Hey guys, my name is Tom. I'm live in Madison, WI.

I'm currently a college student and i have a large facination with cars, Hondas in particular. The reason mostly being is my family has always owned Hondas. This past summer, i purchased a 1999 Honda Civic DX Coupe [EJ6], and i intended to modify it. Though, my father owns a 1993 Honda Civic CX [EH2], and considering the car will not last much longer i chose this as my future project, and use my EJ6 as a daily driver.

This is where i started..

https://honda-tech.com/zero...age=1


Alright, so with this EH2 project, where do i exactly want to start? Though, this will be a big project. This car needs a new engine, clutch, flywheel, battery, tires, brakes, gauge cluster, etc. The car has been as it is since 1993, so this car is old.

Every place i ask, it's just "Do an engine swap!", well that sounds like a bit much for starters, and considering i'm broke... I already know a K20 swap would be nice (considering the longrunning B-Seris engine has essentially been replaced with a fresh blueprint, known as the K-Seris)

I already have the A'PEXi WS Catback Exhaust System in mind, considering it's subtle yet effective. I also have small things in mind like a Mugen shift ****.

My main goal is to make a <U>subtle</U> looking car that is fuctional / effective, but not flashy.

Now, any tips to help me get started? Keep in mind i've never done this sort of thing before...


Modified by Sprinter86 at 3:45 PM 12/31/2007

 

People say "do a swap." is right, but since your strapped for cash, i would say check on craigslist for someone selling a SOHC engine. Usually you could find someone trying to get rid of dx engine for about 100 maybe less even. Thats just getting your car to start and drive around..if your looking to make your car much faster, i would suggest b, h, or even the k series, but thats if you can only afford it. hows the body, interior, and anything missing or thats needed?

 

Depending on your mechanics knowledge, dont put a swap above yourself. Thats part of the reason h-t's here is to help people, im 17 and did a d16z6 swap into my dx (not a hard one i know, but no buts its a start) and i am in the process of building my motor as we speak. If you want "subtle looking car that is functional / effective, but not flashy", start with appearance and work your way into the motor. Thats my $.02.

 

Thanks for the quick replys, guys.

Nothing is missing, the car is solid, though there is of course the classic Honda Cancer in the rear quarter panels, here's some pictures.

http://i87.photobucket.com/alb...7.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/alb...9.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/alb...1.jpg

Scraped front lip...
http://i87.photobucket.com/alb...2.jpg

Original post source..
http://clubeg6.com/forum/viewt...light

And yea, the pies are now off the car..

 

not bad, but yeah i can see cancers on the quarter panels, like z6hatchboy asked how is your knowledge about hondas? SOHC engine are easier to do than any other honda engine that i have come into contact with...

 

My knowledge...

Well let's put it this way..

I know a lot of terms, SOHC, DOHC, VTEC, and all the basics. i know how things like Turbochargers work. The engine is a big maze to me still. And i'm still unfarmiliar with ECU's and all that stuff.

Everything i've learned i've read in books or by forum, i've never had a chance to get my hands dirty. And how i know how a swap goes about (sorta)? But, don't you need something special to lift something like that in?

So yea, i'm pretty n00b-ish when it comes to actual mechanics..

 

I think you should start with a SOHC engine if you want to try to do a swap, it'll give you a chance to get your hands dirty, and learn some hands on stuff about them. Get a d series engine, there cheap and easy to replace, theres not much to them, There simple and that could be your platform into learning about Hondas.

 

all you really need as basics to lift something during a swap is a engine hoist (cherry picker) you can get one at advance auto for around 150 i think. B's arent much harder to swap than d's, but k's are a whole other book

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by z6hatchboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">all you really need as basics to lift something during a swap is a engine hoist (cherry picker) you can get one at advance auto for around 150 i think. B's arent much harder to swap than d's, but k's are a whole other book </TD></TR></TABLE>

True B's arent much harder, but its alot cheaper tho!

 

A.) If i find one, how do i install it?

B.) Shouldn't i replace other things along with it? Like a new battery? The current one is pretty bad.

C.) The car is still my Dad's, and it's freezing winter in Wisconsin.. I'm not sure how taken he will be to a swap. The main issue is that i have my own car, but his car is the older one that will be dead in the next 5 years. So i'm thinking by springtime i'll start working on it.. But uh, we'll see..

Trust me..there is nothing worse than buying a new car you ending up hating...

 

I started off just like you, I bought my first EJ6 Coupe just the shell and i bought a D16y7 long block for like 100 bucks and than my buddys guided me through the swap process, and now im on my own to do a b series swap this spring. Its really easy if you have a friend that did a swap before but overall do a single cam motor, took me less than a week to drop it in.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PinoyDelSol &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">overall do a single cam motor, took me less than a week to drop it in. </TD></TR></TABLE>

took me and 2 friends a night and a 30 rack =P

 

research always help things go smoother as well.

 

Problem is that i don't know anyone who is mechanically inclined. As in, not knowing a wrench from a screwdriver, if you get what i mean.

I don't exactly know where to meet a gearhead, as odd as that sounds. Because having a few hands on deck would help with the whole process.

 

Hey man, I;m down here in Racine WI.. If you need help with this sorta stuff I could lend a hand. If you have question or looking for parts ect.. W.E I'd be more then happy to help a fellow wisconsin-en out lol.

Do you have aim?

 

yeah k series is out of the question to hard for a noob and too expensive for a college student... jsut start slow.. suspension work on hondas is easy as ****.. jsut gotta member where all the bolts go..lol... and as for motor swaps if the car is in that bad of condition id just do a ls or b16 swap. obd 1 of course.. makes it a hole lot easier.. just dont get into far over your head. and ask ? its whenu dont is when u get into trouble... GL and we are here to help no matter how much we make fun,.

 

Thanks man, it's good to know some Wisconsinites are around to help out a n00b, har.

 

good luck with everything. single cam swaps are cake...everything is plug and play. fyi: 92-95 cx=eh2

 

Heh, EH2, alright then.

Thanks for the info, speedooo.

** Posts Edited **


Modified by Sprinter86 at 3:58 PM 12/31/2007

 

research research research. there are many guides on how to do every imaginable swap. google.com

tools: basics mechanics tool set and a hoist. wd40. most guides provide a list of useful (but sometimes not required) tools

i think i learned the most from watching others do it. it sounds like your going to have a tough time finding that opportunity though

winter is a great time to read. Personally, I would find out what it takes to do a B series swap.

 

I've been looking at Hmotors, they seem to be the only intellgent place to get a motor from, aside from Craigslist, but i know Hmotors is legit.

Here are some prices i found... Are these reasonable?

D15B SOHC VTEC Longblock - $499.00 + Shipping

B16A ('91 SiR) - $700.00 + Shipping

This seems like the only sorta thing i could afford... Most D seris engines arn't even available there, and the B-Seris engines, like a B16A from a '93 Integra is $1700.00 plus shipping.

I don't know, the engine in a car is like the heart of a human, i wouldn't feel right if it wasn't a proper engine. That's why getting something off Craigslist would feel out of place..i wouldn't know what kind of condition the thing is in.

I popped the hood on the EH2 today, and i'll be honest, it was the first time i ever looked in there. The engine bay is really a complex maze when everything is in there.

Well, i guess all i can do at this point is save up.. Luckily $500 isn't that bad.

 

The good thing about the 92-93 EH2 is that all the wiring needed to run a SOHC VTEC engine, like a D16Z6, exists in the cluster of connectors near the battery down to the ECU. All you need is an engine harness from a Si or EX (or modify the B15B8 harness).

Then all you need to go B-series (wiring wise) is add a knock sensor wire and connector.

I think that a CX is the perfect car to learn on.

 

Yea, i really do like that car.

My other concerns are mostly about things like suspension. Will it up to par? It's not like i'm hitting the track or anything, but this is a 15 year old car.

Even after i replace the engine, it's going to need a lot of work. The exterior is almost perfect, it's just all the guts that are getting old. Battery, Clutch, Flywheel, Battery, Etc.

The car will also need a new gauge cluster..Any recommendations?


Modified by Sprinter86 at 4:45 PM 12/31/2007

 

92-00 Civics have the simplest engine bay layout I've ever seen among cars of those years. It' just a matter of time before you've got the thing memorized.

Gauge cluster - 92-95 Si or EX 5-speed. Plug and play.

Suspension - don't worry about that now unless it's trashed. You don't need 1.0g suspension in the snow.

Battery - Die Hard Weather Handler. Had mine for almost 7 years no problems.

Wheel well cancer - fix before it spreads. You will learn a bit about autobody repair in the process.

 

I need to seriously take lessons from this guy..

http://www.clubcivic.com/board...24592