DOHC ZC swap into 1988-19991 RT4wd
FakeJDMEF8
Senior Wagonist
I have searched and have found a lot of info on this swap, but id really like to hear it from members on here that have *actually* done the swap themselves. I know it will fit, i know you use the RT trans and all that, but i do want to clarify some things.
I have a 1989 RT that is in need of a new engine. Instead of trying to fuss with the mini me in there now, and rebuild, im planning on just getting a hmotorsonline ZC swap and calling it a day. Looking to replace the water pump, tensioner and belt, seals/gaskets, and replace with aFidanza flywheel and Exedy stage 1 clutch. Then just drop it in.
Few questions just to clarify and so that others can also see this as a source for actual answers.
Im panning on getting the 88-92 OBD0 swap...
Exhaust manifold. Must i use my RT one or will the ZC one work? Also heard that an OBX 4-1 header will work without modification, but have yet to confirm or find otherwise (chime in if you know!)
Oilpan. I know the A6 one for the RT's in the states is specific to make way for the transfercase. I have also heard that the ZC one will clear. Id love to run the 4-1 header and not mess with the oilpan, but again, i havent found anything to confirm this..
Mounts. I have just picked up a set of D-series Innovative mounts for the RT, and id assume they will work. Need to clarify this though!
Axles and halfshafts. Id assume i can use the ones that are currently in the car, but havent a clue...
Clutch and transmission. Being that the trans is an 89, i should be able to use the same flywheel and clutch as the regular RT takes, but again i have yet to find anything to confirm...
Other than that, i guess the dizzy plug needs to be repinned but that's it. Is there anything else i should know? It should just plug n play from there?!?!
Not planning on doing this right now, but within the next two months....
Cheers guys, i appreciate it!
I have a 1989 RT that is in need of a new engine. Instead of trying to fuss with the mini me in there now, and rebuild, im planning on just getting a hmotorsonline ZC swap and calling it a day. Looking to replace the water pump, tensioner and belt, seals/gaskets, and replace with aFidanza flywheel and Exedy stage 1 clutch. Then just drop it in.
Few questions just to clarify and so that others can also see this as a source for actual answers.
Im panning on getting the 88-92 OBD0 swap...
Exhaust manifold. Must i use my RT one or will the ZC one work? Also heard that an OBX 4-1 header will work without modification, but have yet to confirm or find otherwise (chime in if you know!)
Oilpan. I know the A6 one for the RT's in the states is specific to make way for the transfercase. I have also heard that the ZC one will clear. Id love to run the 4-1 header and not mess with the oilpan, but again, i havent found anything to confirm this..
Mounts. I have just picked up a set of D-series Innovative mounts for the RT, and id assume they will work. Need to clarify this though!
Axles and halfshafts. Id assume i can use the ones that are currently in the car, but havent a clue...
Clutch and transmission. Being that the trans is an 89, i should be able to use the same flywheel and clutch as the regular RT takes, but again i have yet to find anything to confirm...
Other than that, i guess the dizzy plug needs to be repinned but that's it. Is there anything else i should know? It should just plug n play from there?!?!
Not planning on doing this right now, but within the next two months....
Cheers guys, i appreciate it!
Comments
exhaust mani- reuse the RT. Supposedly the ports are off just a little. And I'm sure you could port them to match. But I never did. And don't remember hearing anyone doing it. ALL aftermarket mani's require modification.
oilpan- reuse the RT A6 or use your ZC if it's in good shape. I personally (among others) reused the ZC. It cleared just fine for me reusing the RT e-mani
/\/\edit/\/\--- make sure you use matching oil pickups! And, RT A6 and other A6 are NOT the same!
mounts- RT mounts are different. But can't remember specifics. I personally just reused my stock mounts. But there are aftermarket RT mounts out there... I just can't remember the difference
axels/halfshafts- just reuse.
clutch and tranny- buy for the year of the tranny. The throwout bearing is the only difference in RT/fwd when buying a kit
dizzy- will need to be repinned. But not a big deal. I used http://www.thezcr.com when getting my wiring info. Not sure where to find it now. It's been like 7/8 years since I did mine.
I'm secretly planning to do this swap again. Provided I can find a goddamn RT... hopefully I'll do a full/detailed write-up.
If you have any more questions, keep em coming. Hopefully this will refresh my memory some more lol
Thanks man.
Anyone else with any moarrr info to add?!
Exhaust problems are the same as with any other RT4WD. Use the stock manifold or get one modified to fit. If I remember correctly though the SOHC ZC manifold is a better design and will fit and clear the transfer case but good luck finding one. I used my new exhaust gasket to trace out the ZC Ports and port matched my manifold with a die grinder. I'm using an aftermarket 4-2-1 modified to clear the transfer case now and the ports on that were oversized so no grinding was necessary.
axles, mounts, flywheel, everything bolts right up. As charb said just order a clutch kit for your year RT4wd and you'll be good to go
My dizzy plugs were a different type one was square one round so I had to swap plug bodies in addition to moving wires. It's quite easy though just pop the pins out and push them into the correct body. Match color to color it's easy. You also have to pull two wires out and extend them to the CPS on the exhaust camshaft.
There is also one plug on the D16A6 harness that is not used. I think it goes into the intake manifold but I can't remember what it is at the moment.
Trying to think what else you need. Radiator hoses are different than the A6. Check thezcr.com for that info.
Swapping into the RT and the other civics really isn't much different so read up on thezcr.com for anything we may have forgot to mention.
The power steering pump is DOHC ZC specific, and I used the top half of the DOHC ZC manifold and the bottom half of the SOHC ZC manifold (the lower collector 'collects' earlier to clear the transfer case).
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=10
Have a read of my original post. Take note of the date though...
hmotors has one in stock, and steve is awesome, but if anyone else knows of a good distributor, lemme know.
ZC+ Jakers CF driveshaft+GC/Illuminas= fulltime4wd fun prospect!
thanks for everyones reply! i really appreciate it!
found this one, but unsure if it's the right one....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/88-00-92-95-Hon ... 2020wt_931
again, cheerss!
Worth checking out at least. I think the DOHC ZC's were $800 last time I checked...
Who ever said it would?
I know that's not what I said.
I know you didn't say it would!
So you don't believe me?
Only $100... I say buy it, and let us know how much hacking it will take...
and yeah, for $100, i may as well.... keep you posted!
I'm contemplating doing this swap again. And it's been many years since I did it last. I'm going to do my best to help compile useful information for myself and others.
I stole these from thezcr.com
I picked up a JG rebuilt ZC head, bisimoto IM gasket, OEM pump, belt and tensioner, and Exedy stg 1 clutch and fidanza fly. Now just need a complete block and I'm set!
Picked up a 4-2-1 eBay header and will update on fitment
I am thinking of this swap too.. I would be putting it into my 91 RT4WD Automatic ( Cause, Dailies should be AUTO )
I have the chance to get a ZC that was Re-built & built, has everything, just needs a car..
Few questions?
1. What ECU to use?
2. Will a JRSC Fit?
3. RT Auto Trans Mounting? Anyone ever tried?
1. Looks like I will have to change the Dizzy Plug
2. Keep either Oil pan
3. Keep RT exhaust mani
4. RT Axles
Am I missing anything????
I will then call her the JRSC-ZC-RT4WD-Auto or SCZCRTAT for short
One thing I remember doing, which is easy, was swapping the boards in the ECU. Reason being- the mounts. My wagon's stock A6 ECU had different mounts than the A1 I purchased to use. So I just took them apart and swapped the boards. Very straight forward. Much cleaner install having it mounted in it's stock form.... just something else to tackle
Just in case anybody needs to know, if you run a DOHC ZC, the adapter plate, and a JRSC, the belt will hit the frame. You will also need a custom belt as the one I was provided was too short. I ended up using a custom 6 rib belt and carefully cutting it in two. Also the JRSC crank pulley is a three rib, three belt pulley where the stock wagon crank pulley is a two three rib and one v-belt pulley. So my power steering pump currently has no belt as it is v-belt and not a ribbed pulley. Trying to figure out if I can get a pulley to interchange to work and give me power steering.
Here is the notch I put in the frame:
Some pics of the DOHC ZC with the supercharger attached:
Adapter has been said to be discontinued as well. Here is the picture of the one I have:
Other than the couple of problems I posted above it went in super smooth and both of the problems I encountered were both due to the JRSC and not the DOHC ZC itself.
Going to do a zc swap in the upcoming months and would like to keep ps and rehook up my ac since I will have more power when I turn on the ac
With A/C & PS.. Because you gotta have it in FL or your stupid.
Selling off the tranny stuff. Gonna be doing my ZCJRSCRT4WD w/Automatic Trans!
Talking to ZC Speed Guy today about getting adapter for my JRSC... Can't wait!
Gonna try to pull the old A6 this week..
Excited!
http://www.d-series.org/forums/dohc-zc/ ... -list.html
Anymore details on the PS bracket mod you made? Im holding the bracket and looking at my DOHC ZC and can't picture what I'd need to cut to make it work. Thanks!