mayhem019

Any suggestions on what would be good? I dont know much about what would fit into it and a lot of the websites I go to dont have info on older civics.. Its a very clean car no rust - and light as hell

Instigator_CRX87

redpepperacing.com = your new best friend...
dropa usdm d16a1 or JDM dohc ZC your easiest swap...

kain

i thought the jdm zc's dont fit.

mayhem019

I dont know for sure, but I think I read the older 1st gen ZCs do fit. But either way I'm lookin for a D16A1 from an 86 or 87 teg, I think thats the cheapest route

tjbizzo

There should be a rule on this board that if you just say ZC without saying WHICH ZC then you get your knuckles smacked with a ruler by a nun. The same goes for saying d-series or b-series or D15 or D16 or B18 or whatever. Everyone should BE MORE SPECIFIC! OK ::rant-->off:: Anywho, I have *heard* that there are at least 4 basic types of ZCs: 86-87 (or maybe it's 85-87?) brown top dohc ZC similar to the 86-89 teg D16A1, black top dohc ZC that swaps into 88-91 Civics and maybe later ones too, sohc non-vtec ZC similar to the D16A6, and a sohc vtec ZC similar to the D16Z6/D16Y8. I could be wrong so someone please correct me if I am. For an 85 Civic you want the brown/olive top 1g ZC. I've also heard that they came both mpfi and carbed but I don't know how easy it is to find either one. I think your are right that the D16A1s out of 1g tegs are the way to go because of cost and availability. That is what I would choose and you can do a lot with the money you save over other swaps. cheers

Instigator_CRX87

Dude I said JDM DOHC ZC.. that explains it all...
The was only one DOHC ZC... Brown top/black top regardless, they both fit... and are the same engine witha few minor changes...

hotrex

they have slightly different motor mount locations

Instigator_CRX87

WEll depending on which you use you use the same rear tranny mount and I belive drivers side mount? I think that's it, but they both do fit...

If oyu plan on turboing you should do the 88-89.. btw

Semnos

the brown top ZC has thicker rod's , and the brown top ZC has a vacume advance dizzy, but that can be easily taken care of. And it has a different compresion and flat top pistons. the intake mani is different though, but both are good engines IMO...boost away

Instigator_CRX87

True buuut.. Vac. Advance cam be a nitch :P Might as well upgrade the rods ina lbacktop