By Juan Renteria on Saturday, September 25, 1999 - 09:02 pm:

Hello everybody,
I'm seriously thinking about starting a
new project car and found a early first gen
civic in great shape, but I want to make this
little thing fast. I had a 95' civic ex with vtec
eng, I liked the power for a 4 cylinder.
Can the newer vtec be swapped into the early civic? and what else besides computer, engine,tranny will I need to get?
does anybody sell x-over kits?
any help will be usefull? recomendation?
I need to keep it under $4K U.S.

By Charles on Sunday, September 26, 1999 - 03:55 pm:

The Vtec engine you had in your EX will fit in a first generation civic fairly easily. Was it the 1500 or 1600 Vtec SOHC? Either way they both produce about 130 hp and they fit into the civic much like the ZC 1600 motor. You need to make up a few mounts (one that bolts to your RH chassis rail, one that bolts onto the front and one on the rear crossmember. You also need to cut and shut your driveshafts. I don't know how US prices are but the whole operation could be done in Australia for way under the $4K US mark.

By Juan Renteria on Monday, September 27, 1999 - 10:20 pm:

Thanks for your input Charles,

But I'm a little confused, I located the
vtec 1.6 from 95 civic and will get all the
ecu and harness, But what do you mean by "cut and
Shut driveshafts", I know what cut means but what
does shut mean? and how much do they need to be cut? do you know anybody thats doen this swap?

Thanks, Juan

By charles roberts on Saturday, October 02, 1999 - 08:15 pm:

Charles just means you need to shorten the driveshafts. the later civics were wider than the firsts. But I have a question too, will the early axles plug into the later tranny or will you have to respline the laters to accept the early outer CV joint?

By Charles ( - 137.219.16.31) on Sunday, October 03, 1999 - 03:43 pm:

I know for a fact the early axles will fit in a box up to 1986. It is not really a problem. If you are going to cut the axles anyway just join on the inboard CVs that suit the box. Cut and shut means to cut the actual axle in two places (remove the excess) then rejoin the other two pieces, then sleeve it. It is just as strong as the original if done correctly. There are a lot of people who have done the ZC/D16 swap (integra and JDM CRX Si engine). The VTEC is the same block and box (less the equal length shafts) and fits in in the same manner.

By 2LOW2GO on Monday, October 04, 1999 - 09:48 am:

Actually the early axles will fit up to a 87. I have a 78' with a 87 crx si motor and tranny and i am using the stock 78' axles.

By Charles Roberts on Monday, October 04, 1999 - 03:22 pm:

So that's how you have so many horses. I saw your dyno statment from the stereo discusion and was amazed, now I see why.

By Travis on Friday, May 19, 2000 - 03:44 pm:

I am getting a '80 1200 civic, it is in fair condition, I plan to redue just about everything. I talk to a friend of mine who said a VTEC engine would bolt right in. I guess I will have to see if this is true as I go along. Will the stock Manifold fit? Or even a aftermarket VTEC header fit? Not to sure on the clearance on that. Also do you guys know of any company's that sell remanufacured parts for the first gen.? Any help or input would be great. Thank in advance.

Thanks,
Travis

By Racecraft on Sunday, May 21, 2000 - 04:11 pm:

Your friend obviously has no idea if he thinks you can bolt in a VTEC. Life in Hondaland isn't that easy. Don't you think there would be 160hp twincam vtec 1200s all over the place if this was the case. I hope you didn't buy the car in the hope it was a bolt in.

By Lay V. on Friday, May 26, 2000 - 11:54 pm:

I agree with Racecraft..because I'm just about to start my twincam vtec swap into my '75 civic. Ohhh man, the space is very tight indeed! And bolt in? Haa! =) I had to chuckle when I saw that. Does anyone know anything about the axles for the twin cam vtec motors? I also have a ZC motor in my 1st gen. integra because I needed a replacement after the wife hydrolocked my D16A1. Charles said there are lots of people that have done the ZC/D16A swap...where can I get a hold of these people??? I would like to know what spindles and hubs to use because I want to use bigger brakes from a CRX or 1st generation integra up front. I'm doing this project just for the hell of it, because it keeps me busy. I also own a '76 civic 1200 which I drive occasionally but it has no front windshield and all the local wrecker's don't have any civic's that old...anymore.

So if any of you can help me out with my project, I would greatly appreciate it. I've talked to a few people on the subject of the swap and haven't gotten much help. So when you "cut & shut" - "cut & sleeve" or whatever. So let me get this right, you just cut the axle in two - remove the unwanted portion - and weld it back together - then weld a sleeve over the welded part? Or am I a lost soul? hahahaha! Please Help!

2LOW2GO has a 1st generation civic with a '86 CRX Si motor and used the stock civic axles? With no modifications to them? Then that means those stock axles would fit into an '87 integra tranny also? The D16A or maybe a ZC perhaps =)is that why Charles said many people have done that swap? Am I getting any closer to the truth? Or am I just a hopeless wanderer? I hope it's not t he latter. Any input would be more than welcomed!
See you guys around. If possible, e-mail me at prevalenceracing@aol.com

By John S. ( - 208.188.193.192) on Saturday, May 27, 2000 - 08:29 am:

Say Lay,
Go to "keyword search" type in "brake upgrades" and you should find what you need.

By 2LOW2GO on Saturday, May 27, 2000 - 12:35 pm:

Lay, I am using a 87 si motor and tranny, the axles are from a 78 civic (they fit the 87 civic tranny) the outer axle ends are from a 80' civic(due to the wheel conversion). The axles will not fit the integra tranny(i have just completed a 89 integra twin cam into a 79 civic wagon)the axles are custom built( what i had done was the integra axles were shortned and then the ends were re-splined to accept 87 crx outer ends and i used outer hubs from a 87 crx for my brake conversion. If u do the conversion u will need to upgrade the fuel lines to accept the supply for the new motor.Any more questions just e-mail me @ twylajustin@hotmail.com . good luck, Justin

By Charles ( - 137.219.16.31) on Monday, May 29, 2000 - 04:00 pm:

The D16/ZC engines with the equal length shafts fit in, use 2 short shafts and position the mounts around that. As most Honda diffs are the same width, you can use the stock shafts as long as you centralise the motor around the shafts. There is enough play in the shafts to run a slightly thicker diff or offset the motor/box to the left or right slightly.

By Travis (24.4.254.128) on Sunday, April 29, 2001 - 12:24 am:

Does anyone know of a good place to pick up a B16A enging (SiR DOHC VTEC, 160hp)? I plan to put it in my '79 1200.... I have read on hybrid sites that you should be able to pic one up with tranny (w/out the ECU) for about $800... and everywhere I look I find them for about $1200 USD... I would even be willing to drive up to BC canada if someone knows of a good place up there. (I am located in Seattle,Wa) But I am just hoping I can find a set-up for less than the $1200.... Any info will be great.

Thanks,
Travis

By mooner (216.190.11.70) on Sunday, April 29, 2001 - 06:03 pm:

www.sohfast.com

By Travis (64.12.105.22) on Monday, April 30, 2001 - 12:53 am:

I checked out sohfast.com.... they had engines, but they were pretty adverage priced.. about $1200... I'm lookinf for some less espensive leads... I know there are places out they, they guys charge a lot more becuase they can get it. Also I am thinking Canada would be a good place becuase of the exchange rate.... but anyone else have any leads? Thanks guys, you to sohfast guy.

Travis

By 2low2go (207.107.254.248) on Monday, April 30, 2001 - 10:23 am:

here in canada the motors are pretty hard to come by, the local wrecker that usually gets them is called (B&E Auto supply 604-322-1498 or Arman at 604 841 3797)it's located about 45mins from the washington state border, i checked into it and the SiR complete conversion or GSR complete conversion is selling for almost $6000.00 complete! They want $7000.00 for the type R and $3000.00 for a non-vtec..1.8..i think it might be better to check for one locally..
Justin

By Anonymous (172.154.227.55) on Monday, April 30, 2001 - 12:24 pm:

hey, i have a b18c out of a 97 integra gsr. this is a 1.8vtec 170 hp includes intake, t/b, head, block, cable tranny, pr3 ecu and all the sensors. no axles or wiring harness. a harness out of a 88-91 civic/crx si will work for this conversion. the only caught its that the engine needs new bearing. ive check around town here and most engine rebuilders want 1000-1200 to do a full rebuild.but if you do it all yourself, this package would save you alota money. as posted above shops want 5-6000 cdn for a b18c hydro swap. but iam asking 1500usd/2200cdn plus shipping. i will also consider trading this motor swap for a 74-79 civic 1200 in good condition. i can email pics if anyones interested.

i also have a jackson racing supercharger for this motor, but we'll talk about that once you get the motor in

By Tim Harding (Timh) (147.222.140.130) on Monday, April 30, 2001 - 12:57 pm:

Check out Ebay. There are usually 3-5 b16's for sale at any given time. A couple of times I've seen some located in Seattle. I can almost guarentee that one will pop up on Ebay in Seattle in the next month. Also remember, the price usually includes an ECU that you could turn around and sell for $250. Now $950 doesn't sound quite as bad...

http://pages.ebay.com/ebaymotors/browse/Parts.html

Also if your not familiar with The Parts Trader, I'd check that out.

http://www.thepartstrader.com

I'd like to put a b16 into my CRX and I'd probably pick one up in the Seattle area when the time comes.
Are you going to run EFI in your '79?

By Tim Harding (Timh) (147.222.140.130) on Monday, April 30, 2001 - 01:11 pm:

Wow, I just found a site where a guy is selling them for $900! This includes engine, trans, and ecu. Sell the ecu and you'll have a great deal. I got linked to the site from his Ebay auction where he said shipping charges would be from 125-275. He's located in LA. Good luck!

By Tim Harding (Timh) (147.222.140.130) on Monday, April 30, 2001 - 01:12 pm:

Oops, here's the link.
http://hometown.aol.com/b1gpiampin/myhomepage/profile.html

By Travis (24.4.254.128) on Monday, April 30, 2001 - 02:26 pm:

Thanks Tim.... That last link is just the kinda think I was looking for Oh yeah and.. yes I plan to run the fuel injection so I guess I will be needing the ECU.

No thanks on the guy selling the B18... rather get a B16A all ready to go... thanks though..

Oh and thanks Justin... I apriciate it. I guess these conversions into older civics just is not as popular in Canada as down here...

By Travis (24.4.254.128) on Monday, April 30, 2001 - 02:26 pm:

Thanks Tim.... That last link is just the kinda think I was looking for Oh yeah and.. yes I plan to run the fuel injection so I guess I will be needing the ECU.

No thanks on the guy selling the B18... rather get a B16A all ready to go... thanks though..

Oh and thanks Justin... I apriciate it. I guess these conversions into older civics just is not as popular in Canada as down here...