88 d16a1 zc into 88 crx

[Jmilla]

has anyone done this swap? the d16a1 has a idle up silnode and the crx doesnt, I was woundering if theres anyway to get around this?

[-TJ]

I don't have my Helm handy, but as I remember, the idle up solenoid is only used when the ambient air temp is way below freezing.

Your bigger issue is going to be custom fabricating a drivers side engine mount. Using any 88-91 L3 transmission, the other 3 mounts are bolt in since they all attach to the tranny.

[Jmilla]

I already made a mount and got the motor in the car, but when I plug the vacum line in the TB for the map sensor the idle goes high, and if i leave it off it rams to much fuel to the motor

[strudel]

jmilla, Correct me if I am wrong but aren't the D16A1 ZC engines mounted at the timing belt area or is it on the front of the block as the standard engine? If it is on the front I would be interested in your solution for the engine mount. A picture would be perfect.

[-TJ]

Why are you plugging the MAP sensor port? How is that related to the idle up solenoid? What D16A1 are you using, 88-89, correct?

[Jmilla]

sorry, I meant plug in, as in connect the map sensor. I'll post some pics when I get the swap done.

[zc88crxsi]

dude i have a zc in my 88 crx si its a plug,play and ride drop. those engine are oem in japan you should not a have any problem.
if have any question email me at hecflo40@aol.com

[strudel]

zc88crxsi, What year ZC did you insert and from what original car?

The original post is as follows: 88 d16a1 zc into 88 crx

If yours is plug and play then it's not an 86-89 Integra ZC as they had the engine mount on the front of the block. At least from the info I have.

If anyone has different info please chime in!

[91ZCcivic]

Hey Im pretty sure that the ZC engine only came out of the Civic Si in Japan only. The Integra engine is comparable for the most part but with about 20 horses less and some big tranny differances as well, and is in no way a ZC.

[strudel]

Yes Virginia, there really is an Integra ZC! So here we are on a DOHC D series ZC forum. If it's not clear which are ZC's then maybe the moderator could put up a sticky with all the accurate information. Much less confusion that way and we'll all be talking in sympatico.

ZC primer-The term ZC stands for the premier engine in each Honda line and only produced in Japan.

There is a ZC for the Integra as well as the Civic/CRX. Most people mistake the brown/black top D16A1 as a ZC which of course it is not as the Teg line has it's own brown/black top ZC's.

1.) 1st gen 86-87"brown top"DOHC ZC 129HP/D16A1 113HP engine (4-bolt valve cover)
2.) 1st gen 88-89"black top" DOHC ZC 129HP/D16A1 118HP engine (4-bolt valve cover)
These first two are also called D16A8/9 in Europe and Aus/NZ
3.) 2nd gen "black top" ZC engine dohc engine (8-bolt valve cover), designed for EF (88-91) civic/crx chassis. (91ZCcivic this is probably your engine)4.) SOHC ZC engine which is basically the U.S. D16A6.

Just my 2 cents worth. Just stating that you have a ZC on this board doesn't tell the true story unless qualified by where it came out of.

[strudel]

Just found this on another board. Maybe it will be of some help.

1st generation ZC's (1985-1987)
Brown Valve Cover ZCs
The first ZC came in the 85-87 Civic and CRX Si. It looks similar to the 86-87 US Integra engine with the exception of the intake manifold and throttlebody. The throttle body is identical to the US 85-87 CRX Si throttlebody. As for the manifold, there is no EACV as found on the Integra engine. Interestingly, these were the most powerful of the ZCs. Along with some of the 86-87 Integra models the engine is rated at 135PS. After 1988 the max power for a ZC was 130PS.

The 86-87 Integra came with a ZC also. The intake and throttlebody are virtually identical to that of it's US counterpart. This engine is also reated at 135PS, compare this to the US Integra 112 HP. The majority of the difference is probably contributed to the difference in the ECU programming and the much higher quality gas available in Japan. There may be some differences in compression ratio or cams, but without accurate measurement I cannot confirm this.

What do they fit?
Both these engine can be bolted into the 84-87 CRX or Civic or the 86-87 Integra with some minor modifications needed to bolt them into the Civics and CRXs. Because these engines are typically fuel injected, it is best when bolting them in to the Civic or CRX, you use the Si model. Converting the carbed cars to FI is a labor of love, you gotta really want that car to go through the trouble. A quick note here, there were carburated versions of the 86-87 Integra ZC that came both as a dual side draughts or two barrel down draught, a la 86-89 Accord.

When bolting either engine into the 84-87 Civic or CRX, you use the ZC or Integra mounts, except the driver's side mount and bracket. Those need to come from the original Civic or CRX. The Japanese Civic and CRX uses the Integra mount, because it has a different bracket on the left-hand framerail for the Si model.

Wiring wise, you want to use the stock harness for swapping the Civic ZC into your Civic or CRX. The harness will need to be stretched in a couple of places for better fit. The Si ECU will run this engine, if you do not have the ZC ECU.

If you install the Integra ZC into the Civic or CRX you will also need to wire in the EACV. Use the US or Japanese Integra ECU to run this engine.

If you want to install the Civic ZC into the 86-87 Integra, use the original Integra intake manifold and throttle body. While the Integra ZC is a direct replacement with no mods. Both need the original wiring harness to be used. Harnesses from right-hand drive vehicles don't always work very well in left-hand drive vehicles.