Need Help ID'ing this 88 Civic

We may earn a small commission from affiliate links and paid advertisements. Terms

Katmandu

New Member
I'm new to Civics and reading all the nomenclature is overwhelming to a newb.

I'm looking at maybe snagging this 88 Civic up and need help in further IDing the true model and engine/tranny #s.

I haven't yet inspected it in person, only thru Emails.

The owner says it's a CRX (not) with a 1.5L engine and 4 speed tranny. He also says it has around 200k miles and has a broken speedo meter cable.

It's supposed to run and drive just fine.

He's asking $700.

BTW, the interior/seats are shot.

Here's some pics.

100_2435.jpg
100_2438.jpg

100_2440.jpg

100_2439.jpg
 
My research shows the engine as a 92HP D15B2. ??

How many miles can these engine realistically go ??

What''s are the gear ratios for this 4-speed tranny ?
 
Holy shit dude, the interior on that thing is beat! With 200k miles on it and a broken speedometer I'd probably pass and look for something cleaner...

Are you wanting it as a project, or a daily driver?
 
if its a stock 4 speed its a civic std, with a d15b1
 
Yeah I would look for something cleaner than that for sure, that thing is beat. My parts car is in better shape than that. You can find EF's (88-91 Civics and CRX's) in decent shape for that price in way better shape. IS the body rusted to hell or is it just the interior that has seen better days.
 
IS the body rusted to hell or is it just the interior that has seen better days.
I know it. The body is actually not to bad.

I'm looking for a commuter car. I drive (60) miles/day and currently drive a 98 Dodge Ram 2500 w/Cummins Turbo-Diesel. It gets (20) MPG.

My 98 Ram 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel


I also have a "garage queen" 91 Mustang GT Convertible.

My 91 GT Convertible

I'm thinking of selling the Vert and buying something a lot better than this 88. :rolleyes:

Not sure which way to go at this point. The truck is a lifetime keeper. The Vert is a toy that's expendable. Can't have everything. Can we ?? :cool:
 
If the engine is a D15B2 (read the block code on the passenger side of the engine where it mates to the transmission), then it's very possible that the engine was replaced at some point during the car's life if it is a STD model. If the car is a DX model, then that means that the 5 speed transmission was swapped out to a 4 speed. That's less likely. A swap to the D15B2 is very likely since those engines were pretty much everywhere. If you popped the hood on an 88 Civic, that was the most common engine.

As far as the engine's life, it can make it quite far. My wife's made it to 160k before it gave up, and she REALLY beat on it. You can replace the engine with a D16A6 or SOHC ZC from the higher model Civics (they rate between 106-120hp) and still get 40-50mpg on the highway. They're very cheap too.

If you're just looking for a commuter car, what you have isn't bad. It needs some work, but I doubt you care about show car looks, right? Strip the interior, drop in a Corbeau seat on a custom bracket (pretty cheap), and have Maaco paint it black. The speedometer cable is fairly easy to replace.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide!
 
Definitely a STD. Doesn't have that plastic piece around the shifter(IIRC, the DX does), and the STD is the only one with a 4-speed.

I'd offer $400 or $500...otherwise, skip it or offer even less and just fix it up with what you've saved. It's probably been beat to shit.
 
Ah, and the one mirror... although I think the DX was available like that too.
 
Back
Top