As a previous, current and future 4th Gen owner i can't get enough of these cars. Sure everyone i have ever owned the radiator blew up but hey its worth it in exchange for cheap parts, reliable service, and an abundance of aftermarket support. My two previous 4G cars were a Burgundy 89 Civic DX (that was quickly converted to b16a and later turbo'd 13.5@112 on street tires) and my current black CRX Si (92 D16Z6 I/H/E blah blah) I may be selling it soon to my bro's friend cuz he loves it so much. I was planning on getting a 92-95 coupe/hatch for under 3k but in my area people know the "value" of a hatch and all the other cars for cheap are 93-95 sedans, so I want to stay with the 4G's and get a 4 door. I've always liked them so now the opportunity has arisen I've found i don't know all i need to know about the models. I was leaning towards the 88-91 EX 5spd because of the MPFI setup and the tranny but i know its probably the most expensive of the three models because of its rarity and options. I am pretty sure that the LX and DX are both Dual point fuel injected but not sure of the tranny ratios for each of them. I would lean towards an LX model if it has the Si/EX tranny ratio despite the fact that it is Dual Point simply because of the pain in the **** wiring from DX to Si that i will have to perform when i swap in the future (on my DX swap i just changed over the entire harness to an Si unit as opposed to adding wires to the DX harness.) I also have no idea of the brake setups on these models but i suppose the EX's from at least two of the years has disc breaks in the back(i really don't care either way i have lived with rear drums on both my DX and Si so it really won't alter my decision.) Alright that was a mouthful but i have to ask your opinion on one more detail, i don't want to spend a lot of cash on the swap in the future (cuz i never have, never will) and i won't so if you were doing a swap(i'm not doing a b series so don't suggest that cuz i don't want to go that route) from these choices:
1.Mini Me
2.D16Z6/Y8 swap
3.ZC DOHC(does anyone know how much HMO or Osaka wants for this motor?)
4.D16A big cam and bolt ons
thanks for listening and reading my rant and oh yeah are there any 4G 4DR specification sites that are worth going to??

 

if you do a minime you've gotta have proper fuel setup and such, it'll cost some money...the whole vtec motor swap is the same, expensive and if done right, its costly, zc dohc is a direct bolt, pretty much, and its 130 hp..not tooo bad...and an a6 with big cam will suck the fuel right out of your tank

 

I'd say choice number 3 would be just great!

 

hey fellow 4dr admire/owner

EX = d16a6 with Si tranny + the commodates
LX = power everything but cruise
DX = base

EX only came 90-91
Both LX and DX came with d15b2 exact same car but with power options

i'd go ZC turbo

all 4drs came with rear drums don't think i've heard of rear discs on the EX

ZC drops right in with no need for mounts the enginebay is the same as the hatches

 

90-91 EX came with the biggest brakes of any 4th gen(USDM) 10.3" vs others 9.5"

90-91 CRX SI was the only 4g to get rear discs

Despite what people think the EX did not come standard with a sunroof(dont let anyone else tell u otherwise)

Yes it comes with basicaly an SI drivetrain......but i believe the final drive is slightly longer on the EX

Be prepared to look long and hard for an EX you like..... theyre either beat to hell or 7000 dollars.....

 

everything they said above is correct except about the brakes.
90-91 EX and 90-91 crx si both came with rear disc brakes.

i went with a Y8 because :deep breath:
i wanted something that i knew the exact mileage of the motor, didnt want to replace all sorts of parts on the motor. i bought a p28 to go with it because i knew OBDI would be the better choice down the road. bolting it in is easy but i had to pay up the *** for the wiring from a guy in my neiborhood but he did a really clean job and the motor runs great. i am very satisfied with what i paid and i know i paid more then any of you in the states would. im still using my stock trans and on the freeway keeping up with other modestly modified cars isnt really a problem like it was with the dual-injected 1.5


[Modified by sleepinEF2, 11:31 AM 1/15/2003]


[Modified by sleepinEF2, 11:32 AM 1/15/2003]

 

Awesome responses thanks guys. I love the Z6 in my rex right now and if i do decide to get rid of it i will miss it, for a basically stock suspension(sprint 1.5"s, f/r upper ties) it handles awesome and the Z6 helps get me out of turns quicker. I was thinking of going with the Y8 this time because i might be able to get one dirt cheap or free but i get anyone to email me back from HMO or Osaka for prices on the ZC Dohc so i don't have too many options otherwise. As for the wiring on my Z6 i just ran wires for vtec and pressure and used a PR3 ecu(knock sensor removed by Locash) from my old b16 swap and it runs great(14.9@94) so i might just have to do that again with the Y8 if the opportunity arises. I am kinda taking a break from the track scene for a while and want to concentrate more on handling with the 4dr but i need some type of beginning power to get me started cuz i know i will want something a bit more peppier than the A6 or the DP1.5. Thanks again and happy driving

 

i'll quit bugging you all soon but i have another question that someone may be able to answer but do any of the 4dr models have factory rear sway bars, just curious because in the future i want to add a larger rear sway without having to swap over control arms from an si or ex, thanks

 

man...dont let your 4drs down with a weak *** ZC....go ***** out and do CRVTEC...
thats what i have in my car.....13.01@105mph on slicks and 14.00@104mph street no traction

 

As an owner of a '91 EX, I say lok for the EX.

It's got all sorts of neat l'il options that the Si's or Hatches don't have, WITH the drivetrain. I paid $1200 for mine in good shape (but a shload of miles).

I love the car. I've had a '91 LX (ZC powered), a '91 Si Hatch, a '90 (B16) and '91 (built D16A6) CRX Si, and a '90 DX (stock). I like my EX the best.

 

Flame suit on?

Ive owned 2 EXs and seen many many other EXs.... NO FOUR DOOR CAME WITH REAR DISCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CRX SI ONLY CAME WITH REAR DISCS!!!!!!!!!

 

Agreed....

 

Mine will have rear discs.


Heh.

No sunroof, either. Weird, but my EX has all the options... air, cruise, power windows and locks, blah blah blah... but no rear speakers. It has the wires run and cutouts (that would have to be knocked out) but has never had a rear speaker in that back deck.

Hrm.

 

really that's odd ex voto

my dx came with factor 50W dual cone front speakers and i guess the old ladie's son put in some sony's in the rear..

i also have all the options but cruise cause mines a 89.. stupid dx or lx never came with cruise

hey ex voto.. do people get in your car and ask where's the lever to roll down the windows and they lock their door b4 they close it? damn it it may be 13 years old but we got the luxuries too!!!

 

Personally, I like the power window lockout on my door. Pisses EVERYONE off after I leave my favorite Mexican restaurant.

 

Oooh, get an 88DX. They are cheap (mine was $800 and in VERY good mechanical condition) and the lightest of the bunch. I love the unpainted bumpers too (not kidding). If I could do it again I would've got a burgandy (sp) one instead of the burnt marshmallow or whatever it is.

I love the 4 door. Its a pretty good sleeper for only having a stock B18a under there.

Ben

 

Dude don't get a EX 4dr it is to heavy to race at all. I have a 90 EX with a b16 and it only runs 14.5 on streets. It is fully guted and it still 2150lbs. The power windows and door locks still work, but i wish it was a DX. If you try to autocross a 90 EX with a SOHC you will get passed by a 90 DX with a SOHC due to the weight.
So if you want your 4dr to be fast get a 90 DX and swap a b16a.

 

Yeah, my DX with the B18 is 2060 with interior (except no tar, AC, heater, or stereo). 14.5 is really good for that weight and motor.

Ben

 

I dunno, man... I love my EX. 208k miles and it still has the original clutch... with my driving it won't last much longer, tho.

 

I have an 89 DX 4-dr ZC that I bought with the swap already in it for $1300!!! The guy that sold it to me was retired air force and had no idea of the value of the car. It's in pretty much mint shape and the install is VERY clean with cold, working R134A A/C. The only reason that it even has the ZC is because the air force guy took it to a shadetree honda mechanic (known for his swaps) and the mechanic told him that this would be cheaper than fixing the tired 1.5 with no compression in 2 cyls. Talk about a great deal! It's still rollin' steelies with black bumpers, so it surprises everyone I pull up next to at the lights.

Go for the DX w/ ZC swap. You can always go for the 90-93 teg rear discs later and put 90-91 EX knuckles, accord wagon calipers, and redrilled 4x100 prelude rotors on the front if you're concerned with brakes.


[Modified by nuc79, 4:38 PM 1/17/2003]


[Modified by nuc79, 4:41 PM 1/17/2003]