transmission differences and cv boots

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Are there any ways to differentiate between different transmissions with the same name? I have a '89 crx si with a dohc zc swap and am unsure of what transmission it has. I know its an L3 but i dont know if it is from the si or the integra the motor came from. Is there any way of telling without completely taking it apart?

More importantly, and the reason im asking, is that my left cv boot is torn and the guy tried to replace the axle, but said he couldnt find an axle that would fit(said he even tried one for an 89 crx si). Should it matter what the transmission is if they are both L3s or does the different gear ratios and final drive of the different transmissions matter for which axle is used?
 
all 88-91 CRX/Civic transmissions are L3 - some of the 91s are labeled SL3, but is the same as the L3 - the ZC transmission is a little different (still labeled L3) in that it uses an intermedate axle shaft on the driver's side and uses the axles the same as 90-93 Integra with larger diameter splines on the CV joint that fits into the transmission - the outer CV joint fits the DX and Si hubs - if your car has unequal length axles (driver's side longer and axle goes right into the transmission, then it is not a ZC (unless someone had custom axles made) and will use the stock 88-91 DX/LX/EX/Si axles
 
just reread ypur post and it says it has a DOHC ZC, but also says it came from an Integra - the DOHC ZC that fits the 88-91 CRX/Civic did not come from an Integra - the Integra had a D16A1 engine which is not the same as a ZC - is your engine a ZC or a D16A1? not that it matters as far as axles since you said the transmission was an L3, but just want to keep the record straight - the OBD0 DOHC ZC came in the 88-91 JDM CRX/Civic Si models
 
all 88-91 CRX/Civic transmissions are L3 - some of the 91s are labeled SL3, but is the same as the L3 - the ZC transmission is a little different (still labeled L3) in that it uses an intermedate axle shaft on the driver's side and uses the axles the same as 90-93 Integra with larger diameter splines on the CV joint that fits into the transmission - the outer CV joint fits the DX and Si hubs - if your car has unequal length axles (driver's side longer and axle goes right into the transmission, then it is not a ZC (unless someone had custom axles made) and will use the stock 88-91 DX/LX/EX/Si axles

So, the only way to tell which transmission I have is if the axles are equal/unequal length, correct? Unequal = not ZC and Equal = ZC, right?

I'm assuming its not the stock transmission since the mechanic said he tried the stock axles, but the guy i bought it from never made any mention of the transmission being different from stock...


just reread ypur post and it says it has a DOHC ZC, but also says it came from an Integra - the DOHC ZC that fits the 88-91 CRX/Civic did not come from an Integra - the Integra had a D16A1 engine which is not the same as a ZC - is your engine a ZC or a D16A1? not that it matters as far as axles since you said the transmission was an L3, but just want to keep the record straight - the OBD0 DOHC ZC came in the 88-91 JDM CRX/Civic Si models

Are you sure that ZCs dont also come from JDM Integras? I've heard both JDM Integra and the JDM CRX/Civic SI as being where the ZCs come from and was unclear which it was. The engine list in the reference section even has JDM Integras as having ZCs.
 
Are you sure that ZCs dont also come from JDM Integras? I've heard both JDM Integra and the JDM CRX/Civic SI as being where the ZCs come from and was unclear which it was. The engine list in the reference section even has JDM Integras as having ZCs.
the JDM Integras 86-89 did come with a DOHC ZC, however, these ZC engines will not bolt into the 88-91 CRX/Civic - they will, however, bolt into the 84-87 CRX/Civic - they are not the same engine, not even close - the Integra DOHC ZCs are basically the same as engine as the USDM 86-89 Integra D16A1
 
But if all you need is the boot, you don't need to replace the whole axle unless the universal bearings are toast.

You can find CV boots at any decent parts store. They also should have universals for your application that can be installed without removing the spindle.
 
the JDM Integras 86-89 did come with a DOHC ZC, however, these ZC engines will not bolt into the 88-91 CRX/Civic - they will, however, bolt into the 84-87 CRX/Civic - they are not the same engine, not even close - the Integra DOHC ZCs are basically the same as engine as the USDM 86-89 Integra D16A1

Alright, thanks for clearing that up.

So the correct axle to use for the ZC transmission would be from a 90-93 Integra, right?
 
But if all you need is the boot, you don't need to replace the whole axle unless the universal bearings are toast.

You can find CV boots at any decent parts store. They also should have universals for your application that can be installed without removing the spindle.

Yes, but I've heard that if you have a tear in the boot and it's leaking, it is best to just replace the whole axle(and that its easier to do) since youve lost a lot of the grease and all. Also, the mechanic tried to replace to axle since he was in the middle of replacing the ball joints and was right there anyways.
 
Alright, thanks for clearing that up.

So the correct axle to use for the ZC transmission would be from a 90-93 Integra, right?
that is correct - the Integra axles are different between left side and right side, so you need to be sure you get the correct one - does it have the ZC transmission with intermediate shaft?
 
that is correct - the Integra axles are different between left side and right side, so you need to be sure you get the correct one - does it have the ZC transmission with intermediate shaft?

Thats the problem, I am unsure of what transmission it has. The guy i bought it from never mentioned if the transmission was swapped when the motor was or if the stock transmission was left in. I'm assuming its not the stock transmission since the mechanic couldn't use stock axles, but I don't know, which is why i was asking how to tell the difference between the L3 transmissions
 
Alright, after going out and looking(without actually getting under the car) it appears that the axles are equal length, from what i could see from above. Since i have no experience with working on cars, let me just make sure ive got this right... the intermediate shaft is pretty much like an extension of the axle, right? As in: the axle goes over and instead of going directly into the transmission it connects to the intermediate shaft, which in turn connects to the transmission.

Now, since I'm pretty sure its a ZC transmission, i would need a 90-93 Integra axle, but, would i need a new intermediate shaft? Just checking to make sure it doesnt need to be replaced along with the axle.

Also, going with what HumbleGumbo said: would it be easier/cheaper to replace the whole axle or just the cv boot? Is it better to replace the axle since there has been increased wear due to tear in the boot/leaking grease, or would it be fine to just do the cv boot?
 
let me just make sure ive got this right... the intermediate shaft is pretty much like an extension of the axle, right? As in: the axle goes over and instead of going directly into the transmission it connects to the intermediate shaft, which in turn connects to the transmission.
that is correct

Now, since I'm pretty sure its a ZC transmission, i would need a 90-93 Integra axle, but, would i need a new intermediate shaft? Just checking to make sure it doesnt need to be replaced along with the axle.
that is correct - just make sure you get the correct axle for the side that needs replacing

Also, going with what HumbleGumbo said: would it be easier/cheaper to replace the whole axle or just the cv boot? Is it better to replace the axle since there has been increased wear due to tear in the boot/leaking grease, or would it be fine to just do the cv boot?
i would just replace the entire axle - the universal boots that can be installed without removing the axle won't last very long - it is a boot that is split down the side and goes together kind of like a Zip-loc plastic bag and is installed with clamps similar to hose clamps - unless you remove the axle, disassemble it and install the boot like it was originally, you will have problems with it in a short amount of time
 
the universal boots that can be installed without removing the axle won't last very long

True, true. But if the cv joint isn't making any noise and hasn't been exposed to the elements very long, it would still be way cheaper to buy the stock OE replacement boot and some grease rather than the whole axle.

If money is not a problem for you, then changing the axle is not that much more difficult than changing the stock boot.

Let me just clarify, the universal boots are the easiest and cheapest to replace, but do not last long (especially under "spirited driving")...stock OEM type boots are a little more difficult to replace, but still cheaper than the axle. Replacing the whole axle, as others have suggested, is the best and longest lasting repair.

If you plan on driving your car while you figure out which axle you need, you might want to spring for the universal split-type boot which will last plenty long enough.
 
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