Ive looked through the archives on search and through the faq a bunch of time, used to vwvortex, which is the same lay out and i know how ppl get when the same question is asked over and over. They yell Search. Well before you tell me to search more, lol. Could you answer a couple questions for me.

Im in the market for an ek hatchback, been looking at anything cheaper than 5k to play with. Ive found a bunch of unmolested stock examples which are super good for the price, mileage, though i know mileage doesnt really matter with these cars. And i plan to swap anyways.

First question: What is the difference btw a civic hatch cx and dx. As possible swap candidates is one easier to work on than another.

Second question: What should i look out for when reviewing the car, any problems with the 96 models i should be aware of since it was the first year of the car.


The rest of the questions have to do with swaps and as theres plenty of information on that in this whole forum, ill search alot and do research until i have a specific question i cant find.

Thx for the help in advance do appreciate it. And im really looking foward to owning a honda.

 

I'm not really sure about the options on either models, however I believe the DX models come with a tach the CXs don't. I've never heard of any problems with they way that they were made (leaking, sensor failure, etc). However, I would suggest getting a 99-00, they've got the best front end.

Oh, and nice job on searching.

 

yeah they do have awsome front ends, but they play with my price range just a little and its hard to find a decent one within my area, though i am willing to travel. I know i would probably just slap on a type r body parts (bumper, lip, skirts, rear, and wing) Im obsessed with the look, lol.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eurotrashvrt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> What is the difference btw a civic hatch cx and dx. As possible swap candidates is one easier to work on than another.

What should i look out for when reviewing the car, any problems with the 96 models i should be aware of since it was the first year of the car.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

first off the first year for a 3 door CX/DX 1.5L was 1992
EH2- 1.5L USDM All 3-door CX/VX/DX 1992-1995
EJ6-D16y7 CANADA 3-door CX/CX-G 1996-1998
EJ6-D16y7 CANADA 3-door CX/DX 1999-2000
EJ6-D16y7 USDM 3-door CX/DX 1996-2000

about them being diff, i'm not realy sure, except that some of the engines are diff
someone correct me if i'm wrong but aren't one of the ones form canada have less HP

but you said that you were going to do an engine swap anyway

i have an EJ2 (1.5 2-door DX) and it's pritty easy to work on

good luck with all of that

 

best place to start would be the FAQ thread which is...https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=642479 .....it basically tells you anything that has to do with civics and such

 

If i were to do it all over I'd get a 96-98 civic (i have a 00 si) for cheap, type r the front end and swap an engine in. As far as the cx -dx differences both are like the base models, no power steering, windows etc. I'd say whatever you can get in better condition would be best.

Also, insurance will be cheaper, and 99-00 will be at least a couple grand more...

welcome, there is a ton of great info here at HT.

later

 

sweet, another vr owner looking for a hatch....i'm in the same boat dude....rockinvr6 on vortex

 

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

first off the first year for a 3 door CX/DX 1.5L was 1992
EH2- 1.5L USDM All 3-door CX/VX/DX 1992-1995
EJ6-D16y7 CANADA 3-door CX/CX-G 1996-1998
EJ6-D16y7 CANADA 3-door CX/DX 1999-2000
EJ6-D16y7 USDM 3-door CX/DX 1996-2000

about them being diff, i'm not realy sure, except that some of the engines are diff
someone correct me if i'm wrong but aren't one of the ones form canada have less HP

but you said that you were going to do an engine swap anyway

i have an EJ2 (1.5 2-door DX) and it's pritty easy to work on

good luck with all of that </TD></TR></TABLE>

He's asking about 96-98 Civic Hatches, not 92-95, therefore he would have stated the cx,vx,dx,and SI. But only stated DX and CX, cause they were the only model available in the 1996-1998 Civic hatchback trim.

Also, some 1996-1998 Civic hatch's came equipped with powersteering.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Root Beer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">sweet, another vr owner looking for a hatch....i'm in the same boat dude....rockinvr6 on vortex</TD></TR></TABLE>

awsome man, yeah i love hatches. My volkswagen days are over for now though, ive had it up to hear with my problems.<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RHDej2. &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

He's asking about 96-98 Civic Hatches, not 92-95, therefore he would have stated the cx,vx,dx,and SI. But only stated DX and CX, cause they were the only model available in the 1996-1998 Civic hatchback trim.

Also, some 1996-1998 Civic hatch's came equipped with powersteering.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Thx for the clarification. so there is really no difference btw the dx and the cx.

 

clarification on cx vs dx would be good, thx.

 

CX = 1.5L
DX = 1.6L


that pretty much sums it up...
hahaha.

 

i was just on edmunds and both have the same features and same engine (both a 1.6 liter), the only difference i could find was that the cx weighed 2238 and the dx weighed 2222lbs in 1996. Weird.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Project_DX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
someone correct me if i'm wrong but aren't one of the ones form canada have less HP </TD></TR></TABLE>
you're wrong. Some of the models are shifted around here as comapred to the states, but its just a matter of a different name.
-US Ex is Can Si
-US Si is Can SiR

 

thx for the canadian clear up.

Another Question. Is it a simple one, two....to put on say a 99-00 front bumper to a 96. Or would i have to change lights, hood, fenders, ect.

 

i searched and found my answer on that one.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eurotrashvrt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i searched and found my answer on that one. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Just the kind of H-T noob we like to see around here.

In fact, I think that one is sig worthy.

-Shane

 

hopefully i can clear somethings up for you..

don't listen to anyone that says different.. 96-98 &gt; 99-00

differences between cx and dx:

dx has rear wiper, cargo cover, rear speakers, painted wing, and other miscellaneous things.

AND

cx doesn't have ^^^^ haha.

MOST have A/C unless the original owner was a cheap *** and didn't get it from factory. both had the options for cruise control and powersteering but if you wanted that stuff then you might as well have gotten a higher model.

BOTH have the same motors (d16y7) 1.6l non-vtec.

if you did want to convert it to the 99-00 front then you would need the front bumper, grille, headlights, fenders, and hood. some modification would be needed to the grille to fit on the radiator support but nothing big. IMHO, stick with the 96-98.

a lot of problems i've heard with ALL hatchbacks is leaking in the taillights. i've owned two and neither has had this problem but 3 of my other friends with ek's have all had the problem. i guess you just get lucky?

i've owned both a cx and a dx so most of this is coming from personal experience. hope this helps and good luck with your future hatch!



Modified by screwballz at 10:07 PM 9/11/2005

 

I remember doing answering one of these a while ago, but who cares, here we go again:

I do have a ’97 DX hatch, and know a few people who have CX’s.
This is assuming we are talking about models sold in U.S.

They are both identical except that more options were offered on a DX.
They both have the same engines (d16y7 106hp).
They both have the same transmissions.
Neither one comes with a tachometer (got to go LX or higher to get that)
Neither have power windows.
Neither have power doors.
Neither have power mirrors
A/C optional.
A/T optional.
P/S optional.
Side-molding optional

DX has a larger (sheet-metal) spoiler (where as CX has a plastic one)
DX has a rear window wiper.

And there’s some other minor stuff like interval wipers, cargo cover, floor mats, radio, ect.

For a daily driver I would definitely go with DX ‘cause it usually has more accessories, but if you’re planning on swapping and doing some other custom work on it, then go with CX, it’ll probably be cheaper.

Good luck.


P.S.
For a 99-00 conversion you need fenders, hood, headlights and a bumper (a radiator support is a good idea too, but I’ve seen it done with a stock one)

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

LOL, it took me to long to write this up, screwballz beet me to it. I second everything he said though.

 

you guys are great, those were definitely the best responses. Thx alot im looking at a 96 red cx with 85k on it, one owner no mods ever, all service work done to it. 3500 it is. I hope to scoop it up soon.