Well first I'd like to say Hi! This is my first post on these forums... my brother (doublethink) has been here a while and I check in, but I've never posted before. So Hello. I'm a 1989 Hatch STD owner.

So here's the story; My girlfriend went car hunting recently and stumbled on a mint condition 91 hatch DX for super super cheap. The engine has 179000 however. Now it's most definetly not on it's last legs... but with a new driver I only give it about 6 months until serious problems occurr. I would just swap in a new engine but here's the big issue: It's Automatic!

I'm aware that you can just order the D15 with less than 45000 for crazy cheap... but with such a mint body I figure why not jump up the extra and get a ZC. Couple of questions though, I don't know about the tranny:

1. Is that at all possible mechanically?
2. Is it so rediculously hard that a manual swap is the only option?

Now, she's completely capable of driving stick... but honestly (if it's possible) why not keep it automatic. She's not racing it... she's just driving it to school and work. I just wanna give her a little extra power (than either a replacement DX or usdm Si)

I'm not new to working on hondas... I've just never even bothered with their automatic trannys. I know the DX and Si transmissions bolt on to the ZC motors, but there's many clutch/engine interaction issues and mostly my lack of knowledge about transmissions in general makes me think I may be making a fool out of myself with this post.

So a "No, not possible, sorry." is fine. Please no "Haha you're a lameass buy a manual hatch."

Thanks Again

 

It will work just fine.
you will need to take the flex plate from your HF to replace the clutch/flywheel on the ZC motor and then you should be good to go.

You probably already know that you will have to do a DPFI to MPFI conversion.

You will be able to use an Integra auto ECU or the 90/91 Civic Sedan EX automatic ECU for the ZC motor. The STD ECU you have won't work. I don't think you would be able to use the ZC auto ECU because (from what I have read) the auto ZC tranny in Japan has dual lock up solenoids which are controlled by the ECU. The ECU may not like your STD tranny only having one.

 

Thanks so much! Very helpful ECU info. I wouldn't of known.

 

Be different then everyone else and swap a DOHC ZC along w/ the ZC automatic tranny.

Try calling http://hmotorsonline.com They got some hurrr

 

Ive done this swap in to my 90 auto EX sedan...

Nothing real special about the swap... its easy...

I used a true JDM ecu... i have no problems though with lock up solenoids...

my wife drives it to and from work... its got a nice extra kick... from the stock Si motor

 

You can get a ZC with an automatic tranny actually, I dunno if Hmotors has them or not but my ZC came with an automatic flex plate. I like getting them automatic like that because you know the car hasn't been downshifted extrememy brutally so they're not in as bad of shape as one out of a manual.

 

You can say that Auto motors are less worn, but in some cases (like with the B16A autos) I belive that they actually are detuned quite a bit, i.e. only one valve spring per side on the head, and less aggressive cams.