rudeboy001

hey guys, im a newbie to honda in general, ive always been a nissan guy myself...i have an 88 4dr LX civic, auto, sitting in my driveway for about a year now and ive decided to go ahead and build it. now what i would like is some advice on what engine swaps are the best for this platform.


i would like to build a 12-13 second all motor car...although i prefer to track the car instead of straight line race...just giving an idea of what i want from the car...

im looking forward to hearing from you all...

nrg3k

EF are a bit more expensive to build up. I think you can fit most motors.. the GSR (B18c1) or TypeR would be good. Not sure if a B20 would fit without cutting, but its a good non-vtec motor. Search this site and others for more info. I assume you'll be changing the transmission to standard...

I don't suggest you put much effort into this chassis - its a bit of an odd choice, and for the price of an EG or EK of any type, you'll pay less in the long run.

DJM:>

ek_k20

agreed. Dont waste ur time with ef sedan chassis if this is what you truly want. get something more up to date and where parts are easier to get. even a ef hatch or crx would be good but not a sedan

imported_starboy869

B20 won't fit? wtf Yes it does since it's basically a bored out B18 engine. However an H22 may need a shoe horn and a big hammer. :P

Unless you have $10K to dump into an old 88 auto I wouldn't even bother.

WTi

k is the new b.

rudeboy001

hmmmm.....i was using this because its readily available. didnt realize that it would be so unpopular. I still think id give it a try tho...possibly not a complete build, but definitely a motor/tranny swap....

Cynikal.Mindset

a guy i know had a 12 second 4th gen d-series turbo sedan

1sloweg

first of efs are NOT expensive to build. Any b-series motor willl drop in with a mount kit (150$). Wiring is simple, although if its a dx it will have to be converted to MPFI which is childs play. K-series will fit as will h-series with some work and a mount kit. Ef is a great chassis 2nd only to the EG.

nrg3k

motor is one thing.. i agree any B 'should' fit. i was thinking more about height clearance issues for the different B20 intake manifolds... whatever

The expensive part about an EF is the chassis bits. They are generally harder to find, and more expensive than newer cars - even for a CRX. Converting an EF sedan to manual, and adding suspension would likely clear the cost of a 1500-2000 EG chassis... just my thoughts based on experiences of some friends who road race (not drag or show).

DJM:>

imported_janz3n

huh???? converting to manual and adding suspension cost 1500 to 2000 dollars on a sedan? news to me. can be done for a hell of a lot less than this. dont listen to this stuff.

ef sedan is no different than a hatch or crx.. some parts dont work work from those cars but 99% do. suspension is all the same. only difference iv found is the upper control arm .. the hatch is shorter. same with upper ball joints. the sedans are bigger. everything els seems to be the same though. you can put any engine in an ef ( really an ed) chassis.

Oldspower

agreed^. if you want to run sway bar in the rear, you can find si rear LCA from a hatch and it will work with the sway bar. springs, shocks, bushing kits, blah blah all the same. except front uca basically. b series are common, and you can get high 13s out of a b16 pretty easily. but if you make it handle really well, you wont need it that fast. take for example the e30.

rudeboy001

thats encouraging to hear...
now the hunt is on for a good engine/tranny

would u suggest i get a full front clip if available?

imported_janz3n

why? like a jdm sedan front clip? i dont think they came with any kind of special engine. just buy a b16 or something.

by the way.. all D to B engine mounts , linkage are the same as the hatch.

rudeboy001

the reason i was thinking of a front clip is to get the tranny as well as the wiring harness/ecu and any other parts that are needed for the swap.

Brett

Id go the B20 route! B16 will leave you wishing for torque coming from a larger motor nissan...

rudeboy001

ye ye! thanks for all the input y'all...

i found a motor that im considering buying....
its a relative's and i dont know the specs like mileage etc...
i just want your opinion on the setup...

its a b20 block with a b16 head that comes with a tranny and mounts etc...
as im unfamiliar with these motors, what can this motor do?

how quick would it be?
how mod friendly is it?(all i intend to do is I/H/E)
would you reccomend this setup in the EF?

VTEC_Thunder

A b20 with b16 head will make plenty of power for pulling 12-13's, easy. Very mod friendly. Most b series parts will fit (header, intake manifold, cams, etc...)

Have fun!

rudeboy001

seemsa that i am abe to get some type R cams relatively cheap....
how will this mod afffect the performance of the set up?