I am new to this forum and not into cars too much (truck guy), however, I flip cars to make money and I just so happen to have a 92 or 93 civic im working on now. I am trying to find a motor for it ,but its getting confuseing. All the salvage yard listings I find list several different 1.5l motors, and the prices vary alot, but I dont know the differences. Will any 1.5 from the right year work, or not? Its a 4 door, would a hatchback motor work? Whats the difference? Thanks in advance.

 

The motors might work but you may need a matching ECU. What series motor is in the civic you have now?

 

I have no clue. These are all the options they have listed for engines though

HB (3 Dr), 1.5L (4 cyl), VX (VIN "2" 6th digit)
HB (3 Dr), 1.6L (4 cyl, VIN "3" 6th digit)
Sdn (4 Dr), 1.6L (4 cyl, VIN "9" 6th digit)
HB (3 Dr), 1.5L (4 cyl), CX (VIN "2" 6th digit), USA mkt
HB (3 Dr), 1.5L (4 cyl), CX (VIN "2" 6th digit), Canada mkt
HB (3 Dr), 1.5L (4 cyl), DX (VIN "2" 6th digit)
Sdn (4 Dr), 1.5L (4 cyl, VIN "8" 6th digit)

 

Technically you could put any motor in it you want as long as it fits. But if you use a different series motor (yours is a D-series) it will be a more expensive and more difficult swap.

You can use the motor out of any body style.

The motor that was originally in your car was either the 1.5L D15B7 or 1.5L D15B8.

Now the motors that were available with 92-95 civics were the D15B8 (non-VTEC), D15B7 (non-VTEC), and D16Z6 (VTEC). These will be the easiest to install and will only require the matching ECU (except the D16Z6 will also require running a wire from the VTEC solenoid to the ECU which is easy). These are the same OBD as the previous motor (OBD1) and will not require a new wiring harness because you can use the one that's in there already.

Now your other easy options are from the next generation civic (96-00) (these will also require the wiring harness to these engines because they use OBD2): D16Y5 (VTEC), D16Y7 (non-VTEC), and D16Y8 (VTEC). Once again the VTEC motors will require wiring of the solenoid to the ECU, but since you'll have to get the wiring harness for it, it should be included in the wiring harness. You'll also of course need the corresponding ECU for the motor.


All D-series trannys will bolt up to any D-series motor, in case you're wondering.

Here is where you look to find out your engine code:

 

Im just trying to get this car back running as easy and cheap as I can, so I def. wont be putting anything different in. Basically I should be ok putting any 1.5 from that year, but I should get the ecu also, right?

 

That would be a good idea.

 

you can go with any of those 3 motors for the easiest install. D15B7, D15B8, or D16Z6. The only thing different about the Z6 is it has VTEC so all you have to do different is run 1 wire from the solenoid to ECU. It might help you sell the car better too because you can be like "yea I put the top of the line motor for this year in." It's easiest to find a D15B7 or D16Z6 and they cost pretty much the same. Really it's just a matter of what's available.

What model is your Civic? (DX, LX, CX?)
Then i'll be able to tell you if you'll need the ECU or not for each motor.

 

Not sure what model it is, ill have to look tomorrow and post

 

If your car is an LX or DX (came with D15B7), If you put in the following motor you will need the following:
D15B8: you will need motor and ECU
D15B7: you will need motor only
D16Z6: you will need motor, ECU, and run VTEC wire from solenoid to ECU
D15Z1: you will need motor, ECU, and run VTEC wire from solenoid to ECU


If your car is a CX (came with D15B8), If you put in the following motor you will need the following:
D15B8: you will need motor only
D15B7: you will need motor and ECU
D16Z6: you will need motor, ECU, and run VTEC wire from solenoid to ECU
D15Z1: you will need motor, ECU, and run VTEC wire from solenoid to ECU


If your car is an EX (came with D16Z6), If you put in the following motor you will need the following:
D15B8: you will need motor and ECU
D15B7: you will need motor and ECU
D16Z6: you will need motor only (VTEC wiring is already there on EX)
D15Z1: you will need motor and ECU (VTEC wiring is already there on EX)



EDIT: edited to include VX. VX has D15Z1 with VTEC.

If your car is a VX (came with D15Z1), If you put in the following motor you will need the following:
D15B8: you will need motor and ECU
D15B7: you will need motor and ECU
D16Z6: you will need motor and ECU (VTEC wiring is already there on VX)
D15Z1: you will need motor only (VTEC wiring is already there on VX)

 

thanks for all the info here,
I have a 92 civic that has 205K on it and am starting to think about what I will do when I need to replace the engine,
I was thinking about trying to get a D16Y5 out of a 96-00 HX for a replacement as it has better mpg and power over the stock engine.
I am assuming from what I read here that I would just need the ECU and proper wiring/harness.
I am thinking I might not have to pay so much for one as it is an economy tuned VTEC as opposed to a performance engine.

trustdestruction I dont think you mentioned the D15Z1 from the VX model, which could possibly be what futuresweets has since he said it is a hatchback.

BTW, wiki has great overall info on Civics and their engines:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Civic