SICK Project for an '87 Honda Civic

[Doc Holiday]

Okay, currently my 1987 Honda Civic 4D is full on stock. But... Since it's got damn near 200K miles on it and I just LOVE scaring people, I want to drop a new engine into it. I'm looking at a newer Civic engine (92-95 CRX), preferably VTEC. heh heh heh... Am I nuts? Hell yeah. Do I know where to begin...? No. lol

Does anybody have any CLUE if I can I even DO this? I know that I need a new engine mount, probably a new transmission, and probably some new electronics (mainly wiring harness). Right now, I've dropped in a new sound system (I know that's ghetto), and I'm trying to locate body styling for this beast.

Aiight. Thanks.
Doc :huh: :help:

[bracer]

Welcome to AF
Is your car a 3rd gen Civic or a very early 4th gen? (did a 3rd gen sedan even exist ) and what kinda engine do you have now?
If it is a 4th gen my advice would be to drop in a B16A (160hp) which means new mounts and tranny or a ZC (130hp) which bolts right in, lots of people here have done those swaps so I'm sure a lot of people here can help you.
If it is a 3rd gen, then well...I don't know

[91zc]

As Bracer said welcome to AF.

So you've got a 3rd gen sedan..your best bet would be to drop in a d16a1 from a 1g integra. This is pretty much a bolt in swap for the 3rd gen cars as long as you convert your car to fuel injection if it is carbed. The next easiest swap would be a JDM ZC and then the JDM 1g b16. Both of these would require some modification to work. check out www.hasport.com They have some good info there.
Good Luck

[Setanta]

3G sedans did exist an had the EW series engine as I recollect. 12 valve motor. I understand that the ZC will bolt up to the existing mounting points as it came out in the Civic Hatches. Can't confirm for sure though.

[bracer]

Well, there ARE 1987 4th gen's. The 4th gen was made since September 1987 that's the reason I asked. But only Doc can tell us which car it is.

[Doc Holiday]

Uh, I hate to tell ya' this but I checked the plate on my car and it's a 3RD GEN. My car was made June 1987, and I called the Honda dealership near here and they've serviced my Honda since it was originally bought September 10th, 1987 (coincidence?!). It's only had one previous owner, and I've met the lady. I called her and told her what I was planning to do to the car and she just laughed. Turns out she just "stole" her grandson's supped up Accord. Go figure. Honda lovers come at all ages. Even their 60s.

Doc

[4GZChatch]

Hey man, welcome to AF, not that I've been here all that long! Here is my advice and 2 cents: there is a website for people like us that want to modify our cars, and it is really awesome. It is www.hybrid.honda-perf.org. They have a section right on the front page that says 3G tech. They have all sorts of links and stuff. I just checked, and they say that the only bolt in is the DOHC 1.6 from the 1G Integra. They have some other stuff too, I didn't look too closely, but I am sure that they have some stuff for ya. Have fun modding!

[Doc Holiday]

Okay, I checked it out HASport and Hybrid Honda, and I'm confused as heck. I know this may sound silly, but I am only a gearhead in training. What the fudge is an Si? And what are the differences between my Honda and an Si? This way I can figure out when I can expect to complete this project. If it's longer than the current 12-month estimate, screw it. I'll simply yank the current engine, rebuild it, twist it out, and slap some hardware on it until it blows, or my kid's cheeks flap away from his jaws when I accelerate. But then the question becomes what all can I DO to this engine? Thanks, again.

Doc

I've got to remember to take a pic of my little beastie...

[DavidovSpeedWRC]

Welcome my brother!
I have a 86 Honda Civic Sedan, with the 1.5 liter SOHC carbureted engine.(i'm assuming you do as well)


The Si(of 84-87) was made in the form of the Civic Si and CRX Si, with the EW4 engine that was fuel injected.
The Civic Si is the sportier version of our Civics, and the Si version of the modern Civics is still made today.
The 3rd Gen(84-97) Si's had fuel injection, better headers(swappable to our engines), different compression, and several other nuances.

Now, about a swap, the ZC engine, which is the Japanese Domestic Market(JDM) version of the 1st gen Integra motor (D16A1), will both bolt right in to your chassis.

If you want more 3rd Gen support try these websites(I am a member of both of these)
Red Pepper Racing Forums
These guys will answer ANY question you have about your car, and they know about every kind of swap for our cars. Plus, we need more 3rd gen Sedans to post here!

3rd Generation Civic Club
Also good for info and tech questions.

[Setanta]

I'm sure I said this in my original post, but the 3G JDM Si Civic was powered by a ZC, end of story. It will bolt up as long as you use the mounts that came with the motor. The Si Civic had the ZC Engine before the Integra as a friend has owned an imported 1985 Si Hatch.

So yes, seeing as you have the same engine bay as a hatch, the engine will bolt in.

You will need the Engine/tranny/driveshafts as well as the ECU and wiring loom. You also might need the Si bonnet as it came with a hump on the JDM passenger's side as the ZC has a bigger timing cover. The bonnet just swaps over. I'm guessing that aftermarket mounts may mount the engine lower, but why bother?

Cheers

[ludicrs]

you could technically put a dodge shadow 2.2l turbo in there if you want. nothing a torch and time can't fix, but for the money scrap the sohc vtec idea and go w/ the b16a1 or b18. this is what you need; mounts, shift linkage, axles, wiring harnes, clutch and throttle cables. some of these you can get used or from the salvage yard.

[shadowboy]

Originally posted by bracer
Well, there ARE 1987 4th gen's. The 4th gen was made since September 1987 that's the reason I asked. But only Doc can tell us which car it is.

yes, but those were sold as 1988 model year cars.