Its not often that i don't know exactly what i want or what in my car or what direction i want to take this project. but here i am: stuck!

First, i guess some background information would be helpful. I'm swapping a D15B (the OBD2 one with 3 VTEC cam profiles) into my '90 DX. With a little bit of work, its going to be my 50 + mpg, 150 hp daily driver/parts chaser. So far, I've got the engine, The wiring is finally taken care of, but now I'm looking at transmission choices.

I know i could just rebuilt my (broken) stock transmission, but i REALLY don't want to be messing with the weak shifter forks etc. On the other hand, though, if i use an EG/EK transmission, i'll have to deal with the whole hydraulic/cable issue. If i do take the latter route, I definitely want to convert the car to hydraulic as opposed to converting the transmission to cable. The final issue is my choice of axles. I'd really like to be able to exploit the benifits of an equal length setup. Will i have the option of using equal length axles on any of these transmissions?

So which transmission should i use? my criteria are as follows:

1. Reliability--I don't want to have to mess with it for at least 100k miles.
2. Ease of installation--The EF trans drops right in; the EG/EK needs some work.
3. Performance--I want to play around with gear ratios, axle choices, and maybe an LSD
4. Cost--This is a budget build (spent about 1000 so far. don't want to go over 1500 if i don't have to)


Any imput at ALL would be helpful!

 

As far as I know you will not have equal lenght axles. All d series trans are the same dementions 88-00 after that I don't know. Your best bet would be a 89-91 si trans you will have good gearing not have to change much. And if you don't beat on it to bad it will last you 100k if you don't get bored of car or sell it total it whatever. There is quite a bit of aftermarket axles and gears for d series trans you just have to have deep pockets and anything is possible. good luck.
Wil

 

I really don't want to have to deal with the weak shifter forks of the EF cable transmissions, and that's why i'm leaning more towards the EG/EK hydro trannies. I can pick one up for cheap. I'm not sure, however, if there are any differences between the EG and EK transmissions. Are their internals swappable?

I know the ZC transmission uses equal length driveshafts, but those transmissions are out of my price range. i thought i had an equal-length setup with the halfshaft and everything lying around somewhere; i'll have to dig around and see what i can come up with.

As for the deep pockets, that's DEFINITELY not me. I'm a college student, using my grocery money for my car, and living off those cheap ramen noodles.al;kfjd

 

lol'd i feel ya, and they want 1500 bucks for a jdm front end conversion, what about the back half of my already 1500$ honda?

 

As far as I know, the external dimensions are all the same, at least between the hydros. You will need to get a conversion kit first off, and from there find the one that has the ratios that you are interested in. As much as I hate to say it, an engine that is getting 50 MPG, (with associated trans) won't be fast. It'd honestly be okay to use stock axles and the EF trans with the weak shifter forks. Isn't there a company that makes aftermarket shift forks? Maybe you can take the forks out and have them cryo-treated. Or shot peened. Keeping the EF trans in your whip will keep your budget down because you aren't spending on a conversion kit or a new trans altogether. Check out the 92-2000 Civic FAQ, there is a bunch of posts on the actual gear ratios just in case you do decide to go hydro.

 

i'm really leaning towards the hydro option. i just like the idea of a newer transmission. I'm just curious as to what the interchangability is between the EG and EK internals are. If i want to mix and match gear ratios, do they have to be from the same gen?

I'm thinking of a close-ratio 1-3 with a taller 4-5 or close-ratio 1-4 and then a tall 5...