Amature able to do a stock 96 civic to b18c5 swap?

**geebizzzle** · 02-28-04, 10:17 PM

Hey everybody. I've been doing a lot of reading about engine swaps, and I was just hoping to get some of your opinions on my situation. I drive a 96 ex civic, and I was recently turned on to a b18c5 swap. I am just looking for more horsepower, while still using this car as my daily driver. For this reason, I think I want to stay N/A. I have heard that having somebody else do a reliable swap is very expensive. I would like to do my own swap, however my car maintainance experience goes only as far as high school auto shop. I am a pretty quick learner, but my question is, do you guys think I would be able to do my own engine swap? also, is there a site that gives detailed step by step instructions to do this. I was thinking about getting the complete change over from hmotorsonline. Any input is appreciated

**Civic2Scooby** · 02-28-04, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by geebizzzle

Hey everybody. I've been doing a lot of reading about engine swaps, and I was just hoping to get some of your opinions on my situation. I drive a 96 ex civic, and I was recently turned on to a b18c5 swap. I am just looking for more horsepower, while still using this car as my daily driver. For this reason, I think I want to stay N/A. I have heard that having somebody else do a reliable swap is very expensive. I would like to do my own swap, however my car maintainance experience goes only as far as high school auto shop. I am a pretty quick learner, but my question is, do you guys think I would be able to do my own engine swap? also, is there a site that gives detailed step by step instructions to do this. I was thinking about getting the complete change over from hmotorsonline. Any input is appreciated

I dont see why you couldnt tackle it...if you know how to undo bolts, pull a motor, and then reverse that process you should be ok........ok it isnt that easy...but it isnt all that difficult....also it will go alot quicker if you are good at trouble shooting....and the more research you do prior the easier it is..I researched my motor swap for a good 5 months before I did it...

**Hondaman** · 02-29-04, 01:58 AM

If you have the drive to learn and dig in, I have complete faith in you. That's the best way to learn. Don't get me wrong, YOU WILL MAKE MISTAKES. That's a fact of life and that's the best way to learn. Just make sure you can give it your full attention, ask questions when needed and take your time. As far as a website, I'm not sure. You'd have to do a search on Google. Maybe someone else on here has some suggestions. I know some magazines have features on things like that, just look around.

There is also a ton of information archived on this board. You may want to try a search on here too.

Good luck man and keep us posted!!

**Wharbone** · 02-29-04, 10:58 AM

If you have the tools, time, and space, do it yourself! Why are you going for the c5? They are pretty expensive. I'd go for the c1 and use the extra money to build it up a little. What are your plans? N/A or FI?

**Redcivic** · 02-29-04, 12:37 PM

If you are pretty mechanically inclined you can do it no problem. I just jumped right in and did my first swap. That's how I learned. There are plenty of hybrid sites around that cover the different swaps in detail. Just do some research prior to doing the swap and you should be fine. The main things is tools and a place to work though, it makes things a lot easier.

**Xplicid01** · 02-29-04, 01:08 PM

heres a good site that someone from here told me about.

http://www.hondaswap.com/forums/index.php?c=8

**geebizzzle** · 02-29-04, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by Wharbone

If you have the tools, time, and space, do it yourself! Why are you going for the c5? They are pretty expensive. I'd go for the c1 and use the extra money to build it up a little. What are your plans? N/A or FI?

I definately want to stay N/A. I am not hardcore enough to feel the need to go with nos or a boost. I will not be racing this car on a track much, just want to have that power under the hood. Stock engine is starting to bore me. need some

in my car. This old dude in an accord whUPPed my ass on an onramp.

I dont know much about building up a c1. I havent really looked into it. What does it require, and what kind of results am I gonna get from bulding up a c1? also, what is the difference between the c5 and c1 that gives the c5 more HP?

nevermind the last question. I found it.

**geebizzzle** · 02-29-04, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by Xplicid01

heres a good site that someone from here told me about.

http://www.hondaswap.com/forums/index.php?c=8

great, Thanks Xplicid, lots of great information there.

**geebizzzle** · 02-29-04, 01:41 PM

Oh yeah, another thing I couldnt really find a good answer to is this. When I swap to a better motor, should I also upgrade the radiator, or is an EX radiator good enough to handle it?

**metalman** · 02-29-04, 03:17 PM

stock rad should be sufficient. you can always upgrade that later if you have problems.

advice on your swap:
1) get a helms manual -- this might be the greatest investment of the swap
2) be prepared for problems. i've never heard of ANY swap that went through without problems. sometimes theyre minor, sometimes theyre major, but YOU WILL HAVE SOME PROBLEMS to deal with.
3) research as much as is humanly possible. this site is...AWESOME to say the least. my civic isnt really mine, its my roommates. i have a prelude now so i spend most of my time on another board. but when i just want general car research info, i ALWAYS come here. this is the best site i have found yet.
4) have extra money available. you never know what might come up.
5) PATIENCE!!!!!! you might not have your car rollin for a week or two. i was planning 3 days and it was done in 3 days, but the problems took us about a week to work out.
6) the right tools. an impact wrench makes things go sooooooo much smoother!!! you can do it without, but its better with.

a swap isnt that hard. if you're good with your hands and a good problem solver and have the patience to do it, theres no reason you cant. its always nice though to have someone around who has done it before though if you know anyone. you'll need someone to help you out anyway, you need 2 people on a couple things during the swap. good luck!

**Civic2Scooby** · 02-29-04, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by geebizzzle

Oh yeah, another thing I couldnt really find a good answer to is this. When I swap to a better motor, should I also upgrade the radiator, or is an EX radiator good enough to handle it?

your ex radiator will do just fine with a stock motor swap...if you start gettin crazy mods where the engine temp will be increased then it is time to swap it out for a better rad.