73 Civic Build

Some of you guys might remember a post I did several years ago about my dad that got a 73 CVCC Civic that was built for SCCA Racing. Well the time has come where he's ready to sell it to me. He hasn't done much with it but it still runs fine. He isn't really into imports but more like WWII jeeps and stuff. Unfortunately the thread I made had pictures on photobucket and the account was deleted and all the pictures with it. I've got two and he's got some more I will post when I get them. As for plans, I'm getting the car at the end of November and I was thinking of probably getting a donor Integra B18A1 type for a full swap/conversion to fuel injection. Possibly turbo as well.

Remove the grill and put a huge exhaust tip on it.

I have always liked the older civics. I know this one will be built right.

The grill will only be removed for purposes pertaining to paint and/or swap fitment and then re-installed. The exhaust will be larger for the increased engine size/boost but not some 4 inch exhaust. Long story short, I've got the cash and it will be done right and look bad ass. On a side note I've just bought a 17 foot car trailer for $500 and I'm thinking of flipping cars. It needs some work but I've been getting things done here and there.

Anyone know where I can get a new fuel tank for a 1st gen Civic or what other tanks would fit? Preferably something that would have an in-tank fuel pump.

my gas tank was full of rust when I got it , I took a 4ft piece of chrome chain and dropped the tank and drained it , put the chain in the tank and shook the hell out of it for a good 30 mins on and off (literally almost polished the entire tank) theres no baffles in it or anything other than at the filler neck, and took wire brushes and scrubbed whatever did not get hit well, then re-sealed the tank from the stuff they have off the shelf at vatos zone, let it sit overnight, re-installed, and have not had a issue since, fuel filter isnt even getting dirty

Clearly modified by a jeep guy

He actually hasn't done much to it except some minor body work and primer, he is using a plastic boat fuel tank in the trunk for now because the stock one was just trashed and he didn't have the money or know where to get a new one.

So I've been doing a ton of digging trying to do some research on this so I have an idea of what needs to be done so I have a plan of attack. I've decided that I'm going to buy a truck instead of finding a donor car and I will use my 95 Civic DX as the donor car. I've been meaning to get a truck anyways. The reason being is from what I've read the B-series motors being physically bigger with the transmission would require a lot more modification and possibly reduced steering angles. I also would probably be able to use the stock axles on the 73 if I use a D-series setup. Since the car is a POS anyways, I got it for $700 and it's lasted a year already I don't mind using it as a donor. It's in good working running order with no mechanical issues it just needs a lot of cosmetic work done to it, paint, the ac system needs work and the list goes on. The issue I'm thinking of now is the fact that I want to keep the stock gauge cluster in the 73 but the speedometer is cable and the 95 has a vss. I'd like to keep the vss for the computer and also have the cable for the stock gauge but I'm not sure if they make a part like that. Any Ideas?

cant use stock axles , but yes d-series are more straight forward swaps, sweet that you already have a donor car also

Yea I've been getting mixed info about the axles. If I can somehow use the stock axles I will and if not I'll modify them to meet my needs. Right now with having an entire good donor car my only concerns are the axles and the speedometer. Everything else I've got covered. I was thinking turbo but I'll have to see how everything fits because one place I saw said there's not enough room for a standard turbo manifold which means more modification, YAY! The donor engine and transmission will be torn down and built back up to handle whatever I decide. Money isn't an issue with this build and I'm retired now so I've got all the time in the world. I'm hoping to have everything done well before summer so I can take it to some car shows around here.

Retired?

hondarin said:

Retired?

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Yep, medically retired from the U.S. Navy. I do odd jobs and handy man stuff here and there to keep busy.

Going to pick up a D16Z6 with a Y8 head that's got forged internals tomorrow. Not sure if I want to use the Y8 head or if I should use the D15B7 head since it's getting boosted. I'll probably change out some of the internals to get a different c/r. I've already got a non vtec OBD1 ecu with hondata s300 and of course all of the wiring from my donor civic.

whiterabbit06 said:

Yep, medically retired from the U.S. Navy. I do odd jobs and handy man stuff here and there to keep busy.

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I see. I was mainly curious because you are so young, but it's good that you are well enough to enjoy your retirement.

Also, good luck on the project! I hope to see it finished

I just picked up the D16Z6 with the Y8 head for $250. The guy even threw in a Garrett T3 turbo for free, .42 cold .48 hot, and the manifold with wastegate along with some other misc things. I'll probably replace the wastegate and maybe the manifold too because I'm not sure what they are.

So it looks like I'm going to be replacing the internals. It doesn't have the internals I'm looking for to give me a 9.2:1 c/r. I just ordered a crank, forged h beam rods and cp pistons. The block is bored out to 75.5 mm as my micrometer reads and I'll be using the d15b7 head.

what are your plans for electronics ? staying obd1 ?

Yep, staying OBD1. I've got the harness in the donor and the OBD1 ecu that's got a Hondata S300 installed. I still haven't gotten the car here, not until the end of November. I'm planning on just adding the wiring I need for the engine and leaving the stock wiring where it is. I'm gonna try to adapt modern speedometer and tachometer gauges into the stock cluster, I'll have to look at them when I get the car and measure physical sizes.

Ordered an Innovative hydro to cable conversion kit for the transmission, AEM tru time cam gear, ARP bolts and studs, 6 puck clutch kit and 8lb flywheel. I'll be tearing down the D15B7 in the next week or so whenever I get the time and motivation. I've decided to go with the B7 head on the D16Z6 block and internals to get a 9.15:1 c/r. I would like to get the engine built and ready to drop in when I get the 73.

find a sohc zc cam ,and IIRC like all 88-95 16v single cam non-vtec d-series heads are the same casting ( soo your CR will stay the same) the cam is what makes the difference , or a d16a6 cam (toned down zc cam)