HCF Project Section - 1992 Honda Civic Hatchback - Lots of work to be done

While my husband is in Army bootcamp, his father and I are totally redoing his car.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m69/Sugar5779/carbikeparts001.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m69/Sugar5779/carbikeparts002.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m69/Sugar5779/carbikeparts003.jpg

Here is what we plan to do:

MOTOR (http://www.jdmenginescorp.com/engine_details/acura_jdm-b18c-gsr-obd1-engine-swap)

PAINT (http://www.paintforcars.com/kits_5star_sunshineyelw.html)

RACING SEATS (http://racinx-your-one-stop-shop.amazonwebstore.com/Black-with-Yellow-Universal-Racing-Seats/M/B000JM9KRS.htm?traffic_src=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle)

SPOON STYLE MIRRORS (http://www.k2motor.com/rms-cv923m.html)

MUGEN STYLE FRONT LIP (http://www.streetbeatcustoms.com/Option-Racing/Exterior-Accessories/Honda-Civic-Option-Racing-Bumper-Lip-_-Mugen-Style-_-38_20119/609063/)

SPOON STYLE WING (http://www.k2motor.com/92-95-honda-civic-3dr-spoiler-led.html)

CUSTOM GLOW GAUGES (http://www.speedhut.com/custom_gauge_dial_description-auto-Honda-auto_number-9.htm#design_area)

ROTA STYLE WHEELS (http://www.sparktecmotorsports.com/f2bm164x100.html)

CROSS DRILLED AND SLOTTED BRAKES (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-Civic-Si-92-93-94-95-D-S-Brake-Rotors-W-Pads-F-R_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhash Zitem4833e6440cQQitemZ310108374028QQptZMotorsQ5fCa rQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)

STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINES (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/92-93-94-95-HONDA-CIVIC-Stainless-Steel-SS-Brake-Lines_W0QQitemZ280393205984QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMoto rs_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item4148bcc8e0&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245)

PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS (http://www.k2motor.com/2lhp-cv923jmb-tm.html)

TAIL LIGHTS (http://www.k2motor.com/ltcv923jmyd.html)

I think that covers pretty much everything. We're going to paint the inside of the engine bay, the front lip and the rear spoiler all black.

Also, his mom and I are going to reupholster the back bench seat - His isn't in great shape but I can't find a decent price on a good looking, custom fit bench seat cover.

So. . . Any ideas? Feedback? Thoughts? Anything?

I'll start posting pictures as soon as we start!

Get black housing jdm style headlights or leave the OEM ones and get jdm style amber corner lights. Get 50/50 OEM tail lights. It will look much cleaner. Just order led lights to put in the cluster he already has.

If this post isnt just spam though.

sounds like a good plan you got going, but isn't yellow a bit flashy? i think you should leave the custom glow gauges off the list and as for the headlight i think amber corners and black housing headlight would look sweet and as for the tails, leave them oem, those look ugly. otherwise i think this would be a fun project

First off, no this isn't spam. I wouldn't take the time to write all that out if I wasn't for real. I don't really see why somebody would do that anyways. . .

Second, I have no idea what any of that means. Could you post a picture or a link to what you're talking about?

Get black housing jdm style headlights or leave the OEM ones and get jdm style amber corner lights. Get 50/50 OEM tail lights. It will look much cleaner. Just order led lights to put in the cluster he already has.

If this post isnt just spam though.

Right now the car is blue - Yellow is definitely flashy, but it's his favorite color and he has always talked about painting his car yellow. I've looked up pictures of his car in yellow and it actually looks pretty cool. It's either yellow or that coppery, gold color that later model civics came in - I think he would prefer the yellow tho.
As far as the gauges go, he said he wanted indiglo gauges but I couldn't find any for his car. I figured black gauges with yellow numbers would match nicely and they glow green at night (kinda like indiglo?).
And again with the headlights and tails, I don't understand - Pictures or a link would be greatly appreciated! HaHa! Sorry!

sounds like a good plan you got going, but isn't yellow a bit flashy? i think you should leave the custom glow gauges off the list and as for the headlight i think amber corners and black housing headlight would look sweet and as for the tails, leave them oem, those look ugly. otherwise i think this would be a fun project

Actually - I just found these HEADLIGHTS (http://www.dashzracing.com/Lighting-Projector-Headlights/Honda/Civic/92-95-Honda-Civic-23Dr-Halo-Projector-Headlights-JDM-Black-p6725442.html)
Is this what you mean?

Sound sliek aplan and a nice deed, but id also say leave the taillights and black houseing headlights and yellow is bright, but it can look really good.


edit:he means something liek this. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/92-95-HONDA-CIVIC-EG-BLACK-HEAD-LIGHTS-LED-AMBER-CORNER_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14Q QhashZitem20ad54941eQQitemZ140346954782QQptZMotors Q5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Also - As far as the motor goes, I was told that it should basically be a direct drop in. I know I have to get new motor mounts and shift linkage and the AC compressor might not fit and will have to be moved - but other than that, are there any major changes that will need to be made?

Also - As far as the motor goes, I was told that it should basically be a direct drop in. I know I have to get new motor mounts and shift linkage and the AC compressor might not fit and will have to be moved - but other than that, are there any major changes that will need to be made?

axles, transmission and ecu. other small things. the head lights and amber corner lights look like this.
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/3197/4561/32992280041_large.jpg
Stock looking stuff is cleaner and nicer looking IMO.
the tail lights that I have look like this but stock
http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/7/l_2174ca2336d64d7288ed46988a57979e.jpg

The new motor setup that I'm getting comes with a transmission and ecu. That should work, right?
Now what about the axles? Do I need to get new ones? Or how does that work?

axles, transmission and ecu. other small things. the head lights and amber corner lights look like this.
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/3197/4561/32992280041_large.jpg
Stock looking stuff is cleaner and nicer looking IMO.
the tail lights that I have look like this but stock
http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/7/l_2174ca2336d64d7288ed46988a57979e.jpg

the car right now has D series axles but if you swap to that B series motor you have to swap the front axles too.

Ok - So aside from the complete motor/tranny that I'm getting, I also need new axles, shift linkage and motor mounts.
Is that it? Those are the only differences?

the car right now has D series axles but if you swap to that B series motor you have to swap the front axles too.

for the most part yes. I'm sure some small things will pop up but those are the major components.

make sure when you get the new motor you replace all of the maitenece items
like spark plugs and wires, all the belts, water pump, and the distributor cap
and be prepared that other little things will pop up like random gaskets and such

sooooo skip the headlights and taillights...get oem style ones. Anyway...the two things i see youre missing, an exhaust, and suspension.

Is it really necessary to replace all those things? I mean, won't the motor come with them? If so, where would I find them? Wal-Mart? Discount Auto?

make sure when you get the new motor you replace all of the maitenece items
like spark plugs and wires, all the belts, water pump, and the distributor cap
and be prepared that other little things will pop up like random gaskets and such

He has exhaust on his car already and suspension. I know he would eventually like to get new suspension (I'll let him decide what kind he wants). But will his exhaust not fit? Am I going to have to get a whole new exhaust system too?

I'm trying to stay away from things like exhaust and suspension because there are so many different kinds. The stuff I'm doing now are things I know he wants and there really aren't many variables (ie Spoon style mirrors - there is only 1 kind). With suspension he can go lower or stiffer or whatever. And with exhaust, there are so many different kinds and I don't really know what kind of a sound he's going for.

sooooo skip the headlights and taillights...get oem style ones. Anyway...the two things i see youre missing, an exhaust, and suspension.

You can go to an automotive store and get all the maintanence parts or buy directly from Honda. Its best to just change them while the motors out since its not too expensive and can actually be the life of your motor. Can't wait to see this build start.

Is it really necessary to replace all those things? I mean, won't the motor come with them? If so, where would I find them? Wal-Mart? Discount Auto?

yes thats necessary
and refer to what plethoric said

He has exhaust on his car already and suspension. I know he would eventually like to get new suspension (I'll let him decide what kind he wants). But will his exhaust not fit? Am I going to have to get a whole new exhaust system too?

If his exhaust is a complete header back system, the header will not fit. It's the D series and B series difference again.

I honestly don't know if it's a complete system. I know it's pretty loud tho. The motor description says it comes with a complete head - is this the same as a header?
Could I just get a catback system for now? Cuz like I said, I really don't know what kind of sound he's going for and I don't want to spend all that money on something how doesn't want.
His might be just a catback, I could ask his dad to make sure. If so, would it fit?
I really didn't want to mess with the exhaust - Can anyone think of a way to get around this for now? And let him do it when he gets home?

If his exhaust is a complete header back system, the header will not fit. It's the D series and B series difference again.

what he meant is the exhaust manifold(header) from the d" series motor that you are pulling out will not fit on the new b" series motor... you need a b" series exhaust manifold or header. the rest of the exhaust is fine

The motor swap includes the exhaust manifold. So everything else should work, right? I can leave it up to him to get a new exhaust system?

Thanks so much! I know I sound like an idiot but I've never worked on an import car - I'm used to helping my dad out with his 68 Mustang - Things are a lot different!

what he meant is the exhaust manifold(header) from the d" series motor that you are pulling out will not fit on the new b" series motor... you need a b" series exhaust manifold or header. the rest of the exhaust is fine

yea everything should be fine...

yea the motor is in sideways....strange japenese people.
i grew up workin on old chevy's and fords.. but i converted to the darkside
they are actually very simple designed.

When you say all the belts - Is this what you mean? Am I missing any? Or are these all necessary?

Bypass hose
Idler pulley
Radiator hose - upper and lower
Serpentine belt
Timing belt

I found spark plugs and even yellow wires to match. And I'm going to try advanced auto for the water pump and distributor cap.

Also, when you are talking about random gaskets and such needing to be replaced - Would it be a good idea to go ahead and order a complete engine head gasket kit? I found this one http://got-jdm.com/honda-bseries-dohc-vtec-complete-engine-head-gasket-kit-b16-b18-p-362.html Or is that a waste?


make sure when you get the new motor you replace all of the maitenece items
like spark plugs and wires, all the belts, water pump, and the distributor cap
and be prepared that other little things will pop up like random gaskets and such

i suggest just putting a new timing belt, water pump, distributor cap/rotor. and if there are any oil leaks on the motor like oil pan gasket, rear/front main seals, cam seal. valve cover gasket kit.

Awesome - Thanks so much. I'll just hold off on any gaskets and/or seals until the motor is in.

i suggest just putting a new timing belt, water pump, distributor cap/rotor. and if there are any oil leaks on the motor like oil pan gasket, rear/front main seals, cam seal. valve cover gasket kit.