I just had my 1978 Honda Civic CVCC wagon engine rebuilt and a 5speed installed. I asked my Mechanic what I could consider for my 2nd 78 Civic CVCC and basicaly he said the easy way to go, is to install a 76, 77 or 78 Accord CVCC engine in to a Civic. They are 1600 cc's and will give you alot of power compared to the 1500 without sacrificing fuel economy. Naturaly, if your looking to have a Sleeper car (Race car hiding inside the Civic) then you will have to go with a more modern engine. Lots of fabrication and lots of money. So if you are on a budget, go for an Accord CVCC engine, then the LX engine. They are easy to find in wrecking yards, easier than Civic's that's for sure.

By Vccivic (24.85.232.159) on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 11:02 am:

I agree thats why i mentioned a first gen. prelude..or yeah accord as well sounds like people have had great luck. Its quick easy power, quick easy swap, and cheap to find, especially if you only want powertrain. The vtec's keep you off the road for awhile.

Do you still have the DZ? If so e-mail me by clicking on my name.....

By sdcvcc (68.111.234.166) on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 07:03 am:

I was heavily leaning toward VTEC for my 75. I actually bought a D15Z1. After all the inventory of parts and fabrications I decided that time constraints and budget would only allow me an upgrade, not a hybrid project. So, I grabbed an 83 Accord for $150 with a fair mileage EK. Now all I really need is a 5 sp. tranny and some restore parts.
-time for EK swap: few months
-time for VTEC swap: end of year

By bruce (63.26.203.58) on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 04:04 am:

its not just the price dark, there is alot of fabrication involved too, plus the brake upgrade. engine out, all engine mounts removed, battery box, section where your radiator mounts removed, there are pics someplace on the board, its alot of work, well worth it if you have fabrication knowlege or know ppl that do.

By DaRk (66.50.12.116) on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 09:37 pm:

That's what I'm thinking of doing...VTEC , around how much is the complete swap? *Engine,Trans.,Axles, Etc...

By Jonathan (68.193.6.173) on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 03:56 pm:

It depends on your free time, skill level, amount of cash you're willing to spend, and if you need the car for transportation soon. If you don't want to sink much time/money into it, get a used engine from another '75 CVCC. Remeber, the '75 engine was a one year only motor, different than the 76-79 ones. Intakes, exhaust, etc. won't interchange. The cost of aquiring a used engine is probably around the same as rebuilding yours (maybe a little less if you can pick up the used engine), but the car downtime is a little more, and you won't have a new engine when done.

If you have cash and fabrication skills to apply toward the car, consider a VTEC swap

By Jerry (Jerry680) (64.12.116.199) on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 10:14 am:

I am just saying this cvcc would be a nice buy and I would think you would like to work on other things for the 75 civic to improve it then spend all the time and cost of rebuilding the engine.
Good luck,
Jerry

By Vccivic (24.85.232.159) on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 09:48 am:

Bruce has a good point. When you rebuild you really get to know your engine. If you have a problem it's easier to know what it is....cause you probably didn't replace or rebuild that piece ;)

With that said, if it's not a daily driver yet, or gets you around well enough. You can pick up a new used engine and tranny and rebuild it before you drop it in. Find a first gen. prelude maybe...

Obviously it will cost more, but then when the swap is done, rebuild the original motor...buy another 1st gen with a good body....replace the engine, then rebuild the one you pulled out.....and the cycle begins ;)

By Jerry (Jerry680) (64.12.116.199) on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 09:44 am:

HELLO,
i HAVE A ALMOST NEW IF NOT NEW CVCC I BOUGHT BY MISTAKE. IT IS ON THE PALTE STILL AND IF YOU E-MAIL ME I'LL SEND YOU PIX AND ENGINE #. CAME TO US FROM JAPAN 20 SOME YEARS AGO AND HAS BEEN KEPT INDOOR SENSE THEN IT LOOKS BRAND NEW.
JERRY,
LAZ680@TDS.NET

By bruce (63.26.109.246) on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 03:29 am:

it depends on whats wrong with the engine you wanna rebuild, it coct in and around $500 to do a rebuild. just over 300 for all the kit that has the rings, bearings, seals, the clutch kit(may as well, your in there) having your head cleaned and shaved (if needed) I get mine done for around 30 bucks. you can change your own valve seals with a valve spring compressor. I took my block in and had it cleaned, he checked the bores and honed it, that was about 60 bucks. If I remember right the 75 cvcc motor was made one year, it has a 4 port head, might be hard to find some parts for it, but there are a few sets of headers floating around out there for it too, because noone can use them. what condition is the 75 in? is it gonna need a rebuild? I would rebuild what ya got, then you know what you have. just my 2 cents

By sicvic (4.4.159.88) on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 01:49 pm:

What are the pro's and con's of a total engine rebuild or a swap for a 1975 cvcc civc.