B18C or B18B Auto into Auto 97 EJ6 Hatch

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El Chapin

New Member
Ok so obviously if anyone goes into any forum and just types anything similar to the title you'll know automatically that what I'm trying to accomplish here is pretty stupid and so far has been a pain to research on. And yes you are allowed to completely belittle my ideas and swap choice that's complete fine with me I didn't choose this swap because it was the most accepted. So I want to start with wiring issues and shifting issues. I HAVE NOT put in the motor or bought it yet I have the money but I want to ask a few questions so I know what's known and unknown. Also keep in mind that although I know people that own shops and they're kind enough to let me use their equipment I want to try and do this myself but getting a shop to do it isn't out of the question.

1. Has there been anyone that has shown complete proof of a complete working B18B or B18C auto swap into an 96-00 civic? Or do you know anyone that has had it done? If so which one was easier to get working? and if not which one do you guys think will be the easiest?

2. Usually getting it in is a task but relatively easy compared to the wiring issues, but no one specifically says what mounts and brackets, and they also don't say what kind of specific modifications they made. So if any of you know of any of those specifics I'd be very grateful.

3. Wiring, ok what harness or harnesses should I plan on experimenting with? I'm most likely going to try and find an engine with the dame OBD but nonetheless if I can't what conversion harness should I buy? Also how would you guys recommend i troubleshoot any wiring problems? Also, if I were to ever get it in my head that I should drop in more money into an automatic to make it handle a good amount of HP for a turbo, will I even be able to get the turbo working in my build?
 
Welcome to hondaswap, people do auto swaps every day and far as wiring stay same obd generation and its plug and play, and b18b vs b18c is do you want to spend $1000 on a swap or $1500 on a swap
 
Thanks for the welcome. But from what I've read it hasn't really been plug and play. But I don't know I've never seen or read the specifics of what kind of wiring they did. Also don't know what harness they used.
 
What part of if same obd generation and both auto cars harness is the same is hard to understand lol
 
Well it's hard to understand, to me, because I've asked on other places and no one has said that to me lol. So that may be the case but that's actually a first for me lol
 
Auto b-series in an EK is not easy.
B or C will effectively have the same auto issues.

If you can, and want to, going with a manual conversion is the easiest route to take. or, just sell the car for a manual one instead...

if you want to keep your car and automatic, you're in for a very difficult swap.
the tranny mount simply doesn't exist as there was never an automatic ek with a b-series. you will need to have this custom made ( $$$ and probably won't line up right...)
then, the tranny itself won't clear the frame rail, so you have to cut your frame to make it fit... more $$$ and a potential safety issue.


Then, you can't use a civic ecu... you'll have to use the integra one as the tranny is controlled differently, so you may run into immobilizer issues.


And then even if you get it to work proper, you still have a transmission that won't take more power. So, your turbo plans are shot. and it's only a 4 speed, so you'll suffer performance, and fuel mileage.

And if you have an exhaust, when you take off from a light, everyone else is laughing at your automatic :)



moral: swap it to a manual or start with a manual car instead. Way easier, less money, more reliable in the long run.
 
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If you can, and want to, going with a manual conversion is the easiest route to take. or, just sell the car for a manual one instead...

if you want to keep your car and automatic, you're in for a very difficult swap.
the tranny mount simply doesn't exist as there was never an automatic ek with a b-series. you will need to have this custom made ( $$$ and probably won't line up right...)
then, the tranny itself won't clear the frame rail, so you have to cut your frame to make it fit... more $$$ and a potential safety issue.


Then, you can't use a civic ecu... you'll have to use the integra one as the tranny is controlled differently, so you may run into immobilizer issues.


And then even if you get it to work proper, you still have a transmission that won't take more power. So, your turbo plans are shot. and it's only a 4 speed, so you'll suffer performance, and fuel mileage.

And if you have an exhaust, when you take off from a light, everyone else is laughing at your automatic :)



moral: swap it to a manual or start with a manual car instead. Way easier, less money, more reliable in the long run.

From what i gather immobilizers weren't implemented until the 2000's so getting an OBD 2 engine for the Hatch before 2000 and i should not run into that problem. I know that it doesn't fit and i understand that the frame rail has to be modded, but also to my understanding the auto B has been put in EG's and apparently the same mod has to be done but it HAS to be cut and not just hammered a bit in like the EK, also i stated before that i didn't choose this swap because it was the most accepted i know how much shit I'm going to get for having it lol. For the most part anything automatic in the Honda scene is completely trash from what i gather due to the week auto tranny, but I'm not thinking stock tranny here I'm talking about if I put money into it and beefed it up. Im not asking for any incredible numbers but if i swap in a B18b I'd like to get it to 250 whp. And that's even if it will be possible to even get the car shifting on its own. I know auto's aren't the best, go anywhere and you'll learn that pretty quick. Besides I'm here for information and hopefully advice on getting this swap done, not warnings and go back signs. Is this swap stupid? Yes, i thought i already established that in my first post. Does something being stupid, or stupidly expensive stop anyone from doing it? No, if it did most people wouldn't have the crazy setups and builds they do. I respect that you want to let me know that in advance but I've already heard it and read it quite a bit, i just want to do this swap, I have another car so i can spend as much time as i want on it, I just want to get it done. With or without turbo (preferably with turbo lol).
 
I agree with B.....Make it manual (or buy manual) or nothing at all. if the reason to stay auto is based on inability to drive a manual, learn or just stick to stock motor set up.

b18b vs b18c is do you want to spend $1000 on a swap or $1500 on a swap
Where can you get a swap that cheap? Maybe $1500-1800 for a B18B. I'm thinking motor, trans, ecu, axles, and I'm not sure about shifting linkage (never swapped an auto). Pretty sure a clean B18C1 swap is still around $3000
 
Meh usdm full swaps go local here for 1500 or less here on a regular basis private party sale im not talking about from jdm importer
 
I'm talking about Dismantler or Recycler prices with less than 125,000 miles. Motors that been in 4 different chassis and pissing oil go cheaper. 185,000 miles is (at best) a rebuild opportunity.
 
I'm talking about Dismantler or Recycler prices with less than 125,000 miles. Motors that been in 4 different chassis and pissing oil go cheaper. 185,000 miles is (at best) a rebuild opportunity.
You are correct 4/5 used usdm engines I bought ended with stacked rod bearings
 
I agree with B.....Make it manual (or buy manual) or nothing at all. if the reason to stay auto is based on inability to drive a manual, learn or just stick to stock motor set up.


Where can you get a swap that cheap? Maybe $1500-1800 for a B18B. I'm thinking motor, trans, ecu, axles, and I'm not sure about shifting linkage (never swapped an auto). Pretty sure a clean B18C1 swap is still around $3000
I can drive stick, but I got the idea of swapping in an auto into an auto and now I can't really just leave it alone. You ever had something like that? Kind of a disappointing feeling when you quit on an idea like that. I have a lot of time to do this and research so unless it is completely impossible to swap in an auto, I will keep researching. Manual swaps have basically been perfected to the point where there are guides on how to do them almost everywhere. So if push comes to shove I'll just swap in a manual. But an auto is what i want, in my area I've seen people sell their B18 swapped cars for about the same I got my hatch for $1000-1500. So again if I want one I'll just buy one. But I'm trying to do something that's rarely done but I think would be interesting to do.

Also the manual swaps for the B18s cost more than the automatic in terms of ecu, engine, and transmission. Obviously the amount of time one has to put into making the auto swap work is completely different. Manual would be easier and more expensive, auto would be less expensive and harder to pull off.

I appreciate the the warning signs but I'm dead set on doing this.
 
I figure if your dead set on it, B gave you some good tips. Wiring doesnt seem like a big issue but the rail and trans mount mod needs a solid fabricator. Good luck in the adventure.
 
I figure if your dead set on it, B gave you some good tips. Wiring doesnt seem like a big issue but the rail and trans mount mod needs a solid fabricator. Good luck in the adventure.

lol cmon guys we know this swap has a 0% chance of happening , A doubt kid can drive a stickshift B doubt kid has ever done a motor swap C if can afford to bu entire swap and pay fabrication kid would not be driving a 97 auto hatch ... lets be real here
Thanks if I pull it off I'll post it.

0% is a little too low even for me. I'd say probably 20% tops. And yes I can drive manual. It's not like it's my daily either. I have the time to put it in and the money. Besides it seemed like something worth trying to do. Maybe not to you or the whole Honda community but to me it seemed like something interesting to figure out.
 
Drive a manual transmission full B18C swapped EG or EK and I think you'll understand my perspective. Your swap idea is odd and that can be seen as interesting but it is borderline Honda Swap blasphemy (but maybe that's your motivation?) Especially when you think of mods/time/money. I been enjoying the Honda scene for almost 25 years (owned current Honda for over 20 years) and I simply don't see a worth while result with a Auto B swap.
 
I won't have any problem getting it in once I know what fits and what needs modding. The only thing I can say I can definitely do on my own is the fabricating of the tranny bracket and getting it to fit. Where I'm definitely stuck is the wiring I'm no good at it. So I have the mods down, at least the fabrication, the time, and money. Only thing is I want to research as much as I can. Double check, triple check. I'm really taking your advice into consideration here but like you said it's probably that Honda blasphemy of a swap that makes me want to do it. But blasphemy or not I'm just curious to be honest. If it all goes to the crapper I'll sell off the parts and work with what I got afterwards. Stupid venture? Of course.
 
Is there even a bseries vtec obd2 auto ecu ? lets see some pics of this hatch see what we are working with , if youre dead set on auto auto ls b18b1 will be best bet
 
There are automatic Sir-G (JdM gsr) b18c's. but they ecu-out at 113 kph or something rediculous.
 
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