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classicJackets' First Engine Swap

classicJackets

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 26, 2014
Messages
448
Location
SE Michigan
Hey guys, been on here a few months now and have enjoyed spending my money to impress you all and my time to learn from you. I haven't been able to give anything back yet and probably still won't, but I'd love to steal some more ideas from you guys.

*Background, feel free to skip*

I bought this 1983 Honda Civic Wagon in January. 172k miles and I'm the second owner. It sat at my parents house while I was at college spring semester. Got it back up there and drove it all summer and then this past fall, too. Put on about 6k miles and got up to 45mpg on the interstate, although with 67 hp (in 1983) I wasn't going fast. From the first time I drove the car I knew that wasn't going to cut it.
I've been into cars as long as I can remember, but I'm the only one in my family. I've accumulated a decent amount of tools over the last 4 years.

During the spring while the car sat, I kept my eyes peeled for a parts car for an engine swap. Found a 1987 Nissan Pulsar SE on Craiglist for $375. Hasn't run in 4 years but it's all there. Bought it.

Sat for a few months until I had time to pull the engine in July. Went to work in South Carolina for the fall semester and didn't do much but drive the Honda. Got back home the 12th and got to work the 13th. I have until the 4th

Huge thank you to Scott (sbosecker) for letting me borrow his engine hoist and saving me a bunch of money there.

Pictures will catch you up to where I am now.
















Nissan Wiring


Bigger Brakes


Here's where I'm at now.


There's some silver under there!



So: In the next fewer than 2 weeks, Ideally I will get mounts made and the wiring done. I'm degreasing the engine and transmission this afternoon so I can handle it easier the next few days while I place it and take it back out.

After that, I'll have to come home from time to time spring semester to rebuild the engine so I can drop it back in and go by May, when I have to go back to work in South Carolina. Anyway, looking for comments and I'm sure I'll be asking for help once I get a little more done.

Doug
 
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bad_idea

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 11, 2011
Messages
4,335
Location
Pasquotank, NC
A Nissan engine in a Honda? I don't get it. I'm a Camaro man myself, no replacement for displacement and all that. Long story short, I am ignorant to imports. Why the Nissan engine?
 

87FoRunner

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 18, 2012
Messages
419
Location
Memphissippi
CA18 are compact and rev pretty high. Should be a pretty fun car.


A b16 may be more fun but cost much more up front.
 
OP
C

classicJackets

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 26, 2014
Messages
448
Location
SE Michigan
^^87 is right, and wrong :) the engine is actually the smaller CA16. Still has a redline at about 7k
I went with the Nissan partially because I really prefer/like Nissans, but mainly because the price was right. I'm still in college and don't have a consistent disposable income.
Bad.idea, I am increasing displacement by a whopping .1 liters, but should about double the power up to 120ish hp. Still not much but the original curb weight is under 2100lbs so it should be pretty quick.
 
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Buckgnarly

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 8, 2010
Messages
7,654
Location
VT
Oh man, we had that car back in high school....82 IIRC, same dull silver color, but it was a two door with the Hondamatic trans! We used to cut school and drive to the Jersey shores. 45+ miles to the gallon before it was cool to get high MPG, gas was under a buck a gallon, and that little engine would scream the whole way down the Jersey Turnpike! Oh the memories with old "Bondo".....you can guess how it got that name!
 
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