I just got a 2000 Civic LX sedan w/automatic transmition. I tried to find something with a manual trany that fit my other needs/price range, but couldn't find one. My question is, should I even bother to drop a new engine with an auto trany? All the research I have done has talked of work with manual transmitions. This is a brand new hobby for me and I need some guidance please!

-Rob "Bossman" Houston

 

with that auto tranny , a new engine wont do much...you'll feel a little gain...to feel the REAL car ...you need a stick!

Auto's are great to learn how to DRIVE on. (also, its better to have an auto in bad traffic IMO)

But to get a real increase in power, since its newer...the tranny should be fairly good.....throw some boost on it...its cheaper than trying to do a whole engine swap. and you will feel the power....more than just installing pointless Intake, headers....exaust...i mean yea it helps...but its an auto. i read a lot that if your add spray (nos) to an auto...it helps a lot...BUT the tranny isnt made for it or something? I don't know, depends on what kind of driving you want to do.

Since this is your first civic, stay with what you have.....search on how to make turbo kits...get one made...(do it yourself) its cheaper than a new engine. And see what you can get out of your car.. oh yea...it's an LX....tranny gears are REAL LONG (longer than ex) the first "swap" you should do if any is a manual tranny....

 

Welcome to H-T
one of the most popular swaps is a B-series motor (B16a, b18c, etc...)

a b-series motor swap (complete motor, 5 spd tranny, ecu, axles, etc...)

you have a D-series motor (single overhead cam - sohc) - specifically you have a d16y7

B series motors are dual overhead cams - dohc

your D tranny will NOT work with a B series swap no matter if its a manual or auto

use the search function & make sure to click on archive topics for more info - you can convert your auto to manual as well - these topics have been covered before. for a search topic try "auto to manual" or "automatic to manual" archive topics

 

You can either spray it, or boost it. I'm honestly not sure how the auto tranny will hold up, but doing a manual conversion is also an option. It is a PAIN in the ***, but not impossible. Your best option would be to swap the b-series in with a manual tranny and do the conversion.