What's going on everybody?
I had the fortune of picking up the car I have wanted ever obtaining my driver's license! I grabbed up a 89 CRX Si (at a great price) from a guy that bought it as a project, but never had time to work on it. As you can see the body seems to be in good shape. Motor does not run, and the tranny is said to be in good condition. The dash was removed (previous owner says it was to replace the heater core).
This is my first project and I am hoping, with the good friends that I have, that I can successfully get this car reliably back on the road.
I've been reading through the threads trying to get some ideas on where to start...OMG, I know where ALL my money is going to go for the next few months! LOL
I'm thinking about going back with the engine that originally came in it. I would like a tad more power (nothing over the top) but I'm concerned with have to deal with new mounting brackets, and the possible electrical issues that may arise when attempting a swap!
I'm new to this, so who knows...I might just catch the "power bug" and go down a different rode!

Here are a few pictures of what I have to work with! Wish me luck!

 

Welcome.

Read forum rules stickied at the top.

 

Ooops, I guess I need 4 more post...and a few weeks b4 I was to post this, huh?

 

Ahhhhhhh! Oh, looks like my speedy fingers failed me!
ROFL!
....Yeah, that'll make me REAAAAAL popular on here!

 

Nice

 

clean rex

 

perfect interior.... luckyy

 

Nice, good luck with your build

 

Looks like a good start, I've always wanted a CRX, If you just want a motor to fit in with less hassle then a D15b wouldn't be too hard and won't have issues with mounts and just a bit of rewiring, IMO a budget B series swap would be best for you, Performance and Reliability best of both worlds and it shouldn't be too hard to swap in either,

Whatever you decide good luck with it,

 

nice....plans?

 

If I were you, I would gut it, sell all the interior and do a b20vtec swap. That was my first car a b20vtec crx. I miss it to this day

 

I dont doubt that you miss your car but thats bad advice, did you even read the OP's posts? dont strip your interior and b20 vtec isn't simple, go with a stock motor first

 

Yea I did read his post, he said his engine doesn't run. He could potentially spend hundreds of dollers on a crummy d series engine that won't raise the value of his car or make him happy in the long run. I guess what I meant to say was that he should go b-series. Why should this guy throw good money after bad when b16 swaps are selling for extremely low prices. Because his rex is an si the b16 harness will plug right into the stock chassis harness and the stock b16 mounts that come with most swaps will work. All he'll have to do is handle the two vtec wires. He will not only have a more interesting car, but one that will return his investment if he ever decides to sell it. Maybe someday he'll even take the leap and ditch the b16 bottom end for a b20b/z.

 

Thanks for all the advice...I'm seriously thinking about stepping up to a B series motor.
I'll probably start working on some of the bodywork, and cleaning up the engine bay. I'm not really mechanicaly inclined, but I've got a few friends that know what they are doing.

 

welcome and good luck!

 

 

BSERIES ALL THE WAY...

 

D-series motors are not crummy they are reliable just like any other motor.

 

It's been a minute since I last posted...was (and still) short on cash, so things are coming along slower than expected. Still trying to decide on motor options, (I've seen so many great examples you guys have). I figured that I would clean the motor, charge the battery and see if I could get the motor to turn over; I was hoping to go the mini-me route if things looked good...After cleaning I realized the original owner swapped the Si engine with one from a D15 Base model.
The guy I brought it from told me the motor wasn't running and he didn't bother to repair it due to he was going to do a swap...so this wasn't too bad of blow. But after all the reading, I was hoping to use the bottom end for the v-tec hybrid.

Since I've had some down time, I thought I would give it a shot, getting the interior (Fuse box, heater core, ecu, blower, and dash) back in order. First order of business: THE FUSE BOX (a.k.a. Spaghetti Junction)

I pulled out the Haynes guidebook hoping that it would tell me what I was looking at, and how to put it back in its place...NO LUCK!

I have a good bit of the harnesses plugged into the box...then I was stumped by a group of naked wires that seems to be coming/going into the door! I look for corresponding wires in the door. and engine, but didn't come up with anything.

As for the fuse box....I am now totally lost. Is there any manual (other than Haynes) that give a more detailed break down on what's going on here? I am not mechanically inclined, but I am mechanically curious, and I really wanted to do as much of this as I can, for the experience and the FUN!

...any advice that could be given would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

so the wires go into the door but you cant see them going anywhere? if they really don't go to anything then go ahead and pull them out of there. maybe someone was trying to wire up power door locks?

 

Alright, it's been a good minute since my last post. Here's the update:

1. Picked up a D16Z6 disassembled with some extra parts
2. Sent the top-end off to the machine for a good once-over, and rebuild (just for precaution)
3. The bottom-end will be sent to the shop in the next week or two for honing, decking, and cleaning.
4. Picked up new heater core and blower (don't wanna freeze my *** off)

I am being told by a few friends of mine to have the head shaved, and the cyl bored, but I'm not sure how this will effect the reliability of the motor. Also, I am looking for a good rebuild kit (pistons, gaskets, etc) to use. I'm not sure on a good set to get...any suggestions? I'm pretty much wanting to go with a stock/solid setup. Hey, I know it's not a b-series, but I'm hoping for it to be a lot peppier than the stock motor that came in it.

So in between time, I've been cleaning and steel wooling parts, and downloading manuals to get familiar with the body and motor. This **** is starting to become an obsession!

I've got some injectors that I've got to set rid of...the guy was running a turbo setup and from reading I see that Imma have to go with different ones.
Is there anything else that would be advised to do while the motor is apart, I'm sure that I'm gonna pick up a new oil and water pump.

(I'll post some pics up in the near future)

 

Ok....weather FINALLY took a turn for the better, thought I'd pull out the whip and jump back into things.
UPDATE: (Pics to come) The block is was bored and honed, new pistons. Picked up a new oil & water pump and grabbed a gasket set. Just a few more pieces to get.
Hopefully we can yank out the motor on Sunday...get the engine bay clean, and get things ready for the Z6 transplant.
Took time out today to replace the blower and heater core.
Here's a few pics from today (Gonna get more up soon).

 

loooks clean paint that hood tho like faded

 

get a video of when you start/break in your engine for the first time!!!!

 

well damn man it only took ya 4 months :p