Rep Power: 269

Would it be more work then it's worth to swap a 1.9L TDI from a Jetta into the Civic? I want a diesel just don't know if it would take more fabrication, parts and other stuff to match them up??

Any input would be appreciated.

 
Rep Power: 317

have you checked out the diesel that Honda makes? it's available in th e UK and Europe...

although, there ARE mixed feelings abuot it...but i think the people who don't like it are similar to those who don't like the rotary....they just don't know how to drive it...

rotary - supposed to rev high...most people don't, so their engine floods...

diesel - SEEMS to me that you're not supposed to rev it too high...more for just getting around town... i dont know though. seeing how it's only in small cars, or HUGE trucks w/ a turbo

 
Rep Power: 236

diesels are lame unless you turbo them.

 
Rep Power: 320

its one of those things where it would be cheaper just to sell the civic, and buy a vw tdi. You'll need custom engine mounts, you'll have to chekc if you can use the stock ac, abs, power steering..etc. You'll probably need to source all that from the vw.

Given that gas is only 7cents more on averaged compared to last yr, i think diesel is losing it appeal.

 
Rep Power: 424

More hassle than its worth. Trust me.... I have a VW, and a Honda... you dont want to combine them, they're just too different.
Want a fun TDI swap, go buy a Corrado G60 and throw a TDI in it.

 
Rep Power: 232

FAIL FAIL FAIL!!!!
TDI = Turbo Direct Injection

ITS TURBO!!!

 
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no youre not supposed to rev diesels high, especially that theres no reason for it and it gives you nothing.

diesels are not only in small cars or huge trucks. come over see 4 yrself in europe. most of audis/bmws/merces, most of jap cars, most of suvs and even the sports ones are diesels. they're really great engines, and there's no way you cud compare diesel with rotary (mileage? economy? revving? show me rotary that would do 800,000 miles)

hardly any manufacturer mounts diesels without turbos today, actually it'd be really hard to find some example.

but tdi (and yeah tdi means turboed diesels) swap to civic? LMAOOO

and about that civic diesel - this engine was made by isuzu, wasnt the greatest diesel produced ever so i'd rather go for something else.

 
Rep Power: 303

Why exchange vw shittyness for Honda awesomeness.

 
Rep Power: 320

honda's making a new diesel on there own from the ground up. Its suppose to have i-dtec. It got delayed since the auto can't pass 50 state emissions. It was suppose to come out next yr in the US. It might still out come for europe given the cleaner diesel out there.

 
Rep Power: 269

It's not about fuel mileage....I would just love the torque of a diesel. A programmer or chip + bigger turbo + injectors equals one fun TDI!

That's why I ask...I kind of assumed they would be like fire and ice but haven't owned both so I had no idea how complicated it would be.

I love my Civic but the engine is completely worthless...therefore Honda "shittyness". I know the k-swap is the "solution" but there really is nothing more fun (imo) then torque and blowin a little smoke. V-dubs may not be the greatest cars on earth but the TDI is an awsome engine and with a bit of money, they can make some decent power.


I have a Dodge (Ram) with the Cummins in it. Right now it's sitting at 480 whp and just under 1000lb-ft. It's an awesome drive as is but with just a few mroe grand it'll be around 650whp and 1200+lb-ft...which is good for low 13's in the quarter...right now it's mid to low 14s...which is why I LOVE DIESELS!

 
Rep Power: 317

sorry, but i don't make it over to Europe that often... it's not exactly a day trip...

...well, it DOES take a full day to get there, so maybe so

 
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I was referring to all Honda series engines as in the K20 and so on, no VW engine will ever be as reliable as a Honda one.

 
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VW are by no means shitty, they make some of the best cars around (GTi, R32, Jetta TDI) but I agree that it would probably be cheaper just to buy a VW than try to do a swap.

 
Rep Power: 320

if you want torque, just go turbo. Going turbo would be cheaper then trying to do what your asking. I dont even think the vw ecu would be able to interface with the honda srs system. So you run the risk of having no airbags, unless you want to source your own vw airbags too.

Or just wait for the honda diesel. There suppose a come out with a accord and tsx diesel in the next couple of years.

 
Rep Power: 0

Expensive ? YES! Awesome? Double yes! You're obviously not wanting to do something like this to save money! If you have some fab skills, have at it! Small displacement diesel is gonna romp on gasoline. You can cram as much power into a diesel as you want without the reliability issues you'll encounter with a gas banger. I've got a 3/4 ton mega cab that gets 19mpg pulling a 4500lb boat that breaks the back tires free at 50mph. Was it cheap? No! See above. Rocking a diesel in a civic would be crazy cool. Guarantee you won't get beat often and the ones that do will either be stopping for gas or putting it in the shop to rebuild.

 
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I agree, hitting peak torque below 2k rpm in a Civic would be awesome. My dad has a '12 Duramax 1-ton, I would love to combine the powerband of that with the size/handling of my civic

 
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wtf why? just boost the civic. not to sound rude, but you must know nothing about your car to even think of this.

 
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wow...
5 year old thread revived by a user name ilovediesel in a civic forums...
me wonders...
also wonders what diesel would do in the tank and fuel lines... plus the ecu compatibility to other parts of the car electrics mentioned above...

 
Rep Power: 188

If you want good power at "low RPM" then just get a good fast hybrid/EV like a Fit or Spark EV or Lexus hybrid or BMW hybrid, maybe a Volt. Or wait for the next gen Honda/Acura Hybrids that'll hopefully be a 2 motor + engine system.

 
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Yes you can do the swap but also yes you will need fabricated mounts plus modify your axles ends to make them work for the civic ends. For the a/c system, power steering and water pump I would suggest getting a electric units for those applications. For the power steering you can use the 2gen prius steering column with the ecu for it, all you need I plug the ecu to the steering column and give it a 12v signal and ground. That's it. No need for mechanical power steering lines or pump. ​​​​​​​for the electric a/c system you can get a full kit on Amazon for 600 bucks. Before the inflation it was 399.99 I have one and the prius steering column in my 92 integra gsr. Relieved quite abit of power plus kept the power steering and a/c. Mine is located in the trunk with long lines to the condenser and evaporator. For the electric water pump you don't really need it but sometimes the civic radiator might not be enough to cool the coolant down vs a full radiator would.

 
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Just to clarify my comment, yes in my integra gsr I'm running a electric power steering, electric a/c compressor, and a electric water pump.​​​​​​​I'm going to be doing a tdi swap into my 94 dc4 integra coming soon. And yes Honda made a N22a1 that is essentially a f22 bore 85mm in a f23a1 block with crank at 97mm stroke. It's a 18.5:1 compression engine just like the 1.9L vw engine. The engine only revs to 5000rpm. If you do go the route with the Honda N22a1 it is best to run the f22 cb7 gearing because that transmission for be a stock unit is a very long geared transmission. You will need a longer final drive and input shaft if you want better gas mileage. If you do it stock f22 transmission you should see around 45-50mpg. But you will be around 3000rpm on the highway doing 60mph. ​​​​​​​if you do have a alh tdi engine and transmission just make the mounts and axles ends to do the swap. Make sure your vehicle is obd1 because depending on what state you live in you might have to do emissions.