I’m trying to drop a Ferrari engine into my ef but the wiring harness and bolts don’t work.
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 3
From: honky in, nc, usa
I’m trying to drop a Ferrari engine into my ef but the wiring harness and bolts don’t work.
Ok I’ve seen a rash of questions lately that just seem to be wasteful. The same questions are asked over and over again. That doesn’t bother me, really I’m as most others are always happy to help, and kind H-T members have helped me out of a few jambs.
The part that concerns me is time and time again I see people knee deep into a project that is moving in completely the wrong direction. It’s simply a waste of the person’s time and money. I’m sure most of you like me and need there hard earned money.
This can be avoided; planning and taking a sensible approach to your project can save time and money. So with that said here is some random hints that I hope might help people in their endeavors.
First patience is your friend. If you don’t have the time to do it right the first time when will you have time to do it again or as my Cuban friend says the lazy man does it twice. So take your time even in a rush, slow is fast, fast is slow.
Find a platform: figure out what style of car you like. Picture your dream version of that car. Then backwards plan from there. So as it pertains to our little niche it would usually be a nice, clean, streetable, well handling, and fast CRX or Hatch. Cool, seems most people want some form of vtec.
Ok, so now comes the part where you do your research. Say you are set on a B16 90-91 hatch. Do some searching and read the articles about how to swap a b16 into that car. You will find out things like the si is a lot easier to swap because it is already MPFI and you will only have to make a few changes to the harness and add some plugs for the vtec stuff. Also what shift linkage you need, axles and stuff like that. The dx and standard will require some more changes but it is doable, the important thing is that you’re not blindsided by having to buy unexpected parts and challenge your budget.
So with the above in mind try to find a rust free original paint car. Stock is the best way to go if this is going to be a project car that you intend to use as a learning experience. It also ensures the wiring harness has not been butchered and the “fresh paint” is not hiding fifty pounds of poorly applied Bondo. This is the way I like to go because I know how to make it look good and I would much rather start from zero than start by trying to figure out what the previous owner has screwed up.
Now If your looking to buy a civic that has been swapped you can come out on top, if you know what you’re looking at. Buying a swapped Honda can be a great deal. I know I have way more money into my hatch than it’s worth. The key here is again doing your research. Basically you need to look at the car knowing already what you would need to do to swap for whatever engine is in the car. That way you can run through the swap visually checking mounts, wiring, shift linkage, axles and the rest. Look for leaks, smoke, coolant in the oil and vise versa. Do a compressing check. Make sure when you turn the key to the on position the check engine light comes on and goes off when you start the car, check the ecu to see if it’s throwing any codes. Drive it listen for any unusual sounds or grinds in the tranny. Again this can be a great deal if everything runs like it should.
Ok so you found the great deal and have a sweet project car what next. Make your plan. Write it down. ie. I want a “new” meaning everything working like it did from the factory car with a B-whatever in it. Awesome, sounds like a fun car. So to get from point A (a beat up 17 year old car) to point B (runs and drive like new and runs 14’s in the quarter mile) what do you need to do. This was my approach.
Stop, turn, and go: first up was Brakes. My stock ones were sad and my MC would sink to the floor when the engine bay warmed up, not good. I did some research and found that the EX MC would bolt right up and have more volume. I also found out that I could swap the drums for teg discs. So that’s what I did (later added SS brake lines and EX brake booster) replaced the rotors and pads. So now I could stop.
Turn: the 17 year old bushings where all cracked and busted out, so I replaced them and all the ball joints with ones from autozone. I went with the autozone ones because they were rubber like the stock and were cheap, poly are fine buy can be noisy. I did use poly swaybar bushings to reduce deflection in turns. Might as well replace the wheel bearings while you have the knuckles out so you don’t have to do it later. I also put on lowering springs at this time and used a ebay camber kit and shimmed the rear. I then took the car to a place to get an alignment. Now when you start calling around to find a place to get the alignment done, let them know if the car is lowered and also ask if they use what’s called “rolling compensation machine” they are better and will produce a better result also ask for a before and after printout. New wheel and tires were also put on at this time.
Now it will stop and turn. This is safety and it will also make your driving experience a happy one, all money well spent!
GO TIME: Research to find what you want to do. There are many options and all having good point and bad point. But by coming up with realistic goals and leaving room for future expansion you can save the most money. The biggest mistake I see is people just buying a hodgepodge of parts that weren’t necessarily meant to work together. The owner will end up frustrated and disappointed with a poor running engine and empty pockets.
So there are many ways that you can go, find the one that you like, meets your goals and someone else has done with optimal results and emulate that.
This is what I did. I want a fast car that might surprise a person or two. I knew that I was going to swap to a B16, but at the time I knew that I would have to go to Iraq and did not have time to do the swap. So I picked up a nitrous express wet set up and installed that. Went from 17 to 15 in the quarter mile. Not bad for 500 bucks. And I could keep it for the B16 swap that would run 14 flat later.
When I got back I bought a XSI swap from Hmotorsonlin.com it cam with most of the stuff I needed. Also picked up the Hasport mounts, modifying the shift linkage is easy and saves $150. I also swapped to OBD1 because I knew I was going to boost the car later on and OBD1 has many more tuning options. I did all of this by just using Honda-tech search engine. This has turn out to be a very fun project and is a fun car to drive. Check out the sig for a brief look at the car from about two years into the project. Of course I’ve made plenty of mistakes and could have done things better, but all in all I have save money and time but completely researching the plans before executing them.
Bottom line is; think out your strategies, be patience, research, so you don’t run into any surprises. Back in the day the only way to lean about cars was to hang out with the old fogies and hope they would throw you a seed of knowledge every once in a while. Now with the internet you have great access to information, please appreciate it and use it. The Honda-Tech search is the best thing to happen to the import world! Please feel free to ask any question and I’m sure everyone will be happy to help out but if you have the time check out the Frequently asked questions at the top of the page. And try to search. I promise you if you know what you’re talking about and ask a well thought out question you response will be infinitely better!
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1508680
engines
http://hmotorsonline.com/
mounts and stuff
http://www.hasport.com/index2.htm
harness and stuff
http://www.rywire.com/store/index.php
how to swap
http://www.norcalcrx.org/droppedcrxsi/
Modified by abnaasefmb at 7:08 AM 4/23/2007
Modified by abnaasefmb at 7:11 AM 4/23/2007
The part that concerns me is time and time again I see people knee deep into a project that is moving in completely the wrong direction. It’s simply a waste of the person’s time and money. I’m sure most of you like me and need there hard earned money.
This can be avoided; planning and taking a sensible approach to your project can save time and money. So with that said here is some random hints that I hope might help people in their endeavors.
First patience is your friend. If you don’t have the time to do it right the first time when will you have time to do it again or as my Cuban friend says the lazy man does it twice. So take your time even in a rush, slow is fast, fast is slow.
Find a platform: figure out what style of car you like. Picture your dream version of that car. Then backwards plan from there. So as it pertains to our little niche it would usually be a nice, clean, streetable, well handling, and fast CRX or Hatch. Cool, seems most people want some form of vtec.
Ok, so now comes the part where you do your research. Say you are set on a B16 90-91 hatch. Do some searching and read the articles about how to swap a b16 into that car. You will find out things like the si is a lot easier to swap because it is already MPFI and you will only have to make a few changes to the harness and add some plugs for the vtec stuff. Also what shift linkage you need, axles and stuff like that. The dx and standard will require some more changes but it is doable, the important thing is that you’re not blindsided by having to buy unexpected parts and challenge your budget.
So with the above in mind try to find a rust free original paint car. Stock is the best way to go if this is going to be a project car that you intend to use as a learning experience. It also ensures the wiring harness has not been butchered and the “fresh paint” is not hiding fifty pounds of poorly applied Bondo. This is the way I like to go because I know how to make it look good and I would much rather start from zero than start by trying to figure out what the previous owner has screwed up.
Now If your looking to buy a civic that has been swapped you can come out on top, if you know what you’re looking at. Buying a swapped Honda can be a great deal. I know I have way more money into my hatch than it’s worth. The key here is again doing your research. Basically you need to look at the car knowing already what you would need to do to swap for whatever engine is in the car. That way you can run through the swap visually checking mounts, wiring, shift linkage, axles and the rest. Look for leaks, smoke, coolant in the oil and vise versa. Do a compressing check. Make sure when you turn the key to the on position the check engine light comes on and goes off when you start the car, check the ecu to see if it’s throwing any codes. Drive it listen for any unusual sounds or grinds in the tranny. Again this can be a great deal if everything runs like it should.
Ok so you found the great deal and have a sweet project car what next. Make your plan. Write it down. ie. I want a “new” meaning everything working like it did from the factory car with a B-whatever in it. Awesome, sounds like a fun car. So to get from point A (a beat up 17 year old car) to point B (runs and drive like new and runs 14’s in the quarter mile) what do you need to do. This was my approach.
Stop, turn, and go: first up was Brakes. My stock ones were sad and my MC would sink to the floor when the engine bay warmed up, not good. I did some research and found that the EX MC would bolt right up and have more volume. I also found out that I could swap the drums for teg discs. So that’s what I did (later added SS brake lines and EX brake booster) replaced the rotors and pads. So now I could stop.
Turn: the 17 year old bushings where all cracked and busted out, so I replaced them and all the ball joints with ones from autozone. I went with the autozone ones because they were rubber like the stock and were cheap, poly are fine buy can be noisy. I did use poly swaybar bushings to reduce deflection in turns. Might as well replace the wheel bearings while you have the knuckles out so you don’t have to do it later. I also put on lowering springs at this time and used a ebay camber kit and shimmed the rear. I then took the car to a place to get an alignment. Now when you start calling around to find a place to get the alignment done, let them know if the car is lowered and also ask if they use what’s called “rolling compensation machine” they are better and will produce a better result also ask for a before and after printout. New wheel and tires were also put on at this time.
Now it will stop and turn. This is safety and it will also make your driving experience a happy one, all money well spent!
GO TIME: Research to find what you want to do. There are many options and all having good point and bad point. But by coming up with realistic goals and leaving room for future expansion you can save the most money. The biggest mistake I see is people just buying a hodgepodge of parts that weren’t necessarily meant to work together. The owner will end up frustrated and disappointed with a poor running engine and empty pockets.
So there are many ways that you can go, find the one that you like, meets your goals and someone else has done with optimal results and emulate that.
This is what I did. I want a fast car that might surprise a person or two. I knew that I was going to swap to a B16, but at the time I knew that I would have to go to Iraq and did not have time to do the swap. So I picked up a nitrous express wet set up and installed that. Went from 17 to 15 in the quarter mile. Not bad for 500 bucks. And I could keep it for the B16 swap that would run 14 flat later.
When I got back I bought a XSI swap from Hmotorsonlin.com it cam with most of the stuff I needed. Also picked up the Hasport mounts, modifying the shift linkage is easy and saves $150. I also swapped to OBD1 because I knew I was going to boost the car later on and OBD1 has many more tuning options. I did all of this by just using Honda-tech search engine. This has turn out to be a very fun project and is a fun car to drive. Check out the sig for a brief look at the car from about two years into the project. Of course I’ve made plenty of mistakes and could have done things better, but all in all I have save money and time but completely researching the plans before executing them.
Bottom line is; think out your strategies, be patience, research, so you don’t run into any surprises. Back in the day the only way to lean about cars was to hang out with the old fogies and hope they would throw you a seed of knowledge every once in a while. Now with the internet you have great access to information, please appreciate it and use it. The Honda-Tech search is the best thing to happen to the import world! Please feel free to ask any question and I’m sure everyone will be happy to help out but if you have the time check out the Frequently asked questions at the top of the page. And try to search. I promise you if you know what you’re talking about and ask a well thought out question you response will be infinitely better!
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1508680
engines
http://hmotorsonline.com/
mounts and stuff
http://www.hasport.com/index2.htm
harness and stuff
http://www.rywire.com/store/index.php
how to swap
http://www.norcalcrx.org/droppedcrxsi/
Modified by abnaasefmb at 7:08 AM 4/23/2007
Modified by abnaasefmb at 7:11 AM 4/23/2007
An Hero
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 897
Likes: 0
From: California
Re: I’m trying to drop a Ferrari engine into my ef but the wiring harness and bolts don’t work. (abn
Sticky? Or IBTL?
Either way good post!
But seriously if you need that harness hit up rywire
i think he makes the Ferrari-Ef harness...
Either way good post!
But seriously if you need that harness hit up rywire
i think he makes the Ferrari-Ef harness...
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 3
From: honky in, nc, usa
Re: I’m trying to drop a Ferrari engine into my ef but the wiring harness and bolts don’t work. (abn
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by brandoom »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sticky? Or IBTL?
Either way good post!
But seriously if you need that harness hit up rywire
i think he makes the Ferrari-Ef harness...
</TD></TR></TABLE>
i'll have to call Ryan up and see. sorry it was the pic of the dude with a obd1 harness on what looked to be an installed moror. what a PIA to pull a harness off a motor that's in a car and try to conver the stock one.
pushed me over the edge.
Either way good post!
But seriously if you need that harness hit up rywire
i think he makes the Ferrari-Ef harness...
</TD></TR></TABLE>i'll have to call Ryan up and see. sorry it was the pic of the dude with a obd1 harness on what looked to be an installed moror. what a PIA to pull a harness off a motor that's in a car and try to conver the stock one.
pushed me over the edge.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,788
Likes: 0
From: NB, Canada
Re: I’m trying to drop a Ferrari engine into my ef but the wiring harness and bolts don’t work. (abn
I like ALL your points, especially the PATIENCE part. WAIT, save your money, and decide for sure what you want to do. I went from buying a B16, to building it into an ls/vtec, into parting that out, almost buying a B17, and finally deciding to build a poor mans type R, and the WHOLE time I've yet to swap out my dual point, and it's been a year and a half.
For everyone, do your research, get friendly with the search button, and relax on the "buy it now" button.
For everyone, do your research, get friendly with the search button, and relax on the "buy it now" button.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 0
From: bowmansville, pa, usa
Re: I’m trying to drop a Ferrari engine into my ef but the wiring harness and bolts don’t work. (abn
read most, skimmed a little, great post
bump and i hope many others read.
very important to set goals and follow them.
my goals have completely changed since a year ago when i bought my car... wish i would have known what i was doing when i 1st got my car.
bump and i hope many others read.
very important to set goals and follow them.
my goals have completely changed since a year ago when i bought my car... wish i would have known what i was doing when i 1st got my car.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
Re: I’m trying to drop a Ferrari engine into my ef but the wiring harness and bolts don’t work. (abn
U gotta use wireless sensors and offset self-tapping bolts for it all to work. GL and let us know how it works out 
Janos
Janos
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Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,394
Likes: 0
From: My Garage
Re: I’m trying to drop a Ferrari engine into my ef but the wiring harness and bolts don’t work. (abn
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by abnaasefmb »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
The part that concerns me is time and time again I see people knee deep into a project that is moving in completely the wrong direction. It’s simply a waste of the person’s time and money. I’m sure most of you like me and need there hard earned money.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Is this about me...
The part that concerns me is time and time again I see people knee deep into a project that is moving in completely the wrong direction. It’s simply a waste of the person’s time and money. I’m sure most of you like me and need there hard earned money.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Is this about me...
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 3
From: honky in, nc, usa
Re: I’m trying to drop a Ferrari engine into my ef but the wiring harness and bolts don’t work. (abn
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by harmonator84 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Is this about me... </TD></TR></TABLE>
no harmon, as we say in the army "your on point" can't wait to see the paint you lay out.
Is this about me...
</TD></TR></TABLE>no harmon, as we say in the army "your on point" can't wait to see the paint you lay out.
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 3
From: honky in, nc, usa
Re: I’m trying to drop a Ferrari engine into my ef but the wiring harness and bolts don’t work. (abn
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RCautoworks »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">This has been done before, the ferrari engine in a crx, please search.
JK </TD></TR></TABLE>
OOOOHHHHHH THE IRONY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lmao
JK
</TD></TR></TABLE>OOOOHHHHHH THE IRONY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lmao
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,394
Likes: 0
From: My Garage
Re: I’m trying to drop a Ferrari engine into my ef but the wiring harness and bolts don’t work. (abn
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RCautoworks »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">This has been done before, the ferrari engine in a crx, please search.
JK </TD></TR></TABLE>
lol..i knew that was coming from someone.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by abnaasefmb »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">no harmon, as we say in the army "your on point" can't wait to see the paint you lay out. </TD></TR></TABLE>
I am getting ready to type up a BIG post on how to do everything from bondo to buff.
JK </TD></TR></TABLE>
lol..i knew that was coming from someone.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by abnaasefmb »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">no harmon, as we say in the army "your on point" can't wait to see the paint you lay out. </TD></TR></TABLE>
I am getting ready to type up a BIG post on how to do everything from bondo to buff.
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 3
From: honky in, nc, usa
Re: I’m trying to drop a Ferrari engine into my ef but the wiring harness and bolts don’t work. (abn
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by harmonator84 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
lol..i knew that was coming from someone.
I am getting ready to type up a BIG post on how to do everything from bondo to buff. </TD></TR></TABLE>
that will be sweet, i'm getting ready to do a write up on where that black wire goes
lol..i knew that was coming from someone.
I am getting ready to type up a BIG post on how to do everything from bondo to buff. </TD></TR></TABLE>
that will be sweet, i'm getting ready to do a write up on where that black wire goes
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,394
Likes: 0
From: My Garage
Re: I’m trying to drop a Ferrari engine into my ef but the wiring harness and bolts don’t work. (abn
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by abnaasefmb »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">that will be sweet, i'm getting ready to do a write up on where that black wire goes </TD></TR></TABLE>
hey easy now on the wiring jokes..haha
Im still knee high in this ****..
</TD></TR></TABLE>hey easy now on the wiring jokes..haha
Im still knee high in this ****..
An Hero
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 897
Likes: 0
From: California
Re: I’m trying to drop a Ferrari engine into my ef but the wiring harness and bolts don’
What the hell does your name mean. just out of curiosity.
It bugs me cause in my head im trying to pronounce it and im all
"abnassuh fumb".
It bugs me cause in my head im trying to pronounce it and im all
"abnassuh fumb".
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 3
From: honky in, nc, usa
Re: I’m trying to drop a Ferrari engine into my ef but the wiring harness and bolts don’
lol your the first person who has ever asked.
abn = Airborne (jumping out of planes and helicopters) aas = Air Assault (little assault guy repelling out of helicopters) efmb = Expert Field Medical Badge (award for proficiency) handle I made up when I was young and full of myself.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airborne_forces
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Assault_Badge
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E...Badge
also have one of these now
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_Medical_Badge
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/82nd
there is my life summed up in a single post with some dumb badges, i'm depressed now. thanks brandoom
abn = Airborne (jumping out of planes and helicopters) aas = Air Assault (little assault guy repelling out of helicopters) efmb = Expert Field Medical Badge (award for proficiency) handle I made up when I was young and full of myself.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airborne_forces
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Assault_Badge
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E...Badge
also have one of these now
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_Medical_Badge
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/82nd
there is my life summed up in a single post with some dumb badges, i'm depressed now. thanks brandoom
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,394
Likes: 0
From: My Garage
Re: I’m trying to drop a Ferrari engine into my ef but the wiring harness and bolts don’
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by abnaasefmb »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yeah i never have to try again or put a 1 after it. </TD></TR></TABLE>
lol..yeah I actually have to put a 84 after mine...can you believe someone actually uses the screen name harmonator...actually on HT I dont remember if it was used or not...hmmm
EDIT- Its not being used...
Anyways...good thread.
lol..yeah I actually have to put a 84 after mine...can you believe someone actually uses the screen name harmonator...actually on HT I dont remember if it was used or not...hmmm
EDIT- Its not being used...
Anyways...good thread.
An Hero
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 897
Likes: 0
From: California
Re: I’m trying to drop a Ferrari engine into my ef but the wiring harness and bolts don’
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by abnaasefmb »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">lol your the first person who has ever asked.
i'm depressed now. thanks brandoom</TD></TR></TABLE>
Youve been here 3 years and no ones asked yet? What do i win?
Sorry to make you sad. wanna pepsi? hhhm?
i'm depressed now. thanks brandoom</TD></TR></TABLE>
Youve been here 3 years and no ones asked yet? What do i win?
Sorry to make you sad. wanna pepsi? hhhm?
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 3
From: honky in, nc, usa
Re: I’m trying to drop a Ferrari engine into my ef but the wiring harness and bolts don’
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by brandoom »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Youve been here 3 years and no ones asked yet? What do i win?</TD></TR></TABLE>
a jdm cockring
Youve been here 3 years and no ones asked yet? What do i win?</TD></TR></TABLE>
a jdm cockring