88-89 / 90-91 USDM Civic Hatch Differences
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 161
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From: ar, usa
88-89 / 90-91 USDM Civic Hatch Differences
I know this has been covered a million times, but is there anyplace on here (in a single thread) that covers all the differences between these 2 models? I dug thru 3 pages of threads over various little things and half the time people argued over who was right and wrong so I didnt get anything out of them. Id like to compile a list if at all possible, on 1 single thread. So far what I have is:
*88-89 has thicker side moldings than 90-91 (can they be interchanged?)
*89-90 turn signals on the front were yellow and on the 90-91 model they were white.
*90-91 has toned tail lights
*88-89, 90-91 taillight wiring uses different pin combinations (anyone know the difference)
*the input shaft on 88's have 21 splines while 89 and up has 20
*clutches are different sizes between the years (this is the one everyone argued on)
*88-89 has a different headliner than 90-91 (due to seatbelt indicator lights above mirror)
*88-89 gauge clusters are more square then 90-91 clusters (wiring?)
*88-89 seats are a different fabric type than 90-91 (differences?)
*88-89 has sidemarkers with two screws in it
*88-89, 90-91 front bumpers are also different (difference is?)
*seatbelts
88 (all models) have pillar mounted belts
89 (hf only) had pillar mounted belts.
89 (all other models) have door mounted belts.
*88's dont have a clutch safety switch
*88's have type r style rear lca's
*88-89 have bolt in corner lights, 90-91 has slide in
*88 did not have side impact door beams (lighter door)
*88-89 seats sit higher than 90-91, not interchangeable due to hole pattern.
Please feel free to add anything or steer me in the right direction on another thread. It would be nice to be able to compile a single list to make swapping between the years so much easier. IE: wiring diagrams, mechanical variations, etc...
Modified by 97RedCL at 5:32 PM 1/19/2006
Modified by 97RedCL at 8:08 PM 1/24/2006
*88-89 has thicker side moldings than 90-91 (can they be interchanged?)
*89-90 turn signals on the front were yellow and on the 90-91 model they were white.
*90-91 has toned tail lights
*88-89, 90-91 taillight wiring uses different pin combinations (anyone know the difference)
*the input shaft on 88's have 21 splines while 89 and up has 20
*clutches are different sizes between the years (this is the one everyone argued on)
*88-89 has a different headliner than 90-91 (due to seatbelt indicator lights above mirror)
*88-89 gauge clusters are more square then 90-91 clusters (wiring?)
*88-89 seats are a different fabric type than 90-91 (differences?)
*88-89 has sidemarkers with two screws in it
*88-89, 90-91 front bumpers are also different (difference is?)
*seatbelts
88 (all models) have pillar mounted belts
89 (hf only) had pillar mounted belts.
89 (all other models) have door mounted belts.
*88's dont have a clutch safety switch
*88's have type r style rear lca's
*88-89 have bolt in corner lights, 90-91 has slide in
*88 did not have side impact door beams (lighter door)
*88-89 seats sit higher than 90-91, not interchangeable due to hole pattern.
Please feel free to add anything or steer me in the right direction on another thread. It would be nice to be able to compile a single list to make swapping between the years so much easier. IE: wiring diagrams, mechanical variations, etc...
Modified by 97RedCL at 5:32 PM 1/19/2006
Modified by 97RedCL at 8:08 PM 1/24/2006
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 322
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From: Germany, Europe
Re: 88-89 / 90-91 USDM Civic Hatch Differences (97RedCL)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 97RedCL »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
88-89 has thicker side moldings than 90-91
taillight wiring uses different pin combinations
clutches are different sizes between the years (this is the one everyone argued on)
88-89 has a different headliner than 90-91 (due to seatbelt indicator lights)
88-89 gauge clusters are more square then 90-91 clusters (wiring?)
88-89 seats are a different fabric type than 90-91
.</TD></TR></TABLE>
88-89 has sidemarkers with two screws in it
90-91 has toned tail lights
front bumpers are also different
88-89 has thicker side moldings than 90-91
taillight wiring uses different pin combinations
clutches are different sizes between the years (this is the one everyone argued on)
88-89 has a different headliner than 90-91 (due to seatbelt indicator lights)
88-89 gauge clusters are more square then 90-91 clusters (wiring?)
88-89 seats are a different fabric type than 90-91
.</TD></TR></TABLE>
88-89 has sidemarkers with two screws in it
90-91 has toned tail lights
front bumpers are also different
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 0
From: Deployed, Qatar
Re: 88-89 / 90-91 USDM Civic Hatch Differences (downest)
no i think he means differences in years(i.e.- differences between 88-89 and 90-91 si's, dx's, std's, and 4dr's)... i believe that only 90 and 91 have door mounted seatbelts 
, 88's(and possibly 89's) dont have a clutch safety switch, 88's have type r style rear lca's, the input shaft on 88's have 21 splines while 89 and up has 20, and 88-89 have different style corner lights... thats all that i can think of right now hope this helps
-Josh
, 88's(and possibly 89's) dont have a clutch safety switch, 88's have type r style rear lca's, the input shaft on 88's have 21 splines while 89 and up has 20, and 88-89 have different style corner lights... thats all that i can think of right now hope this helps-Josh
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 161
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From: ar, usa
If anyone notices a discrepency in the list, please inform me, as well as adding details to the proposed differences with the (?) next to them. Once i get a big enough list i will start to sort them out in a better layout thats easier to understand.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,327
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From: Deployed, Qatar
Re: (97RedCL)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Crimson_Tide »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">no i think he means differences in years(i.e.- differences between 88-89 and 90-91 si's, dx's, std's, and 4dr's)... i believe that only 90 and 91 have door mounted seatbelts , 88's(and possibly 89's) dont have a clutch safety switch, 88's have type r style rear lca's, the input shaft on 88's have 21 splines while 89 and up has 20, and 88-89 have different style corner lights... thats all that i can think of right now hope this helps
-Josh</TD></TR></TABLE>
REASON: to be difficult
-Josh
-Josh</TD></TR></TABLE>
REASON: to be difficult
-Josh
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Germany, Europe
Re: 88-89 / 90-91 USDM Civic Hatch Differences (97RedCL)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 97RedCL »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
88-89, 90-91 front bumpers are also different (difference is?)
o</TD></TR></TABLE>
88-89:
90-91
No this is not me and my car
Another difference you can see on the pics: turn signals on the front were yellow on 89-90 models and on the 90-91 model they were white.
88-89, 90-91 front bumpers are also different (difference is?)
o</TD></TR></TABLE>
88-89:
90-91
No this is not me and my car
Another difference you can see on the pics: turn signals on the front were yellow on 89-90 models and on the 90-91 model they were white.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 233
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From: Des Moines, Iowa, USA
90-91 seats sit lower than 88-91, cant switch them either, ive wanted the lower stance for cheap, and it didnt work for me, bolt up holes for the seats are spaced differently.
Not too many people notice it, its about 1.5-2in difference.
Not too many people notice it, its about 1.5-2in difference.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 377
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From: Norwalk, ca, usa
Re: (1989CivicSi)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1989CivicSi »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Did 88-89's have side impact door beams? </TD></TR></TABLE>
nope, the 88 didn't, those doors are lighter
nope, the 88 didn't, those doors are lighter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,411
Likes: 2
From: Somewhere, Ontario, Canada
Re: (Chronicsinners)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chronicsinners »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">88 & 89 have pillar mounted seatbelts
90-91 have door mounted ones </TD></TR></TABLE>
some slightly incorrect information here.
88 (all models) have pillar mounted belts
89 (hf only) had pillar mounted belts.
89 (all other models) have door mounted belts.
all the rest are door mounted.
also, afaik, all 88-91 civic/crx for canadian market are pillar mounted.
90-91 have door mounted ones
</TD></TR></TABLE>some slightly incorrect information here.
88 (all models) have pillar mounted belts
89 (hf only) had pillar mounted belts.
89 (all other models) have door mounted belts.
all the rest are door mounted.
also, afaik, all 88-91 civic/crx for canadian market are pillar mounted.
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,411
Likes: 2
From: Somewhere, Ontario, Canada
Re: 88-89 / 90-91 USDM Civic Hatch Differences (97RedCL)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 97RedCL »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
*the input shaft on 88's have 21 splines while 89 and up has 20
*clutches are different sizes between the years (this is the one everyone argued on)
</TD></TR></TABLE>
sizes. 88 is smaller, 89-91 are the same. 92+ have lighter flywheels.
*the input shaft on 88's have 21 splines while 89 and up has 20
*clutches are different sizes between the years (this is the one everyone argued on)
</TD></TR></TABLE>
sizes. 88 is smaller, 89-91 are the same. 92+ have lighter flywheels.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Re: 88-89 / 90-91 USDM Civic Hatch Differences
I know this has been covered a million times, but is there anyplace on here (in a single thread) that covers all the differences between these 2 models? I dug thru 3 pages of threads over various little things and half the time people argued over who was right and wrong so I didnt get anything out of them. Id like to compile a list if at all possible, on 1 single thread. So far what I have is:
*88-89 has thicker side moldings than 90-91 (can they be interchanged?)
*89-90 turn signals on the front were yellow and on the 90-91 model they were white.
*90-91 has toned tail lights
*88-89, 90-91 taillight wiring uses different pin combinations (anyone know the difference)
*the input shaft on 88's have 21 splines while 89 and up has 20
*clutches are different sizes between the years (this is the one everyone argued on)
*88-89 has a different headliner than 90-91 (due to seatbelt indicator lights above mirror)
*88-89 gauge clusters are more square then 90-91 clusters (wiring?)
*88-89 seats are a different fabric type than 90-91 (differences?)
*88-89 has sidemarkers with two screws in it
*88-89, 90-91 front bumpers are also different (difference is?)
*seatbelts
88 (all models) have pillar mounted belts
89 (hf only) had pillar mounted belts.
89 (all other models) have door mounted belts.
*88's dont have a clutch safety switch
*88's have type r style rear lca's
*88-89 have bolt in corner lights, 90-91 has slide in
*88 did not have side impact door beams (lighter door)
*88-89 seats sit lower than 90-91, not interchangeable due to hole pattern.
Please feel free to add anything or steer me in the right direction on another thread. It would be nice to be able to compile a single list to make swapping between the years so much easier. IE: wiring diagrams, mechanical variations, etc...
Modified by 97RedCL at 5:32 PM 1/19/2006
Modified by 97RedCL at 8:08 PM 1/24/2006
*88-89 has thicker side moldings than 90-91 (can they be interchanged?)
*89-90 turn signals on the front were yellow and on the 90-91 model they were white.
*90-91 has toned tail lights
*88-89, 90-91 taillight wiring uses different pin combinations (anyone know the difference)
*the input shaft on 88's have 21 splines while 89 and up has 20
*clutches are different sizes between the years (this is the one everyone argued on)
*88-89 has a different headliner than 90-91 (due to seatbelt indicator lights above mirror)
*88-89 gauge clusters are more square then 90-91 clusters (wiring?)
*88-89 seats are a different fabric type than 90-91 (differences?)
*88-89 has sidemarkers with two screws in it
*88-89, 90-91 front bumpers are also different (difference is?)
*seatbelts
88 (all models) have pillar mounted belts
89 (hf only) had pillar mounted belts.
89 (all other models) have door mounted belts.
*88's dont have a clutch safety switch
*88's have type r style rear lca's
*88-89 have bolt in corner lights, 90-91 has slide in
*88 did not have side impact door beams (lighter door)
*88-89 seats sit lower than 90-91, not interchangeable due to hole pattern.
Please feel free to add anything or steer me in the right direction on another thread. It would be nice to be able to compile a single list to make swapping between the years so much easier. IE: wiring diagrams, mechanical variations, etc...
Modified by 97RedCL at 5:32 PM 1/19/2006
Modified by 97RedCL at 8:08 PM 1/24/2006
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8889, 89, 8990, 90, 9091, civic, corner, cornerlights, corners, difference, differences, hatch, light, lights, tail
