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Creating an HF All-Motor Monster

By: chet

Creating an HF All-Motor Monster



Overview:

This is dedicated to everyone driving around in an 88-91 CRX HF getting 50 miles to the gallon. Honda’s little 8-valve motor is great for fuel economy, but as you HF drivers will attest lacks the power to chirp the tires when driving spiritedly. For those wanting a very inexpensive solution, keep reading. For fewer than 500 dollars you can transform your CRX HF into an all-motor beast that’s capable of running high 14’s.



The Setup:

For starters, you’ll want to find a DX head off of any Honda motor. Newer heads are better for the obvious reasons and they can be found everywhere. Look to spend no more than 50 dollars on a clean DX head. Next, search the local junkyards for a 4th Generation Si intake manifold. This should cost around 25 dollars, although friends with Honda’s will probably have a few lying around so this could be had for even less. Ideally you’ll want a CRX Si Distributor, CRX Si Ecu and CRX Si transmission for the setup, along with a timing belt the same year as the head. For example, if it’s a 95 DX head, you’ll want a 95 DX timing belt. Other belts will probably work, but its guaranteed to work if you use this setup, although you can match parts numbers to make sure everything is to OEM specs.

What Makes the Power:

Well, if you’ll remember the HF motor has an 8-valve head, which is great for fuel economy and miserable for performance. The 16-valve head will raise compression substantially creating a surprisingly powerful hybrid. Now, what kind of numbers can you expect from this setup? A friend of mine recently used a similar setup and put down 112, 109 to the wheels. With this type of power, look to be pulling on GSR’s, Civic Si’s and even the occasional unsuspecting Type R owner.



Conclusion:

Remember, this setup should cost no more than 500, and if you have a CRX Si parts car sitting around this should cost no more than 150. Using Si parts will yield the best parts but if you’re trying to keep a budget a DX transmission/ECU will work if their readily available. And the best part, when you blow up this motor you’ll have saved enough money to buy a ZC, D16Z or even B16A.