# Civic Engine Swap **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** civic, honda\ **Created:** [July 8, 2013, 11:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/civic-engine-swap/80244 "2013-07-08T23:47:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bemehiser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5daacb/32.png) [@bemehiser](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bemehiser)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 11:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/civic-engine-swap/80244/1 "2013-07-08T23:47:22Z")
I have an '81 civic 1500. I heard that the engine mounts are the same as on newer '90s civics. Can anyone corroborate that? Also, if the mounts are the same, can provide insight into the difficulty level of a swap? Thanks in advance… ---
**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2013, 12:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/civic-engine-swap/80244/2 "2013-07-09T00:42:23Z")
A 1981 Civic will probably have a carburetor. Anything from the 90s will have computer controlled fuel injection. While you might be able to find a 90s era engine that will fit the 1981 mounts…good luck rigging up the electronics to make the 90s era computer work. ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2013, 12:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/civic-engine-swap/80244/3 "2013-07-09T00:45:33Z")
I would be very surprised if the mounts were the same. I do know that if you swap a ZC into a 2nd gen Civic, you have to custom-fab mounts. The ZC was used in cars from 84 through the mid 90’s. I would imagine that 5th gen Civics did not return to the same mount specs/position as were there 3 generations ago. You can also expect to need custom axle fabrication, a transmission swap, and a _whole_ lot of work getting the electricals transferred over. Were I doing the swap I would also want to upgrade the brakes - the original brakes are designed to stop an underpowered pokey little car. You’re about to make something very much faster. The swap can be done, but if you have to ask questions about it, you’re going to need help. Even routine engine swaps where you’re just replacing an engine with the same engine are not for the novice - this one’s going to be several notches above that. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2013, 7:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/civic-engine-swap/80244/4 "2013-07-09T07:24:01Z")
Just call your local parts store and ask if the part numbers are the same for an 81Civic and a 90’s Civic mounts. If not, they probably won’t work. Tester