Questions Answered By Honda Expert, Ryan Basseri Of Rywire * www.rywire.com
Da Integra Auto-To-Manual Conversion
Dear HT, I want to start by saying that I love your magazine and it's the only one I'll read. I've been hooked ever since I first picked up a 2004 issue with an ITR in it. I just picked up an automatic '92 Integra GS for a sweet price. I want to convert it to a manual transmission but I don't know which mounts I'll need, if any. I already have a J1 transmission, clutch, flywheel, and a '91 Integra shift linkage. I know I need the pedal assembly, center console, clutch cable, intermediate shaft, and axles, all from a manual '90-'93 Integra, and a gauge cluster and five-speed ECU from a '92-'93 model. Did I miss anything? Any help would really be appreciated. Props, and keep up the good work.
Joe, Medina, Ohio
You're off to a great start, but you still need a few more things, like the transmission bracket that's welded to the Integra's frame and its corresponding rubber mount-you can get these from a manual-equipped Integra. You can buy the bracket new from Acura for less than $50 (part # 60831-SK7-J00ZZ). Drill out your automatic bracket's spot-welds, clean the surface, and weld the new one in place. As for wiring, connect the thick black wires together for the ignition lock, and wire up the green/black wire and the yellow wire for the reverse lights. You'll also need to cut a few holes here and there to get the throttle cable and shift linkage to fit correctly.
Rear Disc Conversions Simplified
Hey Honda Tuning, I've been subscribing to your magazine for about two years now and read every issue from front to back. I have a '94 Civic coupe with a B18C swap and I want to do a rear disc conversion but don't know what parts will fit. I've been to several Honda forums and most of them just confuse me even more. I know I need the rear disc assembly with trailing arms, emergency brake cables, the proportioning valve, and brake master cylinder, but I don't know which parts from which car will work for me. Please help, I'm planning on some future engine mods but want to make sure I can stop first.
Paul D., somewhere in California
Luckily, the '92-'95 Civic is an extremely universal chassis, and many Honda and Acura rear disc trailing arms will bolt right on. One of the easiest places to find the goodies you're looking for is from the '90-'93 and '94-'01 Integras. You'll need the rear trailing arm assemblies, emergency brake cables, master cylinder and booster, and the proportioning valve. Don't worry about the rear upper and lower arms though; you won't need those.
More Rear Disc Conversion Tips
Hi, Exhaust Notes. I'm new to Hondas and need a little help. We have a '91 Civic DX hatchback. It's got a 1.5-liter engine with an automatic transmission. It has a power brake system with discs in front and drums out back. I'd like to improve the braking by installing discs in the rear and possibly larger ones up front. My friends tell me to go to the junkyard and just pull the hubs, rotors, and calipers from another Civic and install them on mine. Others say I'll need the entire lower control arm assembly. But nobody can tell me which years or models to get the parts from. Please help. Where should I start? Should I get the entire assembly or just bits and pieces? I should mention that I'd like to keep the 13-inch OEM wheels for cost reasons if possible. I plan on getting most of these parts from the junkyard and rebuilding them myself if necessary. Great magazine; keep up the good work.
Sam Baker, Palm Springs, California