Hi guys.

I run in the Atlanta region SCCA solo (autox) with my 91 si.

Now this is the heaviest EF chassis, and weight is the enemy.

Conversely, the 88 STD is the lightest EF, so I've started looking at what I can do to swap over the lighter bits from the earlier models to my car.

On rrax, I was advised that the 88-89 doors are 25lbs lighter each, so naturally I was interested in possibly swapping over. (the brunt of the weight comes from the seatbelts and bracing in the 90-91 doors)
I've also heard that the 90-91 door panels are 10lbs heavier...

Anyway, I got together with some guys from ecefc yesterday and hit the local Pull A Part to see how much of this is bolt-on (which it needs to be for my SCCA class).

Long story short, it is bolt-on!

Remove the chassis to door strengthening brackets (these aren't on the 88-89 and interfere with the 88-89 door closing):





*You will need a t40 star / torx bit.

Then the rest is a cakewalk.





Fitment is spot-on.
(shown here is a 91 chassis and 88 door)

You will need all the pieces for the doors - including exterior plastics and trim, door panels, and windows.

I wasn't able to do an accurate weight comparison, but once I complete the swap, I'll post up weights as well.

Thanks Richard (rbwdriven) and the other ecefc.com guys for their help with this comparison.

 

You are more than welcome on the help.

I'm guessing you went to advanced auto after we left?

I sent you a pm on ecefc about the 88 I found.

complete by the way it was looking.

 

To my understanding, according to an older thread covering the same swap there's a problem with the weather seal not sealing anymore when the doors are swapped. If I recall correctly air would seep in while driving making an audible wind noise even with windows shut (not to mention potential water leaks). I'll see if I can find the thread.

 

I could not find the thread.

There has been a number of threads about it.

I know the guy completely cut the support metal out of a 88/89 and put it on a 90/91 where the difference was.

also I found another guy saying what he did was put the 90/91 weather stripping on the 88/89 doors and wind noise went away.

We took pictures while at the JY on the places where that I had heard of was changing out metal.

But the doors bolt up and connect.

 

Can you post those pics? I'd like to see if you don't mind. I've always wanted to swap doors but never did because of the issues that may arise.

 

I'll post up more pics once I complete the swap.

 

You can see the light at the middle part of the door.

The door was fully tightened down and closed due to 90/91 parts.



The gap is where you will get the wind noise.

 

The problem isn't that there was a question of if it would fit or not, it was mainly with the seatbelt placement.

 

seat belts are easy.

you will need 88/89 seat belts or eg seatbelts.

In my 90 the seatbelt holes are there in the frame rail and center.

The b-pillar need to add the holes and lower mount.

In my 90 rex all the holes were there including the seat belt mounts.

I update my 90 hatch dx to 88/89 style belts.

Something about having a seatbelt attached to a door I was not to keen about.

 

Fixed.

 

Good to know!

 

After comparing weights, the 89si (Canada built) door was 5lbs lighter vs my 91 SI door - both fully dressed.

I believe that the 88 japan built cars have even lighter doors, and will compare that next.