my friend is about to buy this red 88 civic hatch (dx) that he found. it has a 4spd manual tranny in it. he wants to put in a zc as soon as he gets it. what do you guys think the fastest tranny would be, gear ratio wise. and also should he try to get one from a 88 crx, that way it is a 5spd, and the splines are the same. cuz if he changes to a 89-91 the passenger side axel is different. well the inner cv joint on passenger side(bearings and all) were different on my 88 dx when i put in the 89 Si tranny. anyways. you guys know where hey could get a 88 crx 5spd. either dx or Si, he doesn't really care. if anybody has one hit me up.

 

Skip the DX. Go with the Si trans for the best overall package without cracking open the case. If you want to get in to the real stuff, go with a ZC trans, but use the Si final drive.

Overall, for ease of swapping, fastest acceleration, etc, go with the 88 Si. You shouldn't have axel problems with a 89-91, but you would need to get a new clutch if you don't go with the 88.

 

does the zc drop right in like the crx si tranny?

i've heard something about it not bolting on.

thanks for the heads up

 

i'm not sure exactly what you are asking, but anyways...

the zc motor bolts right into the car.
the zc tranny bolts up to the motor w/o a problem and bolts to the car w/o a problem.

 

SI Tranny : 1st/1.894 2nd/3.250 3rd/1.259 4th/1.107 5th/0.771 Final/4.25

ZC Tranny : 1st/1.944 2nd/3.250 3rd/1.346 4th/1.107 5th/0.878 Final/3.88

Hybrid Tranny : 1st/1.944 2nd/3.250 3rd/1.346 4th/1.107 5th/0.878 Final/4.25

The hybrid tranny being the best of both worlds, in stock form the SI tranny is quicker. My $.02

 

some BAD info there partner..........

Si tranny has a .934 4th gear
ZC tranny has 1.033 4th gear
On the hybrid tranny, use the .771 Si 5th for highway cruising.

Been there, done it, 3 times!

 

I have a zc tranny for sale. You can email me at Smokincrx03@yahoo.com if you are interested!

 

I have a vague memory of doing a ZC swap since it has been years ago.

A ZC bolts right up to a CRX's mounting spots without using special mounts. All D Series tranny's bolt up to it. The wiring is where I lost all touch of this swap.

I prefer the Si tranny as a suitable 5 speed with a nice gearing ratio.

Anyone can correct me if im wrong. Actually please do so.

 

Okay now I'm sorta confused...I'm planning on doing a zc swap on my '88 HF and I want to use a Si trans,but have been told by various local speed shops that I have to change axles,hubs,etc.... Whats the REAL story?

Thanx

Chuck

 

use your stock HF axles.

Until you wanna go larger brakes, your HF/STD (small spline) axles will be ok.

The innner joints are the same, only the outers are different.

If you don't change the hubs, no need to change the axles.

I would get some new/reman. axles while you have everything apart. Autozone has them for $59.99 (take your old ones to compare!) and come with a lifetime warranty.

I have a 1991 Civic STD HB (same axles as HF) and an using a DX driveline. It goes right together!

 

What tranny would be the best as far as acceleration? I am not interested in going over 100. I just want something that has a lot of pull. What tranny do you suggest?

 

My bad, I copied those specs out of "Honda Acura Engine Performance", there's a few mistakes in that book. Guess we found another one!

 

ZC tranny would be the best for acceleration.

 

oops i ment 'zc tranny drop in like the si tranny'.

zc drops in sounds good. but how about axels i think thats the part you have to use different axels?