NeW cAr!!!!!

Okay okay I have alot of things to discuss about my car. I bout my car (3rd owner) from this guy and I knew that it was that great but i always wanted a CRX and this was my chance so I took it. My CRX is carborated and it is a HF(whatever that means) I painted the rims black and removed the fins on the rear window. I put a brand new deck in the car and already started customizing the interior. My biggest concern is the engine though. It has around 230K miles on it and i want to get a new engine. I was looking at the info for a B16A I believe it was and it seemed pretty good so might end up getting it. Also I would like to know if there is any other suggestions that you guys might have as to what I could do to it and where and how much the parts would cost me. Ex: new shocks(Springs) and axles much appreciation!!!!

read my sig, it has some info, also go here (http://www.redpepperracing.com/forums/index.php?showtutsection=2), this is a FAQ with the run down of some of your options

HF means high fuel economy, it gets the best mpg. There was 3 made: the regular, the HF, and the Si. I might be interested in your rear louver thing if its not too much.

Sorry I didn't finish the post. How long that engine will go depends on how well it was taken care of (obvious). Its an engine you can get 500k miles out of it although you will need a valve job.

I'm not sure the cost of doing it yourself. I've been there and done that on 2 MGs, and I don't do engine work anymore, just paint. One option you have is for a japan direct 1.6L ZC motor, I forget exactly about 130 hp. I was told it is the easiest/cheapest swap to do on the CRX at $4000.
The engine/trans/ecu/axels will run you close to 1600-1800. I don't know about the small details like motor mounts and things unknown to me.
I decided to leave mine 100% original and put the $4k toward a mini cooper.
I wish you good luck though.

the ZC is the D16A1 in my sig, the USDM version at least. it comes out of an 86-89 integra, the JDM version has 130hp, the USDM version has 118hp due to a less aggressive cam and smaller intake manifold. it will mount into your crx. click the link "Here" in my sig, it leads to a thread will lots of info on this swap

I swear you guys are so cool <smiley> <- wont do a smiley. I wish I had found this forum way back.
Like an idiot I looked at your link after I made my post.
Could you let me know what gas milage you get with that ZC motor?
Right now I have what I consider a 'temporary' motor in my car. I wasn't kidding when I said the cocaine sniffing mechanic ruined my car. In Dec. I had to put in an engine swap (160k engine, all new seals, belts, clutch, etc). I thought I would save some money and paid Billybob to do it off the books behind his house. He jacked it up on the plastic running boards - broke both, both doors, both fenders. Claims he didn't do it that it was 'old' etc.
I probably got what I deserved doing something like that. The only reason my car is not economically totalled is because I've had access to a wrecked one for free. But man, its been a lot of work, with some still to go. (to be continued)

So I figure this motor is good for 60-80k before it starts smoking. I plan to save my money till 2007 and get an 03 or 04 mini then. However, I don't plan on selling my CRX, I've had it 1/2 my life now, and until this bad mechanic thing had never let me down. This gives me several options in 2008:
one of them being a ZC swap. I'd like the more power for sure, but I do not want to give up reliability or too much gas milage. Could you post some info on this. It also might be a mini ends up being too much $$, and I'd just be looking to keepthe CRX as a primary. Thanks.

well if u think this forum is good check out, http://www.redpepperracing.com it's dedicated to 84-87 Civic/CRX. i don't know the gas mileage but lots of guys over there have done this swap, do a search on that site and you will probably find something.

thanks for the feed back guys keep the info coming!!!!

Here's something that isn't discussed very often that you can do to your interior to help with the customizing:

Get a set of '88-'91 CRX SI seats. They are way more comfortable than the '84-'87 seats. They will not bolt in directly but there is an easy way to get them in (I've already done this to my '86).

You will need to remove the seat pan from the '88-'91 seats and replace it with the one from your '84-'87. The seat pan and foam are shaped differently from the first gen CRX to the second gen CRX, so if you want the fabric on the seat and back to match, you will need to get a serrated knife or an electric bread knife and a can of foam adhesive and do some modification. You can cut the top half of the seat foam off of the '88-'91 seat and glue it onto the bottom half of the seat foam and pan from your '84-'87, then use the '88-'91 cover on the seat. Voila! '88-'91 seats in an '84-'87!

Since I'm a professional upholsterer I went a slightly different route. I just left the seat foam alone and recovered the seats in black leather.

Oh yeah, '86-'89 Integra seats will bolt right in!

Where do you live? I'm interested in getting somebody to redo my 87 seats as original as possible.

Where do you live? I'm interested in getting somebody to redo my 87 seats as original as possible.

Seattle, WA

LOL the drive would be a bit much <grins>
Raleigh, NC

The seat thing sounds like a good idea it shouldnt be that hard to find some seats. It does sound better than paying a large amount of money for racing seats. Is there any way that I can get a body kit that doesn't have to modified.
-Darrick

it actually is really hard to find very good condition seats on a 17 year old car. i tried last year and just gave up. i'm gong to have mine re upolstered by the end of the year. i'm not sure where yet. i've seen low end racing seats for not much more than it will cost to redo mine. but i want some comfort and also am trying to preserve the original look of the car. I dont know where to get body kits.

I dont know where to get body kits
search, it gets brougt up a lot

There are only three bodykits that I have seen for the '84-'87 CRX, one is a "Mugen style" kit that is available through extremedimensions.com and another is available through andysautosport.com (the kit available through Andy's is REALLY ugly!) The last kit I probably shouldn't even mention since I don't remember the name of the company. I do remember that it is a full race kit, and it is very expensive! I have all of this info saved in another computer, so when I can I'll post it.

the only bodykit that i had found was the one on andysautosport.com i was wondering if you modify other bodykits does it make them weaker in looks/and performance

the only bodykit that i had found was the one on andysautosport.com i was wondering if you modify other bodykits does it make them weaker in looks/and performance

Other body kits would not allow you to use the stock bumper mounts. You can use other kits, but you will have to come up with a way to modify and attach it. If you understand how to use fiberglass you should be able to modify a kit without weakening it. I've been looking into using a kit from an 88 Civic HB, this bodystyle comes closest to the '84-'87 CRX, but after careful examination I found that the '88 HB is about 2" wider than a CRX and the side skirts are also a little different. I'm capable of making my own fiberglass parts, so when I get to thet point, I'm going to make my own body kit inspired by the ORIGINAL Mugen kit.

One of these posts a while back had this one piece carbon fiber hood. I can't afford it this year, but I was thinking about next year. No matter what I do I can't get my nose piece to fit 100% and it bugs me. But:
1. Is that guy still around?
2. Can you paint a CF hood (sounds stupid but I just don't know).
3. Have people had trouble with it flopping around if you don't use the pins?
4. Can anybody post a pic of the underside of the hood?
5.Can the hood be reinforced on the underside to make it not flop around?
6. How long does it take to come?
7. Do you still need orders of 5 at once?

There are only three bodykits that I have seen for the '84-'87 CRX, one is a "Mugen style" kit that is available through extremedimensions.com and another is available through andysautosport.com (the kit available through Andy's is REALLY ugly!) The last kit I probably shouldn't even mention since I don't remember the name of the company. I do remember that it is a full race kit, and it is very expensive! I have all of this info saved in another computer, so when I can I'll post it.

The third manufacturer of bodykits is Houseman Autosport (housemanautosport.com)

Sorry to take so long in getting this info out.

does anyone have the front fenders for sale or is called a "header" i heard it be referred to that

does anyone have the front fenders for sale or is called a "header" i heard it be referred to that

If you can't find any parts here you should check Ebay. There are almost always new header panels up for auction and, as of the time of this post, there is an '86 CRX SI on ebay that someone is parting out. Although it probably is really an '87 since it's black.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6783&item=2477577314&rd=1

I inquired with the owner when the WHOLE car was for sale, but for some reason he closed the auction and decided to start parting it out. Email him and let him know what you need.

is there anywhere else i can find a cheaper price for that header panel

i bought an aftermarket header panel be aware that i had to work with it to make it fit, mostly.
i mean mostly fit not exactly fit. i am just letting you know if you go with the aftermarket. it sat higher than it should where it meets the hood.
I am sure that car is an 87.

I was talking to a guy online and he told me that he could make me CF hood in a long version that replaces the the front header(if thats possible) sounds like a good idea?

i am going to try to get one of those hoods next year for tax refund.

Were you talking to this guy?

http://www.redpepperracing.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5838&hl=cf+hood

i have not talked to anybody i just read the posts from way back. That is the hood. A lot of people there have them. I want mine painted though. I didn't have the money this year to even think about it. I hate that header panel its the only crooked part on my whole car.

Does it mess up the CF hood if you paint it?

I dont think it would mess the hood up, the question I dont have an answer to yet is: 1. is it too slick to paint, 2. will it flex too much and crack the paint? I'll be checking on it, but I think they have race cars and stuff made from CF that are painted. For sure, it will call for the epoxy sealer stuff and the flex additive. Im not an expert but my good guess is that it can be painted and come out fine. I think people don't paint them because its stylish now to not. I'm also going to track down people's opinions on if the air lifts it up, or not. I have heard both opinions. (with no hood pins I mean) I dont want hood pins. I dont want it because it is lightweight. I only want it to clean up the lines on my crooked header. Which I am sure will break again and its only 2 yrs old.

i'm quite positive you can paint a CF hood, it's basically like fiberglass but lighter and stronger. there will be flex but unless you have a sharp impact on any one spot paint shouldn't crack

Goood to know

i'm not sure how much more money, time and work i'm gonna put into this thing....

i'd like the hood and a zc swap. but i've spent so much fixing what other people have broken and hidden and I find out later....
i'm just tired of it. i'm not selling or anything mind you i'll always be a crx man, but i have a feeling this thing becomes my bad weather car and i get a 2-4 year old mini in a couple years and kinda start with a new slate.

mmm... Mini:) too bad the new ones are sooo big, you should just get one of these (http://www.redpepperracing.com/gallery/album326/aac)

COOL! I'd love something like that! But no way am I gonna put it together, and I think the ones for sale are a little limited supply lol

What's really funny: it definately takes a crx crew to refer as the new mini as sooo big lol
(which is true)

But, man, I drove 14 troublefree years on that crx, and I forgot what it is like to be in constant fixing mode, and I'm sure not getting any younger...

I also don't like having 60 hp, which is about what I figure my junkyard Si engine is putting out right now.

whats the best size rim to put on a crx for look and performance

I read most of the article on the b16 swap. That's never gonna happen unless our lifespans change to 300 years. I have heard if you get one of those JDM ZC engines, its almost plug and play. Is this true?

im a new to this so what does JDM stand for what what exactly is a ZC engine and is it better than a Vtec

I found out about them from my mechanic, but here is the story, for people that don't know (I lived in japan a while). JDM is japanese domestic market, its a japanese engine. They don't have cars over 3 years old in japan. The reason officially, is you have to have this government safety inspection at 3 years, it costs like 20 billion yen (I forget, really outragous like 10k), the real reason is to keep people from having cars (you also have to prove you have a spot to park before being allowed to buy one). Now, nobody wants a right hand drive car. Maybe there are other styling or size issues. So they dont export the used cars, they export the engines, usually with 30-35k miles, for about 1200-1500 including the trans. I think it is basically like a b16, but I am told it fits better into our cars because the 1g japanese crx actually had this engine. However, you can go to the junkyard and get a $250 integra engine, so its more upfront investment. But I am told a much easier swap. It's about 140 hp. No way is it like a vtec, but its my understanding to put a vtec into a 1g you either need your own shop or $2 million or have a tv show do it. The b16 with no mods is like 120? hp I think. The ZC I think is just the name of the engine, like b16 is the name/model.

JDM means Japanese Domestic Market
ZC is this: http://www.redpepperracing.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=28
it is commonly used in reference to the 86-89 Integra motor but if you read the article that is a slight inaccuracy. it is not better than VTEC but you first have to know what VTEC is and how it works. it's one of the best pre-VTEC motors out there and it is also the best motor that will mount in to the 84-87 Civic/CRX without custom mounts.

So you always have to change the brakes? Do you need a japanese ecu? I don't want another junkyard engine if I do something I want low miles and not mess with it for 10 years. I have only talked to 1 guy so far, but he wanted $3800.
I thought that was kinda high, since most of it is knowing where to get the parts, which I figured would be 1800 max. I didnt know about the brakes. I bet everybody has already stripped the junkyards of brakes/ecus/etc then i would be stuck.

well you can always get a USDM Integra donor car and use it's engine and other parts. i'm not sure what u mean by brakes, a popular thing to do is swap the integra brakes front and rear over to the CRX because they are bigger and there are discs in the rear. with the engine swap i think you have to swap the front knuckles as well but i don't think that is a big deal. you also have to use the Integra (ZC) transmission because the CRX one won't bolt up. most if this stuff is pretty easy to track down but getting a donor car for cheep would be the best bet.

the difference between a JDM D16A1 (that is the motor we are talking about) and the USDM D16A1 is the JDM one had a more aggressive cam and a larger intake manifold, there are some other details that make it more powerful but those are the big ones. the USDM ECU will work with the JDM motor but if you can get a JDM one it would be good. i am assuming you have a Si CRX, if so you can use your wiring harness, if it is not you will have to create a fuel system for the fuel injected engine which is a lot of work.

oh, and one more thing. check out the thread linked in my sig at "Here". its an onofficial FAQ on the D16A1 swap with links to good stuff :)

i would be using my 87 si. a donor car is out of the question - no place to store it and i'm sure it would be a donor for a reason - 189,000 miles. the japanese engine is supposed to be certified less than 36k miles. 1200 is the normal price for engine/trans the guy told me. but then that article said i would have trouble with the US blacktop, what if a JDM blacktop showed up? same trouble?
maybe the front knuckles are not expensive if i had to buy them new. I figure even if i didnt go with that dude, its still gonna be $3000. I don't have a shop anything I do is in the parking lot. Which puts me in trouble. For 3k I want 140 hp, not 113. I think jap crx's had a lot more than 91 hp stock, so I would still feel safe without the brake swap.
I would want an engine that can go 10 years as a daily, with AC, and reliable.

Is it possible to lower my 87 HF because the front shocks are Torsion bars and the back are shocks, so how do i lower it any ideas?

Yes. Go to www.redpepperracing.com

They have several articles in the FAQ I think.
The summary of it is: you can lower the front an inch with this adjustment it has, and the back either cut a coil off or use civic wagon springs. More than an inch you have to buy special parts.

I am getting an exhaust off a site tomaro. And i also plain on buying springs. I came across some lowering springs. I wanted to know if it is possible to lower my car with lowering springs if i have a CRX that has torsion bars in the front and springs in the back. And if so what do i need to do since i plan on doing this myself(that includes the exhaust and springs)

Check here:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=1626791&postcount=6

It's pretty easy to lower your car if you only need about a 1" drop. Any more than that and the process gets a little more involved.

What brand of exhaust kit do you plan to get? If you're looking at a Pace Setter system, do yourself a favor and don't get it! They are poor quality and don't fit correctly without some modification. There really isn't any other exhaust kit for this car so unless you can weld, you're probably better off having a muffler shop install a new system. This will probably cost you about $200-$300 depending on the muffler you choose.

Or check here:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=184546

im goin to my muffler shop to get my exhaust installed and hopefully i can get some pics of my CRX to show you guys what i have done to it so far

I look forward to it. I'm waiting on this girl at work to email pics of mine. When she does, I'll try to get some up to.

I got my exhaust put on and man it sounds so clean. I dont even listen to my system that much becuz i just love the sound of it. I am hoping that i can get my friends Si Head off of him and his header panel. Pics comin soon!!!!

I been let down on pics. Girl takes pics, every day it is upload them tomorrow. still workin on it...
Glad you got that exhaust though. :)

i just talked to my friend about the pics and all i have to do is figure the damn camera

I guess I gotta get some new ones. The girl that took the ones I was gonna load here became unreliable (as all women are in the end heh)

Got the pics from that girl they are here
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/showgallery.php?ppuser=171341