VX (D15z1) swap into a 94 cx hatch?

D15, D16, D17 and Mini-Me swaps
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VX (D15z1) swap into a 94 cx hatch?

By kookykrispy
- Sat Apr 30, 2011 10:42 pm #253136 I'm considering a d15z1 swap for increased fuel economy and a bit more performance too.

I have a 94 CX hatch 5 speed. I've been talking to a guy with an engine and trans out of a '92 VX for sale. He says he has the computer, harness, complete engine and trans... missing the injectors, distributor and O2 sensor...


Thoughts on this swap? Pointers? I'm a total newb to Hondas and I have never swapped an engine on an import so please be detailed.

To go from my stock engine to the vx engine, what all needs to be swapped out?

Another question I have is I'm also thinking about possibly swapping this engine into an 88-91 crx or civic... what additionally would I have to do to put the vx engine into a vrx or earlier civic? (all depends on what kind of shell I can locate)
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By chrono404
- Sun May 01, 2011 5:42 am #253165 I wouldn't recommend putting that engine into a 88-91 civic. It will be hell. The wiring will take many many hours to do. I have done many engine swaps, and lots of wiring. I helped a friend do a similar swap(d16z6 into ef wagon) and will never do it agian.

The d15z1 will be very slow. painfully slow. it will have economy but no power. If you get the D16y5 (sohc vtec-e) that will have very similar economy, however be much peppier and have a little power when you want it i.e. to pass.

To swap to any engine into this car, you will need to wire in 4 (or 5wire in case of d15z1) o2 sensor. run vtec wiring, etc. there are DIY articles on how to do this here on the site.

You can do it. however it will take some work. If its your first honda swap set aside a full weekend for it and be prepared to drive another car to work monday incase its not done.
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By TrailerTrash
- Sun May 01, 2011 4:12 pm #253193 as said above its not the most simple swap. but yet its not the most difficult by far. i would recommend the engine because of the wonderful full economy(VX Civic rated around 50mpg from the factory). but I would not recommend keeping the VX tranny with that engine. the engine will be very slow and that tranny will make it worse. I would say get a DX tranny so it might sortof get out of its own way and you should still be able to get at least 40mpg
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By suspendedHatch
- Sun May 01, 2011 5:04 pm #253202 Since you're missing the distributor and O2, you will need an OBD1 D series VTEC distributor, ie from a D16Z6, and the O2 sensor since it's a 92 will need to be the wideband version and not the CA version.

The VX has wiring and vacuum lines for EGR. There's a little control box on the firewall.

Make sure you have the VX intake pipe, exhaust manifold / cat converter and downpipe. You will need to remove your stock converter and have an extension pipe welded in place.

CX and VX trans are the same, however the VX had a lightweight flywheel. I recommend you keep this trans since it's geared to allow you to cruise around 900 RPM.

You need the VX cluster and some wiring if you want the shift-up indicator light.

Keep in mind that the VX wheels and rear diffuser also play a part in that models fuel economy.

By deschlong
- Sun May 01, 2011 7:59 pm #253219 I just completed this very swap. D15Z1 into a CDM 1994 CX.

Very good information in this thread; I can't say I can think of anything to add, having just been through the process. Maybe: Be sure to get the lightweight aluminium A/C and alternator brackets.

I'm running two cat converters a.t.m. (VX and the original CX); I'd imagine that's having a negative effect on my power, but hopefully my exhaust is squeaky clean.

Otherwise, I have the EGR mentioned above, and the full cabin to the shock tower, dash, and d/s engine area harness for sale if you want to contact me directly.
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By 94EJ2
- Mon May 02, 2011 5:39 am #253269 dont waste your money on a z1 i have one and it is completely gutless i got beat by a 3cyl geo metro get a d16z6 if you want to keep fuel econ and have more performance
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By TrailerTrash
- Mon May 02, 2011 3:38 pm #253313 you don't need a z1 for fuel economy.

i have a JDM d15b with an intake a a flowmaster bolted to a DX tranny and I get 40+mpg
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By chrono404
- Mon May 02, 2011 4:23 pm #253318
TrailerTrash wrote:you don't need a z1 for fuel economy.

i have a JDM d15b with an intake a a flowmaster bolted to a DX tranny and I get 40+mpg


x2
my Bone stock D16z6(Stock EX Intake, DX Header and exhaust) with HX(96-00 Civic HX VTEC-E) Transmision, Running on d15b7 ECU, Gets 50+ MPG on the freeway. 30-35 in town.

It has enough power to pass people when needed and doesn't feel slow. All around a good setup for a Daily Driver IMO.

I plan on doing aero modifactions to get that up even more mpg and better handling. (Splitter and diffuser)
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By TrailerTrash
- Tue May 03, 2011 3:21 am #253381
chrono404 wrote:
It has enough power to pass people when needed and doesn't feel slow. All around a good setup for a Daily Driver IMO.



this is the best part! if you know how to drive mpg smart you can easily squeeze 30, 40, 50+mpg out of just about any EG and you still got enough power to pull out into traffic, make passes, and not take 5 miles to get up to 65mph on the highway like a Metro or a Festiva would.

not saying I wouldnt totally rock and roll in a Festiva :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:
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