Hatchback or Coupe?

I can't to decide which to get...Don't like the way a stock HB looks as well as the coupe but it seems like it has a little more space. If they had the same exact suspension which one would handle better or is it too close to notice any difference? Tell which body style you have and why you chose it.

One other thing, i've never heard how a sub sounds in an actual trunk, is it just as good or does it muffle it? Thanks for any help!

Personally, i don't like hatches very much - the coupe has a much better stance and profile as far as i'm concerned. As for suspension? I really don't know - it'd be a tough call between the two of them I think. More depends on the driver than the car. I've seen coupes burn through a course like it was on rails.... but i've also seen hatches do that. It's too close for me to tell so I'll let someone else field that question =)

The sub, however, I can answer. The trunk of the coupe actually helps the sound as far as i'm concerned, having listened to both.

I think your question though is kinda an age-old one. Coupe or HB? Everyone's got a different opinion, which is why two different people will have two different cars =) Just go with one or the other and I don't think you'll be dissapointed.

what years are we talking about?

I guess that would be a good question to ask, wouldn't it?

if u are talking about the 5th gens think the hatchback is best. The SI is the only one with swaybars , but on the Coupe the EX has the swaybars the rest is the same. Im not sure about the 6th gen.

Well, if your talking 5th gens and weight is an issue, the HB will be lighter. Other than that, it personal taste really. If you get an HB, get the Si, thats just my opinion.

If your wanting a nice quick little daily driver a 96-00 hatch with a b series swap or a built d series with or even without a turbo would be badass due to the weight factors, plus I think the hatches look SWEET when there done up right. Your right though when stock they look pretty fugly but a nice drop, a set of wheels, finished off with a CTR spoiler looks darn good to me , that my opinion though.

GO HATCH! man, i love hatchbacks...fastbacks...anything but a coupe! Can't help the fandom i guess...

Damn...this is a tough decision. I think i'm leaning towards a coupe only because i intend to keep with a stock body look for the time being. On to the Engine; as much as i'd like a B16a2/3 the B18a is so damn cheap. Is there any real difference between the B18a1 and b1?...besides the year it was used? Also assuming i go with that motor, would it be best to go with a matching LS tranny or maybe a GSR?(if possible to find?)

I know the B18A1 from the 90-93 Integra has a cable tranny and mechanical speedo. So for a Civic that is 92+ you need to get a conversion or simliar to make the tranny and speedo work. It will fit w/out conversion in a 88-91 Civic. The B18B1 has a hydrolic tranny and an electroniclly controlled speedo. Those fit right in to the 92+ civic, sincr they have the same. Also, I know your legally in saome states not supposed to put an engine older than the car into it. So, putting in a 91 b18a1 into a 95, you get the idea. Also, this is part of the OBD I-OBD II issue. If your car is OBD I, You probably shouldn't put a non-OBD engine in like a 91 LS, or you might have deq issues. If you just make sure to get an OBD I engine (or OBD-II and convert it to OBD I) and make sure the engine isn't old than the vechile you should be fine with deq. For me, I'd want the hydrolic clutch and electronically controlled speedo, then same as the civic came with. So I would want to get the B18B1 from a 94+ integra. Thats my opinion. Also, I would personally get the LS tranny, especially if you intend to add forced induction later one. The longer gear ratio's are better suited for forced induction, they keep you in gear a little longer, allowing you to get more out of the boost. Besides, an LS tranny should be cheaper too. I have a b18b1 ls in my civic. The engine really moves in the much lighter civic body. I personally would go with the b18b1, and also get the matching tranny and ecu. Of course, this is obvious, since thats the way I went myself, lol. As for power, I think the b18a1 is like 140 flywheel hp, and the b18b1 is 142 hp. I think the torque is the same, the b18b1 might have 1 more ft/lbs or so. Also, I do beilive the b18a1 is tpi induction, not mpi like the b18b1, gsr, and b16a2/3 (I think the b16a1 is also mpi, but I could be wrong). Anyways, since this is all from memory, since my books arn't near me right now, someone correct me if I missed anything or got a part wrong. I hope this helps

Thanks eckoman, that helped me out a lot. Now i know what engine i want; is there anything i should look for that might give me a sign if the engine has been abused or not? One friend out mine has a b18b1 that including swap only was 900 and he has had no problems at all...thats racing atleast once a week and having a 75 shot of Nitrious. Another guy got one that won't idle for 3 minutes without stalling, i later found out the owner was known for bouncing it off the rev limiter while doing 100 shot nitrious burnouts...not a good combination. I just don't want to get screwed.

Eckoman, if you don't mind could you give me some prices on what you got the engine for/swap/tranny/ecu and such. Would you guys suggest looking for crashed 94+ teg's or try to find someone who wants to upgrade? -John

well, my engine came from a guy in seattle who had swapped it out for a gsr. It was really low mileage too. My buddy who owns a shop there checked it out, and the engine was good, so he put it in and gave me a 12 month , 12,000 mile warrenty on it too. I supposed a crashed teg would work, make sure if was hit from the rear to be safe though. I think tim's shop charged $600 labor to put it it. Plus the warrenty then came with it too at no charge. Maybe the warrenty was inlcuded in the engine price. I had him source he a good engine, tranny, and ecu. I think I paid $2,500 for all of it. But it was real low mileage too, only $23,000 on it. I would say the 2 grand for the whole combo isn't bad. My overall price was actually really good, considering all the crap he did to the car. I paid like I said, $2500 for the combo with 23,000 miles on it. Maybe ot was $2600. But he could also document the mileage was that, so that maybe helped with the price too. When looking for an engine, if it's from a guy looking to upgrade, try and find out how it was driven, was it abused, etc. In my opinion, it's better to pay the cost for a lower mileage engine. Wrecking yards arn't bad too, b ut then you don't have the previous owner to drill on how the engine was driven, etc. IMy rule of thumb is it's better to maybe pay a little more for a proven product that you know is in good condiation that less for a question mark. I figure it saves money in the long run. But that's my opinion. I personally think, yea, $2000 for the combo engine, tranny, ecu would be good. But then again, my opinion of a good price reflects what you know of the engine. My engine was know, looked at ahead of time, so I was happy with the price versus buying a cheaper one and hopig the previous own was kind to it. When you do the swap, use the 94+ integra pump and bracket for power steering, and a bracket from a Del Sol vtec to properly mount the ac copmerssor if you want to keep it. Also, it's a good idea to put in a radiator from a del sol vtec or 99 civic si. Also, go with the integra throttle cable, it's a little longer. All the LS engine mounts will work, so your set there, expect the front stablizer mount. For that, use a 94 + integra bracket and the stock civic rubber. I hope this helps bit. Any more questions, let me know. I am always happy to help out when I can.

hatch meow. talk about fun with subs and interior work! wah-hoo!

i own a coupe, and i vote HATCH

pro: lighter, better for speed modifications
con: less luxury options like power features

coupe all the way

Blah blah blah no power features...convenient that the power features on a same generation coupe will intsall easily into a hatch. I put power windows locks from a 94 EX coupe into my 92 VX hatch and the interior panels and high mount tweeters. all the stuff (motors, latches, wires harnesses, panels, speakers, everything!) for $250 from my local recycler. (I pulled them outa the car myself, but still....a weekend well spent.

i like the hatches better, for the 92-95 civics.

as for the 96 and up ones, i like the coupes better.