Hiya, i currently own Rover Coupe with a 1600cc Honda D16 SOHC engine in it, same as the old Honda CRX's i think. But i am thinking of buying a Honda Civic 92-95 hatch, and i was just wondering if a 2.2 VTEC from a 94 Prelude would go into a 92-95 Civic ? If so is there anything i need to be particularly aware of?

Here's a pic of my car atm though.

 

Yes, a '94 Prelude engine (there are two USDM: H22A and H22A1) will go into a 5G Civic hatch, but it will definitely involve some extra work (From the plates in the pictures, it looks like you are in Great Britain, so engine availability may differ there). The most obvious thing is the large increase in front-end weight. Because of this, you should also invest in a serious brake upgrade to haul you down. Also, the handling will be reduced very noticeably; the extra chunky front end will leave you with quite a bit of understeer. In order to accomodate the H22's tranny, some pretty serious modifications need to be done to the structure of the car. Make sure you get a shop who has a lot of experience with Honda swaps, specifically this one, or make sure that whoever modifies your frame knows what they are doing. Other than that, it's a pretty straightforward swap that has been done quite frequently (I've done 2 or 3 myself).

 

Ok, thats been very useful, thanks. The garage that i was going to ask to do the conversion have got experience in engine conversions, but not with Honda's. They have only done Vauxhall's & Rover's. So when doing your conversions, how long did it take you roughly ? Did u have to change the wiring loom etc? And was the end result really worth it ? I mean, a 2.2 VTEC in a small Civic hatch has gotta be quick?

 

Well, I'm a professional mechanic, so I can crank through it in about 8 or 9 hours (including prepping the engine and chassis). I wouldn't take it to a garage that has never done this particular swap before, since it is quite involved. Ideally, the wiring harness should be changed, but you can modify the stock one just fine in order to accomodate the H22. If you have the money, the end result is definitely worth it. If you build the engine solidly, you can hit low 12's no problem. Feel free to ask more questions.

 

sorry to change the topic, but does anyone know if that front end will go on my 95 coupe? that is SICK!

 

It should.

 

Right, after abit of research ive actually found one of the only Honda Tuning specialists in the UK, and they are only a 20 minute drive away! lol. A company called Jakan Motorsport, and they say they can transplant a 'blue-print' Type R engine into a CRX or Civic for between £3-4000, so it looks like i'll go to these guys, as they have done a shed load of these conversions, and i would much rather have a Type R engine to be honest!

 

Sounds like a good plan... good luck!!

 

ask them if they know for sure if the front end from your car (headlights, stock bumper, hood, fenders) will bolt up to a US spec 95 civic coupe. and if so, how hard would it be. and how hard to find them.

 

The front end from my car probably wouldnt fit onto a Civic Coupe, even though its the 'sister' car of my Rover Coupe. Obviously the bumper on my Coupe isnt the stock part, but if u wanted the stock parts then u could probably source them via the internet. You can import Rover Coupes from the UK or Japan u know, and for not very much money. My Coupe is the smallest engine in the range, they also do a 1.8 VVC engine (which is Very quick), a straight 2.0 16v (Quick, but not as reliable as the 1.8 VVC), and the almighty 2.0 16v Turbo, which i have to say is damn fast! 200bhp stock.

Try visiting these sites if u want to look at more Coupes,

www.mg-rover.org

www.roverpower.co.uk

www.roversportsclub.com

www.mynheer.co.uk/gallery/centuri.asp

www.moto-build.com