d16a1-zc, d16a1, and d16a8 motors

alright i just got an 87 crx si. I am new to the crx scene and basically to the honda scene. i have been finding a lot of great info out there on the car. I am going to swap out the d15a3 engine for a 1st gen integra. i have scene a few different choices-d16a1-zc, d16a1, and d16a8 engine. from what i have read all 3 of these motors are easily swapped into the crx without any wiring harness change. I know i will need things such as axles, spindles and a tranny mount. is what i want to know is anymore info on these motors and swap info that others may have that i havent found links to. I also know that no matter what motor i go with i will need to use the ecu and dist. out of the 86-87 integra.

I would prefer to get the d16a1-zc 135 hp engine, but dont know where a good place to look for one would be or is it just limited to overseas as the jdm motor? any info anyone can provide would be great. thanks ahead of time.

nathan

My interst in small Hondas is for something light to drag around behind my motorhome so... I have not done any engine swaps. BUT I have read about them. (Is that like staying at a Holiday Inn?)

Have you looked at these sites?

http://www.redpepperracing.com/

http://muller.net/sonny/crx/ Has a good article on an engine swap.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=2165294&goto=2165294

http://www.nippon-motors.com/acura.htm
http://www.hmotorsonline.com/

The D16A1 and D16A1-ZC motors will bolt right in. The D16A8/9 motors are the same motor as the D16A1, but the motor mount locations are designed for '88-'81 Civic/CRX's so they won't fit in an '84-'87 Civic/CRX.

The '86-'87 D16A1 is easiest to swap into an SI because most all of the wiring is identical. The '88-'89 D16A1 uses an electronic advance distributor, ELD, and a VSS, so there is a bit more wiring to figure out. There is no easy way to use a vacuum advance distributor on an '88-'89 motor since the mounting holes in the cylinder head are different, but the block is identical. You will need a PG7 manual trans '86-'87 ECU if you use the vac advance motor, and you will need to use an '88-'89 PG7 manual ECU if you use the elec advance motor.

Differences:

'86-'87 D16A1 = stronger rods, vac distributor, blank engine ID

'88-'89 D16A1 = lighter rods, higher comp pistons, elec distributor, larger intake plenum (manifold), stamped D16A1 on engine ID

'86-'89 D16A1 ZC = same as D16A1, but more agressive cams and larger intake plenum

'88-'91 Honda D16A8/9 ZC = same as D16A1 ZC, but motor mounts are different.


Hope this helps!

thats does help. i thought i could use the d16a1 engine from the 88-89 integra and just use a vacuum advance dist. cuz i was under the impression it will bolt right on.

about the d16a1-zc-is it vacuum advance dist. or elec. advance dist? or does the year vary-say if i can get a 86-87 d16a1-zc it will be vacuum adv.?

As long as the ZC is '86-'87 it will be vacuum advance. After '88 all Honda/Acura motors use electronic advance.

I was also thinking about going with a ZC motor at one point. After some research I found an engine importer in my area that would sell me a ZC motor for about $800 without the tranny, you can also find ZC motors on Ebay for about $400-500 but it will cost about $400 to ship.

Personally, I figured that for the same $800-$1,000 I'd rather have a freshly rebuilt USDM D16A1, rather than getting a ZC that has been sitting in a warehouse for almost 2 decades. Since the only difference between the ZC and USDM motors is the cam and intake, I traded some parts for some ZC cams and found a ZC intake on Ebay for $25. With these parts, the only difference will be that my block says D16A1 instead of ZC.