To swap or not (Tranny that is)

Hey everyone. I'm new around here as you can see by my post count. ;)

Anyway, I'm in the process of purchasing an 88 Civic Hatchback. The car is a Canadian STD, so it has a D15b2 in it coupled with a 4 speed manual. I was trying to decide if I should go for a tranny swap to a 5 speed. What do you guys think? If I do, then what should I go with, and how much should I expect to pay?

There is a 1990 4 door with a 5-speed at the local pick-n-pull, that would probably do the job right? Anyone who has pulled a tranny have any advice or time estimates on what it'll take to get it done. I'm not afraid to do the work and am all about learning new things, so that's not a problem. I also have access to a shop with lifts, etc. for putting the tranny in the new car, so tools aren't an issue either.

Either way i need to do my CV axles, so will the splines match up? I don't want to waste money on them if I'm just going to have to swap them with the new tranny.

Thanks in advance!

-Jeremy

Well, I've see people swap these trannys in about 2 hours with the right tools and knowledge. They aren't very hard to do. You axles should work perfectly with the tranny out of 88-91 civic. Make sure you grab the clutch from that 90 civic. The 88 has a 21 spline shaft and the 89-91 have a 20 spline. If you can get the flywheel, pressure plate and disc (if it's in good condition). The clutch is pretty much going to be your hardest part just because you have to change it. But other than that you should be golden. I wouldn't pay over $150 for a tranny from a junkyard. If you search around I've sold them as low as around $50.

Just a thought, isn't teh 4 spd the bastard of Tranny's? I thought it had the same hubs/axles as the HF?

It DOES! Have smaller axles, on the hub side. However the tranny side is the same and they will fit right in, just don't expect to put a dx/si axle into your hubs..im currently in the process of swapping my front knuckles, hubs, and brakes so I can run bigger axles. My car had a 5 spd swapped in when I bought it but they were too cheap to replace the hubs.

Great info! I will have to call the yard tomorrow and see what they'll charge me for the tranny, clutch, flywheel, etc. Does anyone know of a good tutorial on the tranny removal? I want to make sure I have all the tools I need with me since the pull will be happening with me laying in the dirt at the junkyard. ;)

Frodo - Do you think I should grab the knuckles, hubs, and axles while I'm at it? If so can you explain why. Is it just about having a beefier front end to handle more power later? If that's the case, then I'll probably pass. I don't plan to spend a bunch on this car, just want to make it abit more fun for my daily commute.

So far I'm into the car for $550 (including the new starter and battery I dropped in). Right now I have about another $450 I can put into it for a total of $1000. Anything over that and I have to come up with some really good explanations for the wife! I'd like to get the tranny swap done for $150 or less. Then I can start looking for MPFI parts.

Yeah thats about my only reason, the larger axles. Im going turbo very soon and for one the small axles are GOING to break (ill be sure of it) and if I wanna replace them with something aftermarket then itll only be available in the si/dx size. Also Im using integra front knuckles, so I get the 10.2" brakes. They'd be in already if it wasn't gonna throw my camber off a little by doing it (teg knuckle is like 1/2" taller). Dont bother with getting the knuckles.

That's what I figured, I think I'll stick with the current axles, etc. for now then.

Just called the yard, looks like I can get everything for about $100!

$75 for the tranny, and then $25-ish for the rest of the bits and pieces.

sweet deal! that's about an avg price for a tranny from a junkyard, but if they put any kind of warranty on it, it's worth it.. don't forget, they'll probably charge you a core charge as well, which means you'll either have to pay it and leave it at that, or take the 4spd back to them to get the extra back.

@frodo-- I've seen Honda stock axles take up to 300+, and they're actually rated (by honda, from what I've heard) to handle up to 500HP.. so unless you're running slicks w/ solid mounts, etc.. you're pry not goin to break them too easily. If you do, R'Axles makes custom sizes... so you won't have to change the hubs anyway, they'll make you a set w/ the STD hub end in a fullsize 5-pc axle (the knuckle areas bolt together, so it's 5 pcs.)

They charge a core on the tranny, it's only $15, so I figure I'll just keep it. They also provide a 31 day warranty, so I guess I'll try to get it in right away so I can drive it abit and make sure everything's good.

Well my axles were shot anyway. Plus I have seen tons of axles break under 300 hp, usually running drag radials though. Those things seem to be axle death. If I were to get a new set id just have some piece of mind knowing that they are like 20% beefier.

understandable, but I wouldn't go replacing them if they weren't out already... in your case, more than a good reason.

Did you get ahold of R'Axles at any point? I'm pretty sure they still make D/B axles and ones that will fit the 4spd/HF/auto Hubs.