Need a commuter, ?'s about Honda "swaps"

[Steve85]

I just got a real job, but it's in Chantilly and I'm in Winchester. I need a commuter and I want a Civic hatch, used to have a 94 Si and liked it. I have been on the hunt for a relatively stock one but of course, they are mostly swapped hacked etc...

Is there anything I should absolutely stay away from? all of them? Certain combos that don't work well? I know very little about the various swaps but I'm sure some are pretty routine and some not.

I want to stay away from ones that don't allow AC, or whatever else I want to keep intact, eternal ECU probs and so on.

There is one on fleabay in Manassas now, (can't link ebay from work) that looks like an overall good car. Not a huge fan of ebay but as long as it's local I can check it out.

Generally, I'm looking to stay under 5K and get 32+ MPG. Payback period is about 1 yr at current (3.80) prices.

[mrbaggio]

Start shipping fuel that's crazy cheap.

[Mike]

Umm... Not too much too look out for... It's obvious when something is a pile. Since most of these shells have a ton of miles on them now, bushings are the main thing to worry about. They rust in the rear quarters if the mud guards haven't been removed as well, but that'll be plainly obvious.

As far as I know, they all allow AC. If any didn't, it'd be an H-series (prelude), but stay away from those altogether as those motors are junk. Same goes for "LSVTEC," which uses the larger/cheaper Integra LS block and a VTEC head... they're hacks and notoriously unreliable (when revved high, but still stay away). Anything with a sealed motor is going to be as reliable as the car they came out of. Check the compression, check that the wiring isn't a hack mess, and that's about it.

My recommendation if you're trying to save money is exactly what I have, an LS motor. Better torque for around town, very long gearing for economy, and lower compression so they seem to last a bit longer. Oh yeah, they're a bit cheaper too.

If you come across anything and have any questions, shoot.

Reference (assuming USDM motors and all approximate):
B18A/B - LS motor... 140hp/130ft-lbs... Long gearing
B16A - Civic Si/Del Sol VTEC... 160hp/110ft-lbs... Short gearing
B17 - Weird one... just stay away.
B18C1 - GSR... 170hp/125ft-lbs... "Medium" gearing
B18C5 - Type R... - 195hp/130ft-lbs... Short gearing
B20 - CRV... 130hp/140ft-lbs... Long gearing

Again, stay away from H, anything or LSVTEC.

B18AB and B20 will be cheapest, B16 a bit more, B18C1 a bit more, and B18C5 even more.

[WRXtranceformed]

I'd be concerned about having a Civic hatch DD in Fairfax County just from the standpoint of theft. Ever consider a VW TDI Golf? Those get silly mpgs... you just have to deal with the fact that it's, well.. a VW.

[Mike]

I'd be concerned about having a Civic hatch DD in Fairfax County just from the standpoint of theft.

He's only parking at work. Assuming he doesn't bling it out, he'll have no problems. I've had my car ~6 years now?

[WRXtranceformed]

Who was that kid on this forum who got his Civic stolen like 6 times in front of his house in Vienna?? Or was that an Integra, I can't remember haha

[Sijray21]

I'd be concerned about having a Civic hatch DD in Fairfax County just from the standpoint of theft. Ever consider a VW TDI Golf? Those get silly mpgs... you just have to deal with the fact that it's, well.. a VW.

have you seen the price of diesel? it almost negates the fuel economy it gets.

Who was that kid on this forum who got his Civic stolen like 6 times in front of his house in Vienna?? Or was that an Integra, I can't remember haha

it was 8 times with a '99 civic si and '98 integra and it varied between springfield, arlington, and deleware

[Kaan]

Again, stay away from H, anything or LSVTEC.

The only issue with the H is the install and the trans... some people are dropping in the H and using a B series trans... not a bad combo if installed right... you'll need someone who knows about that to look at it.

LSVtec is a time bomb... period. they can be build well and can hold up, but you wont find them in cars for sale... the only people selling their LSvtecs are hacks like mikey said.

I have a DOHC ZC motor (JDM D series) in my CRX and saw 48mpg highway coming back from VIR with a cooler full of beer, a passanger, and both our gear. These motors are "bad" but people tend to beat on them and neglect the oil and they will spin bearings.

your best bet is a LS in a light hatch. It should net you 35+ on the highway i would think.

[Mike]

Again, stay away from H, anything or LSVTEC.

The only issue with the H

and the fact that it is an H. i don't have any hard facts, but every time i see a prelude on the road, it seem to be blowing some sort of smoke. i just don't think they're as bulletproof as Bs.

[.RJ]

Better off with a stock integra/accord/civic than anything swapped IMO. Far less hassle that way.

[Steve85]

Thanks Mike..exactly what I was looking for.

I need to do some research on what models / trims the B18's and B20 came in.

And yeah, no bling, some cheap wheels maybe, and parked at work.

The VW's do get great mileage, the wife a had 06 Jetta TDI for a while, but they retain a lot of value too. As the cost of acquisition and taxes goes up, it becomes a bad idea.

[ViPER1313]

You might consider moving closer to your job - 50k miles commuting each year will wear you down quickly. My commute is 30 miles each direction and it's a lot of driving.

EDIT: and if you are dead set on doing that commute, you might consider buying something newer with low miles. It's hard to keep any older car on the road when you are driving that much, and it's hard to keep a job when your car is breaking down constantly on the way to work.

[Steve85]

Thanks all for the input....

Better off with a stock integra/accord/civic than anything swapped IMO. Far less hassle that way.

I know that deep down, but I just hear these voices sometimes...

You might consider moving closer to your job - 50k miles commuting each year will wear you down quickly. My commute is 30 miles each direction and it's a lot of driving.

Next time we move it will be south, NC prolly. For now, I can tell you that a couple hours a day to myself will be a blessing. 2 toddlers and 2 teenage girls are what wear me down.

[Sijray21]

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not sure if you're considering integra's, but they're getting cheaper now and the features aren't bad either. my '98 RS (stock B18b engine) was able to get 34 mpg on the highway. It came with the LS motor that's in Mike's hatch as well and i have no complaints about the engine or the transmission.

[Steve85]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Honda_engines

not sure if you're considering integra's, but they're getting cheaper now and the features aren't bad either. my '98 RS (stock B18b engine) was able to get 34 mpg on the highway. It came with the LS motor that's in Mike's hatch as well and i have no complaints about the engine or the transmission.

I have been and haven't ruled out a sedan for the convenience. I'm not a huge fan of the round lights on the Integras of that era but that certainly won't stop me from buying the right car.

Thanks for the link.

***************

EDIT: The Manassas one on ebay...not the one I thought it was.

[Mike]

you could always find an integra with a jdm front end. the cost of the front may throw it out of your price range, but this is what they look like:



oh, but it's then be a giant theft magnet.

[.RJ]

you could always find an integra with a jdm front end

Or you could just buy an accord and get the same look :dunno:

[Maengelito]

but no one wants to steal an accord... wheres the fun in that?

[Mike]

you could always find an integra with a jdm front end

Or you could just buy an accord and get the same look :dunno:

excellent point. the gen that looks like the jdm front integra is suprisingly nimble. an ex coupe is what drew me to hondas... wouldn't mind owning one.

[.RJ]

wouldn't mind owning one.

They're nice