Civic Engine Swap

Hi,

I am have a 1990 Honda Civic LX with 88k miles on it.
I am 16 (turning 17 this month) and I just bought it.
The car is completly stock so far and I am planning to install intake, exhaust, and headers in the that order. I have the orignal 1.5 liter 92hp engine with a 5 sped tranny. I know by installing thoses mods I could possibly get it running maybe 25 more hp? What do u think?

Also I am thinking if I run out of mods to do to this engine and I wanted to do an engine swap what would be the best direct bolt on engine?
They have a 1.6 liter 108hp honda engine from the SI in the 4th gen civic.
They also have a D16Z6 - SOHC 1.6L VTEC that generates 125 hp.
The other choice is the ZC - DOHC 1.6L which generates 135hp.
Probably the best swap is the B16 engine from Japan SI's that generates 160 hp 1.6 liter DOHC Vtec engine but that is not a direct bolt on.

So far the easiest engine would by the 1.6 liter 108hp engine from the SI 4th gen civic. It is the only DIRECT BOLT ON. From what I have heard it responds very good to mods better than the 1.5 liter that I have.

I need a swap that wont drain my wallet since I am only 17 and work part time at Steak N Shake. But for now I am planning to kepp my 1.5 liter and then when I have done as much as I can to it then I MAY swap.

Thanks

dont buy the bolt ons

then just save like 800 bucks to get a zc and an si tranny
way worth the money and i think it is one of the better/easier swaps

Go JDM ZC. 129hp. My freind just got his in his 89 CRX Si (bottom of post) and it pulls! :)

Go ZC. Your D Series tranny will even bolt right up. You will have to do the MPFI rewiring and a new ECU. Don't worry though, it is the simplest swap and most rewarding for the $.

Blade, what part of FL are you from?

or go z6 cuz zc's might not pass emissions and the z6's are newer and most likely have less miles, either one is a good choice ide say

We dont have emissions in Florida. :p

Originally posted by Zippy
We dont have emissions in Florida. :p

lucky

Wow! nice to see a new guy that has done his homework. Welcome. Really I think any of those swaps would be good, but I would go for the Z6, has more aftermarket support. As for your bolt ons with the D15, you can go ahead and get an exhaust and intake, but don't bother with the header. All of those engines you listed are direct bolt ins, the just require the MPFI Conversion for them.

Hi,

Thanks for the info you guys really helped me out a lot.
Also I live in Spring Hill which is about an hours drive from Tampa.

Pensacola here.

the d16z6 :) go to www.4thGenerationCivic.com and look in the engine section. all the links i found helpfull with my swap are there :D

oh yea....and WELCOME!!! :wave:

Originally posted by blade34609
Also I live in Spring Hill which is about an hours drive from Tampa.

You arent the only spring hill member here I think ... isnt crxsk8er also from there?

Make sure you vote in our poll ... one day the sedans will own ALL!
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=55805

Thanks for introducing me to the 4th gen sedan community.
Anyone know of any different sites besides 4thgenerationcivic.com and http://4g4d.hopto.org/

Also does anyone here still have the 1.5 liter 92 hp engine and have done intake and exhaust to it? Maybe possibly headers?
What were the differences before and after?
I notice the stock 92hp has decent take off (i have 5 speed) but not very good top end. I havent yet to top it, I wanna to improve my manual skills first. Anyone topped out the stock engine yet?

Whats a good intake to get thats affordable I dont think I can afford a Cold-air just yet so I may be getting a short-ram intake which cost a lot less but still give you decent hp. What kinda hp gains should I expect?

What size pipe should I get when I get the cat-back exhaust and also what kinda muffler would sound good and loud. But quiet when idling.
How much would a muffler shop charge me for all this?
What kinda hp gains should I expect?

Sorry for all the quesitons but I am really into this civic.

Thanks

I have the D15B2 in my car, which is probably the same engine you are talking about. I have had it up to 116 before it topped out, but my engine isn't in the best shape in the world.

Sorry, gotta do this. Honda's have a HEADER, not headers. Sorry, not being an ass, just saving you from someone else chewing your ass for it.

I had an short ram intake on mine, but not any more, didn't fit right so I took it back. I can't give you numbers on the increase with it, because I don't really have access to a dyno, and not that interested in gains with this engine. I did notice a decent increase in reaction with it though. Along with me removing the restrictor plate in the intake and removing some more of the intake crap, like the little black box that is behind the bumper that is blocking air.

I have 2.25" pipes running on my exhaust, which is as big as you need to go unless your going to put a turbo or supercharger or something on it. The exhaust did help again with it, but don't expect large increases with these things.

Aiight you have helped me alot.
Thanks

No problem man, that is what we are all here for. To help each other out and to try and gain more knowledge. hell i know i need more knowledge on this stuff still.

before you bother with intake/header/exhaust you should do some more important upgrades. to start convert from DPFI to MPFI. there is info in the how-to section at 4thgenerationcivic.com. and you might want to consider swapping out the lx tranny for an ex tranny. only problem is it's hard to find a 5speed EX tranny...you might have to settle with a Si tranny. those 2 things will make a world of difference. the MPFI conversion will make the most difference.