89 Hf

Hi, This is my first post and I just want to say that I
am not a mechanic or a racer and have the most
rudimentary understanding of the automobile engine.
BUT I LOVE THE CRX. I had an 86 that my mechanic told me
wasn't worth repairing because of the body rust. I couldn't get
it through inspection without the repairs so I started
to look for a new car. Considered an old Saab, a Cabrio, and
a Golf . I even turned down a Ford Escort in mint condition
for $300. But decided I just had to have another CRX. Two days later I
lucked out and found a guy selling an 1989 HF with only 107K miles.
(check this out--the guy who I bought it from bought it
from a schoolteacher in 2000 and it only had 34000 miles
on it!!!) Very well mainained--new brakes and exhaust system
tires have 3/4 tread. For $1500 a pretty good deal.

So anyway my old CRX which had a carburator seemed
faster than my new one. That surprised me becasue
I assumed that the newer, fuel injected model would
be better in that aspect. Although the HF handles well, it is
not very peppy, meaning I feel like it doesn't have much
power going up hills or just accelerating in general. I know
that the si is the more powerful model. The car has been
tuned recently.

My question is--Is there anything I can do to get more zip or for that would
I have to put in a whole new engine? Or should I keep looking
for an si model and then sell the HF. (so hard to find any CRX
with such low mileage) If I do have to put in a new engine in it
what would be the best option for someone like me who doesn't
want a souped up Japanese Muscle Car but just something for
getting around that it is fun and has some oomph.

Thanks.

HF's are the economy gas mileage Crx's. TO get any type of power you would need to swap the engine.

your main drag is the tranny....with either a 2.9 final drive(CA) or a 3.2 final drive. the next hang up is the fuel injection system. very small TB and plenum. next the engine being an 8 valve. my suggestion to you for still great gas milage with better pick up is to switch to an SI tranny or even a DX if you dont want to sacrifice much gas milage. next would be the intake mani assembly. then the ecu. or if you have the money and resources just drop an SI motor in. direct fit should take you no more than 8hrs to complete.

Thanks you all for the responses. If I did want to switch to an SI transmission or
even put an SI engine in what is good place to look for one? Is that something
you go to a junk yard for? Or are there more specialized sources? The internet?


your main drag is the tranny....with either a 2.9 final drive(CA) or a 3.2 final drive. the next hang up is the fuel injection system. very small TB and plenum. next the engine being an 8 valve. my suggestion to you for still great gas milage with better pick up is to switch to an SI tranny or even a DX if you dont want to sacrifice much gas milage. next would be the intake mani assembly. then the ecu. or if you have the money and resources just drop an SI motor in. direct fit should take you no more than 8hrs to complete.

slap an si tranny in there for the time being...youll be fine with it....then save up money and get yourself a b16 or something along that line. already puts out great hp stock and has more potential than a d series motor...damn i cant beleive i said that....the guys at althonda are gonna kill me if they find out.....mat!!!!! dont tell them...lol