Manual tranmission gear upgrade?

[biddaum42]

I have a 97 civic ex w/manual transmission. Been reading that the hx transmission has a better final drive. What is the best way to convert to the better gears. Changing out the final drive or changing out the whole transmission?

[GasSavers_Erik]

Assuming that there were no differences in electrical connectors etc., it would be easier to just swap out the whole transmission.

[biddaum42]

I understand the hx transmission has a better final drive. But the EX has bigger bearings for the final drive.

What years of transmissions can i use for the better gears. And out of which models. And will the gears swap into the Ex transmission to keep the better bearings.

Next is there a better flywheel and clutch assembly to use then stock?

[GasSavers_Erik]

Here is a link I found with google:

http://www.knology.net/jediklc/gearratiosdseries.htm

I'm not sure about compatibility of internals. Maybe you can find a website dedicated to 5th and 6th generation civics and ask there.

[hondaguy72]

d-series.org has more information about your transmission than you could ever want or need.

The cost to benefit ratio of gear swapping probably isn't worth your time. The car you have now is capable of 40mpg's or better with good driving technique and it isn't a complete slug.

A full transmission swap is far easier than gear swapping.