Can it be done?..

jedi · #1 07-22-2002, 12:30 AM

Alright first..I HAVE 2 GRAND SAVED!!!..but alas no si's have been found yet..so anyways..im just curious.. because i doubt ill ever be able to afford this modification..but..if i had the parts and the money ...
WOULD IT BE HARD TO CHANGE A LEFT HAND DRIVE CIVIC TO A RIGHT HAND DRIVE ?..what is needed and how much would this cost approx.Also would it be legal?

Setanta · #2 07-22-2002, 02:19 AM

Send me the cash and I'll send you a RHD chassis with running gear

Problem solved

My guess would be to replace the firewall, dashboard (cluster will stay USDM), RHD steeringbox, front brakelines (our master cylinder is mounted on the opposite side), mid-center console (if you look, the bulge always goes to the passenger side, LHD or RHD), clutch cable, throttle cable, bonnet/boot/fuel releases, possibly the pedals (they look to be the same positions though, maybe a different offset due to you weirdos sitting on the wrong side of the car :finger: ). Can't think of much else - of course, the firewall is the biggest stumbling point

jedi · #3 07-22-2002, 02:55 AM

uhhh...damn.lol..well i was wonderin cause theres a crx in the new import tuner thats ALL jdm and mugen its reallyy nice and its rhd but they said its a regular california driven crx so im guessin he did a conversion some how

Moppie · #4 07-22-2002, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Setanta
of course, the firewall is the biggest stumbling point

Are you sure its not prestamped? and merely needs the holes cut into it?
(iv never had a close look at mine, but I know a lot of cars made in both LHD and RHD in large enough numbers are)

And you would also need to relocate the ECU, not that hard since its longer in the LHD version than in the RHD.
Going from RHD to LHD is a bit harder.

Setanta · #5 07-22-2002, 06:18 AM

Good question moppie. I know the Aussie spec 4G (GL) Civics aren't prestamped with the LHD option, haven't looked closely at the SiR but my gut instinct is no. The Aussie spec cars are stamped and assembled in Japan - anyone know if the USDM ones are stamped out from the raw steel in the US or is the body shipped in?

Our EK coupes (VTiR/USDM Si) were imported from the US until Honda Australia dropped them (due to shoddy finish and being too expensive to shift, unlike the Japanese built VTiR hatch) but I don't think they were prestamped either.

Dunno about the Euro version either come to think of it - are they imported from Japan or assembled in Europe or built from scratch in Europe?

Moppie · #6 07-22-2002, 07:12 AM

Well the reason I ask is I know the 5 and 6g Civic coupes sold in Japan are actualy LHD US assembled cars, that were shipped to Japan, and converted to RHD.

I believe the US and Euro Civics are built from scratch in thier respective nations. Honda, certianly has quite extensive manufactoring faclities in both the UK and North America. (they used to own a large chunk of British Leyland remember) and for a long time assembled Accords and Civics here in NZ. (my Mothers Accord was made in the same Factory in Nelson that my Old Triumph was made in).

I guess the question is was it cheaper for Honda to make one set of Global tools for all its Manufactoring plants, all over the world, and so have a universal chassis design for the Civic, or are there prehaps 3 or more differnt chassis stamps.
One in RHD only for Japan/Aisa Autralisia etc
One in LHD only for North America
and either Two in Europe for LHD and RHD, or one that could be assembled into either.
(and of course the SiR would have had its own set of tools as the frount end is differnt.

)

If all the cars are only based on one basic chassis tool then converting the cars would be quite easy. If there are differnt tools then it might depend on where the car came from.

and of course one has to ask the question, why would you want to convert a LHD Civic to RHD, since all the best models, were made in RHD to begin with? (i.e the ZC and B16a power Si, and SiR

)
unless it was a European VTi, for use in the UK, in which case you just buy an imported SiR from Japan.
(or Jedi got his L's and R's round the wrong way)

Setanta · #7 07-22-2002, 07:35 AM

I have a feeling that the SBC first gen Civic had a universal set of stamps (RHD/LHD) on it for the Aussie/Asia cars - will have to check next time I see one - maybe it was the TA22/RA23 Celica or even the Datto 240K - geez, now I'm wondering which one it was

I don't know enough about the dies used for stamping out the chassis - the firewall is welded in right? Surely that'd mean that only that part of the stamping machine whould have to be changed?

Moppie · #8 07-22-2002, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Setanta

I don't know enough about the dies used for stamping out the chassis - the firewall is welded in right? Surely that'd mean that only that part of the stamping machine whould have to be changed?

Depends on the design of the car.
It might be a seperate part, or it might be part of the floor pan.

Iv actualy cut the firewall and floor of a two 1g's up in order to put a new frount end on one of them, and can't remember if the firewall was part of the floor or not. I know it was all damn tough to get trough.

hmmmmm

I think the Firewall went back about a foot before it was welded to the floor. I remember having to cut a real bastard of a seam that ran accross the car. (we had to gas axe it) so theres a seam runs accross the car under the frount seats.
Wonder if the 4g is made the same way...

But I assume with the SiR they only changed the parts where the subframe mounts to, as this appears to be the only differnce, and would require the smallest tooling change. (and I would assume the parts for the EE9 were stamped in Japan on the same run as the EF9, and them assembled onto bodys made in the UK)

jedi · #9 07-22-2002, 12:24 PM

Nah i didnt get my L'S and R'S confused lol...i always thought it would be phat to have a RHD car when everyone else has a LHD one..itd probee cause alot of accidents

Melt · #10 07-23-2002, 07:47 PM

Yeah, but think about toll booth's, drive throughs, and other places where you need LHD

marked001 · #11 07-24-2002, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jedi
uhhh...damn.lol..well i was wonderin cause theres a crx in the new import tuner thats ALL jdm and mugen its reallyy nice and its rhd but they said its a regular california driven crx so im guessin he did a conversion some how

dont ask me how he got that car registered....but that is actually a JDM chassis...no conversion. I know someone who knows him...

jedi · #12 07-24-2002, 11:30 PM

damnit ...oh well ..hey are there any sites that show JDM body kits that would fit the si-R front end?

Melt · #13 07-25-2002, 12:40 AM

correct me if im wrong, but shouldnt any 4th gen body kit fit the SiR? Because I think the headlights are different but the bumper is pretty much the same. Wait for Sentanta or Moppie to come on here, they got SiR's

Melt · #14 07-25-2002, 12:43 AM

Oops, forgot to scroll up

Moppie and Sentanta pretty much DOMINATE this thread...

tbk49 · #15 07-25-2002, 12:44 AM

it will fit you just need to shave the bumper filler and bumper possibly...a buddy of mine with a jdm front end convertion put the wings west kit on his car all he had to do was shave the front bumper for it to accomodate the lights, ill get some pictures of it as soon as i see him again its looks sweet!

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