Honda EW engine performance

A friend of mine just bought an '87 CRX Si, with the EW engine. I know little about Hondas, but from what I can tell, this is kind of an orphan motor compared to the D- and B-series motors, even though it apparently made decent power stock and came in a lot of cars. Friend is building a rallycross/fun street car, and wants more power. He wants to get the car to a sub 6 second 0-60 time, which I guestimated at 160-170 whp.

I've been pushing him towards a D-series swap, either N/A with VTEC and a cam, which should come close to his goal, or turboed (which will make his goal pretty easily). He likes the idea of a B16, but he set a budget of approximately $2,000 for upgrades. Is the EW motor upgradable? Does anyone sell parts for it anymore? If not, what's the peanut gallery think his best cheap option would be to hit the horsepower goal?

An n/a D-series is probably the worst possible choice you could make for this goal.

An "LS-Vtec" is what you're looking for. Start shopping and you can do it for cheap!

Turbo D-Series will be the quickest and simplest.

B16 swap would probably get you there easiest and close to your budget.

You can also swap a first gen integra engine into this chassis pretty easily. These were between 118 and 130 hp stock, depending on the version.

The Si engine has 92 hp stock and a little engine work, better intake and exhaust should get you to ~120 or so which should be fun.

I had an 85 Si with a mildly built engine, a mugen header and decent exhaust and some mild porting work that was probably close to this with probably 105-110 hp.

Check out www.redpepperracing.com for more help.

I've built a couple turbo D series. It can be done pretty cheap and meet your goals, but the rods can't take much more than that kind of power, and even at that you need some good timing control. B16 might be easier, but a turbo D series would be the cheapest, IMO.

D-series turbo. Cheap cast iron turbo manifold (I have one I will part with for cheap ), turbo, Acura RDX injectors. You can use B18B (or B18A can't remember which) rods with a little grinding that are stronger and cheap.

The EW is the predecessor to the D Series, and they share some stuff. For instance, EW and D15 rods are the same. Similar overall geometry. Pretty sure the twin cam D motors got their head bolt pattern from the EW. In short, it's a decent little motor, and yes, it can be built. It will be harder though, as there is not much aftermarket support for it. Be prepared for custom work.

Stuffed a D16A1 from an 87 Integra into an 86 CRX as our first attempt at a challenge car. Was a very easy (and cheap) swap, as we bought the integra, which had pretty much all the parts we needed for the swap, plus some stuff to sell off. It dyno'd about 100 HP to the wheels, and with a 35 shot, dyno'd about 140 to the wheels. With the nitrous we turned in a quarter mile time of 15.003 IIRC. Don't know how that would translate to 0-60 time. If he's willing to use nitrous, thats one route to take.

Did okay at the challenge. Was an absolute unstoppable beast at rallycross. The only serious issue it had in a few years of rallycross was the panhard bar mount ripped off, due to rust. Welded it back up, and it kept going.

DILYSI Dave wrote: The EW is the predecessor to the D Series, and they share some stuff. For instance, EW and D15 rods are the same. Similar overall geometry. Pretty sure the twin cam D motors got their head bolt pattern from the EW. In short, it's a decent little motor, and yes, it can be built. It will be harder though, as there is not much aftermarket support for it. Be prepared for custom work.

This reminded me - Why not just turbo the existing engine and forget a swap? It would be much simpler, and I think you could at least get close to your target if not hit it. The EW is a pretty fun engine as is, very grunty for a Honda. And don't forget that the 1st gen CRX is a very light car.

bravenrace wrote:

DILYSI Dave wrote: The EW is the predecessor to the D Series, and they share some stuff. For instance, EW and D15 rods are the same. Similar overall geometry. Pretty sure the twin cam D motors got their head bolt pattern from the EW. In short, it's a decent little motor, and yes, it can be built. It will be harder though, as there is not much aftermarket support for it. Be prepared for custom work.

This reminded me - Why not just turbo the existing engine and forget a swap? It would be much simpler, and I think you could at least get close to your target if not hit it. The EW is a pretty fun engine as is, very grunty for a Honda. And don't forget that the 1st gen CRX is a very light car.

That is a pretty good idea, actually. Will the bottom end hold up like a D-series (believe low 200s at the crank is the limit on a stock D-series bottom end, right?)

I don't suppose we'd be lucky enough that a a D-series manifold would fit, would it? Does anyone sell an EW turbo manifold?

The EW is quite a bit spindlier downstairs. I wouldn't boost much.

Another vote for turbo D series.