B18C1 Swap 89'2wd Wagon

1Fastboy1Fastboy New Wagonist
in Engine & Drivetrain
So I found allot of inspiration to do a B18 swap in my 89’ 2wd wagon here on HCW. This is my first swap so I’m reaching out while doing as much reading as possible. I purchased a B18C1 out of a 96’GSR with 5 speed LSD Y80 Trans. I have the original harness and computer with it. I have been doing research and wanted to know if anyone with experience would offer any advice on the swap as a whole. It will be naturally aspired and a daily driver so I want to make it as dependable as possible.

All comments are appreciated. :D

My plans are to

-Retain The AC unit. I read that I have to buy a bracket to do this but I’m doing more research. (I have not looked into converting to R34A from my current R12 refrigerant).
- I know I will need to convert to OBD 2.
- I already have the mounts so bolting it up should be a problem.
- I will need to notch the frame to clear the Alternator.
-I would like to use the original GSR cluster from the donor Teg.
-I have to look into axles.
-I need to figure out a Cable to hydro conversion
-Planning on having exhaust system built once its complete. (I do have a DC header for it tho)
- Drink lots of beer in the process.

Other plans include
- 10.3 brake upgrade
-15/16 MC
-Alt and Dual battery/electrical upgrade
-Air suspension (Yeah buddy!)
-Some new meats and some not to fancy wheels.
-Traction bars(maybe)

Comments

  • slo88crxslo88crx Senior Wagonist
    Well first off you don't want to convert to obd2. Ditch the 97 ecu and go with a 95 or 94. And go obd1. Then for your easiest wiring wooos. Check out Ry-wire's website for the conversion which will make you swap really easy! Depending on what mounts you use or have already you have to check out to see if they fit the hydro tranny. Best place for your mounts is innovative (cheaper and good quality). They also sell the a/c bracket you will need!

    Biggest this is to read around not just on this forum but others as well. Pretty much all the 88-91 civics are the same. So they are interchangeable.
  • 1Fastboy1Fastboy New Wagonist
    slo88crx wrote:
    Well first off you don't want to convert to obd2. Ditch the 97 ecu and go with a 95 or 94. And go obd1. Then for your easiest wiring wooos. Check out Ry-wire's website for the conversion which will make you swap really easy! Depending on what mounts you use or have already you have to check out to see if they fit the hydro tranny. Best place for your mounts is innovative (cheaper and good quality). They also sell the a/c bracket you will need!

    Biggest this is to read around not just on this forum but others as well. Pretty much all the 88-91 civics are the same. So they are interchangeable.

    Cool. Ry-wire is a great resource thanks for that... I'll be calling them next week for info.
    The mounts I got are specific for the b series with hydro from Innovative so they should mount up.. so unless there is more to it I think I'm good there. They offer a cable to hydro kit as well so ill see what that's all about. got the AC bracket on the list, I am however uncertain if i should use my stock AC compressor. Great input thanks!
  • slo88crxslo88crx Senior Wagonist
    If its still good then go for it. The b-series lines will be diff from the lines on ur wagon so that compressor won't work. If you live more south where it's warm and ur ac doesn't work now might be a good time for a condenser compressor and dryer while ur in there and convert to r134a.
  • JayTeeJayTee Wagonist
    Agreed, you will want to go obd1. A chipped p28 is pretty much what everyone runs. I would also look to Hush22 for a real hydro conversion. All other conversions are pretty much crap.
  • slo88crxslo88crx Senior Wagonist
    I have been trying to find info on the hush 22 hydro conversion. And I can't find anything. I have the suja1 and I'm not sure if I happy with.
  • JayTeeJayTee Wagonist
    slo88crx wrote:
    I have been trying to find info on the hush 22 hydro conversion. And I can't find anything. I have the suja1 and I'm not sure if I happy with.
    http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-8342250171 ... _423450948
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBtOXjVOf2w
  • 1Fastboy1Fastboy New Wagonist
    slo88crx wrote:
    If its still good then go for it. The b-series lines will be diff from the lines on ur wagon so that compressor won't work. If you live more south where it's warm and ur ac doesn't work now might be a good time for a condenser compressor and dryer while ur in there and convert to r134a.

    My AC still runs nice so guess it makes sense to keep it if it will fit.I hear R134 is not as efficient in a system that was designed to run R12. Again one more thing for me to research on.. thanks for the heads up.!
  • 1Fastboy1Fastboy New Wagonist
    JayTee wrote:
    Agreed, you will want to go obd1. A chipped p28 is pretty much what everyone runs. I would also look to Hush22 for a real hydro conversion. All other conversions are pretty much crap.


    Hush22 seems like the way to go. Copy that on the P28. I'm on the hunt...Looks like Ry-Wire offers one for under $200.
  • JayTeeJayTee Wagonist
    1Fastboy wrote:
    Hush22 seems like the way to go. Copy that on the P28. I'm on the hunt...Looks like Ry-Wire offers one for under $200.

    The Hush kit in a nice piece, but if you need to stick to a budget you may want to look at other kits. http://phearable.net/ is also a great company for ECU tuning and chipping services. They have done a few for me in the past.
  • 1Fastboy1Fastboy New Wagonist
    JayTee wrote:
    1Fastboy wrote:
    Hush22 seems like the way to go. Copy that on the P28. I'm on the hunt...Looks like Ry-Wire offers one for under $200.

    The Hush kit in a nice piece, but if you need to stick to a budget you may want to look at other kits. http://phearable.net/ is also a great company for ECU tuning and chipping services. They have done a few for me in the past.

    I need email the guy about the hush 22 for more info but do you know what he charges for the two different kits?
  • wagonef8wagonef8 Wagonist
    Just Google CR-X b series swap its the exact thing minus the shift linkage I had to cut it a little more then my CR-X one... wiring is easy save your self money and buy jumper from eBay I've had good luck and rywire is not worth the extra money
    This is the one I use its better made then rywire and I'm telling you this cause I own both jumpers
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/OBD0-OBD1-HONDA ... 0614329761

    Pm me if you have questions I'll be happy to answer them
  • 1Fastboy1Fastboy New Wagonist
    wagonef8 wrote:
    Just Google CR-X b series swap its the exact thing minus the shift linkage I had to cut it a little more then my CR-X one... wiring is easy save your self money and buy jumper from eBay I've had good luck and rywire is not worth the extra money
    This is the one I use its better made then rywire and I'm telling you this cause I own both jumpers
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/OBD0-OBD1-HONDA ... 0614329761

    Pm me if you have questions I'll be happy to answer them

    Right on! I definitely appreciate the info. Ry-Wire is expensive so I'm defiantly up for suggestions. Ry-wire stuff looks like its really well made what differences are you seeing in the two? I'm wondering if i can buy all the plugs and make my own harness....of course I would need a schematic.
  • 503Wagon503Wagon moderator
    Rywire is expensive because its flawless. You get what you pay for, remember that.
  • wagonef8wagonef8 Wagonist
    Rywire is not flawless the link I posted is by far my favorite jumper... I've had to fix my Rywire jumper before because the pins stick out and break off ....this jumper has better connections and you can't beat the price

    Notice your mom don't have to glue this jumper to keep the pins from breaking
    462.jpg
  • bikewrenchbikewrench Wagonist
    Making your own is the cheapest way. You can use factory plugs from an obd1 car and steal the obd0 sockets out of an old ecu. Using factory plugs you wont have to worry about any pins falling out. There is a nice list on Honda-tech that tells you where to connect each pin. It just takes a bit of time with a soldering iron and a bit of shrink wrap.
  • wagonef8wagonef8 Wagonist
    Its not worth the time and effort if your going to do that why not just put obd1 plugs on your car harness
  • 503Wagon503Wagon moderator
    wagonef8 wrote:
    Rywire is not flawless the link I posted is by far my favorite jumper... I've had to fix my Rywire jumper before because the pins stick out and break off ....this jumper has better connections and you can't beat the price

    Notice your mom don't have to glue this jumper to keep the pins from breaking

    i'd like to see proof of what you had to fix. And dont tell me you did not take photos, because i know his stuff is expensive, and comes with a reputation, but there is a reason for it. spend that kind of money on some wires you're most likely going to photograph the problem you had and tell others. Did you contact him and tell him what happened with your part? Or did you just decide to fix it your own way and be done with it?
  • wagonef8wagonef8 Wagonist
    Not everyone want to spend the money for Rywire I only pointing out what I come across as a good jumper. I have done a lot of conversions throughout years have even made my own jumpers but your only going on the brand name and assume its top of the line jumper if you did as many conversions as me you would know what I'm talking about

    I run Rywire jumper on my its great but the pins do break and not a big deal I know how to fix them I just cut pi out of an old ecu and replace it
    467.jpg
  • 1Fastboy1Fastboy New Wagonist
    So I'm looking at this from the standpoint of reliability and cost VS time savings. I called Ry-Wire first impression I got is that they have good customer service. The complete B-Series harness although be it expensive is tailored to fit my application with no additional purchases to be made other than a ECU. I think that's very attractive. Comments and opinions are welcomed.

    Also I see tid bits about loosing the Vtec Pressure switch. What is the intended purpose/theory there?
  • JayTeeJayTee Wagonist
    1Fastboy wrote:
    So I'm looking at this from the standpoint of reliability and cost VS time savings. I called Ry-Wire first impression I got is that they have good customer service. The complete B-Series harness although be it expensive is tailored to fit my application with no additional purchases to be made other than a ECU. I think that's very attractive. Comments and opinions are welcomed.
    Ry-wire has great service for sure. I have used them many times over the years.
    1Fastboy wrote:
    Also I see tid bits about loosing the Vtec Pressure switch. What is the intended purpose/theory there?
    Its a USDM thing. If you have low oil pressure vtec will not engage. JDM engines will require the use of a USDM vtec solenoid for this feature as they were not equipped with this.

    Also note OBD2 engines will have a knock sensor that will be deleted with the OBD1 ecu.
  • 503Wagon503Wagon moderator
    i only speak highly of rywire because i use his product for every bit of wiring i have ever done of the last ten years i've been dealing with hondas. I've yet to have one bad wire, bad connection, or bad pin. I've probably spent over $5000 with his company....but thats just my .02 cents.
  • bikewrenchbikewrench Wagonist
    wagonef8 wrote:
    Its not worth the time and effort if your going to do that why not just put obd1 plugs on your car harness

    If you're not afraid of a soldering iron it's defiantly worth it. I'd rather spend an hour soldering than spend $100-200. As for soldering obd1 plugs to harness, I'd rather have a way to go back to obd0 if I needed. And I'd much rather do the soldering sitting at a desk/workbench than trying to do it in the floorboard of the car.

    When your on a tight budget time is easier to spend than money.
  • wagonef8wagonef8 Wagonist
    I see everyones point of view I make money from this and trying to solder a jumper together is not cost efective for me while it might be a good alternative for someone else I feel better cutting and modifying a ebay jumper I can add all the injectors and sensors so its pretty much plug and play on a DPFI to MPFI swap

    :D TIME IS MONEY :D
  • 1Fastboy1Fastboy New Wagonist
    JayTee wrote:
    1Fastboy wrote:
    So I'm looking at this from the standpoint of reliability and cost VS time savings. I called Ry-Wire first impression I got is that they have good customer service. The complete B-Series harness although be it expensive is tailored to fit my application with no additional purchases to be made other than a ECU. I think that's very attractive. Comments and opinions are welcomed.
    Ry-wire has great service for sure. I have used them many times over the years.
    1Fastboy wrote:
    Also I see tid bits about loosing the Vtec Pressure switch. What is the intended purpose/theory there?
    Its a USDM thing. If you have low oil pressure vtec will not engage. JDM engines will require the use of a USDM vtec solenoid for this feature as they were not equipped with this.

    Also note OBD2 engines will have a knock sensor that will be deleted with the OBD1 ecu.
    Knock sensor delete check-
    The B18 Harness from Ry-Wire does not come with the vtech connection and they give you an option of paying $5 for the Plug. I'm using a USDM B18C1. I'm a noob here so again thanks for all the help. Its all very intriguing. Question is, why not monitor your Oil pressure and continue the use of the pressure sensor? I assume that without the pressure sensor vtec will still engage regardless of your oil pressure or rather IF you have sufficient Pressure.. If that's the case wont you have issues with positive engagement at the specific RPM with low oil pressure. Thats good info. Notes are piling up. :D

    I'll have the engine this week. It has 140K and I'm thinking I will go through it and rebuild along with the LSD trans..
    Anyone rebuild an LSD on their own? I'm thinking about doing it myself for half the price if I send it out. $600 VS $1200. And I might even get some tools out of it. Looks like another interesting thread will come out of it.lol
  • Wagoman666Wagoman666 Band Wagon
    im siked about your build cant wait to see it! what axles are you using for the b18? n what shift linkage i wanna throw a b18 in my wagon too n was just wondering everything i would need! n do you know where to get exterior parts i need lights n that hatch cover on the top.... any information would help please
  • 1Fastboy1Fastboy New Wagonist
    Wagoman666 wrote: »
    im siked about your build cant wait to see it! what axles are you using for the b18? n what shift linkage i wanna throw a b18 in my wagon too n was just wondering everything i would need! n do you know where to get exterior parts i need lights n that hatch cover on the top.... any information would help please

    I cant wait myself!, mine is the slow build.. plus I feel like I wanna ring out all the mileage I can out of this 1.5..lol. I just rolled 200K so we'll see. I just recently got back to putting this swap together. I have been distracted with a diesel Project, school, work and such. With all the new 2013 smog crap here in CA, I have been rethinking my build, so the delay is probably a good thing. I Plan on having it Bard so NA is going to be my best option unless someone can convince me otherwise. Innovative mounts makes a good shift linkage and all the mounts you will need. I havnt gotten to the axles yet so that is still in the planning stage. I might have some lights just PM me. I don't believe I have a hatch cover tho...
  • speedstar808speedstar808 Band Wagon
    Hey Guys,
    I swapped in a B18a1 into my 91 wagon. Wanna keep my A/C from t. what the previous D16. What bracket do I need to make fit and work? I heard I need on from a Del Sol??? Please assist and confirm

    thx u!!!
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