b18 into rt4wd swap.... so how hard is it?

A friend of mine is responsible for getting me into the honda thing here in the last few months.
He came by and was checking out my wagon today and ended up offering me a b18 and trans for free. He said it spun a rod. He offered to just give me the whole shebang for free. I've rebuilt some motors before, never a honda.

Well I asked a while back and was told it was too much work to swap a b series into a rt4wd. I'm not looking to keep the 4wd setup.
Fabbing mounts and things of the sorts is not a problem.

So what are the obsticles I would have to overcome to do the swap.

Comments

  • Talk to shenrie. Have to use CRV drivetrain to retain 4wd, good luck finding a manual CRV trans.
  • HaydzHaydz Moderator
    http://www.hondacivicwagon.com/board/vi ... php?t=4555

    http://www.hondacivicwagon.com/board/vi ... php?t=4643

    You had already started this... http://www.hondacivicwagon.com/board/vi ... php?t=4475

    and this... http://www.hondacivicwagon.com/board/vi ... php?t=4445

    Try and keep this all under one thread so its easier for the members to search it. Pick a thread, any thread - the rest will be locked.
  • I think there's a guy over on Honda-Tech doing his Del Sol with the B series motor/CRV tranny and the Wagovan rear diff.

    I was going to do the B series conversion with AWD, but decided to stay D series for weight minimum/class structure.

    I have a 1999 CRV 5 speed 4WD transmission with transfer case for sale, as well as a spare transfer case from a 2000. They are both minty fresh.

    Shenrie knows exactly what's needed to do the conversion. His RT4WD has a GSR motor in it with CRV tranny.

    I also have the rear driveshaft that you could probably talk me into selling if you decided to go the AWD B series way.
  • HaydzHaydz Moderator
    He said he's not looking to keep the RT4WD... in that case its the same as swapping a B into any old CRX/Hatch. :)
  • Haydz wrote:
    Try and keep this all under one thread so its easier for the members to search it. Pick a thread, any thread - the rest will be locked.

    Will do man... sorry bout that!

    For some reason I was under the impression that there was some serious modification to do the swap. I'm still not clear if the mounts have to be relocated. And it looks like I'll have to switch out from a cable shift.

    First step is to go pick up the motor and start tearing it down. For all I know it may not be worth rebuilding? My friend does say that he's got shift linkages, and all kinds of other parts that I may need to do the swap.
  • HaydzHaydz Moderator
    Pretty much yeah.

    You'll need to remove the RT4WD components (diff, axles, driveshaft, centre coupler etc.).

    You could leave the RT4WD trailing arm on there or get a trailing arm from a FWD model and get a ThatDoodle rear disc conversion. If you stick with the RT4WD arm make sure you leave the CV ends in the hub otherwise the bearings might start playing up.

    Youll need a mount kit for the B series engine/box and you'll need to bash the chassis rail in a little bit to get the AC to clear, just like any EF.

    I think the only difference here is one or two of the gearbox mounts are in a different place, might just need to cut them out and re weld them in.
  • Haydz wrote:
    You could leave the RT4WD trailing arm on there or get a trailing arm from a FWD model and get a ThatDoodle rear disc conversion.

    What's that? I realize that's a member's name but is there a thread that describes this?
  • I've read WAY too much about swapping a b series into a civic. Now I've got a few things that I need to clear up...

    and yes, I will be using the LS trans with this swap.

    axles - My stock axles work for the DA brakes I'll be using on the car (still haven't put them on). BUt will they work with the swap???
    Or... do I need a full set of integra axles to do the swap. I think I saw somewhere that I'll only need the drivers side!?!? (or was that some weird dream)
Sign In or Register to comment.