1990 Honda CRX Si D15Z1/HF Trans Swap Project
 

I have wanted to do this swap for quite sometime.. I think the idea of saving money on fuel is awesome and I plan to take a car that you don't usually see used for these swaps and would like to put a small twist on it..

I plan to drive this car everyday and want this to be a nice car that I want to drive not that I have to drive... So with that said, I will be putting A/C in this car and some nice wheels along with a lowered suspension..

I found the D15Z1 swap out of Charlotte, NC about 8months back for $400 and got everything I would need except the harness.. Just got the HF trans a few months ago for $150 out of Murfreesboro NC.. Just drug the car home on thanksgiving from Portsmouth VA and am somewhat happy with it but it will still need some significant work for it to be where I want it to be.. Interior is super clean and body is straight but needs work with both body lines and paint..

I can't wait to get this thing started and will try to take some pics as I go.. Any input, ideas or comments are welcome.. Im sure I will have many questions along the way Im sure..

This was the engine setup and how I snagged it outta charlotte.. I drove 320mi. one way to get this puppy..


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...0514000715.jpg

Saw the FS add on this website! I had only been looking for about a year with no luck previously..

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...new-13085.html


This is the car I picked up..
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...126001515b.jpg

An Interior shot.. pretty proud of this here.. Car has 160000 on the odometer..
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...126001516a.jpg

Pretty jealous of you guys who can find older, rust-free cars to turn into projects.

Looking forward to your build.

Ive been on the lookout for these parts for over a year now... Things have finally started to come together... living in the cold like you do, i imagine this older stuff is impossible to find though.. move to america..lol

I assume you've seen Ben's D15Z1 lean-burn CRX project thread, eh?

(Since became an unfinished Insight drivetrain swap, but before that...)

If you are talking about crxmpg.com then yes... that was pretty much my inspiration..

Finally have an update after another year of gathering parts and info..

I've been through about 5 cars in the past year. Each one taking up my time and money lol... I don't have as good of a job as I did a year ago but Im doing what I can to not let that slow me up..

When I bought the engine out of Charlotte the owner (a honda enthusiast) informed me that the swap had about 240k mi on it... Pulled the plugs and found NGK-R's and thought this engine may have been beat on a bit since the last owner was an enthusiast and he was younger... The head looked good though and oil looked good too...


After talking it over with my pops and thinking on it a few weeks I decided that i'd go ahead and tear the engine down, put fresh rings and bearings in after the block has a fresh hone.

Really glad that I've gone through the extra trouble though.. Found that cyl #3 had significant wear on the rod bearing and had worn through the silver coating..

Bought an Engine gasket set from Rockauto among other parts and also had the cylinder head milled .0010 to help ensure seal over the block. Plus that little bit of compression may help. Also had fresh set of Valve seals put in, valve guides checked and the cylinder head cleaned.. Those intake valves were super gunky..

Other parts gathered were, D16z6 exhaust manifold, Shift linkage, front lower crossmember, and both CRX Si and Z1/VX engine harnesses..

Hopefully within the next week, me and pops will be assembling the engine and slapping the head on this thing.. Ill have more pics after that..

Along with the pics will be plenty of ?'s... Like, What clutch should I run? I know I wanna run the Z1 flywheel but do I just purchase the Hf clutch?? Then there's the infamous wiring... If anyone has prior experience and can lend a few tips on this end that would be awesome...

Was just looking at info and turns out that all the discs are 210mm outside diameter... Looks like Ill be purchasing one for a 90Si at the end of the week..

Gonna break out the chilton's manual later in the week after the engine is assembled and get these pinouts broken down.. Still havent decided if I want to modify the Si or Vx engine harness..

Hey I'm doing this too. Purchased the D15Z1. Doing the research on the swap.
Bunch of info out there. Here are some links...

Plugs you will need to put a d15z1 into your MPFI Civic/CRX - GasSavers.org - Helping You Save at the Pump Hypermiling and Fuel Efficiency Forum
Bunch of helpful things on rywires site.
All Articles : Rywire

I am sticking with my existing harness and making changes outlined on the first link above. I will just need to get a few connectors.

Do we have an actual idea what the end result mpg will be? Is it 60+? I am hoping that the Z1 engine along with some aero modifications like the aerocivic will get me in the 70's.

Oh, and I hope you got the EGR control box. That is a very hard part to get. I was able to get one with my Z1 engine. I don't know if I will need it since my HF engine already has a EGR valve and control box.

Ive got all that stuff.. Have been reassembling my engine as of late and still kinda deciding on what imma do with the wiring.. At first I thought about doing a wire tuck along with all this.. But seeing as this will be an everyday driver, Id rather just keep things as simple as possible..

I have found a website that seems as legit as rywire but way cheaper.. Thought about just buying their harness and just modding it to what Ill need.. Im still in the air as to what imma do though.. May just do the work myself..

http://www.phearable.net/shoppingcar...ness-p-35.html

Has everything you need and the distributor plugs for 154.00 plus shipping.. Still have to add the egr stuff and 5 wire 02 sensor though... prices are way better than rywire though..

Havent made any updates in a VERY long time.. Rest assured though, that Ive been on this thing alot more in the last couple of months. I now know that I never again will I buy a pieced together car.. Im redoing damn near everything on this car.. Changed the front and rear engine compartment crossmembers. Also pinned the OBD-1 conversion harness that I bought off E-Bay last week. And scored a set of near mint CRX Si wheels. I hope to find something different but figured you never see these things with their actual factory wheels and for $80 why not? Ive just gotta buy tires to put on them now.

Its been getting pretty cold this week and between work, school and the Army Reserves Ive been pretty busy lately..

So far Ive replaced just about the entire suspension with what is pictured below.


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u.../suspparts.jpg



I bought some Eibach Sportline springs and when I got home I just had to try them out.. lol

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...te/slammed.jpg



Will finish getting the engine together this coming weekend but this is what Ive got so far. Every seal, bearing, gasket and o-ring has been replaced. Even bought a new watertube (had to come from honda). Block has a fresh hone and cylinder head has milled, checked and stem seals replaced. Alot to do on a perfectly good motor but it did have over 240k on it when I bought from a young kid doing a H22 swap on his VX.

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...ginemockup.jpg



Thats a big change from how I got that Valve Cover..

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...verbefore2.jpg



Today the GF and I were driving along the highway and I just happened to spot the resource for a new bellypan. She thinks Im about crazy.. lol. None-the-less she helped out..

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...28284058_n.jpg

I really wanna have A/C on this car and have been debating on what to do with the climate control since the car doesn't have one at all.. I have this Accord CC that someone has started to convert and if done right can turn out nice.. I just want the simplest setup here and this doesn't seem to be it..

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...tercontrol.jpg

Hopefully Ill have more updates soon as this project has drug out way too long as of now.. And I don't even wanna talk about budget on this one. I know this will definately be a return on investment kind of thing but Im sure Ive got a couple dimes more than I should in this thing and am on the downhill of purchases to get it on the road but still have a way to go..

likin the VC

That springs picture is great!

For those 14 inch Si wheels, I highly recommend Potenza RE92 from the 1st generation Insight for excellent LRR properties:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...eet-19126.html

Note: you have to use the 165/65R14 size - other sizes of that tire aren't LRR.

I will definately look into picking those up as long as they aren't too expensive.. lol..

I have a set of 13" steel wheels that came with almost new 175/70/13 82S Michelins on them and those puppies have a 740 treadwear rate on them. One tire did have a hole in the sidewall so Ill have to purchase one. Ill probably ride with those for the time being and save for those 14's.

That reminds me. I have this spare '88 or '89 Si wheel that Ill let go cheap for anyone interested.

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...Photo-0127.jpg



I have some GSR "Fat Five" wheels on the other CRX with tires that are less than a year old so it might be a while before I buy any wheels to go on those 14's now that I think of it.

Ive been talking with my brother who has a B18B swapped CRX and we may trade out front springs as his TEIN S-techs are a little too soft up front for him and the Eibach's are definately stiffer.. His car is pretty scary when you hit the curvies.

I haven't got to cutting up this bedliner yet but it seems thick enough to justify the use of a sawzall. Will have to see if I can borrow dads..

I really just want this thing done already..

Went down to Dads to work on the car this weekend and the original plan was to stab the transmission on the engine and work on getting the wiring complete and dropping the engine in the car. Well, things didn't quite go as planned.. lol..

The more and more I looked at the engine bay the more I just didn't like the rattle can looks of the paint flaking off and then that ugly hood.. So I ripped everything out of the engine bay that would make it feasable to spray some new paint..

At 2am I wound up with this.. As I took this pic I thought to myself, "What the he!! have I done??" Then laughed it up and went to bed..



http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u.../nakedshot.jpg


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...2ambaysand.jpg



Some random pieces that will be cleaned up and painted.. The work just keeps piling up..lol.

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...eanupparts.jpg

While some of the primer was drying I replaced the taillights on the car with some year correct 90-91 junkyard gems.. Really happy with how the car looks from the rear now..

88-89 (Before)

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...Photo-0131.jpg

90-91 (After)

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...e/newtails.jpg


This is what dad texted me with monday afternoon. One more coat will be applied. The passenger side shock tower isn't gonna be hit yet since I found some sweet JBweld covering a crack.. I guess this car used to sit so low that the control arm had busted into the shock tower.. That'll have to be massaged out and welded in the coming weeks. Fixing all this B-boy crap gets annoying at times..


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...rstcoatbay.jpg



Here's a pic of the beater last week.. I found it funny..


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...monsterrex.jpg

While Im throwing in pics, Here's one of the brother's (Built B18B) and my cars.. We're kinda fans of these little things..lol


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...e/triplets.jpg

Before ... After ? :)

Thats the current daily beater.. Ive owned it since about '06 and might have $2200 in it. Made my money back on it ten fold though when I travel for the Army Reserves .. Its an auto DX with a JDM D16A6 in it (got it to replace the oil burner 1.5 last year for $200) and the stock 1.5 intake setup(would love to change to PGMFI but I aint fixing what aint broke). I get about 30-32city and 35-40hwy.

Ive been debating on selling it lately since the other car will be up and running soon. Thats is if I don't keep finding things to work on with the white one. The car really runs too good to sell and I COULD let the GF drive it but I worry about her safety. You gotta be on your toes when you drive a car this small. If I sold it, I couldnt just let it go as an $1100 beater. It honestly runs too good for that. I might just use it as a guinea pig to learn some bodywork skills and welding and whatever. The car is ugly enough now that it IS it's own theft deterrent system. Which I don't mind at all since I keep some pricey tools and stuff in there from time to time.. Im so indecisive. We'll see..

Back on topic..

I was pinning the conversion harness I bought off Ebay a few weeks ago and noticed that the VX's had a shift light.. Any of you guys wire that into anything? I've thought about wiring it up to my CEL but really dont know how I feel about it. I know it isn't necessary and if I don't like it I could just wire a switch in to turn it off too. Was just wondering what you guys might have used.. I think a small LED light in the back of the cluster would work well without being noticeable. I definatelly still want the car to look factory inside (minus an armrest) and for the most part under the hood too.

No one have any input on the Shift light idea??

I didn't have as much time to put in on the car this past weekend since the GF and I had plans but I did manage to get some things done.. Got some of the parts on the firewall and... Well, here you go... Kinda in order-ish


Brought the engine up from the shed and rolled the car under the carport


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...nginedrop1.jpg


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...nginedrop2.jpg


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...nginedrop3.jpg


AND.... Voila!! Still a long way to go but its nice to actually see progress..


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...ngineincar.jpg

Depending on the state of your OBD system attaching the shift light to the CEL might be a good call (especially if you will have a permanent CEL after the swap).

I really like what you did with the valve cover; it looks very clean. I was just scrubbing and cleaning mine the other day and thought about how I could keep it cleaner. I have always liked the aluminum on black look. Keep it up on the swap; it sounds like you are doing it right.

Thats been my only idea for the shift light thus far.. Maybe wire it inline with a 2-way switch and turn it off if I don't like it.. That way the option could always be there..

And Thanks for the kind words hawk.. I've got a reciept book for this car that is pretty much made up of a 3-ring binder and document protectors to show the work Ive put in this car.. That way, if the car ever got too old or I just wanted something else that maybe I could justify my price if I ever decided to sell it.

The only drawback to doing this much work on a car is always wanting to do more... lol. Since Ive been junkyarding pretty hardcore lately Ive been seeing 4-door sedans with cruise control and power locks and windows... This is all just an idea for now but I figure if this thing is gonna go slow that I might as well have some luxuries.. haha.

And Im already planning a trip on it to Louisiana hopefully later this summer. Ive got a good Army buddy out that way who recently had a baby and it would just be a good reason to see what I can do with the car in 2,000mile trip...

So much to do and so little time... Thats always the case..

Really beautiful! I've always wanted a D15Z CRX.

The power locks and windows are quite doable, and not even that difficult. (Unless you want to try to find the OEM JDM parts, yo, because those are quite spendy!)

The cruise control for the Civic EX doesn't quite fit the CRX. The electric motor for the vent selection buttons gets in the way. If you switch over to the cable-operated system the Civic uses, then the Civic's CC fits just fine.

There are aftermarket CC setups that will work pretty well in a CRX as well.

-soD

If I'm not making things up, I think the former owner of the gassavers forum, Matt Timion, did a VX swap into a 4-door Civic body.

I have a feeling he never quite got it quite finished before just giving up and buying a Fit though!

If I wind up doing this it will definately come from the junkyard. I go about once a week now, rotating between junkyards..Thats the downside to buying an incomplete shell. I will say though, if I ever come across a complete JDM frontend on the cheap, I will definately roll with that for aesthetic purposes.
For anyone who reads this thread please know that buying a complete car is always gonna be better than buying a shell unless you can come up with a whole parts car for the shell.... Ive got so much time and money in this car even before the engine that I'd pay $2500 for a clean CRX with a blown engine or trans or whatever.. The small stuff really adds up..

Thats a shame. If I can come up with a four door or a wagon, Ill totally do something similar with all the spare parts Ive accumulated.. Kinda wish there was more guys interested in this kind of a swap around here. Everyone around here wants to go fast in Hondas.. That just means more lean burn parts for me!! lol..

According to the Chiltons manual , while wiring, The leads on the L1H1 weren't lining up with what is supposed to go back to the ecu...

So now I get to scavenge the web for info on this thing and make sure Ive got it wired up right..

So far there has been alot of misinformation floating about the WWW and Ive had to repin my conversion harness because of some misleading information.

On another note, I do have the car lowered all the way around now and am looking forward to cranking this thing soon!!

This is what Ive gathered so far.. Please let me know what you guys think on the 02 wiring.

Ive got a stock VX wiring harness that the sensor plugs into but according to Chiltons and Helms my stock sensor or wiring harness is wrong..

I have the NGT sensor with the following wires:

Red
White
Yellow
Black
Orange

I am gonna wire them accordingly:


Yellow: Heater Ground (-) to pin D3 ? (Not so sure about that one.. but its all thats left from the diagram)

Orange: Heater Power (+) to Pin A6

Black: Common Ground ( for IP and Vs ) to Pin D16

White: IP circuit (Current pumping) (+) to Pin D14

Red: Vs reference (+) to Pin D8

Door locks are really cheap off of amazon. Just look for the actuators. I think I picked mine up for less 5$
Amazon.com: HIGH POWER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR 2 WIRE: Automotive

OR
For windows and locks.
Amazon.com: Universal Power Window Kit Plus 2 Door Lock Kit with 3 Switches: Automotive

I actually picked these up for my 89 Si and were a breeze installing.

Sweet work man. I've always liked the crx. But I have a 70lb dog and he can't fit in the back. If I could cheaply alter the roof line to be a little taller I'd buy the hell out of one and do the 15z1 swap any day!
Also, if it was me I'd stick with the non powered goodies. Crank windows don't bother me at all, plus I use less alternator and the older style motors for the windows would prob weigh more. Newer cars maybe not...

Ive put anything from a full 4G63 turbo engine in the back of my car to a 55 gallon drum or a full front end for a chevy malibu in my CRX DX.. That is my truck.. If you cant put a dog back there you've got a huge dog..

I have some updates imma make in a few..

I have finished a semester of school and am ready to get this car running.. Especially since there is a guy down the street who wants to sell his V8 datsun for pretty darn cheap.. Plus I have PLENTY of money in this car by now. But I know once this car comes together it'll be completely right and I won't have to do anything serious for quite some time. After all, this is a car that is being built to save money on long trips and such..

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...-19carview.jpg

This was my view of the car pulling into my dad's driveway this past weekend.. Compared to the "Beercan" this car looks so damn good looking inside and out.. lol..

I took a picture of some of the hondas in the yard.. As you can tell.. We are fans. The middle one is the beercan btw..

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...ondaspread.jpg

So I had to put a heater core in this car since the previous owner took the heater core hoses off with his teeth or something. For anyone looking to buy one Performance Radiator has GREAT prices compared to anyone else in my area. Unfortunately I got the wrong one so the dash won't be installed till next weekend. I did however install axles and wheel bearings this weekend and get some wiring done.. We've got the ECU installed and are checking circuits now..

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...oreinstall.jpg


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...reinstall2.jpg


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...ringchecks.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...ringchecks.jpg




And I couldn't help but pick up a local deal a few weeks ago.. This puts a dent in my mpg build but I have a spare D16A6 and some other parts as well... Its a rough start but The car does have clean rust free quarter panels.. Its a '90 HF with Si brakes and hubs installed all the way around btw.. This could be the autocross car ive been wanting.. We'll see.. lol..

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u.../5-20crxhf.jpg

I guess this thread will go on for another year before this damn car will run.. This has definately been a one step forward, two steps back kind of ordeal..

I did get the new heater core in along with all new foam and everything cleaned up.. Got all the other boxes in and cleaned and spent alot of time cleaning the evaporator since it had alot of crud in there.. New expansion valve went in with all this as well.. Pretty happy with this part of the weekend..

Also got the rest if the brake parts earlier in the week and got my new rotors cut.. If you think brand new rotors are perfectly round, think again.. This also makes them last longer. My brother cut them at the shop he works at so no cost to me..

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...otorscut-1.jpg



The chiltons manual Ive been using for the wiring is not nearly as detailed as some of the other diagrams Ive seen. I switched to begin using the one off crxmpg.com since it had the details of the braided wire on the O2 sensor but the wires on the diagram dont match from wire to wire at the 02 sensor plug that I have plugged into my factory VX harness... Gonna talk to a honda tech next week and see where to go.. I do think that diagram from crxmpg.com is spot on though. I just think that I may have an aftermarket l1h1 sensor and maybe those guys didn't care what color went where when they put them together....


Been playing with these beamer wheels I picked up.. I think imma make the rest of them look like the one on the left and bolt them on the daily to see how I like them I think it came out good..

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...pcompare-1.jpg

Took the capet out the car and went to the carwash to clean it.. It actually wasnt too bad. I can tell by the multiple broken clips on the rocker panels that someone has had it out before though.. After the car wash, I went to lunch and let the car sit in the parking lot with the carpet on the daily.. lol

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u.../carpetdry.jpg

Then went from this


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...edinterior.jpg


And started on this


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...nginterior.jpg

I finished that up earlier tonight then cleaned up and went home.. Im not too worried about cleaning that stuff down to the paint since Ill be installing the home depot flashing/sound deadner next weekend. That tar paper that the factory uses is garbage and after absorbing different junk for over 20 years the smell in the trash bag was quite repulsive after. It had just stale old car smell along with a slight hint of piss.. lol.. Very glad thats out of there..

I enjoy working on cars as a hobby but I really want to finish this thing up so i can see the results.. I guess im just impatient and this thing taking my weekends up gets old too.. Hope you other guys havent had as much trouble doing the same thing Im trying..

Subscribed!

Sweet! Subbed... I just picked up a 90 CRX Si myself- minimal rust, full interior. I'm shooting for the same setup- Z1 + HF transmission, but the kicker will be 500whp somewhere in the mix. :D

Wouldnt mind hearing a few details on that idea.. Anything past 400whp is pretty serious talk in the single jingle game...

Since Ive picked up that last HF, Ive got all sorts of ideas running. I have a spare D16A6 engine and another HF trans along with a few DSM goodies but would love to have an autocross car or a fun street car with a healthy amount of power on the cheap.. We'll see how it goes.. lol.. This next honda won't be nearly as refined as this last one..

It is, but I'm not going to do what most people would think... I'm going to cheat like hell so that I can have my cake and eat it too. :D Details still stay under wraps until it's done though- but I will post the 50mpg portion of it as I move forward.

Subscribed:)

I haven't put this on the back burner again... Ive just been getting caught up in some pretty decent deals on other parts for the 3rd '90 CRX HF lately and has been taking up most of my time and most all my monies.. lol.. Ill be going at this car full steam next month when I have some money again and maybe the weather will cool down..

Left to do:

Complete wiring
Reinstall interior
Put all new brakes on the car (Just gotta purchase rear calipers)
Install A/C
Have Exhaust made
Get an alignment
Drive

I really want to get this thing on the road so I can sell the daily and buy another car that goes fast again.. lol

very cool, im going to be doing a z1 swap into my 93 lx sedan. power everything, a/c, and power steering i want to see what it will do on fe with all those options and the heavier vehicle. can i ask how you painted that valve cover? it looks very nice!!