


			*84-87 Civic/Crx DOHC Hybrid INFORMATION*
				   - revised 8-17-99 -




READ MY NOTES:
So...
you wanna do a DOHC swap into an 84-87 Civic/CRX eh? 
one word describes the finished swap.....Tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiite!!!!!!!!

okay on with business....

Its best to use an 84-87 civic/crx "Si" model if you wanna stay fuel injected & make the swap easier. 
For the DX/lower models, its best to just carb the ZC/D16A1 since the lower models don't come fuel injected.
But if your heart is set on swapping an Sis complete wire harness over, go for it!!
(see below for a suggestion I have on a wiring solution for non-Si models)

A ZC is essentially the same as a US 86-87 integra motor known as a D16A1. 
Now, the 88-89 integra engine is slightly better than 
the 86-87 models in 2 ways  better intake manifold & it has domed pistons, thats it, everything else besides the ECU & distributor are the same. One other thing, 86-87 integra rods are a little thicker than the 88-89s rods. I know this by the trial  & error my friend & I have gone through.
So my advice on a good setup would be: 88-89 pistons & intake manifold with 86-87 rods, head, distributor, & ECU. 
As for the tranny, use an 86-89 tranny  dont get the ZC tranny, longer gear ratio  I had one, it sucked. The ZC tranny for the newer 88-91 models have a good gear ratio  actually its the same as the 86-89 gear ratios, but thats another hybrid story.


ZC/D16A1 ENGINE NOTES/history:

The ZC/D16A1/D16A8 motor is a DOHC 1600cc 16 valve engine.

In Japan this motor is labeled as "ZC".
In Europe it's known as a "D16A8".
And here in the US, it's known as the "D16A1".
Here's an EZ chart to remember:
ZC=JDM SPEC  *135hp*
D16A1=USDM SPEC *113hp(brown top)*/*118hp(black top)*
D16A8=EURO SPEC ??? (around 120hp I believe..)

I'm not going to include the "D16A8" Euro-spec engine in the rest of this document, just 
because this engine is not very common here in the US when doing this swap. 
My main focus here is the ZC & D16A1 motor.

In Japan & Europe, this engine came equipped on TOP-o-LINE 84-87 civic/CRX's. It also 
came on the 1st generation HONDA Integra's (86-89 teg's to you & me) over in JAPAN & Europe.
In the US, the D16A1 came only in the 86-89 Acura Integra's.

These engines are essentially the same in design, but with minor differences.
As SOME of you know, there are 3 types of JDM ZC's & 2 types of US D16A1 engines out in 
the world.
Both JDM & US types have a BROWN & BLACK type valve covers.
For short, they're known as either BROWN TOP's or BLACK TOP's.

The 3 types of JDM ZC motors are found in these JDM cars:
-84-87 civic/Crx's (Brown Top)
-88 1G Integra (86-89 bodystyle) (Black Top)
-89 89-91 civic/crx's (Black Top but have 8 valve cover bolts)
The 89 ZC motor is designed for the 88-91 civic/crx's. Which internals are EXACTLY like the 
88-89 US Integra engine, but has a different OUTTER block design so that it will bolt into
an 88-91 civic/crx chassis. 
I won't cover the 89 ZC motor in this document, since it's for a different newer-chassis. 
That's in the 88-91 ZC engine swap document!
Let me stress that the 89 ZC motor has the same internal components as a US 88-89 Integra.
If you notice, HONDA was consistent with production of the 88+ ZC engine design, no matter
what chassis it went in.

The 2 types of US D16A1 motors are found in these cars:
86-87 Integra (Brown Top)
88-89 Integra (Black Top)



The BROWN Tops are the older (JDM & US) 86-87 engines that are equipped with:
-FLAT-TOP pistons
-Thick rods
-Square styled intake manifold
-Vacuum advance ignition with EXTERNAL Coil

The only difference I have seen between the US & JDM brown tops' are the HP ratings.
US =  113 Bhp
JDM = 135 Bhp

Of course, the JDM Spec ZC is gonna put out a bit more power than the US D16A1 due to the 
smog regulations that the US has. The same 



The BLACK Tops are the newer 88-89 (US & JDM) engines that are equipped with:
-Domed pistons
-Slightly lighter rods
-Intake manifolds differ a tad between JDM & US, but flow a bit better than the 86-87 
 manifolds.

US =  118 Bhp
JDM = 130 Bhp

Again, the US HP ratings are lower do to the Smog regulations. 
The JDM ZC puts out 5 less HP than the previous year because it gained torque due to the 
piston change. So, power was compensated, traded HP for torque.


ACTUAL SWAP INFO:

Engine Mounts (total of 3 mounts on 84-87 civic/crx's):
Use the stock civic/CRX mounts on the rear crossmember & front timing-belt side.
Use an 86-89 integra tranny mount for the tranny. The civic/CRX tranny mount will make 
the motor sit crooked if you use it, so don't.
I've heard that the 86-89 Integra REAR engine mount can be used to, but I never got around
to trying it. So, if your down to experiment...let me know if it works!

Axles:
Use a complete set of 86-89 Integra axles including the intermediate shaft.

Knuckle/hub assembly:
In order to use an 86-89 Teg' engine + transmission, you gotta use the 86-89 Integra
knuckle/spindle assembly so that you can utilize the Integra 3-peice axles. 
The 86-89 Integra axles DO NOT plug into 84-87 civic/crx knuckle/spindle's, that is why.

Shift linkage:
Use a complete 86-89 integras shift linkage.

Wiring harness:
Use the Sis wiring harness.  Plugs right into the 87 Integra sensors, injectors, & Distributor.
There is going to be 1 plug that does NOT get plugged in, which is part of the IAB (cold start).
It will not affect performance, but you will get an engine check light. TO remedy this, try to locate
a JDM ECU for a Brown Top ZC motor. Install it & you will NOT give you this engine check light anymore.
I had one, that's how I know =)
*see below for additional Wiring Harness suggestions*


Distributor & ECU:
Make sure you use an 86-87 Integra ECU & Distributor. 
That's the only DOHC ECU (besides a JDM one) designed to work with a Vacuum Advance Ignition
(distributor) which only came on the 86-87 Integra's.
            ***Do not use an 88-89 Teg' ECU or Distributor****
Simply because it has an internal coil ignition just like all the 88+ civic/CRX/Integra use,
which is completley different than the 86-87 ignition components.

This is all you need as far as I can remember. Your DOHC ZC/D16A1 hybrid should be set!




                      ***Additonal Wiring Suggestions*****

This pertains to ANY 84-87 civic/crx, but mainly the "NON-Si" models.
If you have the time & money, I suggest that you GUT out the WHOLE Entire 84-87 civic/Crx's
wiring harness throughout the whole chassis and replace it with either a: 
88-91 civic/crx Si's complete wiring harness
or 
92-95 civic Si/EX's entire wiring harness.
I suggest this whether or not you plan on having FUEL INJECTION or Carbs. The main reason is
to utilize the "NEWER" style "internal coil" distributor. This also goes hand-in hand with 
the ECU. The problem with 84-87 civic/crx & 86-87 Integra ECU's is that they CANNOT be 
re-programmed (chipped), all because of the ignition/ECU combination.

If you go this route, it opens up a whole new HYBRID doorway!:
88-91 SOHC Si engine (D16A6) in your 84-87 civic/crx
92-95 Civic Si/EX SOHC Vtec engine (D16Z6) in your 84-87 civic/crx
A mixuture of both engines in your 84-87 civic/crx
***See 84-87 Hybrid Suggestions below****

If you don't have the time or money to do this and you have an "Si" model, just stick with
your "Si" wiring harness & swap all the 87 Integra Ignition parts over.



            ****84-87 Civic/CRX Performance Hybrid Swap Suggestions****

Here are a few SOHC engine swaps that are do-able in 84-87's with the required components.
Use an 86-89 Integra tranny with any of these swaps. 
It's the best geared tranny when compared to a JDM tranny.
*read my random notes below*

An 88-91 Civic Si Long block (block,head,intake+exh. manifold), using an 86-89 teg's tranny 
will work in a 84-87 chassis. Just make sure you use these components:
-86-89 complete axles
-87 Integra ECU & distibutor 
(unless you swap out the whole chassis's wiring harness out with a newer one)
You may have to do some modification to make the 87 teg' distributor mount onto the 88-91
Distributor mount location.
-86-89 Integra Knuckle/Spindles
-86-89 teg' tranny/flywheel/clutch
-86-89 teg' tranny mount
-use your 84-87's Rear engine mount/bracket & timing-belt side mount also.
-use your 84-87's Si engine harness.
that's about it for making the motor "bolt right in".
For performance reasons, 
I suggest you use a 92-95 civic Si/Ex's block & head gasket with an 88-91 Si's head.
Not only is the block newer and designed better, but it's longevity will outlast an 88-91 Si's
block. A 92-95 Civic's headgasket is better also, because it's a METAL headgasket and not 
that LEAD/Cork crap that the 84-91 civic's all use. 
Actually, you can use a stock 92-95 civic head gasket on a 88-91 Si' motor, it fits perfectly!
If you can, try to get a hold of a 96+ EX coupe Intake manifold and bolt it on the 88-91
Si head. This manifold is like a mini Type-R manifold for a SOHC engine! A plus about it also
is that you can use a 90+ Integra Throttlebody on it, which is about 2-4mm bigger!
If you can't get a hold of a 96+ EX coupe intake manifold, then try to get a 92-95 Si/Ex one
then. That one can use a 90+ Teg' throttlebody too.

Another swap you can do is a complete 92-95 civic Si/EX SOHC Vtec motor. 
But this can get complicated, all because of wiring. I suggest you swap out your whole 
entire wiring harness in favor for the 92-95 Si/EX (OBD-1) wiring harness. 
WHY? simple, because everything is totally different on a 92-95 harness...
not to mention VTEC is an added performance goody that runs off the ECU.
As for getting the motor bolted in, follow the same directions as stated above (88-91 SOHC).
If you installed the complete 92-95 harness, you would use ALL the 92-95 Ignition parts too.
Then, everything should plug in easily. 
You may need cut & splice a few plugs like:
-The reverse plug on the tranny
-gauge cluster parts (you may have fabricate the 92-95 SI/EX gauge cluster into your 84-87)

If you wanna a lil' more power from this SOHC Vtec engine setup, try and get a 96+ SOHC Vtec
head. The Combustion chamber on a 96+ head sits closer to the pistons, which raises the 
compression=more power! But of course retain all the 92-95 wiring/ignition components.

I myself, have never tried these SOHC swaps on a 84-87, but I know that they will work with 
a little TLC. So, if you plan on doing any of these newer SOHC engine swaps in a 84-87 and
are 100% successful, let me know...so that I can update the troubles/remedies that come along
with this swap!


Final Random Notes:
*
If you can get a Japanese ZC ECU get it!! 
I had it & it runs good at idle and throughout the powerband. Small problem I had with the
87 teg' ECU was that it ran a lil' rich at idle, the exhaust fumes anoyed me.

*
The 86-89 Integra tranny is the best one I had, when I ran my ZC. I tried the JDM tranny
for my car, and boy was I dissapointed! The gearing was LONGER !!!!
Luckily, I got a hold of another US 86-89 Teg' trans & slapped it back on.
The 86-89 trans has soo much better acceleration/response than the JDM tranny. 
I couldn't live without it !
So...don't get a BROWN-TOP JDM ZC tranny! gear ratio sucks! the 86-89 teg tranny rules!
Make sure you use an 86-89 teg' FLYWHEEL when doing a swap using an 86-89 tranny.

*
ALL of the ZC & D16A1 motors have interchangeable parts. Meaning you can put a BROWN Tops'
cams in a Black top ZC, you can swap heads/cams as long as you keep the same cam sprockets
if you decide to use a JDM 89 ZC head on a Brown Top block in your 84-87. Pistons are
interchangeable too, so if you wanna put an 88-89 D16A1's domed pistons in a JDM or 
US Brown Top's bottom end, you can!

*
ZC motors really open up when you carb them. If you get a chance to carb your ZC...
I highly suggest it. But of course you can't smog your car if you do carb it.


In Conclusion:
I dont have my 87 power unit anymore (sniffle sniffle)
I upgraded to a 92 civic CX (DOHC VTEC) as you can see on my website. 
My 87 was SUPER fun to have & upgrade though! I miss it.

This WAS gonna be my final ZC engine setup when I still had my 87 but I never finished it:
US  89 teg' block
JDM 89 ZC head (Valve cover looks way better than the 84-87 head/v.cover)
Mugen Carb Cams
Mugen Carb Manifold
87 Integra DC S.S. header
87 ZC ECU
44mm Mikuni Carbs with Individual Throttle body stacks
A FEEL's (JDM) thin metal headgakset
Dual Diaghram clutch

I had everything, but then my friend was selling his 92 civic CX, & I had to have it...
I had to crossover to VTEC!!!!!! 



                     ***** SEE YOU ON THE DOHC SIDE !!!!*********


