4th Gen FAQ - If you are new, please read before posting

[Setanta]

Could we please get this stickied. If everyone contributes to it with Frequently Asked Questions that would be cool. Please don't ask questions or take it off-topic.

I'll start with:

#1 It's VTEC, NOT V-tech, VTEK or any other varient

#2 Power is a derivitive of torque. anyone that says that one is more impotant than the other has no idea of what they are talking about.

You can easily convert torque to horsepower by multiplying torque by rpm/5,252.

When a graph

...points out is that any engine has a peak horsepower -- an rpm value at which the power available from the engine is at its maximum. An engine also has a peak torque at a specific rpm. You will often see this expressed in a brochure or a review in a magazine as "320 HP @ 6500 rpm, 290 lb-ft torque @ 5000 rpm" (the figures for the 1999 Shelby Series 1). When people say an engine has "lots of low-end torque," what they mean is that the peak torque occurs at a fairly low rpm value, like 2,000 or 3,000 rpm.

Another thing you can see from a car's horsepower curve is the place where the engine has maximum power. When you are trying to accelerate quickly, you want to try to keep the engine close to its maximum horsepower point on the curve. That is why you often downshift to accelerate -- by downshifting, you increase engine rpm, which typically moves you closer to the peak horsepower point on the curve.

From HowStuffWorks

#3 If you can't find info here, please use the search engine as a lot of things will be easily available

#4 Please don't ask "how fast will my car go if..." because there are a lot more factors involved - mostly the idea that you suck as a driver

More to follow I guess

[91civicDXdude]

A Quick Engine List

Since everyone always asks, "which engine can i put in my 4g?" heres a small list.. feel free to add to it.

direct bolt in engines: (least performance to most performance)
D15B1 -70hp
D15B6 -70hp
D15Z1 - SOHC VTEC-E
D15B2 - DPI, 92HP
D15B7 - 92-95 DX/LX, MPFI 105hp
D16Y7 - 96-00 DX, "DPMPFI" 105hp (?)

direct bolt in performance engines:
D16A6 or SOHC ZC - 108hp, great upgrade from DX/LX engine. cheap.
JDM D15B - welcome to VTEC. nice peppy engine, 125-130hp
D16Z6 - quick, with bolt ons should be able to beat alot of other sport compacts, 125hp
D16y8 - same as D16Z6 but 127hp
DOHC ZC - quick, similar performance to SOHC VTEC but DOHC NON VTEC, aftermarket support not quite as great as SOHC VTEC, 130hp

B series swap (require motor mount kit, shift linkages, a few wiring changes may need to be made as well)
B18A1 - 130hp
B18B1 - 140hp the "LS" engines are great out of the box, even better for turbo applications, and can be found for very cheap. Base model "B" motor swap.
B16A - 160hp, the "popular" B motor. with a B16 swap, you should be eating up almost all V6, and taking a large bite out of stock V8s
B17A1 - same as B16A, slightly more torque
B18C1 - "GSR" 170hp. more torque than B16, overpriced IMHO
B18C5 - usdm Integra Type R 195hp, "king of the N/A streets"
JDM B18C - 200hp (?)
JDM B16B - 185hp Civic Type R engine, overpriced, but nice.
B20B/Z - 126-146hp, welcome to torque. These engines can be found for cheaper than most DOHC VTEC swaps, and should give about the same performance due to their high torque numbers.

H series swap (requires motor mount kit, shift linkages, and a large hammer to beat the crap out of the engine bay as these engines are huge)
H23A1 - 160hp 153tq. "B16 killer"
H22A1 - "MONSTER VTEC" 190-195hp, torque to boot. H22A should be used strictly for drag racing as it is known to be rather heavy.

There are many more engines which can be put into the 4g civic/2g CRX, but require modifications beyond motor mount bolt in kit.

Take your time when deciding on an engine swap, nobody should make the decision for you. Do a little research. Dont you think someone has asked "do you like this engine" before you?

[Skeme1]

FAQ sticky! great idea


2nd gen CRX / 4th gen Civic Auto to Manual Conversion

link:

http://hometown.aol.com/jrmupzaii/auto2man.html

[amy@af]

for DPFI to MPFI conversion info and most common engine swaps info can be found at www.4thgenerationcivic.com. swap info in engine section. MPFI info is in how-to section.

[1PhatCX]

hmm, wut can i add.......

oh yea!

#1...... 4 x 100 is the bolt pattern for rims

#2...... for a gauge cluster swap... 88 - 89 are the same... 90 - 91 r the same and yes u can use the wagovan cluster

#3...... u can use 5w30 and 10w30 oil in ur car... honda recommends 5w30 tho

#4...... ECU Codes....

Code 1 (1 flash) Oxygen content

Code 3 or 5 Manifold absolute pressure

Code 4 (4 flashes) Crank angle sensor

Code 6 (6 flashes) Coolant temperature

Code 7 (7 flashes) Throttle angle

Code 8 (8 flashes) TDC position (top dead center) timing

Code 9 (9 flashes) No. 1 cylinder position (1.6L)

Code 10 (10 flashes) Intake air temperature

Code 12(12 flashes) No code 11 don't know why. Exhaust gas recirculation system

Code 13 (13 flashes) Atmospheric pressure

Code 14 (14 flashes) Electronic air control (EACV)

Code 15 (15 flashes) Ignition output signal

Code 16 (16 flashes) Fuel injector

Code 17 (17flashes) Vehicle speed sensor

Code 19 (19 flashes) No code 18 for some reason Lock up control solenoid valve

Code 20 (20 flashes) Electric Load

taken from http://www.4thgenerationcivic.com


#5...... Civic Hatch and CRX hoods are the same!


#6...... Sedan rear bumpers wont fit a hatch or CRX because they are too long

[crx hf]

CRX WEIGHTS. HF=1850,SI=2150,DX=2080

[crx hf]

fOR those of you that always start of by asking what the best mod you can do to your car.The best mod you could possibly do is get your car running straight.they are pertty old cars so start off by changing oil,plugs,pcv valve etc.Then you should start doing engine mods.

[Skeme1]

honda civic paint codes from 88-91

(courtesy of www.paintscratch.com)

1988


1989


1990


1991

[frozen_Joth]

If Your Car Won't Start Replace The Main Relay!

Surprised this wasn't mentioned.

[Skeme1]

not really a "FAQ", but useful for everyone

how to: headlight warning buzzer

http://www.torontocivics.com/article...er/buzzer.html

[BlueCivic83]

tought this could be helpfull
got it form www.the12volt.com
1988-91 Honda Civic Security Information
Constant 12V+ White Ignition Switch Harness
Starter Black/White Ignition Switch Harness
Ignition Black/Yellow Ignition Switch Harness
Accessory Blue/White Ignition Switch Harness
Tach Blue Distributor
Brake Switch Green/White Brake Switch
Trunk Pin Green/Black (-) Harness from Dash INDICATOR
Parking Lights Red/Black Fuse Panel
Head Lamp Red/Blue Fuse Panel
Hood Pin n/a
Factory Disarm n/a
Door Trigger Green/Red (-) Driver's Kick
Door Lock Green/White (-) In Driver's Door at Door Lock Module
Door Unlock Green/Red (-)
Horn Wire Blue/Red (-) Steering Column, use Relay







1988-91 Honda Civic Cruise Information
Constant 12V+ White Ignition Switch Harness or Use Hot Side of Brake
Switched 12V+ Black/Yellow Ignition Switch Harness
Ground Use Chassis Near Cruise Control Module
Hot Side of Brake n/a Brake Switch
Cold Side of Brake Green/White Brake Switch
Tach Blue Distributor
VSS Lead Yellow/Red Driver's Side Dash at Firewall,13 Pin Connector
Pulses Per Mile 4000 PPM

Notes: Vehicles with Manual Transmission require Clutch Switch. Some vehicles may require a speed signal generator and/or other parts/adapters not listed above. Rostra® Cruise module switch settings may differ if you use a speed signal generator or magnets and a pick up coil.












1988-91 Honda Civic Stereo Information
Constant 12V+ Blue/White
Switched 12V+ Yellow/Red
Ground Black
Illumination Red/Black
Dimmer n/a
Antenna Driver's Pillar
Front Speakers 6 1/2" Doors
Left Front (+) Blue/Green
Left Front (-) Gray/Black
Right Front (+) Red/Green
Right Front (-) Brown/Black
Rear Speakers 6 1/2" Rear Deck
Left Rear (+) Blue/Yellow
Left Rear (-) Gray/White
Right Rear (+) Red/Yellow
Right Rear (-) Brown/White

[Setanta]

If your car is having idle issues - too high when cold and hot or fluctuating, here's a checklist (this seems to be a popular problem):

3 things (4 if you've bent the idle screw).

#1 Check the vacume hoses to your manifold (unlikely).

#2 Fast Idle Valve will need replacing (located on the block).

#3 Get a new/second hand throttle body with the Throttle Position Sensor UNTOUCHED, as in having the original sealed screws in it. Do NOT buy it if it's been tampered with or reset.

Reset the ECU and drive away happy

It always seems to be these things

[amy@af]

http://www.binghamtonlife.com/manual/manual.htm

you can view or download the service manual there.

[doug294]

Ok here is the easiest way to go about chaning your thermo stat. First locate your lower radiator hose. Fallow it(should lead to a spot under yoru intake maifold) Take the two bolts off on each side and pull the hose and "cap" back. Your thermostat should be right there. Pull it out and put in a new one, make sure you use a NEW thermostat gasket. They only run a couple of bucks, so don't risk having to do this over again. Now if your like me and don't have skinny arms and can't do jack with your left hand, I suggest putting some gasket sealer on the back of the gasket to hold it and the thermostat in white you bolt the cap back up. If you don't it will slide/fall out if not careful. Anyways, after letting the sealer settle bolt the cap back up and you are ready to go. Here is a copy of the page out of the book just so you know what you are looking for. http://www.binghamtonlife.com/manual...es/91-10-6.jpg

[travagliante]

Im a 4door enthusiast!!

Hatch or crx bumpers wont work on a sedan, so return the crx bodykit.

Even thought they look the same hatch/crx hoods wont work on a sedan.

Despit the fact that lx gauges and EX/SI gauges have a tach they arent the same at all so those white face gauges wont fit, ~learned from personal experience.

A CATBACK exhaust for a hatch/crx wont fit a 4dr unless you dont mind it being 1 foot shorter!!
The only place to get the 4dr CATBACK EXHAUST is ebay or www.stillen.com

Clear altezza lights wont work on a sedan! SO dont even try to buy them!! They are shorter in length and taller.

If you get a fender bender you best buy 4dr fenders if you want them to fit.

Well thats about it. THanks 4 door People. Enjoy!!