I just obtain a fairly mint condition 1991 Honda CRX SI (stock with 23,589 OG miles on it) from my dad. BTW, I’m pretty new to the whole modification scene so if I’m saying things wrong feel free to correct me. Anyways, I just wanted to know what should I do to it first. Engine wise, I got a free almost new B18 laying around because my friend moved to Japan and didn’t want it anymore. Should I swap engines or stick to the D16 and work my way up from there. I plan on using it as my daily car and prefer not to have a turbo because I don’t want to deal with psi or gages. If you guys can help recommend parts or what to tackle (this includes suspension and etc) then that would be great. Body wise I think I might remove the moon roof and replace it with a fiberglass top (I hate that moon roof) other wise I am going to keep the body stock. Money is an issue (damn recession) so I’m hoping not to spend anymore than 5k on this car, since everything was basicially free from the car to a new B18 engine. Thanks for the help!
The D16 engine + the Stage 1 Edelbrock turbo kit is just as reliable as taking that B18 block and supercharging it. In fact, depending on what B18 motor we are talking here, just the motor alone will make that car move (CRXs weigh less than 2000 lbs).
A B18C1 (GSR motor) in that car will have it running low 14 second quarter mile passes with just an intake and exhaust (possibly even high 13s).
A B18B (LS motor which I assume it is since you got it for free) in the car will trap you a low 15 second to high 14 second pass.
A B18C5 (from the Integra Type R) will have that thing ripping mid to low 13s.
Basically what I’m saying is get the mounts, swap in that B18 block (whichever one it is), and make sure you have good tires that will get you traction, don’t cheap out on suspension upgrades, then spend whatever is left over on motor upgrades starting with intake/header/exhaust and then possibly cams and a good tune.
The B18 motor in that car supplies a whole lot more torque than that D16 motor which gets that car to a 16.2 quarter mile pass stock. Don’t forget though, doing all those motor upgrades will yield little improvement if you can’t get traction.
without a turbo, that car will be very slow if you use it as a daily driver. Small displacement and no forced induction will not allow for much power. I would recommend just keeping it stock and saving money for a real car. Somethin that has more displacement that a bottle of soda is preferable.
D16a6 isn’t worth it unless you plan on forced induction.
I was lucky enough to obtain by buddy’s 91 CRX SI with the Jackson Racing supercharget kit for the d16a6 and I put down 140hp.140lb/ft at the wheels.
Replace the moonroof with a cabron fiber plug
We have two supercharged Honda’s and our friend races that same car and they are all daily driving cars. You can get a supercharger for about 2k. Supercharging is far more stable than turbo. Turbos are alot more trouble.
if you have a mint crx si, sell it and prep a lesser car.
CRXs are getting rare, and mints are damned near impossible to find. you can sell it for more than enough to buy a decent shell and start from there.