std to zc swap, making sure

[appleburger]

okay, for the past week i've been researching all i can on this swap. i want to get my little brother a car that he can start autocrossing and stuff just for some experience with working on engines and driving. so i decided to get my friends 89 civic hatch with a 4 spd stick. he's got a dohc zc sitting right next to it that he never got around to putting in. i figured that since i can get the car and the motor for well under $500 if not free, that would be a good first project car for my bro. so far this is some of the info i've gathered but i just want to make sure i've got things right and if there's anything i'm missing.

1. to make it a 5 spd i need a 88-91 crx si tranny. do i need any cables or anything along with it?

2. i need to do the dpfi to mpfi conversion which includes wiring in an injector resistor box. doesn't sound too hard and i've found quite a few write ups.

3. there is a dc header that will fit but you need to get a lower section from another make. i don't remember what car each section is made for.

4. should i use the zc flywheel and have it resurfaced or buy a crx si flywheel?

5. i plan on doing a rear disc conversion as well. i found quite a bit of info and it didn't seem too hard. are there popular upgrades for the front brakes as well? what all would i need for that?

6. i was looking at upgrading the suspension and its a bit different than for my mr2! we would be replacing as many of the old bushings with poly urethane bushings as possible, are there any kits that include all the bushings you'd need or do i have to buy them all individually? also, they don't offer coilovers for my car like they do this civic. none of the cheap ones that are just springs without the shock. are these worth it or should we hold out for a full coilover setup? i was looking at the skunk2 coilovers and the tokico illumina or blue shocks. it'll be driven very often on public roads so we don't want anything too awfully harsh, but we don't want to sacrifice performance. any other suggestions?

thanks a lot in advance. as you can see i still haven't gotten it all figured out but i think i'm starting to grasp it. all the honda forums have been very helpful and most of the people have been very helpful even when i ask some kind of stupid questions.

[travagliante]

Hello,

Okay we will start out with the first question..

1. all you need is a 88-91 si/or ex tranny-which is the best choice, nothing else needed..... Except si axles, linkage will work(stock that is)

2.MPFI conversion, not to hard as long as you take your time, you will need a pg7, or pm6 ecu also, and hopefully you have a distributor on the zc.

3. Your stock header should work fine, oh wait or do you have a manifold?? with a downpipe? Well get a header for a 88-91 civic/crx.

4.hmmm a zc flywheel should work if you have it otherwise you can use your stock one. With a 88-91 si clutch.

5. rear disk conversion, not to hard, as long as you take your time.... Front disc conversions that are popular are from a 90-93 teg, front brakes+calipers=bigger, need them, pm me and make an offer and there yours.....

6.There are kits on the net for bushings. Do a quick serach...Most 90-93 integra, 93-97 del sol, and 94-00 integra suspension parts bolt up as well as some 92-00 civic stuff does too.

[1PhatCX]

90 - 93 front teg brakes will swap over!?!? how hard is it and what exactly do i need?? i'm buying a 90 teg parts car



sorry back on topic
i recently did a ZC swap in my canadian STD (CX) it was fairly easy. wiring was a head scratcher tho off the ECU but i got it figured out. make sure u get EVERYTHING with the zc. while its out, replace everything (seals, gaskets, water pump, timing belt etc..) its easier when its out. also. a good idea is to tear it down to a bare block, inspect everything, hone the cylinders and put in new rings (i did it and wasnt too costly.. just time consuming really) u can use any cable 5 speed tranny. 88 trannys require 88 clutch disc. 89 - 91 can use 89- 91 clutch disc. its a good idea NOT to go with a stock clutch... i did and i notice it slips from too much power, buy an exedy stage 1 clutch or what ever the model is above the stock version (wish i did that) if u have any questions during the swap feel free to ask away!

also, just if ur wondering, i had my old motor out, engine bay painted and new motor in, in one weekend
have fun

[appleburger]

awesome, thanks a ton guys! travagliante, i have to ponder a bit and then i'll pm you. but yeah, i'll be getting a new clutch for sure, i'll get the flywheel resurfaced as well. i'm sure i can figure out the wiring and the brake conversion (front and rear) don't seem to terribly hard from what i've read. i'll also be replacing the water pump, timing belt, a/c and alternator belts, timing belt tensioner, front main seal, rear main seal, cam seals, valve cover gasket kit, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel filter, engine mounts, upper radiator hose, exhaust manifold gasket, and oil pan gasket before the engine goes in. and i'll most likely use a 91 si ecu with an si tranny and axles. the brake conversion may come a little later depending on funds but it will be done sooner or later. i doubt i will tear the engine down to a bare block, i might wish i had but i don't have the time for that and the compression check and leakdown showed good results. hopefully i can get my hands on an aem pulley set and some cam gears before the engine goes in too but we'll see. again, thanks for your help!

[91civichatch2571]

wish i had a big brother that would do stuff like that for me

[travagliante]

the 90-93 teg front brakes and rear to are bolt in!!! No modifications required as i remember!!!!

[honda_luvr_2000]

yeah I did a 90-93 teg complete brake swap on my 88 CRX dx, and the only pain was bleeding the lines. everything bolted up perfect. I got complete front spindles w/ rotors & calipers, rear trailing arms w/ complete hubs, rotors & calipers, brake master cylinder and booster, for $350 shipped. to give you an idea of the price. anyone think i over paid? i really didn't shop around when i did it.

[]{iwi]

if u r doing this for auto x u may want to stay with civic front brakes the teg fronts are taller and will do not travel the same and the handleing of the car will suffer go with 4door ex front vrakes or crx/civic si front brakes just my .02 cents

[travagliante]

350 shipped, yeah thats a deal...I just sold rear teg disc brakes compleate with everything in back, brake master cylindar and 15/16 proportioning valve and ebrake cables for 300 bucks plus shipping..
But somewhere around 400 for front and rear brakes would be average market cost.


Anyone interested in front integra brakes,??? Bigger, better!!!! hahah comes with well everything for the front brakes, calipers, rotor, lines, spindles, and teg axle(well half at least) 100bucks + shipping,

PM me for details