Honda Manual Transmission Specifications & Gear Ratios

[California98Civic]

CIVIC (Fourth-Seventh Generation), FIT (First & Second Generation), and INSIGHT (First Generation).

All info is for the US domestic market unless otherwise noted, such as "JDM" (Japanese Domestic Market). I will edit, correct, and expand this information when I can. If I made errors let me know. See sources note at end of post.

CIVIC (FOURTH GENERATION)
Year & trim level	OEM engine code	VSS / Speedo gear	OEM wheel / tire	1st Gear	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	Reverse	Final Drive
1988-1991 Civic base model	D15B1	1,026rpm VSS cable = 60mph	155/80-R13	3.250	1.650	1.033	0.823	-	3.153	3.888
88-91 Civic DX LX / CRX	D15B2	1,026rpm VSS cable = 60mph	175/70-R13	3.250	1.894	1.259	0.937	0.771	3.153	3.722 (88 only) & 3.888 (89-91) / 4.058 DX Wagon
88-91 Civic Si / CRX Si	D16A6	1,026rpm VSS cable = 60mph	185/60-R14	3.250	1.894	1.259	0.937	0.771	3.153	4.250
88-91 CRX HF	D15B6	1,026rpm VSS cable = 60mph	165/70-R13	3.250	1.650	1.033	0.823	0.694	3.153	2.95/3.250 (CA)

Notes: Trans code for all trim levels is L3 (use this for parts and specs ID). 4th gen Civic trannys have cable clutches, but they can be modified to fit the later Civic shifters. One EM member successfully swapped an HF trans onto a fifth gen (VX) engine in his 4th gen Civic body. But the mount for the transmission changed after the fourth generation, so while a fifth/fourth gen engine/trans combination fits into a fourth gen car, the transmission mount would have to be fabricated for that same pair to fit into later Civics. The HF transmission--and maybe the others--had a shorter counter shaft and a different ring gear than the 92-00 Civics. There was also a JDM DOHC CRX with shorter gearing than any of these listed here. Honda used white big bore (40mm) speedo gear in the 88-89 transmissions, but also a few have shown up in 96-00 EX transmissions.

CIVIC (FIFTH GENERATION)
Year & trim level	OEM engine code	VSS / Speedo gear	OEM wheel / tire	1st Gear	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	Reverse	Final Drive
1992-1995 Civic DX LX / Del Sol S	D15B7	1026rpm=60mph (VSS) / 90.6mm (Speedo)	175/70-R13 (DX&LX)	3.250	1.761	1.172	0.909	0.702	3.153	4.058
92-95 Civic Si/ EX / Del Sol Si	D16Z6 VTEC	1026rpm=60mph (VSS) / 90.6mm (Speedo)	185/60-R14 or 175/65-R14	3.250	1.900	1.250	0.909	0.750 Si Hatch & Del Sol Si / 0.702 2dr & 4 dr	3.153	4.250
92-95 Civic CX/VX	D15B8 (CX) D15Z1 (VX)	1026rpm=60mph (VSS) / 90.6mm (Speedo)	165/70-R13	3.250	1.761	1.066	0.853	0.702	3.153	3.250

Notes: Trans code S20 on sticker (P20 stamped on housing). All have hydraulic clutches. All 1992-2000 trans have one of two speedo gears: EX/Si/HX use “big bore” black one and others use white one but outer diameter is the same. Honda had used white big bore (40mm) speedo gear in the 88-89 transmissions and a few have shown up in 96-00 EX transmissions. IDENTIFICATION: Look at the fill plug for a circle cast into the housing. P20-A000 = DX, CX, VX trans & P20-B000 = Si, EX trans. To ID use gear ratio test in sixth gen next note below.

CIVIC (SIXTH GENERATION)
Year & trim level	OEM engine code	VSS / Speedo gear	OEM wheel / tire	1st Gear	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	Reverse	Final Drive
1996-2000 Civic DX LX	D16Y7	1025rpm=60pmh (VSS) / 90.6mm (Speedo)	185/65-R14	3.250	1.782	1.172	0.909	0.702	3.153	3.722 Hatch / 4.058 Coupe & Sedan
96-00 Civic HX CX	D16Y5 (HX) & D16Y7 (CX)	1025rpm=60pmh (VSS) / 90.6mm (Speedo)	185/65-R14	3.250	1.782	1.172	0.909	0.702	3.153	3.722
96-00 Civic EX	D16Y8 VTEC (D16Z7)	1025rpm=60pmh (VSS) / 90.6mm (Speedo)	185/65-R14	3.250	1.909	1.250	0.909	0.702	3.153	4.250 Sdn & Cpe

Notes: Trans case code S40 (on white sticker, used for parts ID). All sixth gen Civics had hydraulic clutches. All 1992-2000 trans have one of two speedo gears: EX/Si/HX use “big bore” black one and others use white one but outer diameter is the same. Honda had used white big bore (40mm) speedo gear in the 88-89 transmissions and a few have shown up in 96-00 EX transmissions. A previous version of this post listed a 96-00 HB EX with FD 4.058 but it seems not to have been sold in the USDM. IDENTIFYING RATIOS (Example 3.722 final drive). Get an old clutch, mark it, & place the mark at noon. Select 4th gear (0.909). Mark differential. 3.722 * 0.909 = 3.38, so clutch should do 3.38 revs for one rev of differential & clutch stopping 4 o’clock.

CIVIC (SEVENTH GENERATION)
Year & trim level	OEM engine code	VSS / Speedo gear	OEM wheel / tire	1st Gear	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	Reverse	Final Drive
01-05 Civic	D17A1	-	185/70-R14	3.462	1.870	1.241	0.970	0.711	3.231	4.111
01-05 Civic HX	D17A6 VTEC-E	-	185/70-R14	3.461	1.750	1.166	0.857	0.710	3.230	3.842
01-05 Civic EX	D17A2 VTEC	-	185/65-R15	3.143	1.870	1.241	0.970	0.757	3.231	4.412 (also 4.111)
2003-2005 Civic Hybrid	LDA1 (1.3L & IMA)	-	185/70-R14	3.462	1.870	1.241	0.912	0.711	3.231	3.600

Notes: The EX final drive ratio is listed at honda.com with both the 4.111 final drive and 4.412 final drive, depending on which year one checks. All seventh gen Civics had hydraulic clutches, but with cable shifters instead of the shift rods the fifth and sixth gen models had. Trans case code SLW on sticker PLW on metal (Hybrid trans code SZB). Successfully swapping seventh gen (2001-2005) civic engine or trans onto a fifth/sixth gen engine or trans is possible but complicated by the differences in shifters and the seventh gen Civic's immobilizer. Wiring and shifter adaptation might be required.

FIT (FIRST GENERATION)
Year & trim level	OEM engine code	VSS / Speedo gear	OEM wheel / tire	1st Gear	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	Reverse	Final Drive
2007 & 2008 Fit / Fit Sport	L15A1 2-stage i-VTEC	-	175/65-R14 (base) 195/55-R15 (Sport)	3.462	1.870	1.321	0.970	0.757	3.230 (3.231 in 2008)	4.294 (JDM 4.1)

Notes: Trans code SMJM These transmissions do not bolt onto D-series Civics.

FIT (SECOND GENERATION)
Year & trim level	OEM engine code	VSS / Speedo gear	OEM wheel / tire	1st Gear	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	Reverse	Final Drive
09-11 Fit / Fit Sport	L15A7 3-stage i-VTEC	-	175/65 -R15 (base) 185/55-R16 (Sport)	3.308	1.870	1.303	0.949	0.727	3.308	4.62
2012 & 2013 Fit/ Fit Sport	L15A7 3-stage i-VTEC	-	175/65 -R15 (base) 185/55-R16 (Sport)	3.308	1.870	1.303	0.949	0.727	3.308	4.625

Notes: Trans code SMJM These transmissions do not bolt onto D-series Civics.

INSIGHT (FIRST GENERATION)
Year & trim level	OEM engine code	VSS / Speedo gear	OEM wheel / tire	1st Gear	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	Reverse	Final Drive
00-06 Insight Hybrid	ECA1	-	165/65SR-14	3.461	1.750	1.096	0.857	0.710	3.230	3.208

Civic CRX 4th Gen Trans Standards and Service Limits (from Honda FSM)

Civic 5th Gen Trans Standards and Service Limits (from Honda FSM)

Civic 6th Gen Trans Standards and Service Limits (from Honda FSM)

Civic 7th Gen Trans Standards and Service Limits, p.1 of 2 (from Honda FSM)

Civic 7th Gen Trans Standards and Service Limits, p.2 of 2 (from Honda FSM)

SOURCES:

CIVIC: All Civic engine codes from Wikipedia “d-series” entry (June 22, 2013). Civic VSS and tire size data from the 1988-1900 Honda CRX FSM, the 1990 Honda CRX FSM supplement, the 1992-1995 Honda Civic FSM, and the 1996-1998 Honda Civic FSM. Fourth gen countershaft note from "Synchrotech" on Honda-tech.com (posted July 28, 2009). Speedo gear sizes (1992-2000) are as described and measured by Honda-tech.com member “94EG8” (posted March 27, 2013). 88-89 EX white big bore speedo gear & its use in some 92-00 transmissions as described by "Mista Bone" here on Ecomodder.com (Sept. 10, 2019). Seventh Gen Civic trans case code information from AMSOIL's “my garage” database (June 25, 2013). Many of the 4th-6th trans ratios are as listed at this chart (accessed March 27, 2013). Fourth Gen Civic Wagon final drive info is the 1990 Civic Wagon Manual (2wd & 4wd) as cited by ecomodder.com member "Gasoline Fumes" in a PM (July 4, 2013). Seventh generation trans ratios from Honda.com (accessed June 22, 2013, March 18, 2019). Civic Hybrid transmission ratios as posted by Cleanmpg.com member "xcel" (3-14-2006, accessed July 1, 2013). 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid hydraulic clutch identified using parts.sonshonda.com database (July 2, 2013).

FIT: All Fit gear ratio information is from Honda.com (June 23, 2013). All Fit engine info is from Wikipedia’s “L-Series” engine entry (June 23, 2013) and "Palemelanesian" on ecomodder.com (July 1, 2013). All Fit trans code information is from AMSOIL's “my garage” database (June 25, 2013). Gear ratio test information is from member "90civicstdgold" at ecomodder.com (posted July 2012, accessed February 1, 2013).

INSIGHT: Transmission gear ratios from 2000-2006 Insight Factory manual as found in "HondaInsightPDFs.zip" at Simple File Sharing and Storage. (accessed 7-7-2013)

[WD40]

Thanks for the info California98Civic.
So now I need to look for a 88-91 CRX HF D15B6 5 speed transmission ...
I read that the 88 has different spline, so it would need a matching clutch.
Other years match the VX clutch.
The difference in gearing would make 5th gear at 1700 RPM doing close to 56 vs the current 1900 RPM at close to 56.
That should pay for itself pretty fast as I currently get approx. 80-95 MPG at 56.
I see a few on CL in the USA, but none in Canada yet, but I will be searching.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by WD40

Thanks for the info California98Civic.
So now I need to look for a 88-91 CRX HF D15B6 5 speed transmission ...
I read that the 88 has different spline, so it would need a matching clutch.
Other years match the VX clutch.
The difference in gearing would make 5th gear at 1700 RPM doing close to 56 vs the current 1900 RPM at close to 56.
That should pay for itself pretty fast as I currently get approx. 80-95 MPG at 56.
I see a few on CL in the USA, but none in Canada yet, but I will be searching.

If that chance does not emerge because of costs related to getting both the trans in good condition and a clutch you could also look into whether the 4th gen HF final drive can swap into the fifth gen VX tranny. Now that I know the VSS gears in the 4th and fifth gen spin the same, I would bet the speedo gears are the same too, as they are for fifth and sixth gen Civics. Since the Cali HF trannys had the same final drive as the VX, I wonder if the 2.95 final drive from the VX would swap. That would give you nearly all of the RPM change you describe. It would be a bigger job maybe, but could be interesting too.

[WD40]

A quick google got me this answer ..
The Ring gear is the same but the countershafts are different. The 88-91 HF C/S is shorter than the 92-95 VX and has a shorter bearing section for the 1st gear.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by WD40

A quick google got me this answer ..
The Ring gear is the same but the countershafts are different. The 88-91 HF C/S is shorter than the 92-95 VX and has a shorter bearing section for the 1st gear.

Thanks. I found that opinion on honda-tech just now, following your lead. Synchrotech is an excellent authority, so I edited the OP.

[samwichse]

Jeez, just look at what they've been doing to the Fit M/T!

Top gear ratio just gets worse and worse from 2007.

Sam

[PaleMelanesian]

Really?!! I didn't realize they further shortened the final drive in the '12 model Fit. Makes sense (in the weird honda engineer world) because they added some sound-proofing weight.

For the record, the 1st gen Fit went from 2002(3?) to 2008, but was only here in the USA for 07-08. '12 is a cosmetic makeover of the 2nd gen which started in 09.

Yep. The gear ratios are bad. It's amazing what you can overcome with pulse & glide, though.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by samwichse

Jeez, just look at what they've been doing to the Fit M/T!

Top gear ratio just gets worse and worse from 2007.

Sam

Right? Makes you wonder what can be done with custom gearing or better yet whether 1990s gears, any of them, might be adaptable, swappable.

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

Really?!! I didn't realize they further shortened the final drive in the '12 model Fit. Makes sense (in the weird honda engineer world) because they added some sound-proofing weight.

Amazing to see it tabulated like this, huh? Brings clarity. But if you could combined the 07/08 FD with the 09-present fifth gear, you'd be close to a 1990s Civic DX (but not quite there).

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

For the record, the 1st gen Fit went from 2002(3?) to 2008, but was only here in the USA for 07-08. '12 is a cosmetic makeover of the 2nd gen which started in 09.

Do you have a citation? Because when I looked into it, I found claims that the 07 model year introduced here in late '06 is regarded as second generation. I don't really believe that, and my gut agrees with you, but I saw not evidence other than how I might interpret the apparent changes in the gearing.

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

Yep. The gear ratios are bad. It's amazing what you can overcome with pulse & glide, though.

[PaleMelanesian]

Quickest source I could find was wikipedia.

Although the second generation Honda Fit was introduced in the Japanese market in 2007, the first generation Fit was still sold in the North American market for the 2008 model year. The second generation Fit for the North American market was unveiled on 19 March 2008, at the 2008 New York International Auto Show for the 2009 model year.

Oh, and the 1st generation engine is coded L15A1. It's a 2-stage i-VTEC with max 109 hp. The 2nd generation's L15A7 engine gets a 3-stage i-VTEC that boosts top power to 117 hp. (yay?)

I confirmed your gear ratio chart, though. They DID change the final drive for the 2012 mid-cycle refresh. (4.62 to 4.625)
http://automobiles.honda.com/fit/specifications.aspx
http://automobiles.honda.com/tools/v...ModelYear=2008

[PaleMelanesian]

Oh, and for the D-series transmissions, couldn't they stamp a different code on them? Why mark all the different ratio transmissions with the same code? Grrrr.