Custom Project - DSM motor to RWD in a Honda

colin edge · Post by **colin edge** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 6:52 pm

Sounds like a bastard of a combination eh? Well, it is. It's also going to utilize an entire Cressida rear suspension. Either way, please read on.

I am brand spanking new to this whole RWD DSM motor thing and good gracious there are tons of confusing numbers. Honda stuff to me is a breeze, learning this is getting confusing because I probably don't need to know most of it.

I am putting a custom RWD set-up together and I can't use my Honda motor anymore. So, in order for me to transfer my turbo manifold and turbo setup I am going to use a DSM engine. I am trying to figure out what is the best (read: cheapest) way to create this combo.

I do not want to put a huge amount at first into this, I'd like parts that can be upgraded later. If I get this all together and something goes terribly wrong, I don't want to be out thousands.

So, in closing (haha), I'd like a simplified swap that will use the standard 4g63 cylinder head (for the exhaust ports) that will also use a RWD transmission with an easy to find combination.

Sorry if this is all confusing, just imagine how I feel. Pllllllllease help!

Colin

colin edge · Post by **colin edge** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:53 pm

MadScientistMatt wrote:Two basic questions.

1. Manual or automatic?
2. Do you want an engine that bolts to an off the shelf transmission, or are you willing to take apart multiple engines to create a hybrid motor?

1. Manual only please!

2. I would prefer a simple swap. Off the shelf stuff preferably, basic adapter plate would be fine. I would like to avoid a custom bellhousing or 3 motors into one. I also really need to use the standard 4g63 cylinder head as I know for sure that my manifold is compatible.

Post by **DJpowerHaus** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:56 pm

How much money are you going to spend trying to reuse those manifolds? Those must be some manifolds.

Colin Edge... Colin Edge.... why does this name sound so familiar to me?

colin edge · Post by **colin edge** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:09 pm

DJpowerHaus wrote:How much money are you going to spend trying to reuse those manifolds? Those must be some manifolds.

Colin Edge... Colin Edge.... why does this name sound so familiar to me?

The exhaust manifold is a custom one off using a Holset HX35 with a custom placed Tial 44mm wastegate. It will fit the 4g63 (at least) because it shares an almost identical port and stud configuration to the Honda engine it was built for. The old setup was using a DSM 1g manifold modified to fit the head with no issues at all.

I'm a member of Lookout as well, and I think we've met in person once or twice. I know good old Matt Martin and his goofy self.

V.I.R. 3.29.08 ????

Post by **DJpowerHaus** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:24 pm

No drifting for me for a while. I'm saving up to travel April 23st- Sept 17rd.

colin edge · Post by **colin edge** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:14 am

DJpowerHaus wrote:No drifting for me for a while. I'm saving up to travel April 23st- Sept 17rd.

Bummer, I'm hoping that this project gets a chance to slide and wreck this season, we will see I guess.

Anyone able to help clarify some of my questions?

jeffball610 · Post by **jeffball610** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:56 pm

A lot of this depends on what car you're putting this stuff into and the driving purpose of the vehicle. Obviously you want to drift whatever Honda you're building. You mentioned the Cressida rear end. I always thought the 4th and 5th Generation Preludes (92+) would be nice RWD cars.

The cheapest way to do this is get a turbo long block, ECU and wiring harness. Get a Mighty Max/D50 transmission and motor mounts. Bolt together and go from there. Another option is to get one of Bill's bellhousings and put a Toyota transmission that will hold up to drifting behind it. If you really want a strong motor/tranny combo, then get a wide block 4G63 (G54b) build it and put the Mazda B2600 bellhousing on a RX7 Turbo trans on it. You can get lots of JDM gear options for that trans and it should do very well in drifting. There's lots of options. Spend some time reading and searching the posts here. It will also give you some ideas as to what you might want to do with your project.

colin edge · Post by **colin edge** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 5:10 pm

jeffball610 wrote:A lot of this depends on what car you're putting this stuff into and the driving purpose of the vehicle. Obviously you want to drift whatever Honda you're building. You mentioned the Cressida rear end. I always thought the 4th and 5th Generation Preludes (92+) would be nice RWD cars.

The cheapest way to do this is get a turbo long block, ECU and wiring harness. Get a Mighty Max/D50 transmission and motor mounts. Bolt together and go from there. Another option is to get one of Bill's bellhousings and put a Toyota transmission that will hold up to drifting behind it. If you really want a strong motor/tranny combo, then get a wide block 4G63 (G54b) build it and put the Mazda B2600 bellhousing on a RX7 Turbo trans on it. You can get lots of JDM gear options for that trans and it should do very well in drifting. There's lots of options. Spend some time reading and searching the posts here. It will also give you some ideas as to what you might want to do with your project.

Great post. By turbo longblock, you mean the regular 1g/2g Eclipse/Talon engine assembly correct? I have a lead on an entire parts car that I may try to pick up and see how long it'll last before being built. Because it is such a custom project, I'm trying to avoid a lot of up front money just in case it takes a turn for the worse or something goes wrong, etc.

Post by **DJpowerHaus** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:46 pm

colin edge wrote: Great post. By turbo longblock, you mean the regular 1g/2g Eclipse/Talon engine assembly correct? I have a lead on an entire parts car that I may try to pick up and see how long it'll last before being built. Because it is such a custom project, I'm trying to avoid a lot of up front money just in case it takes a turn for the worse or something goes wrong, etc.

Commit or don't commit.

colin edge · Post by **colin edge** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 7:18 am

DJpowerHaus wrote:
Commit or don't commit.

Yea yea, I have limited DSM knowledge and that's what scares me. The RWD conversion thing has a whole different world with it, haha.

jeffball610 · Post by **jeffball610** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:21 am

Yes, by long block I mean the entire engine assembly. You will probably want a 1G wiring harness since it doesn't bother with all the emissions stuff like the 2G with the OBD-II diagnostics and stuff. I am currently building a 2G motor with a 1G head and wiring harness. The motor mounts are the same, so the swap is pretty much the same as if you used an entire 1G motor.

Thanks for correcting the wideblock engine number. I'd hate to be giving out false info.

Don't be intimidated by the DSM motor. It's actually really simple. Make sure you bookmark web pages like VFAQ.com and other DSM forums. The VFAQ is the most important site you'll need along with a DSM service manual.