Ok, so where do i start... well i got the swap from a friend of mine, ls bottom end, b16 pistons, port and polished gsr head. He was running E85 tuned with hondata no problems. Motor ran fine in his EF, took it out and dropped it into my 88crx. Well heres where the problems started, has a rough time starting and will not rev past 3300-3400 rpm. Check engine light reads a code 4 (crank position sensor). Checked our distributor wiring and everything is correct. Read a thread about the same problem and they switched 2 wires, tried that still no worky! Uggghhh, frustrated. Used a p28 with s300 tuned for gsr with cams, then used the p28 with s300 tuned for the motor with e85... same problem. Someone please enlighten me!

 

Also, clutch isnt needed to start car; done by previous owner. Dont know if that would cause the problem described, and if so how do i fix/replace?

 

all the ground points are there, if it worked and now it doesnt you probably missed some wiring.

 

Exactly my thought, heres the wiring pinout im using. Searched on HT and this is what i found...
obd0orange to obd2 dark blue
obd0 white to obd2 white
obd0 orange/blue to obd2 green
obd0 white/blue to obd2 red
obd0 blue/green to obd2 yellow
obd0 blue/yellow to obd2 black
obd0 large white to obd2 yellow/green
obd0 black/yellow to obd2 black/yellow
obd0 blue to obd2 blue

 

88 honda civic/crx were different in MANY ways from the 89-91 models. Some differences include the rear suspension, wiring, and clutch switch, among others. Funny thing is, I always had a problem with my 88 crx at the track initially because it did not have a clutch switch, but after they looked it up it was on the "excluded" list due to it not being equipped with one from the factory.

 

Well that explains why there isnt any hardware or wiring! Lol, learned something, thank you sir! So is it possible that ecu isnt getting a clutch switch signal and isnt letting the motor rev over 3300? What would explain the code 4? Mhmmmmm, more searching!

 

i think clutch switch is only for starter.
it shouldnt have anything to do with engine while its running.
back in the day installers used to bypass the clutch switch for turbo timer and remote start.

 

unless the ecu has a two step setup possibly. have you checked the dizzy or tried another one?

 

Ive come to the conclusion its in the crx wiring, still havent been able to take a look at it but will deff be going tonight. has to be the wiring, ran fine in a 90 EF, swapped directly into the 88 HF and problems...

 

Search the internet for 1988 pinouts. You'll find that 88's had slightly different wiring. Not sure if that's your issue, but its a possibility.

 

Also, you may need to upgrade that hf fuel pump.

 

I think the shocktower plugs have a little different pin out on your 88 crx vs a 90 hatchback. Also, is your crx a DPFI originally? Was the 90 ef a DPFI as well? SI?...

 

DING DING DING! Right on the money, the shock tower plug is diiferent on the 88. We re-pinned the plug on the engine harness and whallah! Appreciate the help guys!

 

LOL, yes sir thats a must! Cams, fuel pump, injectors, an s300 and a b16 tranny are on the way! Still havent decided if i want to do the master cylinder hydro conversion so i can run a type r. Decisions decisions!