Last week I posted requesting help diagnosing my engine problems evidenced by coolant overflow and other problems. Over the weekend I looked a bit closer and determined my best option is to replace the engine and I'm looking at the JDM's as advised. So my question is, I have a '95 Civic LX that has a 1.5L SOHC 16 valve 5sp manual. One of the engines I found is similar specs, but it is a Vtec-E engine. I searched a bit to find the difference with this engine, and I liked what I read. I am all about fuel efficiency and don't care a bit about power. I'm just not sure if I can put a Vtec-E engine in my car inplace of the existing non-Vtec engine. Does anyone know if this swap is possible and if so, what extra steps/components are required? Also, if anyone has more knowledge on these engines, like longevity, maintenance issues, etc. that may help me decide if I want to make this swap (if it is possible) I would appreciate that too. Thanks!

 

It is doable, you'll just need the ECU for the motor, and you'll either need to wire up the vtec sensors and solenoid, or replace the wiring harness with the matched harness.

 

It's very doable. But there are a couple of things you should know.

The O2 sensor that goes with the engine is very expensive (like about $400 - $500 new) And to really get the extra mileage you'll need the long geared VX transmission as well (they aren't normally worth much if you can find one) And yes you will need to wire vtec, the EGR valve (you'll also need to get a control box for it from a VX and wire that in as well) and rewire for the 5 wire O2 sensor.

 

Here's a good thread:
https://honda-tech.com/forums/showth...3#post43799033
I have a USDM D15Z1 in one of my Del Sols and recently put in the correct ECU and O2 wiring.
I get a little over 45 mpg Hwy at running about 75mph, could easily get 50+ if I could manage to drive a little slower.

 

be easier to just go with a ob1 d15b7, and swap out for the vx/cx trans. I average 45 for both city and highway on a standard dx. Keep it at 65 and shift below 2k with lots of coasting in gear if I see a red light ahead.

 

You can also run a VTEC-E engine on your original ECU and O2 sensor. It will just be a bit underpowered with no VTEC, sluggish at higher rpms. (3k plus)
Mine was on a p28 with a 4 wire O2 sensor. It ran fine with no CEL. Just not a smooth power curve.

 

So yesterday I inquired about swapping a VTEC-E into my 95 Civic to replace the 1.5L SOHC NON VTEC engine with 5sp manual transmission. Sounds like if I want to do it right, I need to replace the transmission as well. Is there a specific model number I need to find? I need to dig a bit deeper but I may have found a JDM source that will sell the transmission along with the engine. If so, if I find a 1.5L VTEC-E with manual transmission, will it automatically be the correct transmission to maximize my fuel efficiency and will it be a direct replacement for my current transmission or are there other modifications I would have to make for it to fit up? Also, if I am able to find a good match (I think it comes with the ECU also), I might still need help finding the other components (wiring harnesses, control box, etc.) per the advice I was given in my previous posts. Also, the advice that my current O2 sensor would work; would that affect my efficiency or are there any drawbacks to that? By the way, thanks so much for the help with this so far. It has been very beneficial!

 

Bad advice if you claim you claim you want to do it right. I be;lieve the description was " It will just be a bit underpowered with no VTEC, sluggish at higher rpms.".

 

One thread per topic, related threads merged.

As far as the transmission goes one is a direct swap for the other. There are no markings to distinguish the two externally. You either have to pull them apart and count gear teeth or you can use this method: https://honda-tech.com/forums/tech-misc-15/how-tell-what-trans-you-have-without-reading-any-labels-anything-1967953/

You will need to run a 5 wire O2 with the VX ECU (unless you get a '93 - '95 California VX ECU, it uses a 4 wire O2 sensor and no lean burn)

The other stuff can mostly be sourced from a junkyard. Also you need a VX fuel feed line because of the way the VX line is bent to fit around the EGR valve.

 

Okay, so if I'm buying a VTEC-E engine with the transmission included, can I assume it is the correct transmission ("long geared" if I remember correctly?) or do I need to have the vendor specify the gear teeth? I just want to make sure that if I buy the transmission along with the VTEC-E engine, that I get the right combination to maximize my fuel efficiency.

 

Why do you not call the vendor that you are buying this off of to make sure?

 

As long as no one swapped the transmission for something else at some point then yes. You have a near 100% chance of getting the right transmission if you buy it as a package deal like you're planning to do.

 

Okay…If the engine/transmission are direct replacement, I’m confident I can make that swap, but the electrical side is where I’m getting hung up. Are there schematics or instructions anywhere on how to perform the steps you guys are talking about with the wiring aspects of this swap?