1.7L SOHC Non-Vtec Swap
09-20-2018
#31
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Re: 1.7L SOHC Non-Vtec Swap
hey friend.
I just did a engine swap. I swap the engine harness and ecu
i also have a 05 lx. And I Swap to a 03 ex Vtec.
I found your post and was so happy to know you did the same type of swap.
P
i had the key reprogram by Honda
but the only problem I’m having now it take a long time the start sound like fuel starvation please let me know what you think.
I just did a engine swap. I swap the engine harness and ecu
i also have a 05 lx. And I Swap to a 03 ex Vtec.
I found your post and was so happy to know you did the same type of swap.
P
i had the key reprogram by Honda
but the only problem I’m having now it take a long time the start sound like fuel starvation please let me know what you think.
09-20-2018
#32
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I just did this my 2005 Civic LX (non VTEC) blew up and replaced it with a 2003 Civic EX VTEC Motor, Trans, wire harness and ECU
Some of the wires are a little different between the 2
There are differences between the Motor harness and the body harness.
All good after flash from Honda
Keys work now with the ECU that matches the motor need to do this if you change the ECU. The motor ran on the LX computer just thew codes for the O2 sensors.
Only code its throwing was the heater on O2 sensor 2 which if you get the harness from the motor there is no place to connect the Downstream O2 sensor as the exhaust is different between the 2 motors. I changed my exhaust also, used a aftermarket LX header back exhaust and just added the 2nd O2 sensor about mid car and left the plug in the header for O2 number 2. You will also need the O2 sensors for the EX motor as they are different between LX and EX
Wired the Black/Yellow wire to pin 5 yel/blu on connector E
Wired all O2 stuff to connector E and all good now, No codes
So just so its cleared up for anyone else doing a LX - EX conversion in a 2001-2005 Civic here is where the wires are landed when using EX Motor, Trans, Wire Harness and ECU
Here is where they are on the stock harness Connector A (31 pins)
25 wht/red Secondary O2
23 brn/yel Logic Ground
14 blk/wht SecondaryO2 sensor heater control
10 grn/yel Sensor ground
Blk/yel Heater acc power
Here is where they go on Connector E (31 pins)
2 wht/red Secondary O2
3 brn/yel Logic Ground (Shield from O2 Sensor)
5 yel/blu Sensor voltage (attach to blk/yel from O2 Sensor)
6 blk/wht SecondaryO2 sensor heater control
Connector A (31 pin)
10 grn/yel Sensor ground
On the wht/red and Blk/wht
I dissected the old harness to get the whole wire with the metal ends that fit into the harness. As you will find out when going from LX to EX there are a few different wires and they are not in both body harnesses the same way. On the other wires I just tapped in and soldered and taped as not to cut the factory wiring.
I hope his helps anyone that might be doing the same swap that I needed to do to get my everyday driver back on the road with a few upgrades.
Some of the wires are a little different between the 2
There are differences between the Motor harness and the body harness.
All good after flash from Honda
Keys work now with the ECU that matches the motor need to do this if you change the ECU. The motor ran on the LX computer just thew codes for the O2 sensors.
Only code its throwing was the heater on O2 sensor 2 which if you get the harness from the motor there is no place to connect the Downstream O2 sensor as the exhaust is different between the 2 motors. I changed my exhaust also, used a aftermarket LX header back exhaust and just added the 2nd O2 sensor about mid car and left the plug in the header for O2 number 2. You will also need the O2 sensors for the EX motor as they are different between LX and EX
Wired the Black/Yellow wire to pin 5 yel/blu on connector E
Wired all O2 stuff to connector E and all good now, No codes
So just so its cleared up for anyone else doing a LX - EX conversion in a 2001-2005 Civic here is where the wires are landed when using EX Motor, Trans, Wire Harness and ECU
Here is where they are on the stock harness Connector A (31 pins)
25 wht/red Secondary O2
23 brn/yel Logic Ground
14 blk/wht SecondaryO2 sensor heater control
10 grn/yel Sensor ground
Blk/yel Heater acc power
Here is where they go on Connector E (31 pins)
2 wht/red Secondary O2
3 brn/yel Logic Ground (Shield from O2 Sensor)
5 yel/blu Sensor voltage (attach to blk/yel from O2 Sensor)
6 blk/wht SecondaryO2 sensor heater control
Connector A (31 pin)
10 grn/yel Sensor ground
On the wht/red and Blk/wht
I dissected the old harness to get the whole wire with the metal ends that fit into the harness. As you will find out when going from LX to EX there are a few different wires and they are not in both body harnesses the same way. On the other wires I just tapped in and soldered and taped as not to cut the factory wiring.
I hope his helps anyone that might be doing the same swap that I needed to do to get my everyday driver back on the road with a few upgrades.
I don’t understand so can you please explain the wire Harness wire part to me please I do not have the old lx harness but I do have the Ex harness. Engine and ecu Installed
01-06-2019
#35
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Re: 1.7L SOHC Non-Vtec Swap
The sixth gens didn't come with a 1.7L?
If you have a '97 you either have a d16y8 (VTEC) or a d16y7
If you have a '97 you either have a d16y8 (VTEC) or a d16y7
01-06-2019
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Oh snap idk why I wrote 1.7 you are absolutely correct..I'll see if I can edit the post..but my question is still the same.first off I'm have little or no cash and I'm stuck in Fresno for 2 months.my Subaru blew on the way down from the bay area to see kids for Thanksgiving...ok back to subj.
i have this 97 ex with a rotten head cam journal in middle has transfer on it as well as a few bent Valves..so going to local wrecker there are many civics to choose from and removed a brand new head non VTEC knowing it would drop on the a2 block..what do I need to do to make this ok before I tighten all up and call it good.not to worried about a check engine.light.will it work yes or no..I thank you for whatever clever tricks info and wisdom you can pour out on this backyard mechanic at best...this is just about at my knowledge and know how peak of auto repair..
Richard Williams
i have this 97 ex with a rotten head cam journal in middle has transfer on it as well as a few bent Valves..so going to local wrecker there are many civics to choose from and removed a brand new head non VTEC knowing it would drop on the a2 block..what do I need to do to make this ok before I tighten all up and call it good.not to worried about a check engine.light.will it work yes or no..I thank you for whatever clever tricks info and wisdom you can pour out on this backyard mechanic at best...this is just about at my knowledge and know how peak of auto repair..
Richard Williams
Last edited by A2toA1headswap; 01-06-2019 at 09:50 AM. Reason: My original post was missed typed due to not proof reading a simple title my apologies.
01-06-2019
#37
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It will run but it will be in limp mode, you're better off making another trip to the junkyard and getting the proper y8 head
01-06-2019
#38
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A1/A2 refers to 2001-2005 cars... Engine is very different than a 97....
05-20-2021
#39
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I just did this my 2005 Civic LX (non VTEC) blew up and replaced it with a 2003 Civic EX VTEC Motor, Trans, wire harness and ECU
Some of the wires are a little different between the 2
There are differences between the Motor harness and the body harness.
All good after flash from Honda
Keys work now with the ECU that matches the motor need to do this if you change the ECU. The motor ran on the LX computer just thew codes for the O2 sensors.
Only code its throwing was the heater on O2 sensor 2 which if you get the harness from the motor there is no place to connect the Downstream O2 sensor as the exhaust is different between the 2 motors. I changed my exhaust also, used a aftermarket LX header back exhaust and just added the 2nd O2 sensor about mid car and left the plug in the header for O2 number 2. You will also need the O2 sensors for the EX motor as they are different between LX and EX
Wired the Black/Yellow wire to pin 5 yel/blu on connector E
Wired all O2 stuff to connector E and all good now, No codes
So just so its cleared up for anyone else doing a LX - EX conversion in a 2001-2005 Civic here is where the wires are landed when using EX Motor, Trans, Wire Harness and ECU
Here is where they are on the stock harness Connector A (31 pins)
25 wht/red Secondary O2
23 brn/yel Logic Ground
14 blk/wht SecondaryO2 sensor heater control
10 grn/yel Sensor ground
Blk/yel Heater acc power
Here is where they go on Connector E (31 pins)
2 wht/red Secondary O2
3 brn/yel Logic Ground (Shield from O2 Sensor)
5 yel/blu Sensor voltage (attach to blk/yel from O2 Sensor)
6 blk/wht SecondaryO2 sensor heater control
Connector A (31 pin)
10 grn/yel Sensor ground
On the wht/red and Blk/wht
I dissected the old harness to get the whole wire with the metal ends that fit into the harness. As you will find out when going from LX to EX there are a few different wires and they are not in both body harnesses the same way. On the other wires I just tapped in and soldered and taped as not to cut the factory wiring.
I hope his helps anyone that might be doing the same swap that I needed to do to get my everyday driver back on the road with a few upgrades.
Some of the wires are a little different between the 2
There are differences between the Motor harness and the body harness.
All good after flash from Honda
Keys work now with the ECU that matches the motor need to do this if you change the ECU. The motor ran on the LX computer just thew codes for the O2 sensors.
Only code its throwing was the heater on O2 sensor 2 which if you get the harness from the motor there is no place to connect the Downstream O2 sensor as the exhaust is different between the 2 motors. I changed my exhaust also, used a aftermarket LX header back exhaust and just added the 2nd O2 sensor about mid car and left the plug in the header for O2 number 2. You will also need the O2 sensors for the EX motor as they are different between LX and EX
Wired the Black/Yellow wire to pin 5 yel/blu on connector E
Wired all O2 stuff to connector E and all good now, No codes
So just so its cleared up for anyone else doing a LX - EX conversion in a 2001-2005 Civic here is where the wires are landed when using EX Motor, Trans, Wire Harness and ECU
Here is where they are on the stock harness Connector A (31 pins)
25 wht/red Secondary O2
23 brn/yel Logic Ground
14 blk/wht SecondaryO2 sensor heater control
10 grn/yel Sensor ground
Blk/yel Heater acc power
Here is where they go on Connector E (31 pins)
2 wht/red Secondary O2
3 brn/yel Logic Ground (Shield from O2 Sensor)
5 yel/blu Sensor voltage (attach to blk/yel from O2 Sensor)
6 blk/wht SecondaryO2 sensor heater control
Connector A (31 pin)
10 grn/yel Sensor ground
On the wht/red and Blk/wht
I dissected the old harness to get the whole wire with the metal ends that fit into the harness. As you will find out when going from LX to EX there are a few different wires and they are not in both body harnesses the same way. On the other wires I just tapped in and soldered and taped as not to cut the factory wiring.
I hope his helps anyone that might be doing the same swap that I needed to do to get my everyday driver back on the road with a few upgrades.
05-20-2021
#40
Re: 1.7L SOHC Non-Vtec Swap
I honestly don't remember, Its been so long and I don't even own the car anymore.
Do you mean the O2 sensor on the manifold? or the down stream one you need to ad for the EX motor?
I can try and figure out what you are talking about from the posts, but I don't have the car to reference it.
Do you mean the O2 sensor on the manifold? or the down stream one you need to ad for the EX motor?
I can try and figure out what you are talking about from the posts, but I don't have the car to reference it.
05-20-2021
#41
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Just trying to figure out where the 4 wires go to from the ecu to the down stream 02 sensor. I have tapped into the said 4 wires from the ecu and have them ran down to where the o2 sensor
from ecu
white/red
brown/ yellow
black/white
yellow/blue
To what wire to o2 sensor
white
white
gray
black
from ecu
white/red
brown/ yellow
black/white
yellow/blue
To what wire to o2 sensor
white
white
gray
black
05-20-2021
#44
Re: 1.7L SOHC Non-Vtec Swap
If you are using different colors you will have to figure out what wire does what and make it match to the schematics.
It tool some metering to figure out what each wire does
It tool some metering to figure out what each wire does
05-21-2021
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Rep Power: 196 Re: 1.7L SOHC Non-Vtec Swap
Looks like that's the secondary O2 sensor wire, not the heater wire.
05-24-2021
#48
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E6 is pulled to ground to enable the heater, the other side would be the power feed. Schematic shows it coming from fuse 1 in the under-dash box.
09-12-2021
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Hey jcb111, I went over your messages about the swap and I’m currently prepping everything for a swap too. So basic run down, I have a 2003 lx d17a1 non vtec, and I’m going to do a d17a2 vtec. I want to ask you and any one that can help me with what I have to modify and get for it to plug in. I can adjust the car after smog. Here to take any advice that can help. Thank you guys.
08-14-2022
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ok i have a 2004 honda civic vtec engine wen bad i replace it with a non vteck engine it bolt right in all wires were the same except for the vtec solenoid car stat right up an everything works not even a check engine light the only issue is that when give full throttle the car stutter an i have no idea how to fix that issue some comments suggest the throttle body to be swapped as well i need some advice will this fix this issue???
08-14-2022
#51
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ok i have a 2004 honda civic vtec engine wen bad i replace it with a non vteck engine it bolt right in all wires were the same except for the vtec solenoid car stat right up an everything works not even a check engine light the only issue is that when give full throttle the car stutter an i have no idea how to fix that issue some comments suggest the throttle body to be swapped as well i need some advice will this fix this issue???
08-15-2022
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You might be in limp mode because it's missing the VTEC solenoid.
01-29-2023
#53
Re: 1.7L SOHC Non-Vtec Swap
Hey everyone. I'm new here. I have a 02 Civic lx which motor blew up. I ordered a new 1 from JDM D17a Vtec. I bought the harness and ecu other than those things do I need to change any wiring inside ? Like the ob2 plug? I also reused my LX exhaust set up which has 2 o2 sensors and the ex only has 1 can I get by using the 1 and plugging off the other?
One other thing when I get it programmed will it ask for my Vin? I have a Matco Maxme scanner is using that different than going to the honda dealer? I will be using a different ECM that didn't come with this motor does it matter which 1 I find? Like the yr it came from or do I find 1 that is same like my yr of car? I know there's a difference between Auto and Manual which mine is manual
One other thing when I get it programmed will it ask for my Vin? I have a Matco Maxme scanner is using that different than going to the honda dealer? I will be using a different ECM that didn't come with this motor does it matter which 1 I find? Like the yr it came from or do I find 1 that is same like my yr of car? I know there's a difference between Auto and Manual which mine is manual
Last edited by Bobbyallen; 01-29-2023 at 09:39 AM.
01-29-2023
#54
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EX have 2 o2 sensors
you will need to program the keys to the ECU
can't remember if auto ECU will trigger a CEL if it does not find an auto to control
you can keep your non-VTEC ECU until you get at a place to program the keys, just change ECU when you get there. non-VTEC ECU works fine in VTEC engines, but VTEC will be a dead weight until you plug the VTEC ECU there
you will need to program the keys to the ECU
can't remember if auto ECU will trigger a CEL if it does not find an auto to control
you can keep your non-VTEC ECU until you get at a place to program the keys, just change ECU when you get there. non-VTEC ECU works fine in VTEC engines, but VTEC will be a dead weight until you plug the VTEC ECU there
01-29-2023
#55
Re: 1.7L SOHC Non-Vtec Swap
EX have 2 o2 sensors
you will need to program the keys to the ECU
can't remember if auto ECU will trigger a CEL if it does not find an auto to control
you can keep your non-VTEC ECU until you get at a place to program the keys, just change ECU when you get there. non-VTEC ECU works fine in VTEC engines, but VTEC will be a dead weight until you plug the VTEC ECU there
you will need to program the keys to the ECU
can't remember if auto ECU will trigger a CEL if it does not find an auto to control
you can keep your non-VTEC ECU until you get at a place to program the keys, just change ECU when you get there. non-VTEC ECU works fine in VTEC engines, but VTEC will be a dead weight until you plug the VTEC ECU there
P.S does it matter what yr ECM I get? Or do I need to go off my motor block is so what numbers do I use ? I do have a Matco Maxme that programs. When u say program key u mean immobilizer right?
Last edited by Bobbyallen; 01-29-2023 at 02:52 PM.
01-29-2023
#56
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only EX models had the VTEC - nowadays, after 20 years, who know which car have which ECU? Again, I am not sure if the lack of auto trans will trigger a CEL, just do a search around the forums
Don't know about your harness, the VTEC exhaust will have the sensor after the cat, below the driver area, so just need an extension from the LX setup.
don't know what is that Matco Maxme, but I am talking about programming the keys so the immobilizer will not stop the fuel pump. the ECU's for 7th Gen are not programmable otherwise
What I know about this subject is based on what I have been reading here over the decades, I had a stock LX and traded for the EX, so never done that work myself, calling me will not help you (would also recommend not doing that with internet encounters anyway)
VTEC/Manual ECU should do the job, then program the keys - only exception is the Si models for US/SiR for Canada - they are different engine
and a wiring connecting the VTEC solenoid to the ECU, the wiring to the EX exhaust o2 sensor
can't remember if i ever saw a diagram for the VTEC/o2 Sensor pin out in the ECU
Don't know about your harness, the VTEC exhaust will have the sensor after the cat, below the driver area, so just need an extension from the LX setup.
don't know what is that Matco Maxme, but I am talking about programming the keys so the immobilizer will not stop the fuel pump. the ECU's for 7th Gen are not programmable otherwise
What I know about this subject is based on what I have been reading here over the decades, I had a stock LX and traded for the EX, so never done that work myself, calling me will not help you (would also recommend not doing that with internet encounters anyway)
VTEC/Manual ECU should do the job, then program the keys - only exception is the Si models for US/SiR for Canada - they are different engine
and a wiring connecting the VTEC solenoid to the ECU, the wiring to the EX exhaust o2 sensor
can't remember if i ever saw a diagram for the VTEC/o2 Sensor pin out in the ECU
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Bobbyallen (01-29-2023)
01-29-2023
#57
Re: 1.7L SOHC Non-Vtec Swap
Thanks for ur insight. I'm just trying to find exact answers somehow. I have seen alot of thoughts but I need to get what I need without question. Cuz I got a Vtec harness and it only had 1 plug for o2 sensor and got 2 ECMs for 01-02 and , 02-03 civic ex with Manual for it and both didn't work or they were just junk. Lol
01-29-2023
#58
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01-30-2023
#59
Re: 1.7L SOHC Non-Vtec Swap
Fast question does a 02 civic ex have 2 o2 sensors? And also should there be 2 plug from the wiring harness for the 2 o2 sensors? Or is there only 1 ? I just bought a harness that was from a 01-05 Civic Ex Vtec and I only found 1 plug for my o2 sensor. I thought there should be 2
Last edited by Bobbyallen; 01-30-2023 at 08:48 AM.
01-30-2023
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