Okay cool. One other thing that I completely forgot to mention is the wagon is fwd and a 4 speed auto. fwd doesn't seem to be an issue with the h22a swap but I am pretty sure the auto transmission will screw everything up. I couldn't find any threads on it (To my surprise) except for the ones that say "Go look in the FAQ's" or "There are already tons of threads on this topic". I was hoping I would be able to just drop in the manual transmission but nothing is that easy... Would it be a better route to do a H22a automatic swap considering it would cut costs on the engine and transmission? If I did go that route would I be able to just swap in a manual tranny next summer since I will have more time to work on it?
* Found a forum for Wagovans so hopefully I will be able to get some valuable info. Also found out what is required to convert to manual, and it is going to be pretty difficult...

 

Definately going to do an automatic swap, just need to decide whether or not i should just get a $500 JDM D15B or stick with the $4k+ H22a automatic swap. What do you guys think I should do?

 

You will not be able to fit an AT H22 transmission in there. 5 speed or bust from what I am told. Why do you want to plague yourself by going with AT?

 

It's just too much work to convert to manual and I just want a simple swap to hold me over until next year.

 

You might as well stay D series then. Do not plan on adding any considerable amount of power onto a motor with an AT transmission as they do not stand up well to extra HP etc unlike manual transmissions. I guess I was confused since your OP says you "DO NOT want to keep the automatic transmission"

Either that or keep it stock, and buy a shell that was manual and drop a motor into that. Project car and DD if there is nothing wrong with the wagon as is.

 

I really didn't want to keep it auto but considering how much money it will save I am going stay on that route... for now. Also I found a 1989 RT 4WD 6Speed for $1800 that I am really considering buying and then using my 88 as a parts car to replace fenders, bumbers and whatnot. The RT is pretty beat up on the outside but the interior looks brand new and the engine only has 140k on it. If I do that then I am not going to do a swap on the 88, but instead put the swap money towards building the rt... Would that probably be the best thing to do?

 

that would be a fun project.

converting to 5spd isn't too intensive. since for the h22, you need a different transmission anyways, it won't bolt up. they are cable shifter equipped, ours use a linkage instead, so you'd need to convert anyways.

the only real changes are the pedal assembly and shifter, which aren't hard to change if you're changing a motor as well.

cheapest, simplest, highest mpg, drop in motor is the jdm d15b sohc vtec. 127hp, 35mpg ish.

h swap is way cooler though. :P

 

I am convinced it will not fit.