Friday, October 1, 2010

96-98 Civic:

Engine Install:
Whether you are swapping in a B16/B18/B20vtec etc, make sure you get the correct engine mounts/shift linkage/axles!

Mounts/Brackets:
For 96-98 civics, look into getting these 99-00 Si engine brackets:
- front tranny bracket
- rear engine "T" bracket - Note: Integra "T" bracket pushes the motor forward a little too much, thats why a 99-00 Si or JDM EK4/9 "T" bracket is best to use.
- A/C bracket
- left side (driver side) dual-post engine block mount (only needed if going B18C)

Or from a 94-01 integra use these brackets:
- front tranny bracket
- A/C bracket
If you want to retain your A/C compressor, pick up a "P54" 94-97 Delsol DOHC VTEC a/c bracket or a CRV a/c bracket. Both support the smaller civic a/c compressor.

From your stock civic you'll need to reuse these brackets which are compatible with a B-series engine:
- top tranny mount
- left side (driver side) dual-post bracket

Shift Linkage: For 96-00 EK the chassis, I highly recommend to use a 99-00 Si or JDM EK4/9 shift linkage. I recently found out 94-01 integra shift linkage will not center the shift lever in the center of the shift boot area. Shifting to 2nd/4th gears the shift lever sits too far back hitting the inner edge of the shift boot console border.

Axles: You can use any axles from these vehicles: 94-01 integra (JDM or US) all 5spd models, 99-00 Si, 94-97 DOHC delsol.

Once you get the motor in, wiring is your next feat...

Wiring: Part 1
Depending if you own a non-VTEC or VTEC model EK civic you can and should reuse your existing EWH (or run a 96-98 EX 5spd EWH). You cannot use an OBD1 EWH in an OBD2 civic. OBD1 EWH's are totally incompatible because of their 2-piece design. All EK civics use a 1-piece EWH design.

2-piece means the harness has a break off point at the shock tower; 1-piece means the harness has no break off points at all and runs all the way down through the firewall directly to the ECU.

NOTE that you cannot use an OBD2b 99-00 civic wire harness in your 96-98 civic or vice versa. Don't be fooled! they look simliar but are very different as shown here:
http://www.ff-squad.com/tech/w...e.jpg

If you have a non-vtec civic you will have to perform these mods to your EWH in order to be compatible with an OBD1 VTEC engine: (1) add the respective wiring for VTEC (2) wire in the KS (3) *perform the IACV mod.

*The IACV mod consists of converting a 3-wire IACV plug to a 2-wire IACV plug, as explained in my diagrams below. All OBD1 engines use a 2-wire IACV:
http://www.ff-squad.com/tech/w...8.jpg
http://www.ff-squad.com/tech/w...g.jpg

If you own a VTEC civic such as a 5-speed EX model you're lucky...almost. Using this EWH is way handy because all of the mods mentioned above are already embedded into this harness from the factory. The only downside is that 2nd 02 sensor wiring is not part of this harness, but part of the cabin harness in an EX. So, if you plan to run a US OBD2 ecu to power the OBD1 engine, you will need to manually wire in the 2nd 02 sensor. Fun fun. Now, if you plan to use an OBD1 ecu, no need to wire in the 2nd 02 as OBD1 ecu's do not look for a 2nd 02.

For those non-VTEC civic owners who are weary of wiring, I suggest locating and using a 96-98 5spd EX EWH in your non-VTEC civic. It's totally compatible with non-VTEC 96-98 EK chassis's. Make sure you pick up a 5-SPEED EX harness and not an AUTO EX harness. Auto EX harnesses are wired slightly different and will not allow your car to start. I have yet to figure out why.

That said, lets move onto injector, distributor, alternator, and IAT plug changes...

Wiring: Part 2

In order to make an OBD1 engine work in an OBD2 civic a few more wiring mods are required which consist of the distributor, injectors, alternator, IAT, and CKF sensor:

(1- Distributor plug)
Convert to OBD1 dizzy plugs by cut/splicing OBD1 dizzy plugs and mating them to your OBD2 EWH, color matching the wires - or - find yourself an OBD2 B-series VTEC distributor (any 96-00 B-series VTEC dizzy) which will PnP to your 96-98 EWH (easiest option).

(2 - Injector clips)
Convert to OBD1 injector plugs by cut/splicing OBD1 injector plugs to your OBD2 EWH, color matching the wires - or - find yourself a set of OBD2 injectors (any 96-00 injectors, B-series to be specific, but D-series will work too) which will PnP to your 96-98 EWH (easiest option).

Another option you can do is by removing the blue cap inside your OBD2 injector clip and then wiggle the clip onto the OBD1 injector as shown here:
http://www.ff-squad.com/tech/w...p.jpg
You'll wanna use a zip tie to secure the clip onto the OBD1 injector so that engine vibrations won't allow the clip to slip off the injector. You'll know what I mean if you try this mod

(3 - Alternator plug)
OBD1 alternators use a round style plug whereas OBD2 alternators use a squarish plug; here's an image to help understand:
http://www.ff-squad.com/tech/a...s.jpg

You have a few options here.
1) you can either cut and splice an OBD1 alternator plug and mate it to your OBD2 EWH or...
2) find an OBD2 B-series alternator (any 96-01 B-series alternator will do) which makes it PnP to your EWH....(easiest option) or...
3) disassemble the OBD1 alternator and swap in an OBD2 alternator's inner plug as shown in this thread:
http://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=461376
I believe you can use your D-series alternator plug in the OBD1 B-series alternator, but don't quote me on this as I haven't quite tried this mod yet.

(4 - IAT)
Your OBD2 IAT sensor plug is different than that of an OBD1 IAT. So, you can either keep your existing IAT sensor and make it work by making a hole in the intake arm. Or you can cut/splice the OBD1 IAT plug and mate it to your EWH so you can use the OBD1 IAT sensor thats located on the intake manifold runner.

(5 - CKF sensor)
If you're planning to use a US OBD2 ecu to power the OBD1 engine, you'll need a work around for the CKF sensor. This is the crank sensor that's integrated on the oil pump found on all US OBD2 engines. Only US OBD2 ecu's look for this sensor whereas OBD1 and JDM OBD2 ecu's do not...which means OBD1 & JDM OBD2 engines do not have a CKF sensor on the oil pump. In the old days (a coule years ago) one would have to upgrade their oil pump to that of a US OBD2 oil pump w/CKF sensor. This is probably the biggest problem when performing this kind of swap because of the $$$ & time you have to spend -- but behold the CKF BYPASS TRICK IS HERE

Once you perform this mod, you'll be glad to know that you can actually pass smog checks if your civic is B-series BAR'd or if you're running an OBD1 engine in an OBD2 integra for instance!

ECU

You have 3 options in this department.
Starting from easiest to hardest..

(option 1)
Run a JDM OBD2 ecu.

PROS: This by far is the easiest solution as this ecu plugs directly into your EK and doesn't look for a VTPS

CONS: OBD2 ecu upgrades are scarce; will not pass smog with a JDM OBD2 ecu as they do not communicate with US OBD2 scanner tools; 115-120mph speed limiter.

(option 2)
Convert to OBD1 ECU via OBD2a>OBD1 jumper harness and simply use an OBD1 ecu (JDM or US) to power the engine, such as a reprogrammed P28.

PROS: OBD1 ecu's rule in general as they are easily reprogrammable and do not look for additional sensors (2nd 02 & CKF for instance). OBD1 ecu's are very forgiving and not as sensitive as US OBD2 ecu's are.

CONS: cannot pass smog, VTPS required to be wired in.

(option 3a)
Stay US OBD2 spec by using a 96-97 DOHC VTEC Delsol P30 ecu; 96-99 Integra P72/GSR ECU; or 96-98 P73/ITR ECU.

(option 3b)
Convert to OBD2b spec via OBD2a>OBD2b jumper harness and use a 99-00 Civic Si ECU.

PROS: Can pass smog if CKF bypass trick is successfully performed in an integra or Civic Si chassis. If your Civic cx/dx is B-series BAR'd you should be able to pass smog too.

CONS: 2nd 02 needs to be wired in and working.


Read more at http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=1972711&kcplink=1

6 comments:

  1. i have an 96 civic with the b18b1 swap both are obd2 the engine is an 98 how would i wire up the ckp sensor to the stock 96 engine harness??

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    Replies
    1. What is a ckp sensor? What is it required for? I also have a 96 civic and gonna swap it with a b18b1 ls engine, but it's my first time.

      Delete
    2. What is a ckp sensor? What is it required for? I also have a 96 civic and gonna swap it with a b18b1 ls engine, but it's my first time.

      Delete
  2. what are the wire colors for the 96 ckp sensor???

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  3. I have a 1998 honda civic n was wondering with the 2nd o2 sensor how many wires does it have cuz mine is all messed up and I see an o2 plug way by my left headlight n it can plug into my o2 sensor, is that an o2 plug?

    ReplyDelete