I did some searching around the forums and noticed nobody has really done a full coverage of detail on the Canadian 1.6 EL. The car does share a number of similarities to the JDM spec Domani people often talk about and do front end conversions with.

This thread will be a work in progress, so i will be adding to it as i get time, i'm not doing the whole car in one shot.

I think this will help people see some of the other differences that the car car with, inside and out!! The 1.6 EL model was only made from 1997-2000 for the Canadian market, based off of the Japan spec model. It was basically a 4 door sedan model of the Civic, well addressed with premium options.

The came in 3 models, base, sport and premium. All models got power options such as windows, locks, cruise, p/s, center armrest, power heated mirrors, a/c and a special one off amber gauge cluster that included a tach. They all were powered with the sohc vtec 1.6l engine, same as found in the usdm civic ex. Suspension was a premium with basically the same setup as the usdm EM1 sharing 25% stiffer springs/stuts, a larger front sway bar, and regular rear sway bar. It had the larger front brakes, same as the usdm ex and Si models, but ABS was standard. Stock wheels were 15" steelies with hub caps and a decent low profile tire for an oem size of 195/55R15.

Options on the Premium models would add a leather interior upgrade with heated seats, rear disk brakes, sunroof, maplight, mag wheels, rear wing spoiler, lip kit, gold emblem pkg and exhaust tips.

 

The sport and premium models came with a black leather wrapped steering wheel, much like the dark gray one found in the 99-00 Civic Si. The steering column covers were also black in color. Here's a pic of the Civic Si wheel along side the EL wheel and cover

 

All years and models came with this upper center console and heater control. It's funny the even the 99-00 models has the manual sliders for the heat control. An amber clock was standard, as was keyless entry and a factory oem security system.

 

That's pretty cool/interesting. I wasn't aware that these existed.

 

The rear end had a different trunk lid and unique tail lights in classic white/red



Here's direct front end shot

 

Even the lighter tan colored interior got the black steering wheel.



The black leather was most common on the premium models, they had nice headrests too

 

Nice thread, I was seeing some people doing some of these EL front end conversions on there Civics and such.

 

good stuff in here

 

i want the el center shifter console

 

Here's a closer look at the shift console





Here's a pic of a guy who did the console swap into his civic

 

this is quite nice, is everything interchangeable between usdm ek and the canadian 1.6 el? how about some shots under the hood?

 

Yes everything is interchangeable.

Its a US version civic EX, with lots of options standard.

 

It is the same D16Y8 found on the usdm ex civic. I think the only difference is the stamping in the valve cover



Here's a closer picture of the valve cover

 

i want that valve cover....

 

i agree, like the 1.6 on the valve cover. hows about a pic or two of the pretty red one behind sitting on the bench.

 

And do these come in a 2 door version. i love the looks. how interchangable are the doors compared to 4 dr ek?

 

wanting that center console now

 

They are 4 door model only! The doors are the same as any civic sedan, but they do have very nice door panels, both for the cloth and leather edition models. I'll get some pics up in the next day or so.

 

and just to add, the trunk is also the same as on 4dr civics, for those who want the entire red/ white taillight combo. ( outer taillights are direct swap to 4 dr civics 96-00 without needing the trunk lid)

 

I got a couple better pics closer up of the cluster today for people to have a better look

 

do we have a 1.6 el for sale thread. i would love one of the clusters, valve covers, center consoles, and steering wheels

 

^^ I've currently got a console for sale. And I just halved the starting price. Link: http://hondamarketplace.com/showthread.php?t=2776580

Wish I'd seen this thread earlier. I just spotted TWO COMPLETE ELs at a wreckers. Both near-completely intact. One had the FULL LEATHER interior. I'll take requests and seriously consider going back if there's enough interest.

PM me if you're looking for more info (as some have done already).

 

Damn, if I ever manage to build a sohc, those are the first valve cover I would go for. Seeeems way better than just a VTEC.

Never liked our EK's converted to EL, but in the last few years, I think they found a way to grow on me.

Cluster is a + also.

Damn US, we never get anything good.

 

This isn't a sale thread, but anybody serious about EL parts can pm for info.

I will have some better valve cover pics tomorrow

 

What needs to be done to bring a car from Canada to the U.S.? love the look, did a little digging to find out that a lot o the parts are pricey and out of the country.