A thank you, and a question.

Firstly, I must say THANK YOU to all the poeple that partake in this forum. You guys seriously saved my engine... The story follows this question:

Q: Are the flush mount lights of the later first gen CRX SI directly transferable to the moutns on the older first gen CRX SI (with recesed lamps)?

And now, to the story.

I just had to join the thread and thank everyone for it's existance.

I just boght the '85 CRX this moday (March 14, '05) from my mechanic when the master break cylinder on my Oldsmobile Cutlass Cierra '85 ('92 mech) began a harakiri or sorts and gave up on the car due to it's many defects. The olds was a good car to me, but it was just that time. I got the CRX from my mechanic, the same my mom boght the olds off of, for $1500 Canadian because it fitted my neads perfectly. I needed a light, peppy 4 banger with a stick shift, prefrably 5 speed. (fun to drive, cheep on gas)

I knew the car had an engine swap and the 180,000Km engine was from a CRX DX, it's the 1.5L carb. What I didn't know, and found out just today (March 16, '05) is that the rest of the car is SI (thanks to this thread http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=199192 ). That is where the botch up comes in.

Driving it as little as I did, I found the car to be verry peppy and responsive but I felt it had a hole in power delivery toward the top of it's RPM range. I just thoght, "Oh well, what do you expect from a little 1.5L carb Honda coming from a 3.3L FI Olds?" Later I got online and desided to run some searches online for the first gen CRX and see what was avilable in terms of possible mods for the future, when I ran across this forum. Spending quite several hours reading the posts I ran across some links inside which a key link (sorry, don't have it for refference) suddenly broght all the blocks of pointless data together.

Here is what I discovered thanks to this site: I have an SI body, with SI instrument cluster running a DX engine. The SI instrument cluster shows a redline of 6500RPM, the DX engine has a redline of 5500RPM. There is only one thing I can say. THANK GOD I RAN ACROSS THIS FORUM. That little detail explained the hole in power delivery at high RPMs and saved me a whole mess of trouble I would have no doubt gotten myself into by, unknowingly, overrevving my car by as much a 1000RPM <__>

Once more, thank you all for participating in this forum and thank you to the owners of this forum/website for providing it!

My plans for the near future are to take what little usable aftermarket audio the CRX currantly has (namely an amp and equalizer) and merge it with some parts from my Olds (MP3/cd player, 350 watt amp, 2x12" subs) throw it into the CRX with some new midrange. Also I'm planing to tare out, clean up, and reinstall the intirror as it's got that "used car smell" I'm currantly fighting off with some Farbese.

(PS: I am really enjoying my little CRX and excuse my poor spelling.)

hey, welcome to the forum. we're always here to help. i'm more into the earlier civics (83 and older) but i'm sure you have already discovered that there are plenty of knowledgeable CRX guys here as well.

hey, welcome to the forum. we're always here to help. i'm more into the earlier civics (83 and older) but i'm sure you have already discovered that there are plenty of knowledgeable CRX guys here as well.

Hey, thanks for the welcome. Your from my neck of the woods I see! I'm in Burnaby myself, right near Metrotown Mall.

cool. you should check out redpepperracing.com as well. it's a 1G CRX page as well and there are lots of guys from the lower mainland. during he summer they have get to gethers from time to time. last one we went to was to Mission for a GT4 race one of the guys was in.

cool. you should check out redpepperracing.com as well. it's a 1G CRX page as well and there are lots of guys from the lower mainland. during he summer they have get to gethers from time to time. last one we went to was to Mission for a GT4 race one of the guys was in.

I am so there. I was hoping to find some sort of a local comunity I could invade :)

check out the meets forum. they're doing a go-karting thing at the end of the month i believe, not sure if i'm going to be able to make it tho

check out the meets forum. they're doing a go-karting thing at the end of the month i believe, not sure if i'm going to be able to make it tho

Awsome! Thanks for directing me there. I think I may just go there. I'm pritty curiouse to check out the rides that show up, thogh I'll probobly be wishing mine was not a somewhat rusted and castrated version of it's formal self >_>

Oh, what is your username on that forum, so I know who to credit for introducing me.

(Edit: Never mind.. I just spoted you there.)

yep, same thing. pretty well everywhere

yep, same thing. pretty well everywhere

Ditto XD

Again, welcome to the Forum! I have an '87 CRX Si, and I love it. Just show that Rex a little love and she'll take you far!

Welcome!

And yes the '86-'87 Flush light will fit so long as you get all the brackets along with the headlights. Though having the rarest CRX production model, I would suggest leaving it stock.

Thanks for the welcomes Figori and lxndr.

I'm affraid even if I leve the appearance stock it still won't be a true '85 SI as the engine was trashed by the previouse owner and swopped to an '86 DX by my mechanic (who I boght the car from). Sort of unfortunate, I guess. I didn't realize the '85 was such a rare CRX.

I have just today (March 17, '05) pulled out all the intirrior (excluding headliner and dash board) to find what was making a horible smell in the car, I think I figured it out, but in the proccess I descovered that the car has some extencive rust tamage to the underbody of the car. Looks like some patch work is in order. Only thing is, I have never done anything like that before. So I have a couple of questions.

How do I go abbout attaching the patch metal to the existing metal? What kind of welder is best for the job, and which is cheapest that can be used well enough?

I figure I can probobly raid the salvage yards for the metal required to patch the exterior rust damage, that way I won't have to shape it myself. One less thing I'd have to learn on the fly...

Any feedback would be apreciated.

A MIG welder would be the easiest to use. Even a $199.00 MIG welder would be enough to weld floor panels, or you could rent one from your local tool rental shop. If you've never welded it's probably best for you to take a welding class from your local community college to learn how to use it (you could probably even weld up the car there) or pick up some books. A gas welder is really easy to use, but tends to warp thin panels since you have to heat the metal so much.

In order to weld a patch panel in you need to cut out ALL the rust and clean up the edges of the metal where you will be welding. It's easiest to cut and weld in a square/squarish panel since irregular shapes will be difficult to cut and still get the edges to line up. There should be about a 1/16th-1/32nd inch gap between the patch and the panel you're welding it to (the weld will fill in this area). You can either clamp the patch in place or use magnets to hold it while you tack weld the panel in place. Once you get the patch tacked, you can remove the clamps/magnets then weld the patch in up to 1 inch sections while moving from one side of the panel to the other giving the spot you previously welded enough time to cool. If you try to weld around the entire perimeter of the panel in one pass, there will be so much warp that by the time you get to the end, your edges could be off by 1/4" or more!

FYI, I am also a professional upholsterer, so if you need help figuring out what's going on with your interior, I'll be happy to help.

P.S.
It would be relatively easy to convert your engine back to FI, hopefully the ECU and wiring are still in the car. Or better yet, swap in a D16A1 motor!

Hmm... Say I was to buy a mig welder, practice up on some spare sheet metal and then patch the car, would there be any issues with grinding the weld smooth for bondo/finnish work? I have used an asetalene welder a couple of times, so I figure I could pick up on mig welding easyly enough.

Some of the patchwork that needs to be done is behind the seats, now... on the outside is a gas tank that is not too far from this patch area, should I remove the tank if I'm using a mig welder?

How would I go abbout washing the intirrior now that it's out of the car? I figured I'd just wash it down with a hose and hope for the best. Maybe lay it out on my roof on a sunny day to let it dry.

What if I replace all the insilating material in the car with dinomat? Anything wrong with that idea?

And as for the engine swop... there are... shall we say... "plans" for when I am done school.

If you've already had gas welding experience then MIG welding will be pretty easy to master. It's almost like smearing tooth paste on your panel!

As with all welding there will be a bead that you will have to grind off for a finished look, but if it's under the car then don't worry about it.

I've known people who have welded right next to the gas tank without problems, but I also know someone who set his gas line on fire! Personally, I don't feel comfortable welding right next to the gas tank.

Is your interior fabric and vinyl, or all vinyl? I wouldn't recommend hosing off your fabric seats because the foam underneath will absorb water like a sponge, making it incredibly difficult to dry and will allow mildew to grow. I think you're better off using Febreeze and letting it dry in the sun. The smell is probably coming mostly from the foam, and unless you want to take the covers off there's not alot that can be done for that, other than just letting it dry out.

There's nothing wrong with replacing the stock sound deadener with Dynamat. It's just the stock tar-like stuff requires dry ice in order to make it brittle enough to chisel out. Even after all that work there won't be much improvement. It would be better to just stick some Dynamat on the inside of your doors and quarter panels and maybe some little pieces above the headliner (although there's not much room with the sunrooof in the way).

What I meant by washing out the intirrior was all the carpeting, the seats are pritty clean and do not produce an oder (that I notice anyway). Plus I'm sort of planing to replace the seats as the driver's side's foam has seen better days and the cover has a couple of tares.

The smell seemed to be coming from behind one of the pannels where the previouse owner installed some speakers (rather poorly I might add). It seems some critter (a mouse perhapse?) made a home in the fiberglass insulation (that's right, the stuff you use in the walls of a house) that the previouse owner shuved behind the pannel with the speekers. I found a buch of droppings there, I suspect the smell was some sort of mold as much of the fiberglass insulation was discolored. Or perhapse there is a dead mouse in one of my tail lights still. We'll see if the smell is still arround tomorrow now that all that stuff is out.

As for the sound dedening material, I was thinking to lay the dinomat right over the tar looking stuff in place of the insulation felt found under the carpets.
http://www.fehrerag.com/Fehrer/Product/Images/ImWeb3c.jpg (hurray for hotlinking >_>)

Thank you for your time.

A hose will work fine on the carpet, that is assuming it's not in the car while you squirt it!:)

As for the sound deadener, you can do that if you want to.

Speaking of sunroofs, how are those things held on? The glass does not contact the seal well when the roof is closed. I want to take the glass off, wash the seal, reinstall the glass and if possible tighten up what ever got loose up there. (Hopefully get rid of that annoying whisteling noise at 45Km/h +)

Ok, so I figured out how the sunroof was attached. It looks like one of the "hinges" is not original and did not slide freely in the opening, so I reshaped it slightly, greased it and put it back in. Now it seems to be working fine and the seal is formed properly when I close it, at least so it seems.

Did the '85 rex si have a sunroof to begin with? What did it look like? because this sunroof does not look stock. The support beam rining along the center of the roof is cut, leading me to believe this was either an option installed by the dealer or an aftermarket install. It is a glass panel that lifts up via a handel on the rear of the panel.

the si's did come with sunroofs stock, except they didn't have glass, and it was a power roof, it slid back (i'm pretty sure it went outside the car when open) i had an 85 Si, and it moved REALLY slow :)

the si's did come with sunroofs stock, except they didn't have glass, and it was a power roof, it slid back (i'm pretty sure it went outside the car when open) i had an 85 Si, and it moved REALLY slow :)


Hmm... now I'm starting to doubt weather the thing was an SI at all. because if the sunroof is like you say, this sunroof is deffinatly not stock. Plus the car does not have a rear window wiper. But then why would the dash show a 6500RPM redline? Did any other models other than the SI have a 6500RPM redline? Because to my understanding the DX had only a 5500RPM redline. Man, I am so comfused as to what model my CRX is/was.

what is the vin # you have on the dash? i'll hook it into this program i have, and i think the HF's were the only with the 5500 redline... not totally sure though, does yours have the rims? or just steel wheels with hubcaps? the 85 Si's have wheels like these
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/501/298678P1020091-med.jpg
and also a sunroof which you can kinda see in that pic also, it should have a foam wing, and also a rear wiper :) and fuel injected...

but, as i said, send me your VIN #, and i'll let you know what it was produced as :)

For those of you who are like me and don't like to give out VIN numbers (no offense Stinky. :P ), here is a valuable reference for Hondas, and yes, it works for us. :) I borrowed this from T-Mo on the 88-91 boards. Very informative. :D

Originally Posted by T-Mo
A Little Long but heres a way (for those that need it to) decipher their VIN #:

1983-97 HONDA V.I.N. DEFINED (Japan/USA):

1st POSITION NATION OF ORIGIN

J = Japan
1 = USA
2 = Canada

2nd POSITION MANUFACTURER

H = Honda

3rd POSITION VEHICLE TYPE

M = Passenger Car, Built in Japan G = Passenger Car, Built in USA/Canada

4th & 5th POSITION, 1983-86 BODY TYPE & ENGINE

ACCORD

AC = Accord, 1.6L
AD = Accord, 1.8L
BA = Accord, B
SZ = Accord, EK

PRELUDE

AB = Prelude
BB = Prelude Si

CIVIC

AE = 1300cc Coupe (CRX)
AF = 1500cc Coupe (CRX)
AG = 1300cc 3 door
AH = 1500cc 3 door
AK = 1500cc 4 door
AN = 1500cc Wagon
AR = 1500cc Wagon 4WD
SL = 1300cc 3 door
SR = 1500cc 3 door
ST = 1500cc 4 door
VN = Wagovan
WD = 1500cc 4 door Wagon

4th & 6th POSITION, 1987-97 BODY & ENGINE TYPE

ACCORD

CA5 = 2-Door Hatchback & 4-Door Sedan, 2.0L (87-89)
CA6 = 2-Door Coupe, 2.0L (88-89)
CB7 = 4-Door Sedan, 2.2L (90-93)
CB9 = Wagon, 2.2L (91-93)
CD5 = 4-Door Sedan, 2.2L (94-97)
CD7 = 2-Door Coupe, 2.2L (94-97)
CE1 = Wagon, 2.2L (94-97)
CE6 = Sedan V6

PRELUDE

BA4 = 2.0L & 2.05L (1987-91)
BA8 = 2.2L (1996)
BB1 = 2.2L VTEC (1992-96)
BB2 = 2.3L (1992-96)
BB6 = 2.2L (1997)

CIVIC

EC1 = CRX, 1.5L
EC2 = Hatchback, 1.3L
EC3 = Hatchback, 1.5L
EC4 = Sedan, 1.5L
EC5 = Wagon, 1.5L
EC6 = Wagon 4WD, 1.5L
ED3 = 4-Door, 1.5L
ED4 = 4-Door, 1.6L
ED6 = Hatchback, 1.5L
ED7 = Hatchback, 1.6L
ED8 = CRX, 1.5L
ED9 = CRX, 1.6L
EE2 = Wagon, 1.5L
EE4 = Wagon 4WD, 1.6L
EG1 = del Sol, 1.5L 102HP
EG2 = del Sol, 1.6L 160HP
EG8 = 4-Door, 1.5L
EH2 = 2-Door, 1.5L
EH3 = 2-Door, 1.6L
EH6 = del Sol, 1.6L 125HP
EH9 = 4-Door, 1.6L
EJ1 = Coupe, 1.6L
EJ2 = Coupe, 1.5L
EJ6 = Coupe/Hatchback/Sedan, 1.6L
EJ7 = Coupe, 1.6L VTEC-2
EJ8 = Coupe/Sedan, 1.6L VTEC
EY1 = Wagovan, 1.5L
EY3 = Wagovan, 1.5L

6th POSITION, 1983-86 TRANSMISSION TYPE

3 = Auto
4 = 4-Speed Man
5 = 5-Speed Man
6 = 5-Speed Man Plus Super Low
7 = Auto

7th POSITION, 1987-97 BODY & TRANSMISSION TYPE

1 = 2-Door Conv, 5-Speed Man
1 = 2-Door Coupe, 5-Speed Man
2 = 2-Door Coupe, 4-Speed Auto
2 = 2-Door Coupe CVT
2 = 2-Door Conv, 5-Speed Man
2 = 2-Door Conv, 4-Speed Auto
3 = 2-Door Hatchback, Manual
3 = 2-Door Coupe, Manual
4 = 4-Door Sedan
4 = 2 Door Hatchback, 4-Speed Auto
4 = 2-Door Coupe, 4-Speed Auto
5 = Civic Wagon & Wagovan
5 = 4-Door Sedan, 5-Speed Man
6 = 4-Door Sedan, 4-Speed Auto
7 = 5-Door Sedan, 5-Speed Man
7 = 4-Door Wagon, 5-Speed Man
8 = 4 Door Wagon, 4-Speed Auto
8 = 5-Door Sedan, 4-Speed Auto

8th VEHICLE GRADE (MODEL & YEAR)

ACCORD (US)

0 = SE (Special Edition)
1 = DX w/ABS Coupe & Sedan (1994-97)
2 = DX w/o ABS Coupe & Sedan (1994-97)
2 = DX Hatchback & Sedan (1986-89)
2 = S, Std Hatchback & Sedan (1984-85)
2 = LX w/o ABS Wagon (1994-97)
3 = LX Hatchback & Sedan (1984-89)
3 = LX w/ABS Wagon (1994-97)
3 = LX w/o ABS Coupe & Sedan (1994-97)
3 = LX w/o ABS-V6 (1996-97)
4 = DX Coupe & Sedan (1990-93)
4 = LX w/ABS Coupe & Sedan (1994-97)
4 = LX w/ABS ABS-V6 (1995-97)
4 = LXi Hatchback & Sedan (1986-89)
5 = LX (1990-93)
5 = EX Coupe & Sedan (1994-97)
5 = EX V6
5 = SEi Hatchback & Sedan (1986-89)
6 = DX Passive Belt, Hatchback & Sedan (1986-89)
6 = EX (1990-91)
6 = EX (Leather) (1994-97)
6 = EXL-V6 (Leather) (1995)
7 = EX (1992-93)
7 = EXL-V6 (Leather) (1996-97)
7 = SE Coupe
8 = DXA (25th Anniversary Edition)
8 = LX Passive Belt, Hatchback & Sedan (1986-89)
9 = DXSV (Special Value)
9 = EX Wagon (1994-95)
9 = LXA Coupe & Sedan 10th Anniversary Edition (1993)

ACCORD (Canada)

0 = SE (Special Edition)
1 = LX Sedan (1994-96)
2 = EX Wagon (1994-96)
2 = LX w/ABS Sedan (1994-96)
2 = S (1984-86)
2 = EX Sedan (1994-96)
2, 7 = S, Limited, EX (1987-89)
3 = EX w/ABS Wagon (1994-96)
3 = EX Coupe & Sedan (1997)
3 = LX (1986-89)
3 = LX Coupe (1994-96)
3 = LX, EX (1984-85)
4 = EX w/ABS Sedan (1994-96)
4 = EXi (1986-89)
4 = LX Coupe & Sedan (1990-93)
4 = LX w/ABS (1994-96)
5 = EX Sedan & Wagon (1990-93)
5 = EX-R Wagon (1994-96)
5 = EX-R Sedan w/o Leather Seats(1994-97)
5 = SEi (1987-89)
6 = EX-R (1990-93)
6 = EX-R w/Leather (1994-97)
7 = EX-R w/ABS (1990-93)
8 = SE (1990-93)

CIVIC (1984-95)

1 = BA (1984)
1 = STD, HF (CRX) (1985-87)
2 = STD (1985-87), DX (1984-89)
2 = DX, EX Coupe (1994-95)
3 = GL (1984-87), Si (1984-86)
3 = EX Coupe w/ABS (1994-95)
3 = LX Sedan (1992-95)
4 = S del Sol
4 = DX Coupe (1993)
4 = DX Sedan (1994-95)
4 = CX Hatchback (1992)
4 = Si (1987)
4 = STD Hatchback (1988-92)
4 = DX Sedan (1988-93)
4 = LX w/ABS (1992-95) (Canada)
4 = Wagovan (1989)
5 = CX Hatchback (1993-95)
5 = DX Hatchback (1988-92)
5 = EX Coupe (1993-95)
5 = LX Sedan (1988-95)
5 = Si Coupe (1993) (Canada)
5 = Wagon (Standard) (1990-91)
5 = DX CRX (1990-91)
6 = DX Hatchback (1993-95)
6 = HF CRX (1990-91)
6 = Si CRX (1990-91)
6 = Si del Sol
6 = EX Sedan (1990-91)
6 = EX-S Coupe (1993-95)
6 = LX Sedan w/ABS (1992-95) (US)
6 = Si Hatchback (1990-91)
6 = Si del Sol
6 = Wagon 4WD (1988-91)
6 = VX Hatchback(1992)
7 = EX w/ABS
7 = EX-R (1990-92)
7 = VX Hatchback(1993-95)
7 = VTEC del Sol
8 = LX (Special)
8 = Si Hatchback
8 = EX-V 4-Door
9 = EX 4-Door
9 = EX-V 4-Door w/ABS
9 = VX Hatchback
9 = Si Hatchback w/ABS

CIVIC 2 Door Coupe (USA) (1996-97)

2 = DX, HX
3 = DX w/ABS, HX w/ABS
4 = DX w/A/C, HX w/A/C, EX
5 = DX w/ABS & A/C
5 = HX w/ABS & A/C
5 = EX w/ABS

CIVIC 2 Door Coupe (CANADA) (1996-97)

2 = DX, Si
3 = Si w/ABS
4 = DX w/ABS
5 = EX w/ABS
6 = DX w/ABS & A/C
7 = Si w/ABS & A/C

CIVIC 2 Door Hatchback (USA) (1996-97)

2 = CX
3 = CX w/A/C
4 = DX
5 = DX w/A/C
6 = DX w/ABS
7 = DX w/ABS & A/C

CIVIC 2 Door Hatchback (CANADA) (1996-97)

0 = CX
2 = CX-G

CIVIC 4 Door Sedan (USA) (1996-97)

0 = LX (1997)
2 = DX
3 = DX w/A/C
4 = DX w/ABS, EX
5 = DX w/ABS & A/C
6 = LX (1996)
7 = LX w/A/C
8 = LX w/ABS
9 = LX w/ABS & A/C

CIVIC 4 Door Sedan (CANADA) (1996-97)

0 = EX (1997)
3 = LX
4 = LX w/ABS
5 = LX w/ABS & A/C
6 = EX (1996)
7 = EX w/ABS
8 = EX w/ABS & A/C

CIVIC Del Sol (1996-97)

4 = S
6 = Si
7 = Si w/ABS, VTEC

PRELUDE (1983-86)

2 = DX Model
3 = Si Model

PRELUDE (1997)

4 = Base Model
5 = SH Model

8th ENGINE TYPE PRELUDE

1987

2 = 1800 DX
4 = 2000 Si

1988-89

2 = 2.0 S
3 = 2.0 Si
4 = 2.0 Si 4WS option

1990-91

1 = 2.0 S
2 = 2.0 Si
3 = 2.05 Si
4 = 2.05 Si 4WS option

8th GRADE & RESTRAINT SYSTEM PRELUDE 1992-96

4 = 2.2 w/Seat Belt & Air Bag
5 = 2.3 Si/SR w/Seat Belt & Air Bag
6 = 2.3 Si/SR 4WS w/Seat Belt & Dual Air Bag
7 = Si-VT/SR-V w/Seat Belt & Dual Air Bag
7 = 2.2 SR; Si VTEC w/Seat Belt & Dual Air Bag

9th POSITION CHECK DIGIT

10th POSITION MODEL YEAR

D = 1983
E = 1984
F = 1985
G = 1986
H = 1987
J = 1988
K = 1989
L = 1990
M = 1991
N = 1992
P = 1993
R = 1994
S = 1995
T = 1996
V = 1997

11th POSITION ASSEMBLY PLANT

A = Marysville, Ohio, USA
C = Sayama, Japan
H = Alliston, Canada
H = Ontario, Canada
L = East Liberty, Ohio, USA
S = Suzuka, Japan
4 = SIA, USA

12th Thru 17th POSITION PRODUCTION SEQUENCE NUMBER

You definitely don't have an SI. If there are no badges on the car then it's a 1500 DX. Otherwise it will have an SI or HF badge under the tail lights.

You definitely don't have an SI. If there are no badges on the car then it's a 1500 DX. Otherwise it will have an SI or HF badge under the tail lights.

That sounds abbout right actually... I DO have a wing, it looks more plastic to me though... but I suppose it could be some sort of hard foam. nothing else seems to jive with an SI thogh. The fact that the sunroof is glass, not power and installation looks aftermarket points toward a DX. Plus I don't see any badjest other than "civic" on the back and "CRX" on the B colomn.

So that would mean my redline is 6500RPM afterall? I assume it's the HF model that had the 5500 RPM redline. Did the HF come with the 1300cc engine?

The relevent part of my VIN is JHMAF5334FS*****H it seems the 8th digit of 3 lists a Civic GL/SI... no meantion of a CRX in the 3 area at all. Matter of fact, I am only seeing the HF CRX listed as 85-87 on that whole list.

Oh, I got my intirrior out and it still smells in the car. Seems to be coming from the right break light area. This weekend I'm going to take the light off and have a look arround. I am hoping I'll find something there that explains the odor. It is not as strong as before... but it's still there.

have a look around the engine bay. are there any extra wires hanging around? does the fuel system look as though someone converted it from high pressure to low pressure?

i'm going to have an imput as to the vin# for 1, and badges for 2

#1) vin numbers are easily changed by replacing the whole dash board (which i found out today by taking out my dash)
#2, you cant go by the badges, because they're easily removed... i'm not toally sure what my car is, vin # is HF, but there's no badges, so it could be DX, i'm not totally sure what the 87's diffrences are with DX and HF (besides passenger mirror, which is easily removable/addable)

HF has aluminum brake drums in the rear and the motor code will be EV1 or D13A2. the VIN should be stamped in the firewall as well. if Honda was as cleaver with these cars as they were with the first Gen civics (74-79) there are probably vin numbers in 4 or 5 places through the engine bay.

The 85 my Bro has, has a sunroof. Look at the under-side of your hood. If it has a vacuum diagram, then it defenitely isn't an Si, as the Si's did not have a carberator.

Here is the pic of the '85 Spoiler:
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/689000-689999/689818_19_full.jpg

And this is a pic of the sunroof:
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/689000-689999/689818_22_full.jpg

So, if yours look the same, and you have a vacuum diagram under the hood, you defenitely have an 85 DX.

Here's another way to tell which car you have:

On the left side of the radiator support to the left of the hood latch (directly under the hood) there will be a blue tag riveted to the car. This is the engine ID# which will tell you what type of motor originally came in the car. This tag usually won't be replaced if someone has swapped the motor so it should be a relatively accurate way of figuring out which model you have.

'84-'86 models:

HF=EV1
DX=EW1
SI=EW3 ('85) or EW4 ('86)


'87 models:

HF=D13A2
DX=D15A2
SI=D15A3


Also, HF models did not have a rear spoiler or passenger side mirror, but they did have finned aluminum rear brake drums and a solid rear axle beam. This was to save weight and maximize the fuel economy of the 1300cc motor.

DX models have a hard plastic rear spoiler that sits directly on top of the rear hatch, passenger side mirror, steel rear drums, semi independent rear axle beam, 1500cc motor, and no badges.

The SI models have everything the DX's have but they also have a motorized "sliding" sunroof, rear wiper, fuel injection, alloy wheels, and a foam rear spoiler.

Note:
The rear spoiler on '85 SI models is made of black foam rubber and sits directly on top of the hatch but extends out past the hatch a few inches. The side panels, side skirts and bumpers will all be painted dark grey.

The '86-'87 SI models have a foam rear spoiler that is mounted on the face of the hatch and extends past the hatch a few inches. The spoiler, side skirts, side panels and bumpers are different from the other models and will all be painted the same color as the body. '86-'87 SI models will have orange/red "CRX" lettering on the rear and 14" silver 4 hole alloy wheels, except for the all white '86 SI (rarest color for SI) which has matching white 4 hole wheels.

All '84 models have silver/grey side panels, side skirts and bumpers, while '85+ models had these panels in a darker grey color.

The digital clock, rear hatch louvers, rear speakers, and "OH SH!T" handle are all options.

CRAP! I took too long to type all this info! Y'all beat me to it!

*grins* Slow poke. :D

'84-'86 models:

HF=EV1
DX=EW1
SI=EW3 ('85) or EW4 ('86)


My engine tag there says "ENGINE NO EW2-1243205" Did you maybe have a mixup in the DX entry there?

My spoiler is the same as Figori's picutre there, and the sunroof is similar. While I don't have any vacume diagrams, I don't think the hood is original.

The only badging I found is a "1.5" tag under my passanger side light. The bumper, side skirts and door pannels are a silver grey color.

Looks like it was a DX after all. Oh well, still a fun car XD.

It's hard to believe this thing is only like 80HP... I can't emagine what this little toy would be like the the '92 200HP Prelude engine in it O.o How hard is it to stick one of those into this car? >8]

Oh, I have the "OH SH!T" handel (love that term), the digital clock, and I'm starting to think that maybe my rear speekers wern't entierly aftermarket.

(the XD, O.o, and >8] are little emotional text faces I use... You'll probobly have to get used to them...)

The 85 my brother has came with speaker brackets over the rear struts under the plastic covers... I stole them and am trying to make them fit in my 87.... It has the wiring for the speakers, but didn't have the brackets... Anyways... Sounds like you have a DX. And the faces are fine. I'm used to deciphering heiroglyphics... If you read any of my brother's posts (aquarius) you'll understand why...

it's a DX. i forgot you're in canada. the EW1 is a CVCC motor. there were no CVCC motors in canada. the EW2 is the cnandian carb non-CVCC 1.5l. the DX came with the 1.5 tag in canada and maybe the states.

btw. non-CVCC = better then CVCC but not as good as Si :(

well damn, my car is all confused then,
it's an 87 rex
vin# says it's an HF, it has a rear wing, but it didn't come with passenger mirror, engine is a 1.5L, engine tag say's it's a DX, it doesn't have a badge underneath the tail light (car has been repainted recently, it could have went with that) i'm going to take off one of the rear tires to see what the drums look like, oh yeah, and do the 1.3s have plastic valve covers? or metal?

The 85 my brother has came with speaker brackets over the rear struts under the plastic covers...

My rear speakers are deffinatly aftermarket then. they are mounted stright onto the plastic on the rear pannel.

You know what would be fun? Twin engine CRX... Can you emagine it? 300-500HP of 4wd CRX goodnes >8D Hmm... I wonder if that would be street legal.

oh yeah, and do the 1.3s have plastic valve covers? or metal?i don't know exactly, the DX certainly did not come with one, the HF may have come with one, i do recall hearing that at some point. what does the tag say on the core support? the engine code is also stamped on the block right where the tranny mounts to it on the front side.

Now I'm confused.

what does the tag say on the core support? the engine code is also stamped on the block right where the tranny mounts to it on the front side.

well, tag on the core support says, d15a2, which means DX (right?) and it's too dark out now to even begin to look for the stamped # on the engine, ill take a look at that tomorrow, but as i said, my car is confused :(

Someone could have bought the Si spoiler... I see them on e-bay all of the time. Maybe they wanted to add it to make it look better... But, if your rear drums are as Andrew said, than it was originally a HF model... Didn't the HF model have an extra cat or something? *considers* Just another route to look into...

a'ight, i cant find the engine stamp, my engine is FILTHY (bitch leaks oil like a strainer) and the rear drums aren't finned, or aluminum :)

oh yeah, and there's no cat(s) on it at all :) that's the one thing the guy told me when i bought it... and here's another question for you...

Si exhaust systems go down the center of the car, swing to the passenger side behind the seats, above the axle, and then the muffler is behind the axle, and then goes out the drivers side, right? and are the regular DX systems the same on the 87?

I'm not sure... My bro's 85 DX comes out the passenger side... But mine's on the drivers side...

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/689000-689999/689818_12_full.jpg

But.... Throw up some more of those pics so we can tell... If it has a sunroof, then it's definitely an Si...... But I don't think that is it... Anyway... I'm done rambling. :D

Yep,

SI models have the tail pipe on the drivers side (US) and all other models have the tail pipe on the passenger side. This is assuming that the exhaust system is still stock.

HF models have a catalytic converter that bolts directly to the exhaust manifold (this is the manifold to use for a home made turbo system).

D15A2 = '87 DX. You should be glad it's not an HF!

My spoiler is the same as Figori's picutre there, and the sunroof is similar.

It's hard to believe this thing is only like 80HP... I can't emagine what this little toy would be like the the '92 200HP Prelude engine in it O.o How hard is it to stick one of those into this car? >8]



If you have a spoiler like Figori's then it's definitely not stock. An '85 SI spoiler looks completely different.

Here are a couple of links that show the difference between the '85 SI and '86/'87 SI spoilers

http://www.redpepperracing.com/gallery/lxndr/aaf

http://www.redpepperracing.com/gallery/lxndr/aag

Also if it is an '85 SI then it will have a gauge cluster that looks like this:
http://www.redpepperracing.com/gallery/lxndr/aab
(note the 140 MPH speedo)

And yes, you can put an H22 from a Prelude in your CRX. Hasport sells a kit, but I hope you have lots of $$$, and I hope you like driving in a straight line!

If you have a spoiler like Figori's then it's definitely not stock. An '85 SI spoiler looks completely different.

Actually, I when I posted that I was reffering to the picture of his bro's DX he posted on the seccond page. (My car is the same blue)

Also if it is an '85 SI then it will have a gauge cluster that looks like this:
http://www.redpepperracing.com/gallery/lxndr/aab
(note the 140 MPH speedo)

Don't forget I have the Canadian version. I have a very similar cluster, except the speedo is 220Km/h primarry (big numbers) and 140Mi/h subscript (small numbers).

And yes, you can put an H22 from a Prelude in your CRX. Hasport sells a kit, but I hope you have lots of $$$, and I hope you like driving in a straight line!

How much is "lots"? And I've noticed that you can't exactly corner with the pedal to the metal with the stock DX engine either. Is the wheit difference between the H22 and the EW2 so great that it effects the car's cornering ability that much?

(PS: That's a nice caddy, did you already complete the restore? 'Ccause it looks to be in good shape.)

Sorry, I forgot you were in Canada.

Your little CRX could probably use some suspension upgrades if you want it to corner like a Porsche.

Anyway, the H22 is so heavy that you will have major understeer problems. If you think it's bad now, try driving with another 100+lbs under the hood. As I recall a swap kit will set you back about $1,600-$1,800 (US) for the complete set up, but that doesn't include the motor.

And...
I just sold the Caddy. Most everything I did to it was mechanical. The interior and paint were in OK condition, so they weren't high on my priority list. I still have another old car that will be getting the full resto treatment though (when I have time).

Hey Euphoric
i was at Ed's shop today (eldo on rpr.com, short chinese guy) i hear that he did the vacuum secondary trick on your carb. what do you think of the change? he liked your car, said it had a strong engine that chirped in second like you wouldn't believe.

Hey Euphoric
i was at Ed's shop today (eldo on rpr.com, short chinese guy) i hear that he did the vacuum secondary trick on your carb. what do you think of the change? he liked your car, said it had a strong engine that chirped in second like you wouldn't believe.


Yeah, he did that trick on my car indeed. It was interesting... car had some more willingness to accelarate from 1500RPM in 5th... Decrased my shifting a bit. I must say it does nothing for your drag exceleration thogh, at least for me as my rpms when dragging are always above 3000. Plus, the trick made my idle really wonky especially in cold weather and the car would shudder if you hit the gas hard in low RPMs as it would get pritty much flooded since the seccondarry ports are locked open. My idle went all crazy in cold temratures sometimes reving to near 3000 other times completely duying. I adapted eventually by running the car under constant choke to keep the RPMs from dropping below 1100 at idle. And just resently returning all the hoses back to how they were. However, I think it's possible that the atitude I was getting wasn't cause by the vacume line trick but rather by us removing the line to the... what was it... charcol fuel colector? does that sound right? I will probobly try this trick again when I get some spare lines rather than stealing lines from other areas of the engine.

The car does chirp in 2nd like there is no tomorrow XD I've even gotten a chirp in 3rd once. It may just be my tires, but don't bother trying to acelarate fast in the rain... nothing but wheel spin.

Edit: Oh, by the way, are you planing to make your way out to misson raceway for the street legal friday 8th? (considering it's not rained out ofcourse)

maybe. i'd have to rush out there after work. i probably wouldn't be able to run my car however as i have all rubber lines under my hood with the sidedraft weber carbs which is kind of a no-no there. Ed got away with it once when he had his sidedrafts but they said he wouldn't get away with it the next time.

And yes, you can put an H22 from a Prelude in your CRX. Hasport sells a kit, but I hope you have lots of $$$, and I hope you like driving in a straight line![/QUOTE]

Where can you buy a hasport kit for the crx h22 swap? I haven't been able to find it yet. I heard that they are making one but it hasn't been released yet. Enjo Racing has a weld in kit, axles, and linkage already. www.enjoracing.com

WOOO HOOO man... just came back from Mission Raceway... it was fun... best 1/4 mile time was 16.585 @ 82MPH. Remember, only mod I have is 2" exhost from the header that came with the car when I got it.

Where can you buy a hasport kit for the crx h22 swap? I heard that they are making one but it hasn't been released yet.

You're right.
The last rumour that I heard (many months ago) was that Hasport was developing a kit for an H22. I haven't checked into it recently since the idea of putting an H22 in my car holds no interest for me. The kit may not be available yet, or at all.

WOOO HOOO man... just came back from Mission Raceway... it was fun... best 1/4 mile time was 16.585 @ 82MPH. Remember, only mod I have is 2" exhost from the header that came with the car when I got it.

yeah, it was a pretty good night. first street legal night of the season tho so the track was still a little green.

WOOO HOOO man... just came back from Mission Raceway... it was fun... best 1/4 mile time was 16.585 @ 82MPH. Remember, only mod I have is 2" exhost from the header that came with the car when I got it.

Correction, my best run of that night was 16.417 @ 72.57

welcome to the forum if you need any parts to a 85 i have one im parting out

welcome to the forum if you need any parts to a 85 i have one im parting out
what kind dx hf si

it is a dx

it is a dx
carb or fuel injection

dx is carb