Sup guys,

yes Ive searched, read many post, I just want some new feed back and different opinions.

Ok, I have a 88 CRX dx. On the SMALLEST budge possible (500-700); I want to do an engine swap and mods such as intake exaust, coilovers etc. This will be my first engine swap, so most of it is for a learning experience.

Few questions, I eventually want a engine I can go turbo on. the dohc ZC is in my price range. Now Ive heard about building up D series etc, but Im doing all the labor myself so rebuilding internals is a little intimidating. The B series etc, take mounts and axles putting them out of my price range. Cheapest <-(most important) most effective.

also my front headlight ballast is a little messed up so I figued why not get HIDs if I replace them. I saw these on ebay but someone told they are fake?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...33710

Id like to hear your opinions stories, What would do you with a mini budget? and mainly for fun?

Thanks
~Amh

 

Save your money!!!!!!!!!!!!! $700 max is not a lot of money. Now what you can do is go buy some filter rip out your air box and use the oem hose and then you have a cheap inexpensive air intake, or use pvc pipe insted of the oem black tube/pipe. But like honestly, save up your money, it's well worth the wait.

 

buy a vtec head ($100-200), bolt it up to ur block and either stay obdo and run a vtec controller, or obd1 and buy an ecu etc,
mpfi (100ish),
header (100-150ish),
do a cheap intake,
lighten up ur car,
and with the rest, buy some nice tires

 

And if you arent the patient type like me then pull the motor take it apart and redo it with new rings,main bearings,waterpump,oil pump,head gasket to match the built a6 head(<--like i did) or any one of your choice maybe a vtec head swap z6 or y8.while you have the motor apart put new forged internals in this way you will be much safer to run some boost or spray.with a budget or 500-700 this all is very possible but the key is patience i dont have alot and that is why it also took more time and money in the end to do a built d16a6 swap in my 88 crx hf.but the end result is very pleasing to me my d-series motor pulls harder than my friends 3g b16 swap plus i spent only about half as much as he did.

 

I think a decent suspension setup would be more fun than any of the engine swaps in your price range. I'd recommend koni yellows and some lowering springs like h&r or progress. I'd save til you can get a better swap with more potential.

 

i did my car for around 1000 including that price of the car but i got really good deals good luck with the project....could find a d16a6 and si tranny for cheap then swap that in throw on an intake get some egay coilovers(you'll wind up replacing down the road if you do though.) and then start saving for a turbo kit.

 

cool,

I like seeing the different options I have. One reason I wanted to do the engine swap is mainly because Im worried that messing around in my car with 186k miles on my engine vs a JDM ZC with 30k, would save me money in the long run, IE the engine breaking. Then again its also a good idea about taking it apart and replacing gaskets etc. The one problem with that is its my daily driver.
and yet another option going with supension, I do like driving the canyons, and am hoping to go to a track soon. It would probably be safer to learn to control my car really well and with nice suspension before I try to add a lot of power. Then again if I could get a good deal on a ZC it would be fun to have the hybrid, and then continue to spend my money the new engine.

decisions and dreams lol

keep posting your ideas and opinions

oh and anyone know anything bout the link I put with the HID lights?

thanks

~AMH

 

ttt

 

You know that 30k rule they say isnt on target eh

they have no way of telling and Ive seen a b16a1 that was torn down from HMO, completely carbon, was disgusting, was like 6-7 bent valves and the pistons and connecting rod bearings were toast

I wouldnt limit myself to a motor budget of $700 though, do some suspension or just keep saving

If you could grab $1000

sohc zc - $450 (might find cheap if you can pick it up yourself and dont pay for shipping)
Ebay intake - $40
2.25" exhaust - $250
Zex dry nitrous 55 shot - $300

Youd have about 170hp, fun quick cheap little first car to learn on

THen when you swap your old motor old, buy an engine stand and take it apart, reassemble, adjust the valves, check clearances, big learning experience

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">2.25" exhaust - $250</TD></TR></TABLE>

Um.. I got my 2.25" after-cat exhaust for $60 at a local shop. And no there are not many bends and no they are not rippled. Plus, is all that money worth an extra 1-2 hp? Just get a dynamax turbo muffler and have a shop fab u an exhaust, they're cheap, effective, and you can design your own exhaust path. - Darrell

 

Id rather pay the extra $100 for mandrel bent pipe, yes its worth the extra 2-3whp, how much do you think youre getting from an exhaust? 50? not much

But ya, Cherry Bomb Turbo muffler are ******* great, I ran one with a regular cherry bomb muffler (long resonator looking thing) on my 2.25" and it sounded ******* great.

Not one ounce of rasp all the way to 7000, always deep, got mad compliments

Youre choice though

 

well yes that 100 extra dollars for 2-3 more whp from exaust could go to an intake or headers giving me even more HP, so that 100 dollars is very important. Today I had to buy some new brake rotors because one of mine is warped. that odda be fun.

so far im still thinking on eventually putting in a dohc ZC and then going turbo. some people tell me to stay sohc, but why? because its ezier to find parts? Im thinking I might as well get the cheapest bolt ons like just intake, then save my money for the ZC so when I am putting my money into building something its a better/newer platform. But im planning that in the future when I can have more money. Right now im thinking change rotors, pass smog (I faild because of high NO levels) I heard this is from the fuel most likley burning too hot, and to clean the carbs. I want to have that smog cert before I know I wont pass it lol. Any other advice this could help too. ill probably make a new post. And last, make a home made intake.

ok so anyone know about those HID headlights yet?

thanks
~AMH

 

yeha man those aren't HID headlights... they are just projector housings. i didn't read it too careful but i don't even think they include new bulbs.

 

if your budget is around 5-7 I dont think you'de be able to get a b-series going with that amount....go with a d16z6, decent stock power but VERY responsive to mods, and you can prob get it done under a grand. Best tranny is the si but you can find d-series trannies everywhere if you just wanna get it running.