price. On the DOHC engines, honda uses a closer to race spec secondary profile, and on the Type R models a true race spec.

You gotta tell us what you want outta the car...you want 38-41 MPG like my civic DX? Or do you want to smoke Vipers???

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mac5005 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">two door vs 4 door differences</TD></TR></TABLE>

hmm. not sure on this one but, i think one of those has half the amount of doors that the other has. there's also a hatchback which technically has 3 doors because people count the hatch as a door.

if you have friends, get a 4 door. if you want sporty, get a hatch or 2 door... 'course, your friends still fit in a 2 door or hatch, they have back seats ya know

 

can't go wrong with the ex model

 

can't go wrong with a grocery gettin sleeper

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Pioneer162 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">can't go wrong with a grocery gettin sleeper </TD></TR></TABLE>

 

get a hatch they're just sooooo beautiful

 

I like the two doors, but i think the 4door would be more practical....2000psi, thanks for the info, it was exactly what i was looking for, a good technical explanation af what the vtech does, i am looking for a good daily driver, that i can do small things now to start with, and later on down the raod do some more major things like motor swaps, and building a motor for it, since i just built my jeep motor exactly how i wanted it and it truned out awesome....but that is a ways down the road...........i just want a daily driver, that i can still pull out and pass people with, and that i just have fun with, not out to beat vipers, b/c thats what my 71 Nova is for...hehe

 

EX are good but your not going to be passing much with it, or any stock honda for that matter. i would say if you want sometheing faster, get an SI but its not much different then an ex other than 20-30 hp, i think.

 

Well i mean, i dont want to do much passing, i just mean, it will pass someone going 50mph, in a 55 zone, i know its not a sports car, its a daily driver, i just want to get to know something a lil better before i buy one

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mac5005 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well i mean, i dont want to do much passing, i just mean, it will pass someone going 50mph, in a 55 zone, i know its not a sports car, its a daily driver, i just want to get to know something a lil better before i buy one</TD></TR></TABLE>

get a 2 dr ex. the 4 doors weigh more, and if you want to be faster, its easier to cut weight than add power. also, if you plan to swap, don't drop too much money on parts for the d series motor (since the only thing that really makes power on a D is a turbo).

 

Si is the "sporty" version of the civic
EX version includes a sunroof, power windows, vtec
DX version has manual windows, no sunroof
LX version only comes with 4 doors

^^ someone correct me if im wrong.

if you're getting a daily driver so u could learn more about it, i would get an EX or an LX (couse its a 4 door)

 

this also might be of some help to you

http://www.clubcivic.com/board/civic-specs.php