sup dudes. I'm looking to buy my first cb7, I have no mechanical experience at all and I'm wondering what I want to look for. I want manual transmission, how hard is it to swap from automatic to manual? also the engine?? I've been reading up on the forums and i see that f22 is the like common stock engine?? whats up with the f22a1, f22b2...ect? also what price range should I expect.. thanks
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The F22A1, F22A4, and F22A6 are the stock US engines. F22B2 is the non-vtec 5th generation engine, and it's garbage compared to the F22A (any of them). Not a bad engine, but not nearly as much potential. Any F or H series engine (aside from the s2000 engines) can be swapped in, with varying degrees of difficulty. Even the hardest are some of the easiest automotive swaps EVER...
Engine swaps are fairly easy, if you're doing anything from the H or F family. Get an engine hoist, a few hand tools, and a place to work, and you can do anything yourself. How long it takes depends on your ability, but there's next to nothing on these cars that you can't do yourself.
Converting from auto to manual is also not hard. Easiest done with the engine out, bu doable otherwise. If you want manual, I wouldn't settle on an auto, unless you find an AMAZING deal on a mint one. There's no need to make extra work for yourself! Most people that swap from auto to manual started with auto, got into modding the car, THEN wanted the manual... They didn't really care about what they had when the decided to buy it (or were given the car, as many were).
Rear quarter panel rust is common on the East Coast, but you shouldn't have to worry about that in CA. Look for ripped ball joint boots, damaged axle boots (grease everywhere will give that away, as well as a clicking when turning), broken motor mounts, grinding gears (the synchros tend to go). Any check engine light, flashing D4 light, flashing S (sport mode) light, or flashing ABS light should be cause for concern.
The brake master cylinders on these cars are the right age to fail. Get the car good and warm, and do a few hard brakes... if the pedal sinks to the floor when you're sitting at a light or stop sign, it needs a new master cylinder.
For the most part, there isn't anything that can't be fixed. Just make sure the car is straight, and wasn't hit. Avoid anything rusted. Any mechanical issues can be used to drive down the price. Just be prepared to work if you get one with stuff that needs to be fixed! There's nothing you can't get an answer to on this site.
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Thank you that was really helpfull. How will I know witch engine it has? Also i don't know what ball joints or axle boots or any of that other stuff is lol. but i'll be doing some studying.Comment
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Yeah, definitely read up. Basically, look under the car for anything rubber... axles should be obvious. Ball joints are easy to see up top... lowers (which are often more likely to go) are harder to see. Search google for "accord ball joint" and you'll have an idea what they look like. They're squished when on the car, though.
The LX and DX models ALL have F22A1s (125hp). The EX models in 90-91 have the F22A4 (130hp... the ONLY difference from the F22A1 is the exhaust manifold). The EX models in 92-93 have the best of them, the F22A6. 140hp, due to the cam, intake manifold, exhaust manifold, and ECU. They're all similar, and you can turn an F22A1 into an F22A6 by adding the A6 parts easily enough.
There's a thread on here that I made a while back that tells you how to add 30hp or more to an F22A1 for under $500.
Basically, look for the cleanest one you can find. $3000 or less should be what you expect to pay. You may get a good one cheap, or you may pay top dollar... they ARE more in demand these days, since they're reliable and good on gas...
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Unless you have lots of gearhead friends who are willing to lend a hand, a 5 speed conversion will take a lot of time/money. If you are cunning and persistent, find a junkyard in your area and find a donor car with a 5spd.
But it would be in your best interest to find a 5 speed accord somewhere on craigslist.com
( i forgot to mention that these cars commonly have more than 150K miles on them so dont be picky)
Thank you for choosing Cb7 and have a nice day
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What part of nothern cali are you from?Comment
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