Hi Everyone - I am new in this group and I need your help /advise. I need to know which engine is good to swap in honda crx 91 si without making any dent or major alteration.
looking for street driving.
( Currently car has no engine)
( I saw lots of options but I am not sure which engine to choose as I am new and first time although I am a civic lover and since 2006 I am driving honda civic model 2006 and 2010. Crx is my dream car since many years but never had a chance.
Thank you

 

Without making a dent in your wallet you could just drop in a stock d16a6? They are fun and reliable motors, cheap to repair, great on gas and if maintained properly will run for a very long time. Or if you want some more power get a b18 but then you have a list of things that need to be changed to put it in.

 

@Maxcapacity thank you for your kind advise...can I get some more details on b18 engine as I am facing difficult to find here in UAE and what things will need to change

 

Sounds like you have a lot to learn.. a simple search will give you all the info needed for dropping in a b series motor into your crx. Ecu, shift linkage, axles, engine mounts, motor, tranny, some wiring are the majority of what needs changing.

 

​​​@Maxcapacity thanks for your guidance.
I am not sure which model is the car as it is parked since long. Attaching some pics for your help and guidance how to start and restore it.

 

​​​@Maxcapacity thanks for your guidance.
I am not sure which model is the car as it is parked since long. Attaching some pics for your help and guidance how to start and restore it.

 

I don't see any resistor box in the engine bay but not sure what motor originally came in yours because where you are from and because it looks different then of what I have dealt with but nice chassis to build since it looks like it has a similar front end to a Si-R model judging by your headlights and it' a CRX!, I have owned my 400hp crx for over 20years and I'm almost done building and restoring mine. It's so mint. I told my wife I want to be burried in it when I die lol. You can pick any b series motor that is obd0 or go obd1 and drop it in since your starting from scratch basically or keep it cheap and drop a d16 motor in there. Don't bother with a z6 because they feel torqueless compare to a a6 motor even since it has a bit more power, I've had many setups so just suggesting simple and cheap for now but it's all up to you as what you want to spend..
I think a fun motor for you would be to take a 90-93 acura integra (ls/rs/gs) trim doesn't matter.. motor, tranny, ecu and axles then you would just need is shift linkage and and motor mounts. That setup is all drop in ready and mostly plug and play for the most part. Just would need to figure out the routing of vacuum lines which is fairly simple.

 

thank you....nice to know how passionate are you about your car. Please share some pictures.
yes previously engine sold by my brother, I think it was D series modified engine along with transmission as I wanted to restore and swap engine but when I took out interior fittings to restore the body some of the car interior parts mistakenly through in a dustbin 🗑 by cleaners. Then I felt sad and didn't continue to restore for couple of years.

Now I really want to accomplish my dream.

As you suggested accura integra 2nd generation which engine you will recommend B18a1 or B16a and most important are these bolt on with mounting adjustment or need some dent in the car? What you recommend as previously recommended D16a1 (1st generation)

I am little confuse which one to choose to start searching and what parts should I buy along with the engine. Sorry I am new that is why I asking very basic information.

Need your guidance and suggestions.

 

Get the b18a1. The b16 is fun but pricey..
You have the option of doing a ls vtec down the road side make more power and torque than the b16.
You just need to get the shift linkage and motor mounts then go to a wrecker and pull all the other parts if your able to off a integra. Whatever route as for motor it's all very easy to do..

 

My current build.. a forged internal b18c1 block, b16a head, b16a tranny with lsd on 14 psi. Made 321whp last dyno session. Now upped the boost, completely rebuilt the tranny, motor, head all done by me.
My first swap was the b16 then more power was wanted, turboed it then still wasn't enough, built the b18 block sold the b16 block and then it turned into a money pit. All that's left is fitting my new rad, bleeding brakes and top up fluids but having kids made this build a slow progress. Good luck finding good condition interior parts, I was lucky to find a mint set of 89 si seats, mint carpet and everything else 10years ago. Since then I only drive the car in the summer and keep it spick and span, everything is mint still, even the climate control. I welded in new quarter panels taken from donor crx's and made perfect fit rocker panels at work. Then had it painted night hawk black. I did all the work and am very happy to have the only crx in town, rust free and looks better than newer cars. One day maybe yours will be in great shape too, just pick at it and get parts as they come by because you may never see them again.

 

WOW it is like a bull very nice and clean car. 👌

I am unable to find B18A1 or B16A1 engines, can you please help where to find or what other engines I can use which less alterations but it should be as per the UAE law as I will need to take road permit to drive a car in UAE

 

Can you just find a donor car civic hatch back or crx that is a 88-91 and be a si model? Take everything you can and swap it over. You will need the same engine wire harness that came with your crx to make things work easy for your swap.
One thing to be careful of is the coolant hose going to the heater core on the fire wall.. when you go to clean everything up, just watch out for that and if replacing it - cut it off and don't use pliers.. Last thing you want to do is collapse the pipe as they can be fragile, you'd be opening another can of worms pulling the dash and having to use a aftermarket replacement.

 

I am trying searching but not finding a car......I found b16/b20 block but expensive almost usd2000k
is it worth to buy?

Attached Image for your suggestion

 

That is expensive for what it is, buying a motor like that better come with a good known history and with a good tranny, I would hot wire the starter and do a compression test on it hoping for little variance between readings - less than 10 psi between cylinders. Would also need to take into account all the other things needed to make it run in your car..
What does it all come with?
Does it come with a wire harness that will plug into your chassis harness? Need axles, shift linkage, mounts, a tunable ecu with obd0 to obd1 ecu conversion since it would need proper tuning because it's a custom motor unless it already comes with one and other things that just racks up the bill. In the end your looking at a lot of money but anything is possible.. How much do you want to spend. Personally I would hunt for a wrecked or donor 90-93 integra and take it's swap since you would only need mounts and shift linkage and go from there. You would still have the option of doing a LS/vtec down the road.

 

hi, how are you and thanks for your advise.

I have new b series innovative shift linkage long time back I bought it but engine owners doesn't have any other part accept for engine only and on top not sure about its condition.

For a donor car, please look for me but i have a very tight budget, can spend max 2000k in 1 short and then slowly I can buy the rest of the stuff.
Thank you

 

Well your budget would be spent getting that motor, along with a lot more to be spent down the road getting that running properly in your car. I would not get it personally. Plus it has a hydro tranny which you'd also need a cable to hydro conversion which could be a pain. Factoring in all the things you would need plus making the car road worthy from it sitting so long, your looking at a hefty bill.
Are you doing all the work yourself or paying to have it done?
I can't look for you as I'm in B.C Canada, that will be on your end. Me and others on here can only help with giving opinions on things. Take your time to look around and see what you can find, It's all up to you as what you want and how much you want to spend in the end. Going with a customized motor will cost you a lot. Going with a stock motor will be your best bet and finding a cable tranny to make it a bit easier..
Money is too easy to spend when it comes to the things you want but better be worth it for your end goals. Don't get into something you are unfamiliar with because you could get soaked and still want something better.
Look and be patient, read and learn, plan your goals and start from there.
I was oblivious at the tag in the engine bay lol.. your car came with a d16z5 which I read about being similar to the zc motors and the d16a9 which Ive seen..
Good luck getting her going again.