Mounted Up

Utilizing the factory engine mounts is not an option when swapping from a D-to- B-series engine. However, the aftermarket offers plenty of mount options to fit just about every budget and performance requirement. For our CR-X, we opted for the Hasport 88-91 Civic/CR-X B-series cable transmission mount kit (p/n EFB1). This kit features three billet aluminum mounts, polyurethane inserts and all new hardware. Since it’s tough to access the bolts for the rear mount with the engine in, we tightened up the rear mount in place before dropping in the engine. Aafter lining up and securing the rear mount, the le and right mounts can be installed.

The three-piece Hasport mount kit retains the left, right and rear mounting locations. With the increased rigidity due to the polyurethane inserts, a front mount is not really necessary.

Although the D-series engine employs four engine mounts, the B-series has five. But the two lower mounts intended to bolt to the frame spars are not used in the case of the older Civics and CR-X. We took this opportunity to upgrade from the factory front tension rod and crossmember setup to a much more robust traction bar from Full-Race Motorsports. Unlike the factory tension rods that use rubber bushings, the Full-Race traction bar uses spherical bearing end links and a double-nut design for easy adjustment of caster. This traction bar setup is designed to work seamlessly with the Hasport mounts, ensuring no clearance issues between the tension rod and crankshaft pulley. Installation of the traction bar required us to slightly modify the factory lower radiator mounts and to fabricate a bracket to fit the OEM full-size radiator. Full-Race also offers a half-size aluminum radiator that fits perfectly with its traction bar.

With the engine and transmission in, the remaining hard parts could be installed. Since the HF comes with smaller front knuckles and axles, we upgraded to 90-93 Integra front knuckles to accept the larger splined B-series axles. Since our swap had axles with torn boots and worn CV joints, we upgraded to a set of Level 2.9 Axles (p/n HY3990X2 and HY3991X2) from The Driveshaft Shop rated for 475 horsepower. These drop in with the required 90-93 Integra manual transmission intermediate shaft.

The spherical joints used in the radius rods do not allow for any sloppy movement commonly exhibited by flexible rubber bushings.

Since the Full-Race traction bar requires removal of the factory lower radiator mounts, we had to come up with a radiator mounting solution. This simple offset bracket does the trick.

These Level 2.9 axles from The Driveshaft Shop feature a solid torsional center bar, chromoly spline plug and high grade ball and cage inner housings suited for lowered and swapped cars.