Hey guys and gals, im droping a 96 gsr motor into my 96 civic hatchback. I recently purchased a 96-98 civic ex engine harness to use, heres my question....Do you think its a better idea to drop the GSR motor in 1st and then wire up EX harness on the motor OR wire up the EX harness on the GSR motor while its out? let me know

 

I'd uninstall the stock engine and run the harness while there's NO engine in it... it'll give you more room to work with...

 

I would like to NOT have a check engine light as well, what do you recomend?

 

run it in the car while motor is out.. bolt motor in, connect everything up.

 

wire up first, hang shock tower plugs over valve cover, drop in, and then plug up the shock tower plugs

 

does anyone know how i can avoid gettin the check engine light? also, has anyone done this swap before? with the ex harness i mean....

 

what ecu?

That's going to determine what codes pop up more than which engine you use...

For example an obdI p28 running an obdII type R motor won't through codes (I'm only talking about un-attached equipment codes... not that the stock p28 will run a type R properly) because it's not looking for the knock sensor. or secondary o2 (if there is one on a type R).

 

Im using a 96 GSR ecu....
hey i would like to say im almost done with the wiring on my GSR motor (motor not in). Im pluging up my EX harness onto the GSR motor and extending some wires. let me tell ya its practically impossible to get the EX harness onto the GSR motor and do all the extending of the wires if I were to drop the motor in 1st (glad I didnt). Seeing that the harness runs behind and under the intake manifold....I would say the best way is to do it as mr. Emerika mentioned. Hey did I tell you guys that this is my 1st do it myself swap?