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

 

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

 

i thought the jdm zc's dont fit.

 

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

 

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

 

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...

 

they have slightly different motor mount locations

 

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

 

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

 

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