Howdy folks,
I've come across an obd1 LS engine that I'm going to toss into my 96 CX. My CX, unfortunatly, is OBD2. For emissions reasons, I'm going to try to stay OBD2.

I've tracked down an OBD2 ECU and Dizzy, but I'm curious as to what else I'll need. Can I use my existing CX wiring harness with some form of adapter?

Anyone happen to have a list handy for this kind of undertaking?

Thanks

 

the only thing your really gonna need to do is make sure you use a obd-2 dizzy and ecu you also need to probably get a cat with 2 o2 holes use your existing harness all plugs should work as long as the car ran before

 

Ok, So current list stands as
1 odb2 ECU
1 obd2 dizzy
1 harness adapater (any help here is greatly appreciated)
1 bung to weld onto odb1 exhaust system for 2nd o2 sensor

Sound about right?

 

Here's some thorough information for this type of swap (OBD1 engine into OBD2 civic) and a breakdown of what you'll need in order to get this swap to work in your 96 CX:

First off, its always best to get an engine that's made of the same OBD spec as your car. In your case, an OBD2 (96-01) LS engine would be choice, but is not the case at the moment.

Wiring.
You cannot use any integra engine harness in a EK civic, because of the 2-piece design integra harnesses have. All EK civics use a 1-piece engine harness design; this makes integra harnesses incompatible with EK civics. You HAVE to use an EK engine harness, respective to the OBD2a or OBD2b type your EK is, if you want to be headache free when it comes to the wiring aspect of your swap.

ECU issues
When doing an OBD1 engine swap into an OBD2 vehicle the ECU you decide to use can become an important issue. You shouldn't have any problems if you use a JDM OBD2 ecu, because the programming on a JDM OBD2 ecu's is similiar to OBD1 programming, whereas it will not look for additional sensors like US OBD2 ecu's do ie. CKF & 2nd 02 sensors. The problem is if you decide you want to use a US OBD2 ecu while running an OBD1 engine. Reasonbeing, is the pesky CKF sensor, which is located and integrated on the oil pump, puts a hamper on things because OBD1 engines do not have this sensor integrated on the the oil pump like all 96-01 B-series engines do. So to fix this problem, you'll have to go out and buy a complete OBD2 B-series oil pump w/CKF sensor and apply it to your OBD1 engine. The only way around the damned CKF sensor is either by converting to OBD1 via jumper harness + OBD1 ecu, or simply running a JDM OBD2 ecu. But before even considering these alternatives to the CKF sensor, read the follwing about emissions and being smog legal..

Be Emissions Friendly.
I don't know what the smog laws are beyond California, but if you put an older engine into an newer car here, it won't pass smog. Our laws here state that you can only swap a motor into car that is the same year as the car or newer and the smog equipment that belongs with the motor at hand must accompany the motor as well, along with the ecu and the car must not throw any check engine lights either. You can't do vice versa and be smog legal (older motor in newer car). So, you might want to rethink this swap if you're planning on keeping your car emissions/smog legit.

But beyond that info, here's what you'll need to get your OBD1 LS running in your CX:

- reuse your existing CX engine harness; performing mods to it will be necessary unless you source an OBD2 dizzy, alternator, injectors. NO matter what, you'll need to perform the "IACV FIX" to your CX engine harness, you can read about in my diagram here:
http://www.ff-squad.com/tech/w...8.jpg
and
http://www.ff-squad.com/tech/w...g.jpg

- You can keep the onboard electronics OBD1 spec, as in the dizzy, alternator, injector, and IACV harness side plugs are needed. You'll just have to adapt the OBD1 harness side plugs for these components to your CX engine harness, oh and adapting a 2nd 02 sensor depending on if you use an OBD2 US LS ecu.

- I would suggest converting to OBD1 if you don't want to deal with the already mentioned CKF issue, and well, the 2nd 02 sensor will be eliminated leaving you with one 2 less headaches.

- You will more than likley need to change the cast-iron timing belt bracket on the LS engine to an Si coupe bracket, because the post design is different on integra's and won't be compatible with your CX. Here's another diagram showing the difference:
http://www.ff-squad.com/tech/m...t.jpg

I think thats about it, everything else is pretty straight forward.