1997 Civic CX to HX engine/VX trans swap! 63 MPG @ 62 MPH

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by foot to the floor

I have owned a cali VX for three years. I have been extremely happy driving it living at 1400' and driving it to 6000' elevation where I work averaging around 43mpg. I let a friend borrow the VX and the water pump seized blowing the motor. (friend held it to the floor for about 5 minuets in first gear red line having a mental breakdown) I have read somewhere that a D16Y5 motor will mount right to the trans and is plug and play for a swap getting close to the same mpg. My question is can you drop a 2005 civic HX D17A6 into a VX with the same ease. Would love to have more power with the same-ish gas mileage. Really hope it is possible due to the cost of rebuilding the D15Z1 as opposed to having more power with the high geared vx trans.

I agree that such swaps would be fun, and there are guys out there who have apparently done them. But unfortunately the 7th Gen engines are more difficult to mount to the 5th/6th gen transmissions because of shifter linkage changes and the 2001-2005 addition of an immobilizer as a security feature. It can be done. But apparently it's a little harder.

More info on swaps: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post378478

[Chrysler kid]

The d17 was not as effecient as the 1.6.

There were a few people who use the d17 crank in the d16 block to stroke out the d16 to the 1.7 liters. The d17 did not have as much aftermarket support

If your z1 died I would just find another 1.5 motor and put the z1 head back on it

[Ni87]

Hey so I have a 1998 civic si 5 speed. Which is basically the American civic dx, so I've heard. It's the two door with the d16y8. The highway rpm isn't so bad. I think at 60mph or 100kmh the Rpm of the engine is close to 2600-2800 I think. I'd have to check again. But I see you were using a vx transmission. did you have stock tire size when you were getting 2000 rpm @ 60mph? I have to change the transmission here soon and if I could get a transmission that gets a me a taller 5th gear I'd be pretty happy. Even if you know of a transmission that would drop me down 200-800 rpm that would help me out greatly.

[PaleMelanesian]

Pretty sure the Canadian Si is the US EX. The D16y8 agrees. DX has the Y7 engine.

Yes, if you could find a VX transmission it would drop you to about 2000 rpm at 60. If you have to change the transmission already it's a no-brainer if you can find one.

[California98Civic]

In my signature file there is a link for Honda transmission specs you might want to look at. But what I can tell you right off is that either the vx or the cx from 1992 to 1995 would give you the tallest gearing easily available to bolt right up on your engine. the next tallest would come off of a 1996 to 2000 hx or cx transmission. Even in 1996 to 2000 DX or LX or cx will have taller gearing than the same generation si or ex. Take a look at the link be in my signature file. There are also other calculators available online. Good luck!

[jcp123]

Originally Posted by Ni87

Hey so I have a 1998 civic si 5 speed. Which is basically the American civic dx, so I've heard. It's the two door with the d16y8. The highway rpm isn't so bad. I think at 60mph or 100kmh the Rpm of the engine is close to 2600-2800 I think. I'd have to check again. But I see you were using a vx transmission. did you have stock tire size when you were getting 2000 rpm @ 60mph? I have to change the transmission here soon and if I could get a transmission that gets a me a taller 5th gear I'd be pretty happy. Even if you know of a transmission that would drop me down 200-800 rpm that would help me out greatly.

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

Pretty sure the Canadian Si is the US EX. The D16y8 agrees. DX has the Y7 engine.

Yes, if you could find a VX transmission it would drop you to about 2000 rpm at 60. If you have to change the transmission already it's a no-brainer if you can find one.

Yup, what you have is equivalent to our EX Civics. The DX or LX trans will get you to around 2400rpm @ 60mph. VX of course is the one to have, though, if you're going to do it at all.

[Ni87]

Yes I've done some more research and that is a for sure on the ex. Thanks guys. But yeah it seems pretty hard to find a vx manual transmission. Would you have any sources on where I could find one? I've found an a000 transmission (guy is selling because the gearing is too tall) I may just go pick it up this weekend unless I could find a good vx transmission.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Ni87

Yes I've done some more research and that is a for sure on the ex. Thanks guys. But yeah it seems pretty hard to find a vx manual transmission. Would you have any sources on where I could find one? I've found an a000 transmission (guy is selling because the gearing is too tall) I may just go pick it up this weekend unless I could find a good vx transmission.

Remember that the 1992-1995 CX trans is identical to the VX. And car-part.com is how I foun my VX/CX transmission.

Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

EDIT: I just checked and see three CX trans near my zip for under $300.

[Engine1776]

It is becoming very hard to find Civic VX transmissions anymore. I have searched on Car-Part.com and other such sites, and found one 850 miles south in a wrecking yard in San Diego, or 630 miles north east in a wrecking yard in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

I'm offering $200 for something closer to me in good condition and I'll come to you if you are in NorCal and pick it up.