Always in Check
Although almost every gauge cluster comes with a temperature gauge, the factory temp needle in the CR-X would cut in and out intermittently depending on the vehicle’s mood. Some days, it’d read hot, other days, it’d hang below the bottom. Whatever the case may be, installing the proper gauges to monitor engine vitals was definitely necessary. Since we’ll be testing camshafts and other power adders, having an accurate reading of both pressures and temperatures can help us avoid a potential blown engine before it actually happens.
A trio of gauges from STACK help keep an eye on important readings such as oil temperature, oil pressure and water temperature.
For the CR-X, we chose a set of 52mm Professional Stepper Motor Analog gauges from STACK. This line of gauges features a 270-degree full-sweep movement, solid- state sensors, better than two-percent accuracy and a fast, smooth stepper motor needle drive. The CR-X never came equipped with an oil pressure or temperature gauge, so we added those two parameters to ensure proper engine warm-up and operation. The water gauge replaces the tempermental factory unit with a more accurate and easier-to-read unit.
The STACK gauges utilize stainless-steel PSIG sensors and brass temperature sensors for accurate readings of engine vitals. We opted to install a sandwich plate between the oil filter and the engine block to add the necessary NPT ports.
It’s BAR Time
With the engine swapped in and all of the electronics hooked up properly, the next step for the CR-X is for it to pay a visit to the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) referee. Once it passes the B.A.R. inspection, the B17A1 will become a legal engine in the engine bay of our CR-X. From then on, we won’t have to have to worry about getting popped for an engine swap.
In order to pass the BAR, the vehicle needs to meet visual inspection standards and pass a simple smog check that sniffs the exhaust fumes. Passing the BAR test grants the vehicle a BAR label or engine change label issued by the state referee that consists of the chassis type and VIN of the vehicle (1989 Honda CR-X HF), and the modifications made (in this case, a replacement engine from a 1992 Acura Integra GS-R, 1.7L). Unlike vehicle registration and licenses, this sticker does not expire. The label remains in effect when transferring ownership of the vehicle and allows smog stations to verify the legality of the engine swap made.
Although the B17A1 may have destroyed the D15B6 on the dyno, it still only produces 150 wheel horsepower. In the meantime, we have some plans lined up to test a custom header and exhaust on the vehicle to see how many naturally-aspirated ponies we can extract out of the B17A1. After that, we’ll likely tune the car and get some camshafts tested on the engine to see who’s grind delivers the most power per dollar. When’s that going to happen, you ask? Well, stay tuned.
| Price List: | |
|---|---|
| ACT Heavy Duty Performance Street Sprung Clutch (p/n AI3-HDSS) | $580.16 |
| ACT XACT Flywheel Streetlite (p/n 600110) | $207.90 |
| Full-Race Motorsports Honda Civic/CR-X ProStreet Traction Bar | $379.00 |
| Hasport 88-91 Civic/CR-X B-Series Cable Transmission Mount Kit (p/n EFB1) | $333.00 |
| Hasport EF B-Series AC Bracket (p/n EFBAC) | $199.00 |
| Hasport 88-91 Civic/CR-X B-Series Shi ft Linkage (p/n EFBLINK) | $149.00 |
| RC Engineering Injector Cleaning Service | $96.00 |
| Rywire OBD0 [MPFI] to OBD1 Conversion Package (p/n ECU-0-1-PKG) | $189.00 |
| STACK Oil Pressure Analog w/ Stepper Motor (0-100PSI) (p/n ST3302) | $225.00 |
| STACK Water Temp Analog w/ Stepper Motor (0-260F) (p/n ST3308) | $170.00 |
| STACK Oil Temp Analog w/ Stepper Motor (0-280F) (p/n ST3310) | $170.00 |
| The Drivesha Shop Civic/CR-X B-Series Cable Level 2.9 Axles | $799.99 |
| TOTAL | $3,498.05 |
| DSPORT Street Price | $2,973.34~ $3,148.25 |