88 RT build from Australia (slow)

Starting a build because i want a way to document the progress (or lack of) and i also have some questions that someone might be able to help me out with. No new pictures since my intro but im picking an engine soon so ill take plenty more then.

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i didnt put the mooks sticker on btw
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As i said above i am in the process of getting a new engine for the wagon. I was looking for a d16a8 but the only ones i can find the wreckers want $1500 for (that includes loom and stuff) which is way too much. I found a ZC online which im going to go have a look at in the next few days and hopefully buy if i can get him down a bit (he wants $550 neg). The plan is to turbo the zc.

I was wondering if someone could tell me the best bang for buck mods i should make to the engine if i plan to turbo it e.g. valves, retainers, cam shaft, cams ect ect. I want to use it as my dd so it has to be reliable.
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Comments

  • Is this the one that was selling in melb?
  • na i had to go to tasmania to get it , couldnt find one anywhere in melbourne
  • crx-nsxcrx-nsx New Wagonist
    Man do i like the roof rails on your wagons. We get the thin crappy ones here. The wogon looks to be in great condition.
  • ye thanks, im pretty happy it came with them. going to get some cross bar ones when i get it running so can put boards and stuff up there for the snow. The body is in really good condition just need some new paint and a little rust repair. the motor is another story, cars fried untill i get a new one
  • Picked up a motor yesterday (10/12/11). Its a ZC. now just need to save up some cash to rebuild it and swapping it into the wagon.

    pics.......

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    box of stuff
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    compartments
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    my civics side by side
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  • Dont think i have the balls to attempt the wiring. Thinking of getting a harness off of Rywire. Was wondering if someone could help me out and tell me if i get the 88-91 CRX/civic si/hf/ex will this connect directly to the car and the ZC with no modification and also is it worth getting the grounding kit with it? thanks for the help sorry for the noob questions
  • NZ-DB8RNZ-DB8R Moderator
    Is your wagon injected already? If it is then there is very very little wiring needed for the swap (one of the sensors in the dizzy is located on the exhaust cam rather than in the dizzy) and an O2 sensor I think is all
  • The civic is carbed. is the wiring allot more intensive if it isn't injected? Id rather save some money and just alter the loom but if its alot of work ill probably just buy one. They come tucked already which would be sick
  • NZ-DB8RNZ-DB8R Moderator
    Yea there is quite a bit more wiring involved as a carb essenetially has no sensors.

    If you download a workshop manual for a EF (google search for Honda manuals should find them) then they have complete wiring diagrams with each colour etc.

    Id you can find a complete DOHC ZC engine loom and if possible a Dash Loom from a DOHC ZC EF and it should be pretty much plug and play.
  • cw00ekcw00ek Band Wagon
    Was that trans a package deal? If not I hope your staying 4wd, it would be a shame to convert back to FWD....
  • GriftyGrifty Wagonist
    The Motor will bolt straight up to the trans with no issues.

    You are going to need to convert the carby tank to an injected one. Did you get a fuel pump with the conversion aswell? you might have to modify the tank to fit the fuel pump, im not 100% sure since i have never seen/worked on one.

    Also it might be easier to use the wiring of a Concerto which were fuel injected and sold there in Australia.

    Let me know if you need more info.
  • ok thanks man ill have a look for a diagram and see if a guy i know can do it. if not ill prob just buy.

    na the trans came with the motor. its staying awd
  • GriftyGrifty Wagonist
    any updates?
  • AWD-WAGONAWD-WAGON Wagonist
    Updates coming soon! Iv almost got the motor out but been studying for exams so havnt had a free day to finish it. Last exams on tues 12th so will definitely have some new pics of my empty bucket soon.
  • SkyntaraSkyntara Band Wagon
    Hey mate.

    I'm keen for updates too as I'm in Sydney with an identical wagon.

    I'm keen to do a ZC swap also. I think I'll get a whole CRX for mine to make things easier.
  • AWD-WAGONAWD-WAGON Wagonist
    UPDATES......................

    Just finished exams on tuesday so i now have about a month to work on the car. I just got the motor out as of about 630pm (first time i have ever removed a motor from a car), getting a list together of parts to order for the new motor aswel. Want to at least get the motor started on before i go back to uni.
    Hopefully more updates soon.

    PICS (iphone).

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    removing the axles
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    my budget work light
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    yum
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    got my own work corner going haha
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    took the breaks off so made disconnecting the driveshaft a bit harder but not too bad
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    OUTTT
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    also turned 21 just a few weeks back. Got a pretty cool cake. Ill try find some better pics
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    and for anyone interested, here is a video of me taking out the engine (with my dads help haha). Filmed on the Gropro my mates got my for my bday (THANKS!!!!).
    588.jpg
  • AWD-WAGONAWD-WAGON Wagonist
    Just finished exams so finally had some time to work on the car. I dont have a hoist so instead of renting one for a day i decided to take the motor out the bottom of the car and jack the car over the motor. Made a basic trolly for the motor to be lowered on so i could slide it out the side (with the help of my dad).
    I have made up a parts list for the engine rebuild. Would appreciate opinions on my choices and also if you think i should get cam shaft and cams and valve stems and springs.

    ARP rod bolts
    ARP head studs
    Wiseco Pistons 75.5mm
    Eagle Rods
    King Bearings
    Ebay Full Gasket Set (HKS)

    cams ?
    cam shaft?
    valves?
    springs?

    I am turboing the wagon and aim for around 200hp (maybe a little more). I want to DD the car however so i want to build a really strong reliable engine.

    I turned 21 a week or two ago and my mates got my a gro pro hd2 (thanks!!) so i filmed taking the engine out. I want to take a lot of videos through the build so i can watch the progress.... also got a pretty cool cake.


    PICS:

    storage again cos i think the other picture got deleted
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    576.jpg

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    578.jpg
  • AWD-WAGONAWD-WAGON Wagonist
    my work light haha
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    580.jpg

    parts corner
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    yum
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  • AWD-WAGONAWD-WAGON Wagonist
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    584.jpg

    585.jpg

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  • AWD-WAGONAWD-WAGON Wagonist
    wagon cake!
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    removal video (not in 1080 cos i forgot and not with great lighting but still sick.
    588.jpg
  • AWD-WAGONAWD-WAGON Wagonist
    Got some parts in!!!

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  • cusco catch can. Just ordered some new parts last week aswell 537.jpg
  • BillBoardBillBoard council member
    Seems like youre off to a great start...

    Welcome to CivicWagon.com!
  • thanks!
    the main thing holding me back at the moment is im waiting for a ZCspeed adapter to be made. I was the first one to put a payment for the new order so still might have a while to wait to find another 3 people that are interested
  • TerminusVoxTerminusVox Senior Wagonist
    I'm in for updates! Nice work!
  • new fuel pump..
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  • New parts!

    AEM fuel rail
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    Cusco catch can
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    Supertech valves (now iv got the complete supertech valve train)
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    440 RC injectors
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    thats all for now. Going to be ordering my intake mani and TB possibly today. Trying to work out if iv forgotten anything that i need ?!?!
  • cool!! what were the prices of everything?
  • Woo! ZC build! Why does everywhere but the US get all the cool stuff??! Jelly of your cargo compartments an junk.
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