b21 (yes, 21) into a 4th gen civic hatch

[lazysmurff]

ok, you guys do a lot more research and such on civics than i, because i own a 91 prelude Si...and thats the problem. its heavy, and i mean heavy. even a strip down leaves alot to be desired. alot.

not only the weight factor, but brake, exhaust, suspension, and other upgrades are poor or either dont exist for my car.

not to mention insurance is cheaper on a civic than a prelude...

so finally heres my question. aside from custom motor mounts...what other mods do you think would be necessary to drop the b21 into a civic? i know there are mounts that claim ANY B SERIES INTO A CIVIC, but the b21 is like the ugly redheaded step child of the b series.

ANY help would be keen

[SiZ]

Hmmm.. I don't know about that. I'm pretty sure the mounts are different on the old lude B series motors.. I mean, different than the other B series motors. I don't even think that swap is doable unless you made custom mounts. (and even if you did, I don't see how it would be worth it)

I read that old lude B20s are kinda a problem child...

[slammedcivicsi]

they wont work......because it sits too angled back.....it would hit the firewall.....its a total waste to try to make it work.....trust me.

[lazysmurff]

well damn...there goes that idea. thanks for the money saver guys. looks like its trudging with the heavy mule for a while longer

[YZ125rider21]

when get a little money get a b20b4 if you want a b20...for the price very cheap to come by

[Moppie]

Originally Posted by lazysmurff

but the b21 is like the ugly redheaded step child of the b series.

Actualy the orginal B20 in the 3g Prelude is the slow old Grandfather of the B series engines, it spawed all that followed, which makes the B21 its annoying redhead sister who moved to America.


But if you can drop a B16, B18, or later B20 into a 3g Prelude, then you can drop a B21 into a 4g Civic, although there is no reason to.

[slammedcivicsi]

Originally Posted by Moppie

But if you can drop a B16, B18, or later B20 into a 3g Prelude, then you can drop a B21 into a 4g Civic, although there is no reason to.

here comes my argument again.....the b21 or older lude motors sit too far back.....so go ahead and drop in a b16 into your prelude.....you will have extra engine clearance in the back.....but try to take that bulkier motor that sits further back than the B16....and make your own mounts....and make your own unibody mounts....and your golden......but try to re-use the OEM unibody mounts and an HCP mount kit.....you are gonna have fun steppin on the gas and smashin a giant hole in the firewall.

[91civicDXdude]

Originally Posted by slammedcivicsi

here comes my argument again.....the b21 or older lude motors sit too far back.....so go ahead and drop in a b16 into your prelude.....you will have extra engine clearance in the back.....but try to take that bulkier motor that sits further back than the B16....and make your own mounts....and make your own unibody mounts....and your golden......but try to re-use the OEM unibody mounts and an HCP mount kit.....you are gonna have fun steppin on the gas and smashin a giant hole in the firewall.

all you do is place it farther forward in the engine bay. If a giant of an H22/H23 will fit, a B21 will fit, but with some modification and fabrication.

[EF You]

Originally Posted by lazysmurff

not only the weight factor, but brake, exhaust, suspension, and other upgrades are poor or either dont exist for my car.

if you wanna upgrade the brakes, use 90-93 integra aftermarket parts. just about every part is interchangable. the suspension can be done, just mix and match energy suspension bushings from the integra setup too. im compounding a list of the bushings needed. my friend has a 90 prelude S. we are converting it to fuel injection, and are in the process of swapping all the bushings out for poly. DC sports makes a header for the b20a and b21, but its a little expensive. our plan in the future is to put an h22 in it, but after everything else is complete. ive seen strut bars before, and we are gonna order them for the lude. that chassis is a really good platform to play with, only problem is it comes with a terd engine. the suspension itself is nice and has potential. lots of balljoints front and rear.

[lazysmurff]

Originally Posted by Moppie

But if you can drop a B16, B18, or later B20 into a 3g Prelude, then you can drop a B21 into a 4g Civic, although there is no reason to.

other than that i already have the engine (built mind you-headers, intake, grounding kit, bored throttle body...shaved heads in a month or so, along with a fuel pump and an AFC) and im really not looking for the fastest car on the block.

basically what im going for is the weight loss. naturally i would prefer a b18 or a new b20...fact of the matter is, i have a b21 and im just trying to work with what i got.

though ive not heard that suspension info before...id really appreciate some info on where you found the strut bars.

[nemo_wolf]

Originally Posted by Moppie

But if you can drop a B16, B18, or later B20 into a 3g Prelude, then you can drop a B21 into a 4g Civic, although there is no reason to.

well the way the engine is mounted is diffrent for the 16 and 18 from the 21 and 21. the prelude engines sit at a slant and are so far back i thought i was needing new glasses.

anything can be made to fit in any sized area with enough work. But the real answer is there really isnt a reason to since the HP upgrade isnt as worthy as something much cheaper and easier to install.

Side note, if your looking to get rid of that prelude id be willing to buy it like tonight if your in the bay area of CA.