Hey guys!

I have an 89 CRX DX, this is my very first project car, and man is it a project!

I have been doing a lot of research and still really indecisive about which swap I want to do. I have been looking at the B16, B18 and B20 as well as an H22 or H23. Would like opinions, and which engine is it that bumps the hood up?

I want power, but not excessive, I use it as a 2nd vehicle to save on gas when in a crunch, but I LOVE taking corners and going fast. I also need an opinion on what kind of hybrid transmission I may need to look into because I do most of my driving on the highway. Right now I'm doing 70mph @ about 3400-3500 RPMs. What do ya'll think? Opinions on motor, how much of a headache each one is to swap, so on and so forth.

Thanks!

 

I would do b20 with b16 head with LS tranny. Good torque, good top end power and one helluva vtec x-over. LS tranny will be a little more enjoyable on the freeway and slightly easier on the gas bill. Before any swap, i would recommend knowing what motor mounts you wanna run, upgrading suspension, and definetely upgrading your brakes. If its a DX, you might wanna switch to rear disc brakes. Yeah, most guys will tell you that the front brakes do most of the work, which is true, but i could tell the difference between rear drums and discs. As far as motor mounts go, I would look into Innovative Mounts. They make good mounts for the price, and also make a full traction bar that allows you to run a front torque mount which isn't very common in b series swaps in any civic or crx. That'll really help with keeping the wheels on the ground. I guess i'll stop blabbering. I've had 2 crx's both with B series swaps so I'm a bit biased. '91 DX with jdm b16a with every bolt on imaginable and now a '90 HF with a built LS/vtec (200whp/141tq) I'm switching out my jdm b16 lsd tranny for an A1 (90-91 LS tranny) because I drive freeway mostly as well. Hope this was a bit of a help, pm if any questions, good luck

 

i agree b series is best fit for these little cars, the h series are a lot harder to fit in the engine bay

 

Thanks, I figured the H motor would be more of a headache, I mean I know you have to beat in on the frame to get it or swap out a smaller alternator or something. I planned on getting Hasport motor Mounts. My friend keeps telling me to do a B20 and that's what I was leaning more towards anyways, just kinda liked the look of the H.
Since the B20 isn't VTEC don't you have to "tap" the block when you put on a vtec head for something like oil to run or a sensor? I also heard that there is a part you can buy for the LS VTEC swap that you screw into the oil filter hole and plug the oil filter into it that comes tapped, I dunno.
I do know that I plan on upgrading suspension all around, plus I have to switch to OBD1 or 2 and upgrade from DPFI to MPFI so on so forth... I know there is a lot of work to do and that's why I am getting opinions in advance so I can plan it all out. I may piece the engine together like my friend suggested but I haven't decided. I know there are online places like hmotors online and tiger japan that give complete swaps, ecu, harness, cv axles and etc but nothing for the B20 swap, engine only... I kind of want a one stop shop like that, if you know of any online store that may offer a complete b20 swap? And what exactly is the difference between a long intake and a short intake manifold?

 

Don't think there's a difference as its just air till fuel is introduced at the end of the runners

 

I just got an 89 Civic (std) with the crappy little 4 speed, but I have a 5 Speed Si Tranny that I can swap it for, my main question I guess is which D Series motor can I run that will fit the 5 speed I already have, it has a D15B1 in it with DPFI and the EM with the catalytic converter built into it.

I do plan on going with MPFI when I can afford it, as well as an aftermarket exhaust system for the new engine ( again when I can afford it ) as well as whichever ECU I need.

Well sorry for rambling on, new here also, but I liked the feel of the community here.