By Becks (203.96.111.201) on Saturday, January 05, 2002 - 05:51 pm:

i was just wondering what general opinion on the CVCC 1200, 1300 and 1500 engines are as they dont come into New Zealand in the civic but the citys. I have recently been given the choice of two to own one being a 1500cc CVCC and the other a series 1 1500cc turbo. While i enjoy speed i would prefer reliability as i am planing to travel great distances in the chosen one and would prefer not to end up with the lemon.

By Ross (203.96.111.201) on Saturday, January 12, 2002 - 09:12 pm:

Hi Becks. I contacted you a long time ago about my 1200 '77 civic. I'm in auckland and the thing has been sitting round the side of the house for some time now waiting to be revived. My little brother now has the DISPOSABLE INCOME to do the job now but I'm also looking at an engine conversion. How many kiwis have you found interested in the old civics? I still love the car because I have the original racing front spoiler that hangs below the standard steel front bumber and have never seen anyone with one like it, and believe me it makes a huge difference to the look. I know you're down south but if you know how to organise it I would be willing to let you make a mold of it. Anyway, I say an article of an Aussie 1200 with the city turbo II engine in it and it seems to run amazingly. At Pic-A-Part the cvcc's are plentyfull but I'm also not sure which way to go. I'm really interested in mainly straight bolt-on conversions from wreckers with little modifications in all areas of the car so I hope you can help.

r_blankenaar@hotmail.com

Thanks

By Becks (203.96.111.201) on Sunday, January 20, 2002 - 11:32 pm:

hey ross ive been speaking to a fellow kiwi from wanganui who seem pretty clued up on engine conversions and sent me a email regarding the 1800cc accord conversion.....
"as I said the 1800 and 1600 sohc engine and gearboxes are a big heavy unit compared to the 1200.
the 1800 does not use the centre engine mount like the 1200.
you need to fabricate front and rear mounts for the gearbox end of the motor.
radiator needs changing . diveshafts fit but the 1800 box is wider so you have to either lengthen bottom arms or shorten drive shafts. when calculating lenghts it is important to ensure that cv joints do not bottom out.
the 1800 motor is very tall so you will have noticeably reduced clearance under the sump and old engine mount will need modifying for clearance.
engine stabiliser will need changing
a later zc1600 non vtec twin cam 1600 and gearbox is a better alternative. requires about the same mods to install. 130hp standard with better ratios and final drive.the model in preludes with carbs are cheap if you want to stay away from fuel injection.
the turbo city engine is a bolt in but there is a big job which ever way you do the wiring. I have done one of these and would never do another due to the amount of work and difficulty sorting out wiring and tuning problems.
at the end of the day you will never recover your money which ever conversion you do so best to sort out what you want to end up with.
1800 conversion is cheap but a dog around corners.
the best value conversion I have done is with the 3vave sohc 1500 gt civic motor and box using std injection. light reliable and cheap"
ive got a old morris minor front air dam being adapted for the front at the moment lol should be alaugh if i keep the civic that long as im goin through engines like no tomorrow lol.