Honda RWD V6 the hard way| Builds and Project Cars forum |

PseudoMechanic
6/25/19 10:39 p.m.

I decided to build a 1983 Honda Civic the way Honda might have built a factory works rally car.

I started with an Acura TL 3.2 v6 and cut the entire front end off the TL. Then I cut the rear floor and wheel wells out of the civic. I grafted the Acura TL subframe and front chassis into the rear of the civic.

Then I added structural box sections for support. Here’s a video of the first part of the build.

Honda Civic RWD j32 swap Part 1- humble beginnings
https://youtu.be/aT3sRZd851A

PseudoMechanic New Reader
6/25/19 10:51 p.m.

The civic front suspension is inadequate for motorsports. It had a strut as the upper link of the suspension McPherson style. I like the idea of control arms and the selection in springs in the new Hondas so I decide to get rid of the entire front of the civic. This has two positive benefits; first I can lengthen the wheelbase for better high speed stability and I can use any newer style suspension I might want.

So I opted for a front cut from a 1998 Integra GSR.

Orienting this in 3D space in the driveway without any rear measuring tools was not as difficult as it looks.

PseudoMechanic New Reader
6/25/19 11:01 p.m.

After I had the front where I wanted it I had to attach it firmly to the car. The original plan was to leave as much of the civic firewall as possible and tie the integra frame rails to the civic. That did not work with because the civic steering rack’s location is incompatible with the integra subframe.

So so I cut and chopped and made some panels to connect the car and the new front chassis section. Here are some videos of this:

Civic RWD Mid Engine Part 6.2- out with the old
https://youtu.be/dSxOju3zOsU

Civic RWD Mid Engine Part 7- More Destruction is INTEGRA-L to the plan
https://youtu.be/IZVGIz1M6xQ

Civic RWD Mid Engine Part 8- Chop Suey!
https://youtu.be/ZNXW4dycYFo

Civic RWD mid engine Part 9- Welding on an integra front end
https://youtu.be/46R4Sok_Ao8

Civic RWD Mid Engine part 10- Metal Fabrication
https://youtu.be/scD1YpM12W8

Civic RWD 11- How to make a hole whole
https://youtu.be/NNy1oRgUJes

spacecadet HalfDork
6/25/19 11:07 p.m.

Cool!

PseudoMechanic New Reader
6/27/19 9:21 a.m.

Honda most likely did not intend to make an Acura TL with a manual transmission when they started the line up. The clutch master cylinder is located above the pedal and the reservoir is in the engine bay. The civic was an automatic so I had to build a bracket to hold the master cylinder and pedal and attach it to the car.

Floating Doc SuperDork
6/27/19 10:00 a.m.

I usually browse the GRM forum on my phone. This seriously impressive thread is going to need my full attention and my laptop.

Welcome to the forum!

onemanarmy Reader
6/27/19 10:10 a.m.

Why did you cut the rear fenders off of that pristine little car?

PseudoMechanic New Reader
7/1/19 8:59 a.m.

In reply to onemanarmy :

I cut the fenders because the Acura lt front chassis is about 10 inches wider than the civic. The 1983 civic has junky trailing arms and disc brakes on the rear stock and I did not want to use any of its suspension. The car is going to be about a 12” wider than stock. I will build some new fenders with a stock style wheel arch.

PseudoMechanic New Reader
7/1/19 9:01 a.m.

Test fittting an Eaton M122 Shelby GT500 supercharger. I’m going to make this work with a water to air intercooler.

PseudoMechanic New Reader
7/1/19 9:05 a.m.

In reply to onemanarmy :

In this photo you can see how wide the back of the car is even with the stock 6.5” Acura TL wheels. The original tires where 22” tall and I am going to use 26” tall tires. Most likely I will run a 16x9.5 wheel or possibly an 18x9.5.

MadScientistMatt PowerDork
7/1/19 4:06 p.m.

This is starting to look like what might have happened in an alternate universe where the Group B arms race went on for several more years. Can't wait to see the final result.