CRX Project question

djrshorty16

Full member
Points
31
Location
USA Denver, Colorado
Car
1988 Honda CRX SI
I'm just starting out in the tuning world and need some help. I have a 1988 Honda CRX Si. I have a SOHC ZC engine in it right now but want to upgrade again and not quite sure where to go. I have heard B18c1 and B16 engines are good. what I'm trying to ask is what engine would be ideal to swap? If you know or have experience with my situation and could direct me to a place please.
 
Alright mate, welcome to the forum! I've moved this thread to relavant section. For the engine itself, haev a look here mate: http://www.torquecars.com/forums/f19/honda-engine-swaps-4053/

The B16A2 will give you 160bhp and the B18C1 will give you 170bhp. However, I would go with the B18C5 (although more expensive) as you will get 195bhp from it.

Before you look at having a new engine fitted though, you will need to upgrade the brakes and suspension first. Skunk2 do a good variety of suspension products for Hondas. The brake setup can be taken from pretty much any Honda. EP3 (the Type R before the current one) brakes will do the job just fine.
 
ok thank you, what is a recomended suspension to switch to? and i checked out engines and the B18c Type R puts out 200bhp and seems better than the engines you sugested an I am wondering if there is problems of that engine in CRXs? O... also how much would an engine fitting, suspension and brakes cost me?
 
It all depends on where you go mate. Most of us on here are UK based so can't really advise with that. A rough price guide though, the specialist garage I use will import a JDM B18C (more power than the UK spec), and fit it for roughly £6000. Quite a lot, but worth it for a proper job. £6000 = $9704

Suspension depends on budget mate. Tein is possibly the best brand, but also costs the most. Skunk2 are also a good brand for suspension.
 
Thanks a lot you have been excelent help to me and you are very thourogh. Is there a way to learn about how to do all of this stuff to cars or is it just experience?

No worries mate. Personally I started reading up on Hondas about 2 1/2 years ago. I got a Civic and wanted to know all about them and completely fell in love with the Honda scene. If anybody did any work on my car, no matter how small I would watch and try and learn that way. Once you're confident enough start poking about a little bit. Silly things like removing a bumper, once you know how it takes 5 minutes, but if you've never done it, then it can sound hard. Fortunately Honda make removing things and swapping them over fairly easy, until you go inside the car.
 
as prince said in the last post, its easy til you go inside the car

now ive never came across a case like yours, but because the crx is 88, means it was carburetor day 1, now it has a sohc vtec in it which means the wirimg loom, gas tank, and all the #!#!#!#! jobs you need to do when transfering carb to injection, is done

what i have seen is dohc vtec going into sohc vtec cars and the wiring dont need touching

get some pictures up, good 1s of the engine bay and il ask my mates whats what
 
ok so now that i have to engine figured out what kind of turbo, and intercooler should i run in it? also what car comes stock with the B18c Type R engine? I was told that it was the Acura Inegra Type R, and are there any other cars that would have it stock?
 
ok so now that i have to engine figured out what kind of turbo, and intercooler should i run in it? also what car comes stock with the B18c Type R engine? I was told that it was the Acura Inegra Type R, and are there any other cars that would have it stock?

Integra Type R 1996-2000 (DC2).

it will be the acura over there but its a honda here
 
ok sweet and if I were going to go at the engine swap alone would you recommend that I buy the engine first or get all of the small stuff first to avoid any unexpected changes? also I am looking at a total car rebuild so should I start with the engine or cosmetic stuff first, or should i just save up and do it all at the same time?
 
ok sweet and if I were going to go at the engine swap alone would you recommend that I buy the engine first or get all of the small stuff first to avoid any unexpected changes? also I am looking at a total car rebuild so should I start with the engine or cosmetic stuff first, or should i just save up and do it all at the same time?

What do you mean by cosmetic stuff? Before you swap the engine, you'll need to upgrade the brakes and suspension.
 
i mean cosmetic as in body work like paint, body kits, rust removal and stuff that will make the car look cool, and i just did a brake upgrade a couple days ago to Megan racing brakes and im getting ready to get skunk2 racing suspension with tein coilovers. So waht is your preference on how I should do my rebuild?
 
i mean cosmetic as in body work like paint, body kits, rust removal and stuff that will make the car look cool, and i just did a brake upgrade a couple days ago to Megan racing brakes and im getting ready to get skunk2 racing suspension with tein coilovers. So waht is your preference on how I should do my rebuild?

I would do it in this order: -

- Suspension + wheels
- Brakes
- Paint + rust removal
- Engine

I would not put a body kit on it mate. It will add weight and look awful. CRXs look cool as they are. The only touch I would add is a lip on the front.

I personally am not a fan of boot builds. I love music, but again it adds too much weight for my liking.
 
cool and as of today im having a surge problem at an idle and i was told by this mechanic that i know and he said it could be my mass airflow sensor and imjust looking for other opinions
 
you have some very good help mate /your lucky man ? when done my CRX had to phone every one and any one/ put up photos when done mate good luck
 
023.jpg
some peps do not like body kits but have a love at my CRX1989
 
hey i may be to late to help but its a muilt point swap to go from carb to injection u take the wiring harness out of a 90-93 integra for obd0 and just stay away from obd2 and u have to get dizzy and injectors intake mani and misc sensors then put in the crx u can do obd1 but its really a hassle obd0 is plug and play but u will lose some hp if u want to do that with a type r really i would just put a gsr in it beacuse in a crx anything is fast but still my b20 beats gsr`s and b16 all day long and its 700 dollars for the motor then like 240 for tranny and ull have a really fast car for alot cheaper then just mod it and ull love the tq
 

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