Questions Answered By Honda Expert, Ryan Basseri of rywire • www.rywire.com
I would like to make my '95 Honda Civic CX model into the VX model. Do you think I can swap the engine? Do I need to move computers over? What else might I need to do? I'm looking to get that 50-plus miles per gallon like on the VX. Love the magazine!
M. Peter Holmes (forever a Honda dude)
Swaps like these seem to be a growing trend amongst gas savers these days. I have wired several EHs and EFs with this engine and we have seen fuel efficiency as high as 60 mpg! On the EF chassis, we've used the CRX HF transmission. With its super low final drive and tall Fifth gear, you can expect to see as low as 2,000 rpm at 65 mph. The swap itself is extremely easy, but wiring the VX ECU into a non-VX chassis is the fun part!! At Rywire.com, we offer a plug-and-play solution; you send us your original wire loom along with the VX loom, and we'll make a plug-and-play harness for your car. Basically what we have to add is the VTEC, VTEC oil pressure, EGR, and the air/fuel 02 sensor. The hardest part about the wiring is adding the air/fuel wideband 02 that comes stock on the VX chassis. After the wiring is taken care of, the rest of the swap should be near plug-and-play!
I've recently purchased Wilwood front and rear brake kit for my CRX Si and I was wondering what is the best Honda OE brake booster, master cylinder, and proportioning valve to source for better braking performance with these larger brakes?
Dave Williams
Dave, congrats on your brake upgrade, I have the same one on my CRX. I road race the car, and the brakes are amazing for the price! I personally run the DA booster and master along with the DA proportioning valve. Some people will tell you the 1-inch ITR booster and master is best, but for your brake size and car weight, I strongly suggest the 15/16-inch '90-93 Integra non-ABS equipped unit. With this setup and a sticky set of tires, there's no turning back, you're going to love it.
I have a '93 Acura Integra RS. I'd like to get in contact with someone to help me spec a killer motor. I don't know anything about what I need to get my motor to do what I want it to do. Maybe a little out of reach in my dream motor, but I would love to see how close I can get to it. Don't laugh, but I would like to build the motor to handle a massive amount of boost and possibly also throw some nitrous at it if possible. I'd like the car to run 10s without juice. Please hook me up with someone who can help me build this thing.
Shane, in Missouri
The most important thing in this caliber of a build is research and quality parts. The parts are out there, I recently just got my engine back from Bisimoto Engineering where we had the block sleeved by Golden Eagle, Arias pistons installed, Crower rods, ARP turbo hardware, machined crankshaft, widened journals, custom cams, Bisimoto valvetrain, Portflow head, and the list continues. Granted, this is a K-series engine, but the principals are all the same. You put quality parts in, and you will get quality out! Here is the kicker; quality is needed in way more than just the engine. The turbo you choose must meet your horsepower goals as well as proper AR size, charge pipe size, and intercooler size. Don't forget about the fuel delivery system, engine management, electrical system, and last but not least, the transmission internals must also be upgraded so it is able to handle your power goal.
It will be a HUGE investment, and you should really think it over, but it is very much possible! For quality parts and outstanding service, contact www.bisimoto.com. They should be able to source anything you could possibly need. Tell them HT sent you!