civicpower

Can anyone tell me if I can swap in a motor out of a '98 Si into my '88 dx? I have access to the motor, tranny, ecu, wiring harness, axles and anything else that can be found in the car. What will this kind of swap require and can it be done? Thanks alot.

shlammed

you can do it no problem...all d-series motors are straight drop in. However, unless you got a kit from HAsport to use the hydraulic tranny, you would have to use an older cable SI tranny. Other things you would have to do include wiring vtec and the extra fuel injectors. You can find many detailed write ups on this swap or any swap into a dx for that matter. You might also consider getting new engine mounts while you're at it. I wouldn't wanna see one of them snap later on.

Blue Dream

the only kit that fabs up a "hydrolic to cable" is for the B series

civicpower

I'm kinda new to motor swaps, so please excuse my ignorance ... will I be able to use the tranny out of the '98 or can I use my '88 tranny? Will the motor drop right in? What else will have to be done to get this swap to work? Thanks.

shlammed

you can use your stock engine mounts but it would be a good idea to get new ones...and no you cant use the 98 tranny because its hydraulic...you need an 88-91 si cable tranny

punkindrublic

you can use your stock tranny

civicpower

So, my stock tranny in my '88 Civic will match up to the '98 Si motor (D16Z7)? What other parts will I need to complete the swap? How about the wring in of the vtec ... what will be required to get that done? Sorry for all the newb questions.

shlammed

you can use your stock tranny but the gearing from an si tranny would perform better unless you planned on going turbo...the dx's longer gears would be better for that. As for the VTEC, that can either be wired into the ECU or the other way would be just to turn it on from a switch.