[Chrismo932]

Hello everyone, I just bought my first ever Honda it’s a 1990 ef hatch and I have a couple of questions. So the car doesn’t have an engine in it and no tranny he gave me the original d15 engine rebuilt for free and he’s giving me a free tranny from an eg coupe I believe. I want to work on this car and I’m not sure where to start or what to do and I would like some help from people with experience. I bought the car for less than 1 grand so it was worth it I just don’t know where I can start.

 

[Georgia Eg]

I'd say starting point is getting a Haynes, Chilton or similar manual, along with tools and equipment.
They're pretty straight forward to work on, hopefully there's nothing missing, but nobody else can check that remotely.
Good Luck 🤞

 

[drtalon123]

Id start by putting an engine and transmission in the car

 

[Georgia Eg]

That's true too

 

[NicholasC47]

Well how much do you want to spend? What type of engine do you want?

There are MANY resources out there for most engine swaps you could possibly ever want to do. If you have the engine you could just slam it in there assuming you have all the necessary mounts. However, trusting others work is always a risk. Note also the EG trans is a hydraulic (I'm assuming its a manual) while the EF trans is cable driven. There are some aftermarket kits that allow you to convert an ef to use a hydraulic setup but it's more work.

Honestly, Youtube certification will get you REALLY far.

Also, pics?

 

[Chrismo932]

[is it easier to put the transmission on first then the engine or both together or vise versa?
Also here are some pictures of the car. He gave me a couple extra pieces for the car like bumpers and hoods it’s not in the best shape but she’s still a good looking car

 

[slo_eg8]

that wiring hurts to look at

 

[NicholasC47]

Easiest to put the engine and transmission in at the same time. An engine hoist would be the easiest option.

That being said if you cant get your hands on it there are plenty of way to install and engine. Ye old balancing jack act would probably be the cheapest.

Additionally, do you know what engine you have? That ecu is for a DPFI (Dual point Fuel injection) D15b2. Assuming the gentleman you bought the car from rebuilt the original engine there should be an engine designation code on the front side of the block next to where the transmission mates with it. In the event you do have a D15b2 (and it's still a DPFI setup), slap it in, plug it all up, fill it with fluids and see if it runs.

It's very unlikely it will start first try but don't get discourage. Simply troubleshoot and solve.

My advice, watch a bunch of YT vids on EF engine installs. Afterwards grab a friend or two and make some memories.

 

[Georgia Eg]

The tape..... On pretty much every wire...... That's a bit of a worry..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot...

 

[Chrismo932]

Yes it’s the original d15b7
And yeah I know the wiring on the ecu looks like shit I may be able to buy new harnesses and wires or just clean it up

 

[Georgia Eg]

I'd suggest removing the tape and inspection of each wire at least, if the wires are all corroded because of whatever someone spliced in and removed you could end up with some ugly gremlins.

 

[bobski]

it’s a 1990 ef hatch

EF is part of the VIN number, indicating the body type. EFs are all right hand drive (steering wheel on the right side of the car), and thus were not sold in the US (you can now get them from importers but that's another can of worms). All US market '88-91 Civics and CRXs are ED# or EE# bodies. Yours should be an ED6. Ricers and idiots call US market Civics "EF"s. You have been informed.

Yes it’s the original d15b7

It's hard to tell which parts have been swapped around, but your car came with a D15B1 or B2. There were three flavors of 88-91 Civic hatchback: the base model (CX/STD), the DX and the Si. The Si had a power sunroof, so we can rule that out. I think the DX had body-colored bumpers and cloth seats, but those can be swapped out.
The D15B2 and D15B7 are nearly identical, except for their intake manifold. The B1/B2 have the vertical throttle body with integrated injectors (DPFI), while the B7 has the horizontal throttle body and log-style manifold with port fuel injection (MPFI).

 

[transzex]

find the right engine and transmission for your car first, and then $400 for a wiring harness.

With the wiring mess I see, you have about $2000 needed before you'll have a running DD...

 

[Slow-D]

L3 Cable transmission
D15B1
D15B2
D15B7
Engine
PM5 ECU
DPFI intake manifold.

That will get you a DPFI OBD0 4th gen Civic.