I'm looking into buying an EF hatchback, and I'd like to do some research on several things, but I don't even know what keywords to start searching under. Basically, I'm looking for an '88-'91 hatchback (not a CRX) and I'd like some basic information (keywords for search would help), links would be great.

1. What were the stock motor options/trim levels? (Again, keywords would help, I see terms like d16z8, y8, and ZC get tossed around, but not sure which cars they refer to.)

2. What type of fuel system does the car use? (MPFI, DFI, huh?)

3. Differences in trim levels? (There's gotta be a spreadsheet for this sort of thing? What's an HF? etc.)

4. Feasible/common motor swaps? (This one's general, but I'm pretty much an NA kind of guy,, focus would be on reliability.)

5. Finally, is an EF a car that someone with only basic mechanical knowledge can handle? I can do routine maintenance, and simple repairs, but I can't disassemble motors, or pull transmissions. Am I going to be screwed going to the mechanic every week, or is it possible for this 15 year old car to run reliably for me? My family had a 1989 Civic EX that ran like a champ for 11 years before getting totaled, so I have faith in the H, despite my avatar.

Thanks for your help fellas, I'm more than willing to search and learn, just need to be pointed in the right direction.

Peace.

 

well I can answer #5 as a basic car its great and reliable as hell and if you decide to beat on it it will still run like a champ unless your just driving like an ***.. The most miles I've gotten so far out of a honda has been a hard driving 186000 and it was still running perfect when I sold it. Brakes and struts and all the other basic stuff is pretty straight foward and with a good manual and the forum you should have no problem fixing most things. Oh and if you have any more questions be sure to use the search function and search in the archives there is alot of useful stuff in there.

 

first off, if ur in the us EF is not the correct name for the us trims. dumb kiddies call them EFs, because they are posers.

1) STD/DX = d15b2 dual point fuel inj. (DFI), Si = d16a6 multi port fuel inj (MPFI)

2) above.

3) HF = High Fuel, only available in the crxs i think its a d15b6 MPFI

4) NA is not always as reliable as most think, but anyways. everyone and their mother has a b16 swap (DOHC VTEC). b18s are nice too for torque, ZCs swap right in (sohc, dohc, sohc vtec), any d series (d16z6, y8, etc..)will be a 'Feasible' swap (the ones out of newer civics).

5) awesome cars to maintain. you had one for 11 years? you should know.

quick engine reference copied from:
http://www.hondaswap.com/refer...ngine

A20A3 Honda Accord 1988-1989
B16A Honda Civic VTi 1996-2000
B16A Acura Integra XSi/RSi (JDM) 1990-1993
B16A SiR Honda CRX SiR (JDM- rare 10.4:1 1991
B16A SiR Honda Civic SiR (JDM) 1990-1991
B16A SiR II Honda Civic SiR II (JDM) /del S 1992-1995
B16A2 Honda Civic Si 1999-2000
B16A3 Honda Del Sol 1994-1995
B16B Honda Civic Type R (JDM) 1997-2001
B17A1 Acura Integra GSR 1992-1993
B18A1 Acura Integra GS/RS/LS 1990-1991
B18A1 Acura Integra GS/RS/LS 1992-1993
B18B1 Acura Integra GS/LS/RS/SE 1994-1995
B18B1 Acura Integra GS/LS/RS/SE 1996-2000
B18C SiR-G Honda Integra SiR-G (JDM) 1995-1997
B18C Spec R Honda Integra Type R 1997-2001
B18C1 Acura Integra GSR 1994-2001
B18C3 Honda Integra Type R (JDM) 1996
B18C5 Acura Integra Type R 1998-2001
B20A3 Honda Prelude 2.0 S 1990-1991
B20A5 Honda Prelude 2.0 Si 1990-1991
B20B Honda CRV 1997-1998
B20Z Honda CRV 1998-2001
B21A1 Honda Prelude Si 1990-1991
C30A Acura NSX 2002+
C32B Acura NSX 2002+
D15A2 Honda CRX HF (Carbed) 1984-1987
D15B Honda Civic VTi (EG4) 1991-1999
D15B2 Honda Civic DX/LX, CRX DX 1988-1991
D15B6 Honda Civic HF / CRX HF 1988-1989
D15B7 Honda Civic DX/LX 1992-1995
D15B8 Honda Civic CX 1992-1995
D15Z1 Honda Civic VX 1992-1995
D16A1 Acura Integra 1986-1987
D16A3 Acura Integra 1988-1989
D16A6 Honda Civic Si/ CRX Si 1988-1991
D16A8/9 Acura Integra 1988-1989
D16Y5 Honda Civic HX 1996-2000
D16Y7 Honda Civic DX/LX/CX 1996-2000
D16Y8 Honda Civic EX 1996-2000
D16Z6 Honda Civic EX/Si/Del Sol Si 1992-1995
D17A1 Honda Civic DX/LX 2001+
D17A2 Honda Civic EX 2001+
EW4 Honda CRX Si 1985-1987
F20A Honda Accord 2.0Si (JDM) 1990-1993
F20C Honda S2000 2000+
F22A1 Honda Accord 1990-1993
F22A1 Honda Prelude S 1992-1996
F22A4 Honda Accord 1990-1991
F22A6 Honda Accord 1991-1993
F22B Honda Prelude Si 1992-1996
F22B1 Honda Accord EX 1994-1997
F22B2 Honda Accord DX/LX 1994-1997
H22A Honda Prelude SiR (JDM) 1997-2001
H22A Honda Prelude 1999-2001
H22A Honda Accord SiR 1994-1997
H22A Honda Prelude Type S (JDM) 1997-2001
H22A Honda Prelude VTEC 1992-1996
H22A1 Honda Prelude 1997-1998
H22A1 Honda Prelude VTEC 1994-1996
H23 Honda Prelude Type S (JDM) 1993-1995
H23A1 Honda Prelude SE/Si 1992-1996
K20A Acura Integra (JDM) 2001+
K20A Honda Civic Type R (JDM) 2001+
K20A Integra Type R (JDM) 2001+
K20A Acura Integra IS (JDM) 2001+
K20A2 Acura RSX Type S 2001+
K20A3 Acura RSX (base) 2001+
K24 Honda CRV 2002+
ZC Honda CRX (JDM) 1990-1993
ZC Honda CRX Si16/1.6i (JDM) 1989-1992
ZC Honda CRX Si (JDM) 1985-1987
ZC Acura Integra (JDM) 1990-1993
ZC Acura Integra (JDM) 1986-1989
ZC Honda Civic Si (JDM) 1986-1987
ZC Honda Civic Si (JDM) 1988-1991

gluck

 

yes its a great car to buy and yes its easy to do maintenence work on its the easiest honda to work on just make sure you get an si, and its a 5speed dont waste your time if you cant drive.........and its the most dependable car as well my lawyer has a 1990 accord and it had 300,000 on it! i couldnt believe it but thats what your car will do if you change the oil and keep it garage kept,i think every car idiot knows that one,parts are easy to find and just about any motor can go into one and its light! and the interior is pretty roomy,ive had my 91 si hatch for about a month know and i love every bit of it, theres so much stuff i can do to it and its the funnest car to drive in the world....so in closing yes definatley get one you wont regret it

 

oh yea vw's suck kill yourself if you drive that **** hehe

 

Thanks for all the input, here's the second volley of questions:

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">first off, if ur in the us EF is not the correct name for the us trims. dumb kiddies call them EFs, because they are posers.</TD></TR></TABLE>

So what is it called? Annoying to say "1990 Civic hatchback, not the CRX" all the time, there's no jazzy two letter code that will refer to the car specifically?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
5) awesome cars to maintain. you had one for 11 years? you should know.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's exactly it, there was no maintenance. Just gas and oil.

Okay, time to get searching.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 91sihatchback &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">oh yea vw's suck kill yourself if you drive that **** hehe </TD></TR></TABLE>

Haha, love my VW, I've had 3, and this Civic will be my first non-VW. Trying to expand my mind and all.

Thanks again.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by iamdoingthat &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So what is it called? Annoying to say "1990 Civic hatchback, not the CRX" all the time, there's no jazzy two letter code that will refer to the car specifically? </TD></TR></TABLE>

hatch, hatchcrap, hatchback, snatchback, 4th gen hatch, shitbox, etc... proper chassis code would be ED.

 

in japan they are labeled as EF's and that refers to all 88-91 Civic Hatches and CRXs

in the US they are labeled ED's. they are both basically the same thing, that is why people call them EF's. there is also a number that goes after ED, EF, etc. that shows the trim level.

and also if you are getting a hatch i would go for an Si because it already has D16 and MPFI and other little goodies.