Update your 1st Gen CRX
Posted on August 4, 2009 by Jesse O'Brien in News and Events
The first-gen (1984–1987) CRX was a very different beast than the more common 2nd-gen (1988–1991) CRX. There were more engines to choose from, each one less stimulating than the last. With more current generations of Hondas, this isn’t a problem. It simply means that you swap in another motor and create a ”hybrid” CRX. As the CRX model was refined, a new generation emerged in 1988 and nearly everything engine/drivetrain-related changed. Anyone behind that missed much of the tuner movement, and information became scarce because the more lucrative second-gen CRX was so easy to attain. There is hope for those who own a first-gen, though! You can update your whole platform to the newer generation, allowing b-series swaps, updated brake systems, and all SORTS of other goodies. Just putting in a d16a6 from a second-gen CRX Si will net you between 25%-50% more power!
You’re probably chomping at the bit to get your hands greasy, but there is quite a lot of work to be done.
Physical Fitment
As far as fitting the engine in goes, you’re going to have to start with new motor mounts. You can purchase motor mounts from hasport for your particular engine, you may also need to take a big heavy hammer to some parts of the engine bay (this depends on the specific mounts and motor you’re using, there is no catch-all explanation for what to smash up).
Carburetor to Fuel Injection
Since the first-gen CRX was the end of carbureted Civics, you’re going to have to cross over to fuel injection. The most difficult part of this is included with your new motor in the form of a fuel rail and injectors. You’ll need new engine management and wiring, so make sure wherever you source the engine from sends you a full body wiring harness. The easiest way about this is to get everything from headlights to tail lights, and the clip-on engine wires that come with the particular engine. A 2nd gen CRX Si is considered the industry standard for this, and that’s what I suggest. A d16a6 wiring harness will fit any d-series or b-series obd0 fuel-injected Honda motor out there. The only thing lacking is a wire for vtec, but that’s a relatively simple addition if you decide to install a vtec-equipped motor.
Assuming your EW motor was carbed, you’ll also need to install a fuel pump and pressurized fuel lines to get fuel to your new injectors. While it’s possible to run a dual-carb setup on a modern d-series motor, that’s well beyond the scope of this article and I’ll have no part of that. I like carbs on my motorcycle, not on my car. An inline pump and new pressurized fuel lines should do the trick nicely, if used with stock injectors.
After you’ve installed the motor, you’ll have to go through the laborious process of installing your wiring harness. A cable snake is a great tool to own or rent for this process, but you can get by with some string and a metal coat-hanger.
Now that you’re armed with information, you’re going to need to get some parts together. Here’s a basic list that you can fill in the blanks for:
- Engine
- Block (d16a6 is suggested, but any d-series will do)
- Head (d16a6 or d16zc is suggested)
- Transmission
- MANUAL transmission for a manual chassis
- axles should correspond to the motor you’re using
- Shift Linkage (you’ll have to fabricate this or order from hasport)
- ECU (should match the engine head you’re using)
- Wiring Harness
- should include a map sensor for the ecu you’re using
- Motor Mounts
- Fuel chain
- pump
- pressurized lines
- fuel rail
- injectors
The crew over at redpepperracing is dedicated to all the first-gen types, and can be a huge help when trying to catch up to the more recent generation and beyond. A walkthrough specific to mashing a b16 into a 1st-gen CRX is up on fondahonda’s site. b16 swap also contains useful information for your swap needs. Corey’s swap site also holds a lot of good first-gen info.
hey, i have a 84 crx. i was just wondering if a b18 out of a acura integra would swap into this
Trev,Thanks for stopping by!The generally accepted answer would be: You can swap any motor into any car with enough time and money. A b18a or b18b would be a very difficult swap for most 84 CRX's. You'd have to start by converting the car over to fuel injection (replace the fuel lines with high-pressure lines and add a fuel pump, and possibly a surge tank) unless it's an Si model, then fabricate motor mounts and I'm pretty sure you'd need custom stub axles. Finally, you'd have to wire the engine up with the ECU, and depending on what state/country you live in you may need to pass some sort of smog certification after swapping your engine. In essence, the process required to swap it is identical to swapping a b16 engine in (the only difference is that you don't need to wire up the vtec solenoid).I don't know what your goals are for this car, but I'd say it's not a worthwhile swap for a daily driver. The 1st-gen CRX is light enough that a d16a6 (single overhead cam) or d16a1 (dual overhead cam) would be an excellent engine. The d16z6 and d16y8 would be even better because they have vtec, allowing you to drive on a more tame, fuel-efficient cam profile when you're just driving but offer the same power as the a6 or a1 higher in the rev range. I have a bit of information on why d-series engines rock in CRX's here:http://www.drivendaily.org/projects/d16z6-and-d…
Trev,Thanks for stopping by!The generally accepted answer would be: You can swap any motor into any car with enough time and money. A b18a or b18b would be a very difficult swap for most 84 CRX's. You'd have to start by converting the car over to fuel injection (replace the fuel lines with high-pressure lines and add a fuel pump, and possibly a surge tank) unless it's an Si model, then fabricate motor mounts and I'm pretty sure you'd need custom stub axles. Finally, you'd have to wire the engine up with the ECU, and depending on what state/country you live in you may need to pass some sort of smog certification after swapping your engine. In essence, the process required to swap it is identical to swapping a b16 engine in (the only difference is that you don't need to wire up the vtec solenoid).I don't know what your goals are for this car, but I'd say it's not a worthwhile swap for a daily driver. The 1st-gen CRX is light enough that a d16a6 (single overhead cam) or d16a1 (dual overhead cam) would be an excellent engine. The d16z6 and d16y8 would be even better because they have vtec, allowing you to drive on a more tame, fuel-efficient cam profile when you're just driving but offer the same power as the a6 or a1 higher in the rev range. I have a bit of information on why d-series engines rock in CRX's here:http://www.drivendaily.org/projects/d16z6-and-d…
Got a question, and you seem like the person to answer what I want to know. I have an 86 CRX DX that i bought from a friend who blew the motor up. It is perfect and only cost me $100! This car isn't going to be a daily driver, and is going to be primarily my AutoX vehicle, because of its lightweight and cheap availability of parts. My question is, I've been looking at several set ups, and I can't decide which would be right for me. The car, like i said, will not be daily driven, will not have to pass smog or any other test(I live in Arkansas lol) and just needs to be very competitive on the track. I've looked and narrowed it down to the D16y8, d16z6, B18a1, or possibly a F23a. I know quite a bit about the two D series motors, and realize the potential within the B18, but what I don't know much about is the F23a? I've read and searched all over and found little info on a swap to a 1gen CRX…My girlfriends car has this motor(02 Accord EX) and I love driving it. It appears to be small enough, but i hear people compare it with the H22 which i know will not fit the 1gen. I understand no matter what way i go I have to switch over to fuel injected, I'm prepared for that, as well as the 89 Integra front hubs and what not. What would be THE best set up for my situation? As in Engine, Transmission…etc. I have a stable budget, but nothing like 2 or 3 grand. But I can work toward that price, it will just be time. But thanks for reading my book ….lol… but you seem like the only person that would answer me without flaming me first. Thanks. Jon
I'd stick with a d-series, simply because you won't need motor mounts and you only need to buy ONE camshaft. For a track car, a vtec head is silly, so I'd look around for a d16a6 (an obd0 sohc from 88-91 Civic Si's and CRX Si's). Transmission will depend entirely upon what kind of racing your doing, but AutoX won't matter very much. Personally, my preference is toward the old DX 4speed manuals. They require less shifting and are simpler to rebuild than 5speeds, and the clutch is cable-driven, rather than hydraulic.I know it's not what you want to hear, but you'll want to save up at LEAST 2 grand for the swap. It's worthwhile to invest in a rebuild for any used motor you get, just so you know it inside and out and know exactly where it's been since the last rebuild. While you're in there, the d16a6 would benefit from a thinner metal head gasket to raise the compression, as well as new head studs (ARP has a good reputation). The timing belt and coolant pump are worth replacing at the same time, too. While you're in there, balancing the rotating assembly will let you safely rev the engine higher and free up a small amount of power.Your tire choice and suspension setup will make more of a difference than which engine you choose. Stiffen the rear to manage understeer and get the widest wheels allowed in your class.
That sounds good man, thanks a ton. I've never looked into the a6 but I will give it a good look over. I still have to determine the tires and what not. But right now I'm just focusing on the engine, and getting that old beast running again! And great article on the 1g, I'm definitely subscribing to your feed.
hello love the article quick question maybe stupid , but i currently have a 1987 crx dx project on the go , basiclly just body and paintwork is done atm , what i have tho is a d16 zc motor (a entier 1991 honda civic actually with a d16 zc) and going to swap in , what i need to know is my dx currently has no ecu as far as i can tell , is it possible i can keep my dash wired as is and run the engine harness to a ecu? i will more then likely be acquireing a 87 integra wiring harness because of comparibility to motor and car but if i can use the engine harness from the civic that would be much simpler , thanks
You've got a fair amount of work to convert over from carb to EFI. The carb wiring harness pretty much just gives electricity to the starter motor, hooks up to the alternator, and powers the distributor. You'll want to transplant the d16zc engine along with everything it's hooked up to into your CRX. I'm pretty sure you need to swap your wheel hubs, so you may as well upgrade to the stronger knuckles and brakes from the Civic as well. You'll need to take the whole wiring harness from the Civic as well, along with the ECU. Just find a good place to mount the ECU and splice the power wire for it so it turns on when you turn the key to ACC.Let me know how this turns out, Chris.
I have one for you, I have an 84 CRX I believe DX amazing shape only 130,000 miles but the one issue I have its an automatic, is that changable or what can I do to mod it? Surprisingly I cannot find any info on the automatic or anyone else who has one or has even mentioned one! Maybe look at selling it and getting my standard, any bit of info would help, thanks!
Your the person ive been looking for!!! It would be awesome if you could help me out!!!
I have a 87 CIVIC CRX SI! It had a d15a3 CARBED and im doing a d16a6 EFI swap!!!
First off, do I have to change the ENGINE MOUNTS???
Ive got the ENGINE WIRING HARNESS and the ECU that goes with the d16a6, what other WIRING will I need if any???
I tried to put the TRANSMISSION from the d15a3 with the d16a6 and it didnt bolt up at all! I know/think I need a different one, but which one out of which car???
Also, the FUEL SYSTEM!! What kind of fuel pump do I need, where/how do I put it, what should the psi be, do I have to upgrade to high pressure fuel lines and do I need/can I use a fuel pressure regulator???
A friend of mine told me that the fuel pump has to be wired to the computer so the fuel pump can be read!! But another friend told me that if I got a fuel pressure regulator then the fuel pump wouldn’t have to be wired to the computer to be read, because the regulator would take care of all that!! PLEASE HELP!!! Whats the deal with all that???
Finally, the HUB AND AXLES (SUSPENSION)!! Do I have to change either of the two or any other part of the suspension, if so, what do I need from what car???
PLEASE HELP!!! I love my CRX and I want this to work sooo bad!! If I left out anything, please say so!!!
Triston
Triston,
These are good questions, but some of them are tough to answer directly.
MOUNTS – Typically, I’d say d-series mounts are d-series mounts, but this is the one exception to that rule. As far as I know, there are no aftermarket late model mounts for the 1g CRX, so you’re going to need to level up your welding skills or buy some beer for a friend who’s good with a welder.
WIRING and FUEL – Swapping from carbs to efi is a big project regardless of the engine you’ll be using. For starters, you’ll need at least a 35psi fuel pump, and you’ll want a baffled fuel tank, foam tank inserts, or a secondary sump tank (I’ve found that fire extinguishers work great for this). Basically, EFI engines require a lot of fuel pressure, so if the pump is starved it will have a much more detrimental effect than in a carburetted engine. You NEED to make sure that your primary fuel tank doesn’t run dry. Unless the folks over at RedPepperRacing have come up with a new solution, you’re in for a wild ride with rewiring. My recommendation is to take all the wiring harnesses from an 88-91 Civic or CRX and replace all your wiring outright. Some of the light connectors will need to be soldered in, and it won’t be a small project, but that’ll be a bit easier than trying to modify the carb harnesses to support the ECU and increased numbers of sensors.
TRANSMISSION – You’ll need a 1988+ Civic or CRX d-series transmission to bolt up. You’ll also need the transmission mount from the newer Civic/CRX.
I hope this helps, but it sounds like what you really want is RedPepperRacing. I found a few threads about swapping late-model engines into 1g CRX’s, but this seems to be the most promising.
Jesse,
I am currently looking for an 87′ CRX and found an automatic with a blown motor that is in great condition. My question is what is the difficulty in eventually switching it to a manual trans? Is it as simple as bolting up the manual trans and getting the manual shifter mount? Is the hole in the right spot, or are there two different body’s made for the different trans options. Thanks alot
Jeff
Jeff, for those specifics I can only recommend that you head over to red pepper racing. They’ll really be able to give you all the details you need to know, with first-hand experience.