So awhile back I bought a 1989 Acura Integra 3 door, 5 speed, hatchback. I like the car, and it runs nice, but the transmission is geared for higher revs, and not better economy (ie: mpg) I get 25-27 mpg, which is decent, but I was thinking if I had a different Honda transmission, maybe I could get a lot better mpg. Perhap 35-40mpg. First of all, how do I tell what engine I have? (ex: H22 etc.) Then secondly, is what I'm thinking of doing possible? I would think so, since an Integra is just a rebadged Accord. There seems to be a crap load of Honda stuff out there on Craigslist, and in the junkyards. Just kind of thinkin out loud at the moment. Thanks for your advice, and consideration.

Jim

Rebadged Prelude...

What kind of RPMs you turning at 70? Honda's will run over 3 grand at interstate speed normally.

quote Originally posted by skuzzbomer: Rebadged Prelude...

Sure does look like a late 80's Accord hatchback to me. Not saying your wrong, I'm just going on visual appearance.

quote What kind of RPMs you turning at 70? Honda's will run over 3 grand at interstate speed normally.

About 3400 at 65mph, so I would guess somewhere in the neighborhood of 3600 at 70. I haven't went that fast in it yet. I know it's normal. I'm not saying something is wrong. I was just thinking, if I got a different geared transmission, I could improve my mpg since this is going to be my DD commuter car.

Jim

[This message has been edited by jimbolaya (edited 10-01-2011).]

If you gear it to spin slower you wont have any power and be lugging the engine. Its alot of load for that little engine at speeds that high. What size engine do you have?? Its most likely a D series engine. I dont think the B series is that old. Ill ask my honda friends. Is it a cable trans or a hydro trans??

I have a 1990 Honda Accord just rolled over 240K miles yesterday.. It has the F22A1 engine in at, 75MPH my RPM are at about 3200 in it.. Where I work is in North Phoenix and on the Interstate outside of Phoenix its 75mph so I usually rock 80 @ 3400 RPM for the last 4 miles of my trip to work in the morning. \


Edit: My car is bone stock.

[This message has been edited by Arizona85GT (edited 10-01-2011).]

it is always better to switch to the car that has the performance you seek in this case it would be a similar good running car with the gearing you seek,,especially if the car is an automatic,,I would imagine the Honda forum,s would have info on a tranny swap,..
..None of the Acura or Honda models above the Civic get superior MPG in the years that the transmissions would swap..
..There are probably gear changes that can be made ,,but finding the parts for an 89 may be difficult.
you have to go to the mid 90,s Honda civics ,,the DX & LX ,,these cars have room for a family, good excelleration & the auto gets 36 to 40 mpg.
The Acura is set up to give high around town MPG ,but also good acceleration so there is a limit to Good Hwy mpg,,The old Acura,s were one of the most reliable cars made ,,,a superior around town car,You will pay the price of slower acceleration for a small gain in MPG

I thought the Integras of that age were pumped up Civics and the Legends were the upscale Accords.
Anyway, I had a 1990 Civic hatchback Si and from what I remember, it was turning around 3500 at 70. It would get 30+ mpg on a regular basis.

quote Originally posted by jimbolaya: First of all, how do I tell what engine I have? (ex: H22 etc.)

If it's an OEM '89 Integra, you should have a D16A

[This message has been edited by Fiero84Freak (edited 10-01-2011).]

quote Originally posted by Fiero84Freak: If it's an OEM '89 Integra, you should have a D16A

That would be the engine, minus the cold air intake and the blue torsion bar. I'm not trying to make this overly complicated. I'm not going to change out gears, and I'm not even sure I would swap out the transmission. Just doing some research. I know there are some Hondas from the 80's that got decent mileage. In fact I had an 88 Accord, 5 speed manual, sedan that got 35-40mpg, and it had plenty of get up and go. I was figuring that most of the Hondas of that time frame had similar 4 cylinder engines, and that maybe mating the Integra up with another Honda tranny would deliver similar mpg. Thanks for everyones help and opinions.

Jim

Oh Wow, I feel silly, when I read the title, I thought I read, Anyone acknowledge Acura/Honda engines and transmissions?

I thought to myself, that can't be right.

I saw my mistake upon re-reading the title. Sorry about the interuption, continue on as if I was never here.

------------------
Ron
"While you cannot control the length of your life, you can control the width and depth." Live life to it's fullest, you may not see tomorrow.

quote Originally posted by jimbolaya: BTW, is there somewhere on the engine that says D16A, or is it part of the VIN code? Jim

Sorry about the above Jim. That's the only good Google pic of a a D16A I could find that still looked somewhat stock-ish.

The engine code won't be in the VIN. It's actually stamped on the outer portion of the block. However it's been years since I've worked on a Honda and I can't remember exactly where it is. I think it may be in the area where the trans mats to the engine (you should see the D16A code and then some other numbers around it). Some recent Honda gurus could chime in and correct the location for me.

The engine code is stamped into the front of the block.....at least it is on my '89 CRX. It is probably covered with grease/oil.....look on the passenger side of the block just under the cyl. head. by the transmission. There sould be a flat spot (maybe 2"x 2") so look for that and start wiping away the grime.

My CRX is the HF model.....it is geared very, very tall. It turns 2200 RPM's at 70 MPH. It's slow as molassas, but I average 55 MPG (my best tank was 65 MPG). I have no idea if it will bolt onto your Acura.....I do know that the splines are different from the HF to other CRX's/Civics, so at the very least you will have axle issues.

[This message has been edited by mrfiero (edited 10-02-2011).]

quote Originally posted by jimbolaya: BTW, is there somewhere on the engine that says D16A, or is it part of the VIN code? Jim

Whatever that picture is, is a B series. The engine code is stamped on the front of the block (nearest to radiator) next to the transmission.