crx zc swap

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rocker

New Member
Im pretty much a noob when it comes to swaps. Was wondering what generation ZC is best to swap into my 1988 Crx Si or does it even matter? I believe i need a 1st generation Zc but not sure. Would appreciate any help.
 
if its a d series zc they will all go right in no problem it will bolt right up besides the driver mount will have to be swaped around with the stock motor
 
lol your right let me rephrase that all sohc zc will be a direct bolt up other than that mount i told you about
 
if its a d series zc they will all go right in no problem it will bolt right up besides the driver mount will have to be swaped around with the stock motor
The zc engine you will need is the 2 generation from a 88-91 civic with 129 hp. It will bolt using the stock mounts. Use your stock wiring harness with zc ecu that revs 7200 or get a d16a1 1987 ecu that revs up to 7500. My friend has this setup on his 91 civic and the car runs great.
 
Well arent 88-91, and a 2nd generation zc two diff engines? Ive been told 88-91 Civic Zc DOHC engines are the 1st generation and 92-95 Zc DOHC engines are the 2nd generation.
 
Well arent 88-91, and a 2nd generation zc two diff engines? Ive been told 88-91 Civic Zc DOHC engines are the 1st generation and 92-95 Zc DOHC engines are the 2nd generation.
DONT DO 2ND GEN! too much wiring to swap to 0bd1. Im not saying that it is a total pain in the ass and it couldnt be done, but it wouldnt be worth it. may as well stick with the first gen obd0/non-obd, whatever you wanna call it. I have a couple of them ecu's layin around too.
 
to set the record straight on DOHC ZCs:

there are essentially 4 generations of the DOHC ZC - the 1st gen ZCwas what is called the "browntop" and came out of the JDM 1st gen CRX Si and the JDM 3rd gen Civic Si - the 2nd gen ZC was essesntially the same engine and came out of the JDM Integras and had a black valve cover and electronic ignition timing (1st gen was vacuum advance) - both of these ZCs are basically the same as the USDM 86-87 (for the "browntop") and 88-89 (for the "blacktop") Integra D16A1 - these engines will bolt right into the 1st gen CRX and 3rd gen Civic, but not the 2nd gen CRX or 4th gen Civic - the 3rd gen ZC came in the JDM 2nd gen CRX Si and JDM 4th gen Civic Si - they have a different valve cover and mounts than the earlier ZCs - they are OBD0 will bolt right into the USDM 88-91 CRX and Civic - the 4th gen ZC is essentially the same as the 3rd gen, but is OBD1 and has the cylinder sensor in the distributor instead of on the end of the exhaust cam - has different throttle body and intake manifold - it came mostly in JDM 5th gen Civics and will bolt right into the USDM 5th gen Civic - it can be adapted to work in the 88-91 CRX and Civic - all DOHC ZCs are just stamped ZC, all are 1.6 liter and all have 130ps, which is equal to 128hp - there are no 137hp DOHC ZCs, despite what some engine sellers say

all of that said, most engine importers call the JDM DOHC ZC that is OBD0 and bolts right into the 4th gen Civic and 2d gen CRX a "1st gen ZC" and the one that is OBD1 and bolts into the 5th gen Civic a "2nd gen ZC" - if you are buying a ZC, don't order it by generation, tell them what car it is for
 
Use your stock wiring harness with zc ecu that revs 7200 or get a d16a1 1987 ecu that revs up to 7500.
the JDM ECU for the OBD0 DOHC ZC is the PM7 - it has fuel cut-off at 7500rpm - you can also use the USDM 88-89 Integra PG7 (not 86-87 Integra PG7, which controlled the 86-87 vacuum advance ignition and won't work with the 88 and later electronic ignition advance) which is essentially the same as the PM7 and also has fuel cut-off at 7500rpm - the PM7 has a speed limiter at about 112mph where the PG7 doesn't have a speed limiter - you can also use the CRX/Civic Si PM6 ECU, however, fuel cut-off on the PM6 is 7200rpm
 
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