wooderson79
 |
|
Has anyone installed a 1.5L motor and manual transmission from a Honda Fit in a CRX? I realize the new motor and tranny are reversed in their layout. Would it even be possible with a reasonable amount of work?
I wonder what kind of mileage the combination would return. I have a 1990 CRX Si that I don't really drive. I was thinking it would be interesting to install a really efficient drivetrain - the combination of light weight and new technology might result in amazing mileage.
|
Slawsk
|
|
Have no experience with a fit motor in a CRX, but based on my experiences in engine swaps on Hondas, your best bet is to buy a completely totaled fit at an insurance auction and part it out into your CRX. You're going to need so many parts to make it work, you'll definitely save money parting out the fit.
Three major areas of concern which will not be solved by simply swapping parts: drive shafts, engine mounts and wiring harness integration. You will have issues connecting the CRX speedometer with the fit wiring harness.
You will also have to convert the gas petal to the drive by wire system used in the Fit.
Don't get me wrong, this is very doable. However, be prepared to spend some significant cash (and get a little help from your Honda friends and a good welder) to get it done right.
|
| N/A |
|
|
This message is below your viewing threshold, you may view the message by clicking on the link:
View Message
|
| N/A |
|
|
This message is below your viewing threshold, you may view the message by clicking on the link:
View Message
|
TonyEX
|
|
wooderson79 wrote:
Has anyone installed a 1.5L motor and manual transmission from a Honda Fit in a CRX? I realize the new motor and tranny are reversed in their layout. Would it even be possible with a reasonable amount of work?
I wonder what kind of mileage the combination would return. I have a 1990 CRX Si that I don't really drive. I was thinking it would be interesting to install a really efficient drivetrain - the combination of light weight and new technology might result in amazing mileage.
|
90 CRX Si... 2600 lbs with AC, right?
How about shoehorning a B16A form a delSol (will the B16C fit?) into it and putting a high final gear.
You'll be running the engine in the efficient mode most of the time and you'll still have the opportunity of hauling if you wish.
Just don't go over 100 mph... I felt our 89 CRX Si got too light at anything over 100.. Mind you, it took some time getting there. Of course, Shawn has his turbo CRX so I'm sure he must have done something very serious to the suspension... ;-)
I mean, the CRX is so light that you will be getting respectable mileage anyhow.
The Fit's engine is really not so fun. We have it our (my son's now) 09 Fit MT5 Sport and it's a nice fun engine but I think you'd be better off with a B motor and working out the gearing.
|
Potenza
|
|
TonyE wrote:
90 CRX Si... 2600 lbs with AC, right?
|
|
TonyEX
|
|
Potenza wrote:
TonyE wrote:
90 CRX Si... 2600 lbs with AC, right?
|
|
Yes, I noted the error right after I posted it.. so I looked... Actually the 89-03 US CRX Si was over 2300 lbs with the AC. We had one. It was really light for sure ;-)
There are kits around to fit a B16C into the CRXs. The second gen had the four wheel discs and were nicer -IMHO.
Ours was red with the sunroof and a killer aftermarket stereo.
It was my wife's... actually. Bought it for her Birthday.
I lusted after the European CRX DOHC VTEC with the B16A... but it never came to the US.
|
Potenza
|
|
wooderson79 wrote:
Has anyone installed a 1.5L motor and manual transmission from a Honda Fit in a CRX? I realize the new motor and tranny are reversed in their layout. Would it even be possible with a reasonable amount of work?
I wonder what kind of mileage the combination would return. I have a 1990 CRX Si that I don't really drive. I was thinking it would be interesting to install a really efficient drivetrain - the combination of light weight and new technology might result in amazing mileage.
|
Anyway, I too am one who dreams of these new engines in the old cars. My favorite idea is a new Civic R18 in an '86 Accord sedan. I like the concept of a modern ultra-light, ultra-efficient powertrain in a classic, light, simple sedan.
However, as Slawsk points out, there is a lot of work that would go into it. In the case of the CRX, unless you are a hands-on project guy and are looking for a project to keep you busy, I don't think it's worth it.
For starters, what is the reason you don't drive it? And would a Fit engine make it suddenly worth driving? My brother and I own a 90 CRX Si as well (which we also don't drive much as well). That said, it gets 40mpg quite easily - standard and stock. How much better could the Fit engine possibly do, and would it be worth all the effort you put into it?
Despite its lack of VTEC, I find the CRX Si engine quite ideal. It feels torquey and gets great gas mileage. But if you're looking for a change, and one that's fuel-economy oriented, I'd still suggest sticking with a D-series. There's the later Civic/del Sol Si engines - SOHC VTEC D16Z6. That runs a 12v/16v VTEC setup, so if you keep the revs low, you will be running a 3v/cylinder setup most of the time and getting great fuel economy there. Plus it's got the 7200RPM redline on tap if you feel like having some fun, and the HP is 125, up from the CRX's 106.
Another fuel economy choice is the engine from the Civic VX hatch. It might be hard to find, and it would likely be less powerful than the standard CRX Si engine, but it's very fuel-efficiency oriented. Similar to the purpose of CRX HF engine, but with VTEC and about 30hp more. Capable of 50-70mpg quite easily, I believe.
Anyway the benefit to these two choices are that they're both D-series engines and should bolt right into the CRX with much less effort.
In fact, now that I think about it, the D-series goes all the way up to 2005, finishing with the D17 in the Civic. With 127hp, it's more powerful than the Fit and quite refined after all those years. That might be a neat swap.
Anyway, while I do agree that a Fit engine in the CRX would be cool, I just don't think it would be the most practical or logical way to go. Hey, maybe it's time to pass off the CRX and just get a new Fit... you might find you actually like it better and drive it more often!
(What is your daily driver, btw?)
|
Potenza
|
|
TonyE wrote:
Potenza wrote:
TonyE wrote:
90 CRX Si... 2600 lbs with AC, right?
|
|
Yes, I noted the error right after I posted it.. so I looked... Actually the 89-03 US CRX Si was over 2300 lbs with the AC. We had one. It was really light for sure ;-)
|
According to some websites the 90 Si is 2174lbs. They don't specify if that's with A/C or not. I have a red one now myself, but I've never weighed it.
|
TonyEX
|
|
Potenza wrote:
TonyE wrote:
Potenza wrote:
TonyE wrote:
90 CRX Si... 2600 lbs with AC, right?
|
|
Yes, I noted the error right after I posted it.. so I looked... Actually the 89-03 US CRX Si was over 2300 lbs with the AC. We had one. It was really light for sure ;-)
|
According to some websites the 90 Si is 2174lbs. They don't specify if that's with A/C or not. I have a red one now myself, but I've never weighed it.
|
No... I'm home with the flu... heavily into the night time stuff.... sorry... I gotta type s l o w l e r
: - P
I'm quite sure the 2nd gen got heavier. It got longer/bigger as well. I only had one CRX (89) but I had an 85 and 90 Civic and they grew in 89.
|
wooderson79
|
|
Thanks everyone for your insights - lots of good points. My daily driver is an 08' TL Type S that's been a fantastic car. I bought the CRX about 12 years ago because it was in great shape and it only had about 50K miles on it. It's the second CRX I've owned. So I haven't really driven it since I bought it. I've had lots of plans for the car over the years but haven't really done much with it. I know a lot of people try to make their CRXs quicker with engine swaps, turbos or superchargers. I thought it would be a novel idea to go the opposite direction and make it crazy efficient.
Swapping to a Fit motor does sound like a pretty massive amount of work with the drive by wire change over and all that good stuff. Maybe the D17 from a newer Civic would be a simpler swap (Thanks to Potenza for that idea). I also don't want to be cutting the CRX up to make something different work. It's all original and I'd hate to ruin it!
Thanks for all the feedback!
|
typer_801
|
|
Just put a K20Z3 and the 6spd MT with LSD ;)
Andy Hollis (SCCA racer), shoe horned in a JDM ITR K20 in his 88 Civic Hatch. That wasn't fast enough, so he added a Hytech header, intake and custom cat back exhaust. It's a beast now.
There's a small note on the car in the lower right of this article.
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/top-tires/
|
CarPhreakD
|
|
Don't do the L-engine. I'm not sure (firstly) if there are even aftermarket mounts available. If there is, it's a waste, because the L-engine is a cheap engine made for economy-cars.
You're much better off sourcing a B18C engine. Fairly straightforward, well supported aftermarket, and well documented. Barring that... and if you're feeling insane... there's always the LS/VTEC combination.
If you're doing a K20 swap, you're going to want to use an RSX engine, or else it will require a bit more modifications dropping something with drive-by-wire under the hood. You will definitely need to modify the wiring harness...
|
DrWhiner
|
|
ahem, what did the OP say?
wooderson79 wrote:
I know a lot of people try to make their CRXs quicker with engine swaps, turbos or superchargers. I thought it would be a novel idea to go the opposite direction and make it crazy efficient.
|
|
Dren
|
|
wooderson79 wrote:
Thanks everyone for your insights - lots of good points. My daily driver is an 08' TL Type S that's been a fantastic car. I bought the CRX about 12 years ago because it was in great shape and it only had about 50K miles on it. It's the second CRX I've owned. So I haven't really driven it since I bought it. I've had lots of plans for the car over the years but haven't really done much with it. I know a lot of people try to make their CRXs quicker with engine swaps, turbos or superchargers. I thought it would be a novel idea to go the opposite direction and make it crazy efficient.
Swapping to a Fit motor does sound like a pretty massive amount of work with the drive by wire change over and all that good stuff. Maybe the D17 from a newer Civic would be a simpler swap (Thanks to Potenza for that idea). I also don't want to be cutting the CRX up to make something different work. It's all original and I'd hate to ruin it!
Thanks for all the feedback!
|
If the CRX is stock and in good condition, I would get it into running shape and sell it. You'd be surprised what you can get for one in good shape now. A non molested rust free CRX is extremely rare now.
|
|
|
| |
![[home]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/home.gif){kind=small}
![[rumors and news]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/rumors.gif){kind=small}
![[model release matrix]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/newmodelreleasematrix.gif){kind=small}
![[dealer network]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/dealernet.gif){kind=small}
![[desktop calendar]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/calendar.gif){kind=small}
![[exhaust notes]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/exhaust.gif){kind=small}
![[tov forums]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/forums.gif){kind=small}
![[links]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/links.gif){kind=small}
![[search]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/search.gif){kind=small}
![[sponsors]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/sponsors.gif){kind=small}
![[garage]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/garage.gif){kind=small}
![[login]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/login.gif){kind=small}
