THATS WHAT IM TRYING TO DO TO MY CRX
I GOT IT WITH A HOLE IN THE BLOCK THAT WAS MADE BY THE PISTON
BUT IT STILL STARTED AND RAN
WELL GOOD JOB HOPEFULLY I CAN GET IT DONE
There was an article on Civic/CRX – Integra swap including FI wiring diagram on old Sport Compact Car magazine. I have the scanned pages that I studied to do my swap.
I’ll either make them available for download or e-mail them to you shortly.
I have done the browntop dohc swap on my 85 si and I love it, its got a lot of kick and runs toe to toe with much bigger cars, its down for a bearing job and a new crankshaft =p
I’ve got the same swap in my car & love it. Quick question. My Integra air inlet tube between the air filter box and throttle body has torn. The angles seem just a bit off and I was wondering if the CRX inlet tube fit any better? My CRX tube is long gone and I don’t remember if it fit any better. I saw you used the Integra tube, so just curious why.
I also have a good hint for anyone who can’t get these to smog… Acura TSB 91-046 is for recalled computers, so check your computer’s numbers and see. It worked for me. I only had to add the uprated computer’s number to my e-bay watch list for a few weeks before one came up.
Upgraded cleaner running computers:
37820-PG7-405RM 49 state
37820-PG7-406RM 49 state
If I remember correctly, the CRX tube was a bit longer and didn’t fit quite right. That’s how I remember it. But the sure thing is there must be a reason why I chose the Integra tube. I had both tubes in perfect condition. So I must have chosen the one that fit the best.
The tube right now still shows no signs of tear or stress after 20,000+ miles. So I could only conclude that it is a right fit.
I’m thinking, in your case, could it be the motor mounts? I’m guessing if the motor mounts are worn, it can vary the angle between the intake and the filter box.
Most people get Integra motor/trans under $400 on average, I think. It’s the extra bit you need that adds up. (Integra parts needed are listed in Week 3) But if you can find the whole car, that should make your swap a whole lot easier and less expensive.
Now, if you’re planning a straight swap only, most likely it will cost way under $1000. But you should budget for other parts you can change while the motor is out.
For example, motor seals, gaskets, water pump, clutch, etc, etc,…. Replacing everything that needs to be replaced at the time of swap makes more sense.
I listed all the parts I changed in Week 5. Of course, you don’t have to do all of these. Just choose what’s important to you. For me, I needed some suspension parts including lower control arms and tie rod ends but you may not need these. A lot of these will bump up the cost of the swap but it will make your life much easier later on.
Fyi, my swap exactly as you see on these pages cost me roughly $3000. That includes the donor Integra and mostly OEM parts.
Just recently picked up an early 85 model year CRX, thinking about doing a D16a1 Swap. Does that bolt straight up to the factory MT for the 85 CRX or does it require new trany as well? Also any ideas where to find left front spindle, some yahoo stripped the bolt hole where the base of the front strut goes and currently is rigged but will need replacing soon?
Unfortunately I am on the east coast and having problems finding a pick and pull that has any civic/crx most of them don’t list having them on the lot. Will have to look around more.
Hi, same thing here in Chicago. First gen parts are extremely hard to come by.
But I had lot of help from the guys at this forum “redpepperracing.com“. Their members are from all over the country and I’m sure one of those guys will have the part you need. Join them and get to know them. Most of them will be happy to help you out. Good luck on the build!
Well looks like the D16a1 swap is going to happen sooner than latter, the sycronizers in the tranny went out over the weekend, have to double clutch until I can locate D16a1 engine tranny combination that I can drop in, and do so on a shoe string budget….should be fun. Any Ideas???
Have fun and good luck.
While looking, also look for 86-89 Integra as a whole car. If you can find one it’ll make your swap whole lot easier. I found Integra for my swap for $200 on craigslist, 160k miles in running condition. The owner didn’t want to spend money replacing the clutch. But that was something I’d do during the swap anyway. Getting the whole car will give you everything you need: motor, trans, axels, fuel injection box, mounts, shift linkage, ECU, and hell, you can even do rear disc swap if you’re so inclined. Good luck.
Ok, so so far on my search for an 86-89 integra to purchase so I can get what I need for my swap, I haven’t had much luck finding anything. However, I am finding alot of 90-91 integras. How much extra work is needed to pull that swap??
It can be done. But it’s going to be costly. It’s not as nearly bolt-in like the D16a1. For any B-series swap, you’ll probably end up spending $2000 minimum because you’ll need Hasport axles, mounts, and custom shift link for the swap…. not sure about the wiring but I think Hasport sells the custom wiring for B swap also.
Here’s some info on the B swaps: http://www.redpepperracing.com/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Engine_Swaps
If you search that site, you’ll find some project thread with B18. Those guys are really helpful.
RedPepperRacing.com is a great resource for first gen CRX, I’m also a member and got a lot of help from them. Good luck.
THATS WHAT IM TRYING TO DO TO MY CRX
I GOT IT WITH A HOLE IN THE BLOCK THAT WAS MADE BY THE PISTON
BUT IT STILL STARTED AND RAN
WELL GOOD JOB HOPEFULLY I CAN GET IT DONE
Good luck with the swap. It’s worth every penny and sweat you’ll be putting into it.
I need to know what kind of wires you ran from the FI control box to the integra FI control box. Thanks.
There was an article on Civic/CRX – Integra swap including FI wiring diagram on old Sport Compact Car magazine. I have the scanned pages that I studied to do my swap.
I’ll either make them available for download or e-mail them to you shortly.
Thanks you.
Actually, here is a more detailed instruction from RedPepperRacing.com.
http://www.redpepperracing.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=20659&st=330&p=261830&#entry261830
These guys are 1st gen CRX/3rd gen Civic geniuses. I had lot of help from these guys as well. Good luck.
I’m trying to do this swap as well but I’m having a hard time finding a decent browntop for the swap. Any ideas where I might find one?
I found mine on local Craigslist. They’re getting really hard to find these days. It took me 6 months to find one. You just have to keep looking…
People in the west coast seem to have good luck in the junkyards but I hadn’t had any luck in the yards around where I live in the mid-west.
Here’s one in Seattle: http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/1362007637.html
There are a couple within 600 miles if you search on Autotrader.com and a few that are quite far.
I have done the browntop dohc swap on my 85 si and I love it, its got a lot of kick and runs toe to toe with much bigger cars, its down for a bearing job and a new crankshaft =p
oh man, I luuuv this swap! FAST!!!
so how much did the entire swap cost?
I’ve got the same swap in my car & love it. Quick question. My Integra air inlet tube between the air filter box and throttle body has torn. The angles seem just a bit off and I was wondering if the CRX inlet tube fit any better? My CRX tube is long gone and I don’t remember if it fit any better. I saw you used the Integra tube, so just curious why.
I also have a good hint for anyone who can’t get these to smog… Acura TSB 91-046 is for recalled computers, so check your computer’s numbers and see. It worked for me. I only had to add the uprated computer’s number to my e-bay watch list for a few weeks before one came up.
Upgraded cleaner running computers:
37820-PG7-405RM 49 state
37820-PG7-406RM 49 state
37820-PG7-407RM CA
37820-PG7-408RM CA
Thanks!
If I remember correctly, the CRX tube was a bit longer and didn’t fit quite right. That’s how I remember it. But the sure thing is there must be a reason why I chose the Integra tube. I had both tubes in perfect condition. So I must have chosen the one that fit the best.
The tube right now still shows no signs of tear or stress after 20,000+ miles. So I could only conclude that it is a right fit.
I’m thinking, in your case, could it be the motor mounts? I’m guessing if the motor mounts are worn, it can vary the angle between the intake and the filter box.
Most people get Integra motor/trans under $400 on average, I think. It’s the extra bit you need that adds up. (Integra parts needed are listed in Week 3) But if you can find the whole car, that should make your swap a whole lot easier and less expensive.
Now, if you’re planning a straight swap only, most likely it will cost way under $1000. But you should budget for other parts you can change while the motor is out.
For example, motor seals, gaskets, water pump, clutch, etc, etc,…. Replacing everything that needs to be replaced at the time of swap makes more sense.
I listed all the parts I changed in Week 5. Of course, you don’t have to do all of these. Just choose what’s important to you. For me, I needed some suspension parts including lower control arms and tie rod ends but you may not need these. A lot of these will bump up the cost of the swap but it will make your life much easier later on.
Fyi, my swap exactly as you see on these pages cost me roughly $3000. That includes the donor Integra and mostly OEM parts.
Just recently picked up an early 85 model year CRX, thinking about doing a D16a1 Swap. Does that bolt straight up to the factory MT for the 85 CRX or does it require new trany as well? Also any ideas where to find left front spindle, some yahoo stripped the bolt hole where the base of the front strut goes and currently is rigged but will need replacing soon?
Thanks
I don’t think D16a1 will bolt up to the civic/crx tranny.
Your best bet will the local pick-and-pull. There are aplenty if you’re in the west coast.
Unfortunately I am on the east coast and having problems finding a pick and pull that has any civic/crx most of them don’t list having them on the lot. Will have to look around more.
Hi, same thing here in Chicago. First gen parts are extremely hard to come by.
But I had lot of help from the guys at this forum “redpepperracing.com“. Their members are from all over the country and I’m sure one of those guys will have the part you need. Join them and get to know them. Most of them will be happy to help you out. Good luck on the build!
Well looks like the D16a1 swap is going to happen sooner than latter, the sycronizers in the tranny went out over the weekend, have to double clutch until I can locate D16a1 engine tranny combination that I can drop in, and do so on a shoe string budget….should be fun. Any Ideas???
Have fun and good luck.
While looking, also look for 86-89 Integra as a whole car. If you can find one it’ll make your swap whole lot easier. I found Integra for my swap for $200 on craigslist, 160k miles in running condition. The owner didn’t want to spend money replacing the clutch. But that was something I’d do during the swap anyway. Getting the whole car will give you everything you need: motor, trans, axels, fuel injection box, mounts, shift linkage, ECU, and hell, you can even do rear disc swap if you’re so inclined. Good luck.
That is a great idea, I will definately look into it. Thanks.
Ok, so so far on my search for an 86-89 integra to purchase so I can get what I need for my swap, I haven’t had much luck finding anything. However, I am finding alot of 90-91 integras. How much extra work is needed to pull that swap??
So, i guess the questions is, how hard is a B18A1 swap???
It can be done. But it’s going to be costly. It’s not as nearly bolt-in like the D16a1. For any B-series swap, you’ll probably end up spending $2000 minimum because you’ll need Hasport axles, mounts, and custom shift link for the swap…. not sure about the wiring but I think Hasport sells the custom wiring for B swap also.
Here’s some info on the B swaps: http://www.redpepperracing.com/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Engine_Swaps
If you search that site, you’ll find some project thread with B18. Those guys are really helpful.
RedPepperRacing.com is a great resource for first gen CRX, I’m also a member and got a lot of help from them. Good luck.