i've been thinking about getting rid of my 2003 accord and getting a civic hb and doing a swap. dont get me wrong, i love my accord. its just the notes are killing me. the problem is, i really dont know which civic would be the best to buy. i really like the 96-00 hatchs, but how much more difficult would a swap be with that than with a crx or older civic. and what would be better, b16, or b18? i do know i would go all motor. i want this to be a daily driver, so i guess a newer car would be better. any help would be appriciated. thanks

 

I'll trade you for my 99 EX coupe!

 

its a thought, but i dont think so. i'd really like to get a hatch and do a swap. anybody have any suggestions?

 

? eg ? or 99-up civic hatch back new front end or any 1 will do as long as you do it up right

 

i'll definately do it up right. i was just wondering if i could get the decent performance from a hatch with a b16, or should i go with a b18c1 or c5? and which is the better chasis? what should i look for when picking a car? obvioulsy i will find a stick, but which trim level would be best? i just want to make sure i do it right, cause i will definately want this car to last a while. thanks

 

last a while = 99-00 EJ6 w/ the newest b18c5 motor you can find.

if you want SOME luxury get the DX, and buy EX door panels. Si cluster, and itll last you a long while.

 

Check this thread out its helpful.
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=453004

 

so does anybody else want to jump in? i'd like all the feedback i can get.

 

I just bought a 96 hatch(DX) and I am happy with it so far. I plan on doing a swap in the future and a friend told me that it's easier in the 96+ because the engine bay has more room than a 92-95. Plus I wanted a car to last awhile, too. So I went with the newer one and I love it! Good luck.

 

If you want straight speed do a newer CX hatch(get one with AC if you want a lil luxury). These come with power nothing, but they also weigh just over 2000lbs. Swap in a B18C1/5 whichever you can afford. Good base to start with and save for parts as you go, then slap them all on at once for a nice lil beast.

Chris

 

get a vx hatch. They weigh the same as a cx and are already wired for vtec i do believe.

 

sounds good. so this would be like a 96 and later vx, right? how easy of a swap would this be? are there any major problems to overcome? and how will a hatch like this handle? strait-line performance is my main concern, but handling is a close second.

 

i believe they only made the vx in 92-95 civics.

 

ok. say i wanted a 96 or newer hatch. what would be the best one of those to try and find? or are they more trouble than they are worth? thanks for the help.

 

The 92-95 civics are a little sportier in that they have a little bit stiffer springs and a much quicker steering ratio (at least on the EX models). They also have rear discs brakes which the 96 and up don't (at least not on the coupe models). If you want comfort then the 96 and up civics are definately more plush and comfortable. Personally I would look to buy a 99/00 civic si. It is much less hassle to smog and already comes with the engine you want. It is faster than regular civics and have sporting seats and handling just stock. Its almost guaranteed to last a long time. Its priced not too far off of what your proposing.

 

Oops, sorry. I didn't read the line that said you wanted a hatch. Nevermind the previous post then.

 

actually, i wouldnt mind having an 99-00 si. right now its kind of a toss up between building a hatch, or just buying an si. both have huge aftermarkets, and i think i would be just as happy with either one. any pros/cons to help me chose?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SOHC_MShue &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i believe they only made the vx in 92-95 civics.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Correct

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Zanpakuro &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Check this thread out its helpful.
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=453004</TD></TR></TABLE>

^^Read that thread^^... And if you do decide to get a 92-95 Civic. Read this thread explaining the Trim Level differences: https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=150315

VX's only available from 92-95. And yes they are all pre-wired for VTEC. All 92 Civics are also pre-wired for VTEC. After 92 (93-95) only the VX, Si hatches are pre-wired for VTEC.

 

so what should i do? build the hatch, or just buy the si and mod it? any opinions would be appriciated.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by newaccordguy2003 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so what should i do? build the hatch, or just buy the si and mod it? any opinions would be appriciated. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Depends on how much work you want to do...a swapped hatch will run off on a Si with bolt ons all day long though.

 

so how much work are we talking about here? what would it take to do it right? how much harder, and more expensive, would it be to do a b18c1/5 swap than a b16? is the extra cost and work worth it?

 

so does anybody else have any opinions?

 

Just go with your gut. If you really want the hatch, then get it. If you really want the Si, then get that. I would just really think about it and get the bodystyle you like the most. Then you will be happy with the car itself and you can mod it as you go. I'd get the hatch if I were you. They rule!

 

IMO i say get the 99 hatch or an Si