EF Suspension Crossmembers

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jmr302

Junior Member
I've got a '91 hatch with a B16A swap that I'm converting to manual steering. This required swapping the suspension crossmember because the racks are so different. Unfortunately it appears that the junkyard crossmember I picked up (from an '88) puts the mount slightly forward of where it was. The result ishttp://jmr302.com/honda/Civic rear mount mismatch 1sm.jpg this. Here'shttp://jmr302.com/honda/Civic rear mount mismatch 2sm.jpg a close up.

I tried prying on the engine to move it forward slightly, but it's just too far off. I didn't have this problem with the old '91 power steering crossmember. The mount bolt came out easily by hand so it wasn't under a bunch of pressure from misalignment or anything.

So I guess I'm looking for confirmation here that the crossmembers between '88-'89 and '90-'91 are different. Anyone know for sure? Or are they different depending on Si vs DX/HF?

Thanks
 
did the hatch come with the b16 in there already because I have never really heard of a motor going in there with out moving the motor mount or useing some custom made one... if your using the the stock motor mounts from the motor then thats your problem... if you do happen to get it to fit im willing to bet that your going to have alot of steering wheel movement and are going to eat up your cv shafts with the majority of the suspension...
 
Yeah, my '91 hatch had already been converted when I bought it. I unbolted the mount that was on the old power steering crossmember and bolted it onto the manual steering crossmember. It's definitely not a stock mount; the rubber is very hard and says 'Place Racing' on it. Oddly enough I have a stock mount and it looks the same except for the rubber material.

Maybe you're on to something.

Does anyone have pics of a stock mount next to a swap mount?
 
I'll be damned. I did a Google Image search and found that the Place Racing rear mount looks different than the one I have. Hmmmm. How in the hell did this ever work in this car?
 
Some of the swap mounts you have to pound the lip down on that crossmember. Look at the old one and see if it has the lip pounded down on it.
 
Some of the swap mounts you have to pound the lip down on that crossmember. Look at the old one and see if it has the lip pounded down on it.

It's got enough room that I can get a pry bar between the trans and the crossmember. Thanks for the suggestion though.
 
that's how the bracket will fit if you have it bolted to the engine/trans, try loosening the bolts for the bracket (keep the mount bolted down though) and pull up on the intake manifold so that the engine rocks forward. the hole will get close enough to get a screwdriver or a smaller bolt in there to straighten it out. good luck.
 
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