93 Honda Civic motor swap
09-05-2006, 06:30 AM
#11
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swapping
Couple very broad tips, we've (me and my son) done a couple of these, a 96EX motor/tranny into a 92 Civic DX chassis most closely resembling what you are trying to do. Both cars were 5 speed manual trannys. The 92 is nearly identical to your 93. On all swaps he bought a wrecked vehicle as the 'donor engine' to go into his existing car. That way you get all those little things you never though of, wring harness pieces and parts,(or connector(s)) , ECU maybe, engine mount(s), linkages, etc, theres just a lot of stuff that you either #1 choose the better part (condition wise) from the two vehicles, or need to swap for proper fit. You may (if interested) even be able to part out some of the wreck for a couple $, when done with it, have it hauled away by a salvage yard. This forums great for parts, tips, advice....
As already stated, unlike the old days, picture the engine/tranny as an integral unit, swap them together. IF you need to break them apart (say, to do a clutch) do it on the bench, MUCH easier. Same applies for all belts, do them, and timing belt/water pump, on the bench, its SIMPLE (versus extremely painful) in the car.
We bought the two ton folding engine hoist from HF tools, its regularly $150, goes on sale for $99. Worth its weight in gold. Did the rental hoist thing, however that puts you into a time crunch to "finish and return the tool" and its not something that can be rushed, nor gauged as far as how long it'll take you to do(and it takes a while, especially with some of those frozen, 13yr old fasteners you'll be breaking loose).
We also bought the HF tools 'movers dollies' to set the engines on, and roll around the garage (the open wood framed ones, with carpeted pads and castors). Work great, and were only like $15 on sale.
You'll save yourself tons of 'redundant labor' by replacing everything during the swap, halfshafts, struts, calipers/pads/rotors, its all (well, not the struts) removed for the swap anyway.
As already stated, unlike the old days, picture the engine/tranny as an integral unit, swap them together. IF you need to break them apart (say, to do a clutch) do it on the bench, MUCH easier. Same applies for all belts, do them, and timing belt/water pump, on the bench, its SIMPLE (versus extremely painful) in the car.
We bought the two ton folding engine hoist from HF tools, its regularly $150, goes on sale for $99. Worth its weight in gold. Did the rental hoist thing, however that puts you into a time crunch to "finish and return the tool" and its not something that can be rushed, nor gauged as far as how long it'll take you to do(and it takes a while, especially with some of those frozen, 13yr old fasteners you'll be breaking loose).
We also bought the HF tools 'movers dollies' to set the engines on, and roll around the garage (the open wood framed ones, with carpeted pads and castors). Work great, and were only like $15 on sale.
You'll save yourself tons of 'redundant labor' by replacing everything during the swap, halfshafts, struts, calipers/pads/rotors, its all (well, not the struts) removed for the swap anyway.
