So I've done some searching and I can't find what I'm looking for. Maybe I'm search deficient.

The guy I got my 91 Civic Hatch std toasted the stock engine. Well he replaced the D15B1 with, what I'm guessing is, a D15B2. From what I've read this won't work with the ECU that's in the car now. Which is why he was having trouble getting it running (and why I got it cheap).

I assume I need to source out a 5spd tranny, right?? He somehow got the 4spd to mount up to this engine (I recall him saying he had a hard time with it). Which trannys work with this engine? I've got quotes from $275 up to $450 + shipping. Then again I found an 88 CRX DX tranny for $98 + shipping. That should work fine right?

So I know I need a PM5 ECU to accompany this engine to make it run right. Is there another ECU that will work with this? Just curious if anything else will work since there seems to be a shortage of PM5's.

Is there anything else I need to convert this to a 5spd? Any wire harnesses, axles? I have the stock engine if I need to pull anything off it. It has a hole in the block and still runs amazingly enough. Talk about reliable.

Thanks.

 

ANY D-series 1988-1991 transmission will work with the motor you have. And while you can certainly upgrade your axles and hubs if you want, this is not necessary. Just get whatever five speed transmission you want (HF, DX, or SI, depending on the ratios you want) and drop it in. As for the ECU, get the proper ECU for the motor you have. A DX ECU is what you need to properly run a DX motor (or STD motor with DX cam, which is precisely the same thing). Unfortunately, I have not tried running a DX with a STD ECU. So I can't tell you whether the ECU is the problem or something else. However, running an engine with the wrong ECU generally causes loss of power rather than all-out poor running. So it is likely there is another problem, albeit most likely a simple wiring problem. Check for codes. Also check to see what motor you have, as you could just have a STD motor.

On a side note, I recently set up my brother's 1989 STD HB (which had a burnt valve) with a DX five speed, DX ECU, and a JDM D15B carb cam. And I must say his motor runs stronger than ANY DPFI D15 I have ever owned (before swapping, that is) or driven. Maybe there really is something good about that carb cam. But regardless, even a stock DX cam (which could be the same thing as the carb cam) will spice up a STD.

One more thing. DON'T pay $275+ for a DX transmission or even an SI transmission. That is just WAY too much! It's almost as much as I paid for my DX 4DR (which had the transmission that went into my brother's car). And paying BIG bucks to ship the transmission is just retarded. Try to find someone local who is doing a B-series swap. They will likely let you have a DX transmission for little or nothing (I have always given my DX stuff away for free). Even an SI transmission can be picked up for a song. If nobody has one, go to a local pick-and-pull yard. But under NO CIRCUMSTANCES pay $275+ for it!

As far as I know, there is no shortage of PM5 ECUs. Maybe where you live. But I am sure that there is somebody somewhere who will give you one for little to nothing. And since an ECU is small and light, shipping is not a big concern if you have to get one from, say, California.


Modified by StorminMatt at 3:31 AM 4/11/2006

 

Thanks for the info!

So technically the 4spd should be fine with the D15B2 then? Granted the gear ratios may not match the best. I'd rather not fork out the money right now if I don't have to. This car is going to be my commuter for now.

Well I found one or two PM5's on here, but I have some more days to go until I can use the marketplace.... *sigh*

 

Yeah, it will work fine. The STD and DX motor are basically the same, with a different cam and ECU.