Asking about the right engine for a 1G civic
Civic1200 Discussion Board: : Asking about the right engine for a 1G civic
city turbo city turbo city turbo2 is the way to go
John
Yeah, I actually was watching that engine on Ebay. Not that I'm Buying, just curious to see if anyone does. I'm far from being in a position to take on this project (would have to do a LOT more reading). I'm picking up my 2nd 1st-gen on Tuesday (1st was in 1990 and long since dead). I want to keep it stock and learn as I go. Thanks again for the info. I'm going to put it into that "must get to it someday" part of my brain.
Kevin
Oh, as an after thought you could back it with a 5-speed tranny, for the added mileage capability, but you would have to be careful about the gearing choice, at least until you had the 1335 crank in the motor. I would also do a MILD port job to the head which would boost power and efficiency as well and use the 1335 EN electronic distributor recurved to fit the motor. I am kind of intrigued by this idea. I'm guessing you could build a car that would get an actual 35MPG in town and mid to high 40's on the highway. There again aerodynamics would really play a big role in the ultimate mileage possible.
Hey Kevin,
I don't know if this would interest you, but some warehouse importer in Calif. is currently offering a '73 EB Japanese motor for sale. It would be the early EB1 i.e. 70mm bore. Not a 1335 crank, but the basis for the kind of motor you might be wanting to build. The Jap motors are usually less the 60,000KM which is I believe around 40,000 miles. I think their asking price is kind of high, but I also doubt there will be any one standing in line to bid on it either, so...
Kevin,
I don't know if you can really say it would be less exciting. Honda a few years ago (after kicking everyone elses ass for season after season in Formula One) I guess got bored with that and decided to put a large percentage of the engineers who had previously been concentrating on the race work, to work on new "Green" tech and increasing the efficiency of old tech. They actually decided to make this the number one priority. But then there exists that point of overlap between fuel efficiency, low emmissions, and power output where they not only are not at odds with each other, but actually work together. So maybe it is not as glamerous, but it is MORE important to our future.
Ok, thanks for the link to show what Japanese engines are by HP and year, even model name ( helpful that way!)
So many to think which one to use? Maybe I should redefine in my question more in there. What I should mean is what engine is the simplest (in order of simple) able to be fit in engine bay without extesive modifying? High fuel efficent is good but not for that reason - it's a side benefit if it happens.
I'm thinking of building a good daily driver that will last long with parts that are relatively easy to get for engine for tune-ups.
I've drove one of the 1985-87 Civic Si cars and they were very good on gas and surprised of their handling. It's the size inside interior I find a problem 
Thanks John.
I was thinking that part of the original intent of the civic was fuel economy and practicality. If I were to modify one it might make sense to go further in this direction. I have a lot to learn though. I guess it's a lot less exciting than modifing 1st gens for speed and handling, but I thing it might be worth doing someday.
Kevin
Honda engineered the HF models' engine from the ground up regarding the economy slant. They used the same blocks but were 1500 instead of 1600, had smaller valves and and the head was designed(altered) to take advantage of that fact. Basically they built for low end to mid range torque as opposed to horsepower. Then topped it all off with higher gear ratios, smaller (narrower aspect and taller) tires for the added reduction in rolling resistance. In answer to your question, yes someone could build a 1st Gen car around this concept. Actually Honda started that concept in the '82-83 1300(USA) model. It had very small valves but the 1300 stroker crank, and then they used a very tall final drive...3:72 to 1. If that was the type of car you wanted it would be a good place to start. Those cars got suprising mileage, and also had more pickup than you might have thought they would. They weren't fast, but they were fast enough. By the way one of those trannies behind a strong EF1 1600, or an EL, or a 1751 would make an excellant cruisemobile for highway, and still have lots of poop in the lower gears. Another option would be to start with the very early EB1 block(70mm bore), and use a 1335 crank and an EB2 head.
Oh, one last thing, the 1st Gens are no way as aerodynamic as the later cars, so to get maximum benefit you would also need to do some mods in that area. The Kamei front spoiler is a first step. They are a subtle improvement, but it is there and you can feel it at highway speeds.
To anyone. I´m thinking in buying a 1g civic. It´s been "sleeping" in a neibors front lawn for almost 2 years. I dont realy know what happend with it but it still has its 4 tires (flat) and it has no crash marks. I´m guesing that the engine has some serious problems, and if it did´nt i would still consider in changing the engine (where i live there is a large amount of japanese and corean engines). The question is: what engine is the apropiate for the civic? (i would prefer a newer engine cause it may have less troubles)
I don´t know much (nothing) of the language and codes that is used when you talk about engines so, if it is´nt a problem, try not to use technical words cuase the translation is quit difficult (i live in south america)... only if it´s posible.
Last request, what else should i look at?, in the car. Beside the engine and the exterior and interior of it.
Thanks
Ted- ya I noticed that as well, but he was asking about 84 and newer, so I didn't bother looking for more. Theres tons of lists out there that are more complete/easier to read, but I was late for school and didn't have the time to look
I would think that the fuel effeciency is a combination of both engine and trans, although the engine makes it feasible to run taller gears. I'm sure it is possible to get close (if not better), if you swap in the motor and choose an appropriate trans (even 1G/2G). I must say from my experience driving one of these HF cars, I was *very* surprised by the gas mileage. I thought the numbers were always a bit of hype until I drove one (45mpg was easy, while 55+mpg was possible). In addition, based upon my recent experience with a hybrid Honda (4dr sedan), the older HFs got better gas mileage, with greater ease. To be fair, the HF was lighter and smaller though...
Hey Kyle, funny how they left off the EB's and EK's.
Just curious. Has anyone ever tried to make a super fuel efficient 1G civic by putting a VX or HX engine in. Is it possible? Is it all about the high geared transmission?
http://www.superhonda.com/tech/honda_engine_codes.html
Ok, this is just to find out for curiousity's sake. That data here may help me think for my next 1G project after my car's done.
If I were to get a CVCC civic from 1974 to 1979, take out CVCC engine or if no engine in there...what later year engine should I get in order to be able to fit in with little effort?
I see many of you are debating about EN, EK or 1750, 1600 and 1800. So in sake of learning about Japanese engines - what type of engine were in 1984-1989 and 1990-up Honda Civics? Thanks!