Rooftop Wago Build

Hey all, I am starting my build thread of a 88' Wagon.
Thus far I have picked up most of the interior and parts to do a B20B/YS1 swap.
This is my first Honda swap and it is going to be done on the roof of a parking garage in downtown Houston.
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I hope this link worked, here it is looking dull.
65.jpg
Another picture, luckily it has no rust.
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Motor, axles, AC system, back seat, and lots of interior trim.

I have the motor stripped of the CRV parts (intake manifold, power steering, exhaust manifold) that I can not use. This week I am removing the harness from my Wagon and mocking up a wiring harness to run B18 OBD0 ECU and Dizzy, B18 OBD1 Injectors, and B18 OBD1 IM/TB sensors.

Comments

  • ChiddieChiddie New Wagonist
    Doing a rooftop swap entails some "creative" part preparation. I use my shower for parts washing, painting (with the door closed and the bathroom vent on my roommate doesn't even notice), and pre-assembly. Here is a picture of my tranny cleaning/prep.
    71.jpg
    I picked up the B20B from an importer in Dallas called JDM Dallas. Here is the warehouse.
    72.jpg
    ..and the motor loaded in the back of my Rover.
    73.jpg
    My backseat wrapped in 2-tone gray and black leather. I picked up some very nice buckets from an 88 Hatch but I have no clue where they came from as they are not original. Maybe an older Integra...but they were $18 on half price day and I love them.
    74.jpg
    An autozone run...shoes/pads/water pump/oil filter/plugs.
    75.jpg
    YS1 transmission, I believe I am missing a cover or plate of some sort where the axle goes (where the shop rag is in this picture). Can anyone provide any info on that part?
    76.jpg
  • ChiddieChiddie New Wagonist
    Attached is my B20B swap parts list in case anyone needs a comprehensive list (or I have an incorrect part myself haha). After sourcing most of this piece by piece, it would have been 10x easier to buy a OBD0 B18B Swap and sell the motor or even a complete running 90-91 Integra if you have a garage.
    B20B Motor
    YS1 Tranny
    PR4 ECU
    90-93 Integra Axles
    90-91 Integra Clutch
    90-91 Integra Flywheel
    90-93 Integra Shift Linkage (shortened 2 3/8")
    90-91 Integra OBD0 Dizzy
    90-93 Integra Clutch and Throttle Cables
    B18B Intake Manifold/TB
    B18B Exhaust Manifold (aftermarket)
    92-93 Integra OBD1 Injectors (planning to bypass the injector resistor)
    Innovative B-Swap Motor Mounts
    EF Pedal Assembly and Shifter (my Wago is auto)
    B18B Starter
    Wiring: not 100% sure yet, have to do the DPFI to MPFI...know I will need OBD0 dizzy plug and OBD1 injector plugs. I will be starting the harness this week and will provide a detailed write-up as I had to piecemail my setup from several different sources as my swap isn't entirely the same setup as other B20 swaps.
  • Thats an interesting place to do a motor swap....
  • 90shuttle90shuttle Senior Wagonist
    Looks like youre working with whatever space you have! Props!
  • H_civic66H_civic66 Senior Wagonist
    Atleast it's somewhat inside, You wont have to worry about rain or ice. GL. Keep us updated.
  • ChiddieChiddie New Wagonist
    Thanks all. Yeah, I would love to have a garage but I think if I did I would have tons of projects going. I restored a 74' Honda motorcycle entirely in my apartment and carried it out to the garage rooftop piece by piece to assemble it. This won't be a whole lot different as the entire drivetrain and interior is in my apartment now. I made a dolly to pull the motor on though. That is very true about the weather. Sitting in the AC wrenching isn't shabby. 8)
  • It does not appear that there's anything missing in that photo of your transmission. Is there a rubber seal on the inside of the hole where the rag is stuffed that would seal the intermediate shaft to the transmission?
  • shenrieshenrie Council Member
    there are some things I would use from autozone/schmucks etc. but a waterpump, timing belt, cap, rotor, and plug wires are all things that should ALWAYS be OEM. Just not worth the headaches using reman crap. Ive seen non oem caps ruin coils/ignitors in less than 15 minutes....more than once.

    that being said, nice little build. Ive never seen anyone doing a swap on a rooftop, but like mentioned, waaay better than laying in the mud/ice/snow/rain, lol. good luck with build and get lots of pix of people walking by wondering wtf your doing.
  • iboymaiboyma Wagonist
    like the rooftop idea, no overhead expenses, and the blacked out lower portion of the doors and fenders
  • ChiddieChiddie New Wagonist
    Shenrie: I used to use all OEM parts until I dropped $2K on reman parts for my POS Range Rover in the first 6 months of ownership which would have cost me $6K for OEM but in a Honda I should use OEM as they require way less maintenance.
    iboyma: I actually like the blacked out bottom with the blue but it will be changed post-swap. I am not 100% decided on color yet but I have narrowed it down to 2 I believe. 2002 SI gold with white wheels or the OEM white with white or gold wheels. I have to figure this out soon as I will be painting the engine bay after I remove the D motor here in the next couple weeks. Anyone seen a gold wagon?
  • ChiddieChiddie New Wagonist
    Jaker: yes there is a seal there for the intermediate shaft. I got the "clutch cover" that goes across the bottom of the transmission. In another post on here somebody said I am missing a "dust cover" for that area, is there another cover I am missing or is that person speaking of the "clutch cover" that I ordered. Thanks.
  • I'm digging the seats!!!! and Like 90shuttle said! Props for working with what little space you have.
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    Chiddie wrote:
    Anyone seen a gold wagon?


    I have one
    3rd4ce
    503Wagon
    Abide
    I'm sure there are a bunch more, those just came to mind.
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    I've done a few of these swaps, including a manual conversion and B-swap into an '88 auto wagon. Allow me to give some pointers:

    1) (and it's a big one) All of the '88 automatic DX wagons that I've seen lack the hole and firewall reinforcement for a clutch cable. Some early '89s are the same way. This can be overcome, but you'll need some parts from a donor wagon.

    Read this thread carefully. Swap on pages 3-4, then OBD1 conversion page 10

    viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7658&start=60

    2) the pedal assembly is EE specific. The clutch pedal shaft is positioned closer to the firewall, most noticeably. I tried installing a sedan assembly in one of my cars and ran into interference issues with the HVAC ductwork. Same with hatch pedals. They can be made to work but not to my standards.

    3) Clutch cable: so far on wagon B-swaps I've used the wagon cable. The only time I used an Integra one (lil'ghost's car) it was because one of my "helpers" had installed the release bearing return spring incorrectly. Once the spring failed and I removed the trans to correct it, the teg cable no longer fit.

    4) You need to find the "T-bracket" mentioned in your other thread.
  • SUPER HELLLLLLLZZZZZ YEAH for the shower/parts cleaning . ive done that a few times . took a shower and washed engine and trans at the same time .
  • ChiddieChiddie New Wagonist
    Thanks for heads up bam-bam. That seems like a pain especially since there are 0 wagons at the dozens of parts yards that I have scoured. For the firewall reinforcement and pedals, I'll keep looking but I may have to fab something up or do some massaging to make the pedals fit. I ordered the correct t-bracket so I'm good there. Regarding the clutch cable, does the Integra cable come up short? Thanks.
  • ChiddieChiddie New Wagonist
    I am getting ready to drop the motor in this weekend so I have been doing small things like removing the rear wiper, installing new door locks (although I have to remove them now as I found the original key under the seat), fixing the hood latch, etc. Also, I have heard the OBD0 PR4 makes the B20 run poorly and since I want to go ITB's in the future I have decided to go OBD1...I'm having to rewire the dizzy, 02 sensor, and source a jumper and new ECU. I have a B20 guide thread in the Engine section.

    I don't have any options for JY parts unfortunately (most JY's around here crush cars 20 years old or older) so I have to make do. Here is a picture of a turn signal I repaired. Half of the plastic cover was missing (clear part) so I cut it out and superglued a hatch piece to fit. Then sanded it smooth as I will be painting them amber. You really can't tell at all.295.jpg I'm doing the same thing with the DS taillight as there are none on ebay and even though I have 20some posts I can't access the FS forum which is a pain as by the time I reach that I will have already sourced or repaired 90% of the parts I need.
  • rbwdrivenrbwdriven Senior Wagonist
    I've found with my land rover disco se7. To use the forums and ask questions.

    I'd be broke if i paid dealer prices. I've saved myself atleast $2500 with doing the 60k maintenance cycle myself and also the front drive shaft that cant be rebuilt (rebuilt at bam tech)

    I've got the factory service manual and all.
  • ChiddieChiddie New Wagonist
    Yeah, rbwdriven I would be broke too if I took it to the dealer. I don't want to get started on the Rover though as it is a 2003 model with the BMW motor (notorious POS). My friends and I place bets on how long it will last before something breaks. In the last 6 months, the record is 3 weeks. I've strayed from Honda twice and both times it was a big mistake. It will be gone as soon as the Wagon is up and running.
  • bam-bam wrote:
    Chiddie wrote:
    Anyone seen a gold wagon?


    I have one
    3rd4ce
    503Wagon
    Abide
    I'm sure there are a bunch more, those just came to mind.

    im famous!!!!
  • 3rd4ce3rd4ce Council Member
    503Wagon wrote:
    bam-bam wrote:
    Chiddie wrote:
    Anyone seen a gold wagon?


    I have one
    3rd4ce
    503Wagon
    Abide
    I'm sure there are a bunch more, those just came to mind.

    im famous!!!!
    LMAO :lol:
    well since ur now Famous....
    images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQhxIToZms8PdQdJq11hBUMC2YSD-PqCz1jnyvv66FuGPtXzc-U
  • i dig it scrappy.

    @ OP, dig the guts for the rooftop motor swap.
  • ChiddieChiddie New Wagonist
    367.jpg
    Here is a picture of her all cleaned up and ready to be dropped in. I am having one small motor mount issue as my DS mount is nowhere close to fitting the B20 although it says B16, B18, B20 right on the box and it looks exactly like every other universal mount. Anyways, at worst I will chain mount it until I get a mount made to fit (and no I won't drive it on a chain mount as my fathers best friend died when one snapped and threw his car into a telephone pole).
  • rbwdrivenrbwdriven Senior Wagonist
    I think you have to change the ds mount that goes to the block before the hasport mounts to it.

    I could be wrong.

    Yep I do a monthly nut and bolt check on my LR.

    My neighbor gets a good laugh out of that. But seems to keep it in check by doing that.
  • ChiddieChiddie New Wagonist
    I think you are right about the motor mount needing swapped out. I have a stock B18 mount but it is triangular and has 3 bolt holes while the B20 is square with 2 bolt holes. I'll figure something out, I should have test fitted it before but I didn't even think to. Oh well, motor is being dropped tomorrow regardless as I am tired of waking up in the middle of the night and tripping over it on the way to the bathroom.
  • ChiddieChiddie New Wagonist
    B20 is in and runs like a champ on Starting Fluid, haha, I have an injector issue I need to sort out.
    838.jpg

    Then I can start painting the bay (didn't have time to do it during swap which sucks but that is part of doing a swap on a parking garage roof) and stripping and undercoating the chassis. When I get tired of laying on my back for hours on end, I will start replacing all the bushings/ball joints and installing my coilovers.
  • ChiddieChiddie New Wagonist
    Well, it is a sad day. When it came down to it code 43 beat me as I didn't have time to try and clear it before I got busted for driving without plates (due to no inspection). Parking is $250 per space/month where I live (don't ask), so I gotta let her go as I need to have a new car hopefully by Monday. Even though I was determined to beat it, building a car in the middle of a downtown area with no garage space is rough. Even though I am going to take a major loss (probably $3K)...I am throwing in the towel. Thanks for all the help and I hate to be one of those go at it and quit type builders but it just isn't practical for me without space and time (I'm a Financial Controller so it is work, gym, bed).
  • i just had a b20 wagon but got rear ended at 50 mph :(
  • driftin90driftin90 Senior Wagonist
    dustinshu wrote:
    i just had a b20 wagon but got rear ended at 50 mph :(

    Isnt this one for sale? Heres your replacement.
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