{"id":323,"date":"2009-01-02T13:20:49","date_gmt":"2009-01-02T08:20:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ff-squad.com\/wp\/?p=323"},"modified":"2025-12-09T02:33:36","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T22:33:36","slug":"84-87-hybriding-article-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ff-squad.com\/technet2\/84-87-hybriding-article-1\/","title":{"rendered":"84-87 Civic\/CRX Hybriding – History"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\n
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This ever so popular 1.6 DOHC engine was introduced in late 1983, when Honda of Japan debuted the E-AT civic & E-AS CRX<\/a>. This motor was tagged “ZC<\/strong>” and was found in the higher end AT\/AS models. Why Japan dubbed this engine the “ZC” still haunts me (and others) to this day. The US wouldn’t see this same 1.6 DOHC engine until 1986, when Acura first opened their doors with the debut of the ‘Integra’ line up. This first generation US Integra would contain this 1.6 DOHC engine, and become known as the “D16A1<\/strong>“. Of course, the US is wack<\/strong><\/em> in many aspects when it comes to the auto industry and we never received any 84-87 civic\/crx’s that came equipped with this same engine, hence the reason for hybriding!!! In Europe, their version of the ZC\/D16A1 engine was known as the D16A8<\/strong> or D16A9<\/strong> engine, and came in the same AT civic\/AS crx models (lucky them!). To add to the chaos, there was also a JDM SOHC ZC<\/strong> engine that came about in 1987, known to the US as the D16A6<\/strong> engine (but that’s another story).<\/p>\n

All U.S. 86-89 integra’s (RS, LS, GS) all have the same initial D16A1 engine design. Only slight engine changes were made between the 86-87 and 88-89 Integra models. The biggest difference between the two is wiring\/ecu\/& ignition<\/strong>. Remember I mentioned Vacuum Advance Ignition<\/strong> earlier? Well among Integra’s, only the 86-87 Integra’s use this Vacuum Advance Ignition<\/strong> system (just like the the 86-87 Civic\/CRX Si models do). This is a big reason why 86-87 D16A1’s electronics & wiring are compatible (plug n play) with 86-87 Si’s. Whereas 88-89 D16A1’s electronics are not — you cannot<\/strong> carry over & use (plug n play) the OBD-0 ecu\/wiring\/ignition system that 88-89 Integra’s have into an 86-87 Si. It’s just not compatible. But, you technically can convert an Si to OBD-0, but it’s an enormous pain in the ass and I don’t suggest doing it unless you’re the adventurous type and love playing with wiring.<\/p>\n

Normally, the ‘browtop’<\/em> ZC & D16A1 engines are a dead ringer for having Vacuum Advance Igntion <\/strong>(VAI) systems, which were pre<\/em> OBD-0 engines and blacktop’s being OBD-0. So, when purchasing a motor for your 84-87 civ\/crx (especially for an Si model), a rule of thumb would be to look for a browntop ZC\/ D16A1 engine if you don’t want to run into ignition & wiring incompatibilities. Of course, it is possible to convert an OBD-0 blacktop ZC\/D16A1 to a VAI system by simply removing the OBD-0 components and replacing them with VAI components. Doing this will allow you to take advantage of an updated and slightly more powerful ZC\/D16A1 engine.<\/p>\n

There are 3 continental versions<\/strong> of this 1.6 DOHC engine:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n