Hello folks.
My girlfriend is thinking about buying a '97 Civic with a '97 Integra LS motor (100k miles) and '97 Integra Type R ECU.
We're not familiar with Civics, and could use some advice from you guys.
What kind of questions should we ask the seller?
What is the name or model of the motor?
What are the advantages of this swap?
The Disadvantages?
When we see the car in person, is there anything we should look at, or ask specifically about?

Anything else, please feel free to let us know.
Thank you all in advance. I'll be contacting the seller tomorrow.


Modified by BBennett at 9:00 PM 8/31/2008

 

i wouldnt do it unless its dirt cheap,buying somone elses project,

 

well, if im correct the type r ecu's have immobilizers in them and only the key made for that car will be able to start it. So that's kind of a red flag there.

Now on the questions thing, i'd just ask to drive it, and go from there

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mikes2000civicsi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i wouldnt do it unless its dirt cheap,buying somone elses project,</TD></TR></TABLE>true. if you do not know anything about hondas then you do not need to buy some elses honda project.

 

whys he have a vtec ecu on a non vtec motor?

 

maybe he was planning an ls/vtec conversion

 

how is that ecu running on that motor???

doesn't that ecu run on super high compression (like 11.1 or 13.1)

 

'97 LS engine is a B18B if its JDM B18B1 if its USDM. it should not have a type R ecu running it. Swapped vehicles are kind of a mixed bag, if someone did the swap right and it uses all off the shelf honda components, like an LS swap, then its not a bad deal, but if its a swap that requires a grocery list to get parts for, see DOHC ZC or H22, then its probably better to stay away. An LS powertrain in a civic is nice setup, lots of power while still retaining very reasonable mileage.

 

FIRST
if its an LS swap then there should not be a ITR ECU involved.
SECOND
if you miss read or heard and its a LS ecu then be sure the swap was done with factory parts and the engine bay looks cleen... a straight ls swap into a eg should look stock as you can use all factory honda parts. (mine does, EG6 with a B18b and its all factory parts and looks stock)
THIRD
if you miss read or heard and its a LS/VTEC set up (a b18b or b18b1 block with a b18c1 c5 or c head) run by the ITR ECU... you should probally stay away unless you know your hondas cuz you cant take fankenstien's into just any shop and have them fix your problems down the road.

so just think about that before you buy

 

Dump the ITR ECU, whether he was planning an LS/VTEC or not is completely irrelevant. The point is it's not managing that engine right, get a regular LS ECU.

That would be a P74 or P75 IIRC.

If it's just the LS swap (which it sounds like it is, just sounds like the guy was tryin to get more power out of it), then it's a pretty straightforward and common swap. There shoudln't be any reason you should be have problems with it - test drive it and see how it runs.

I don't know what everybody here is jumpin up and down about - but he was probably just tryin to milk a lil more power out of an LS with that ITR ECU. Now given that's not the right way to do it, and you'll need to put a regular P74/P75 in there, it's most likely still just a regular LS swap, not necessarily a "project" build, or anything.

 

Just wanted to post an update, or conclusion.
Couldn't get in touch with the seller, and as of now the listing has been taken down by the poster.
I want to thank all those who replied.
We're still trying to find a cheap Civic, as opposed to Buicks, Oldsmobiles, and other domestic garbage that flood the classifieds around here in MN.
Wish us good luck, and thanks again.

 

where in minnesota

 

 

hey bro I just purchase a b18b for my 95 Civic Hatch and i was wondering what engine harness and ecu are you using or what do you recommend?

thanks.

 

OP hasn't posted again in 3 years I don't think he's coming back.