Engine swap for 1976 Civic Race Car NSW

[Hoona]

Hey guys, I have a 76 Civic which is log booked as 3J Improved Production, the existing engine is a 1528 SOHC with twin delorto's 4 speed.

I am very interested in removing the current set up and installing a late model high HP engine with LSD gearbox.
As the car is log booked as Improved Production, we cannot make too many mods for the engine install. ie cant cut out panel or fire wall to make engine fit.

Has anyone done this conversion before ?

Is it reasonably simple to use a half cut and the ecu, or is it better to use aftermarket ecu and start from scratch ?

Is there someone on this forum who can carry out this conversion ?

Cheers Tim
Located in Sydney

[mugen_ctr]

anythings possible, but at the end of the day, its all down to the budget, set out ur goals and budget, this way, u can realistically see what can be done, at what price

Go halfcut as u get everything to make it run and stop, im pressuming the series also ask that u need to upgrade brakes as well, so halfcut already has that

Ecu, depends on what ur aiming for, if its gonna be a rebuilt race motor, than definite go for aftermarket ECU, if its just a standard motor with minor mods, than stock Ecu should be fine, anything that requires you to change fuel, timing, cams etc, always opt for full aftermarket ECU, make the most of it :)

[Hoona]

Thanks mugen_ctr !

Hoping to hear from a previous engine swapper who has done this b4, to learn from what worked, and from what could go wrong.

[vtecing]

Hey mate, I looked into doing this myself. Easiest engine to fit is any sohc d-series motor. There is some cutting and shutting of the front end, mostly around the radiator supports. Obviously you will need to do the whole carby to efi conversion stuff, fuel pump etc.

Even after you fo the engine conversion, you will have to make custom brakes and suspension, weld up the strut tops Nd redrill to ocomodate aftermarket coilovers and then make some custom lower control arms. It a lot of work and a lot of money. Much easier/cheaper building an eg. If you do want to stick with that car (and they are an awesome little car) then I suggest just stick with what youve got and improve on it, ie bigger carby, stiff custom wound springs, slotted rotors and high temp pads, custom strut braces etc

[Hoona]

Thanks vtecing.

The car already has all of the handling/stopping bits.

She just needs the HP upgrade.

[vtecing]

Id stick with ur current motor as my research told me there is cutting and shutting involved with pretty much any engine swap. go to http://www.1stgencivic.org/ theres a bit of info on there concerning engine conversions

[TheSaint]

if ur going D-series the D16y8 is the best possible OBD-II variant and the D16y1/D16z6 is the best possible OBD-I variant

if you dont want vtec than a D15b7 with D16a6 cam and D16z6 intake manifold is a good platform - not overly powerful but they are really linear in a light car

D-series had a factory LSD in japan in the D15b-vtec engine as an option - could keep an eye out for that

have a look on d-series.org as well

[mugen_ctr]

if ur budget stretches, definite go for a Mfactory LSD for the d-series gearbox

And if the series permits, providing you dont get thrown into the upper class with more powerful cars, definite go force induction :D

[Hoona]

Thanks guys, really great info thx !

Yes if there was room and a turbo was installed, it would stay in U2ltr but would need a restrictor on the inlet - trapping all of the power.

N/A would be 100% preferred.

Cheers Tim