VX motor in a CRX HF?

[whychug]

well I passed on the insight and now I'm considering finding a CRX HF shell to drop my current VX's motor in. Has anybody done this swap, and will the HF's lighter weight result in any sig MPG gains over the VX's approx 52 mpg? Or am I just getting greedy?

[SVOboy]

Few people have done it...the CRX HF's greatest advantage over the VX is the aero...it should be worth doing, in my opinion.

[whychug]

Thanks for the insight SVOboy- any idea on difficulty-custom motor mounts etc?

[SVOboy]

Not too bad, mostly wiring, stock mounts and HF transmission will work.

[Matt Timion]

I did the swap in my 89 Civic LX. The swap will be almost identical with one or two exceptions.

Bunger on this site has done the same swap, as well as a few others I believe.

Totally doable. I'll help in any way possible.

[whychug]

thanks for the offer matt- Its starting to sound like the hardest part will be finding a clean donor HF. I know I should be happy with the VX now, but I've always loved the CRX and combining the two would make an ideal communter.

[ron22]

Make sure yopu get a Gen2 CRX (88-). They have a little better Cd also the engine swap will be much easyer.
Not sure what the advantage is to using the VX motor over the HF one.
You could also get away with a non HF CRX if you are planing on a swap.
The difference between the HF and rest is the engine and Trans. Plus slight weight reduction about 200lbs.
Not sure on the Gen 2 I know more about Gen 1
Check out this for weight info on bottom of page
http://www.quickhonda.net/specs.htm

[Gary Palmer]

I believe that if you can get anything from 88-91, you would be better off, than with a pre 88. The engine compartment on the pre 88 is a bit more shallow from the cowel to the radiator, than the 88-91. The 88-91 are also wired for ecu control, but will still need some wiring modifications to make a VX motor work.

The advantage of a VX motor is that it has a lot more torque in the low rpm range, than the HF and the VX has VTEC, so it goes into a second set of valve timing at higher rpm's, so that you get more power their as well.

As far as a body style, I wouldn't worry so much about getting a HF, as I would about putting in the HF gear box with the VX engine.

[Matt Timion]

Originally Posted by Gary Palmer

As far as a body style, I wouldn't worry so much about getting a HF, as I would about putting in the HF gear box with the VX engine.

Agreed. Although a CRX HF is ideal due to it's slightly lower weight (find a 88 if at all possible, as they are a few hundred pounds lighter than their 90-91 counterparts), it isn't totally needed.

That being said, if you do find a 88 CRX HF, remember that the 88 Civic/CRX has a different spline count on the clutch than the 89-91.

[GasSavers_Ryland]

it shouldn't be to hard to find a crx shell, as it seems like they are reasonably commen projects that people don't finish, then they deside to have kids, or move, and want to sell them fast.
personaly, I would say go with any of the crx's post-'89, even an SI would work, as it's still pretty light, and airodinamic, and has things like a rear wiper.