Hello everyone! Sorry for my first post here to be asking for help, but I am out of ideas.

I have a 2 1990 Civic HB's (Standard models). Both have a 1.5L with a 4-speed transmission. I bought 2, one for me and one for my girlfriend. Unfortunately, she is having a hard time learning to drive a stick, so I want to put an automatic in one of the cars and then sell the other. I kinda want to upgrade the engine too as it only has 70-ish HP, but I don't want to end up getting way less gas mileage as that eliminates the point of buying these cars. I have researched enough to know that you can swap out Honda engines very easily. The problem I am having is I don't know what parts I need from what car to make this swap work. For example, if I buy a 1999 Civic motor and auto transmission, I'm sure I will need the 1999 computer and harness, but will the gauges still work or will I have to get wiring schematics and cut up the 1990 harness? Any help on pointing me in the right direction would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

First of all, does your manual tranny really have only 4 forward gears? That's wierd :/ ... Second, I think it would be way cheaper and less of a hassle to sell one car and buy another civic with an auto tranny. Third, its going to cost you at least 2500 to swap in another motor. My suggestion is let her learn how to drive stick. Sell tour car if its not fast enough, and buy a faster one.
Just my .02

 

Haha. Yes, it only has 4 gears. Its a very base model.

I currently have a fully-loaded, every-option 2010 Camaro SS that I have for when I want to go fast. It gets around 21-22MPG on the highway. That is ok for weekends, but I work 40 miles from home and don't wanna put a lot of miles on the newer car. That's why I bought the Civic....gas mileage. I am soon to be getting a BMW 335d and it should get around 36-37MPG so I am surrendering my Civic to her and selling hers.

The Civic I bought was a one owner car with 90,000 miles on it. No rips in the seats. Driven by an old lady. It's in great shape. If I sell mine and get an auto, it will most likely not be in the same condition. I have a Honda mechanic that will be doing all of the swapping (at no charge) so it is basically a parts only deal. I don't need a turbo kit on it or anything, but getting on the freeway can be a bit scary with only 70HP. I would be fine with a newer 100-130HP motor. I just figured if I am going to rip the transmission out, I might as well do the motor at the same time.

I may just stick to doing the transmission only since the rest may be a big pain. I figure everyone I see that buys one of these in an automatic wants to rip it out and put in a stick. If you Google "1990 Civic Manual to Auto", all the results come back with "Auto to Manual". Haha

 

So why not just take an Auto to Manual DIY and follow it backwards? Shouldn't have a problem with doing that.

 

Oh, I see what your getting at. Buy a prius lol

 

Sell the car and buy another that's auto, waste more time and $ for conversion

 

That is probably the best solution. The only reason I can see the OP not doing this would be because he is knows this car and knows it is in good condition. Buying another would be a chance IMO.