Nick T.

Hello. I am not familiar with all of these honda engines, so please try not to bark at me. I have a ZC engine here, with the code 7507412 below the ZC. Is this a "JDM" ZC from Japan, or is it an American built engine that comes in a North American car. If you can even help me out the slightest bit, it is appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

D.T.P

look at the stamp on the block.

it is located as the picture shows. though the engine in the picture is different, its in the exact same located.




If the stamp says ZC then it is Japanese. If it says d16a1 or d16a6 or anything like that, then well its not.

Nick T.

Thank you! But I was told that there are the ZC engines that come in North American cars and then there are the ZC engines that are imported from Japan. Is there a ZC engine that was a factory motor for a N.A. built hondas?

chasingsafety

most, if not any, north american based honda motors will end with a number, ex, B18B1 would be american, B18B would likely be JDM

D.T.P

Incorrect, there was no north american zc motor. The zc dohc non vtec is practically identical to the d16a1 which came in first gen integras. So that's where all the confusion arises. But as long as its stamped ZC then it is japanese.

Also as mentioned, all north american motors end with a number, where as japanese engines end with a letter.
Ex:
d16z6 (north american)
D15b (japanese)
So if it has no number, its not local.

Nick T.

Thanks to all who shared their knowledge with me. Like i said, i am new to the honda world. So, ZC = Japanese. So there isn't any "ZC" motor that was in a North American car? I want to get into oval track racing and i have a ZC motor. But one of the tech guys said that there are no ZC motors allowed. Would i be wasting my time to build a ZC motor that was in a N.A. production car? Thanks again!

D.T.P

I believe its not allowed because its a swap. Now you have a non vtec sohc, which is really the same or practically the same as d16a6 from ef civics. Those can be had dirt cheap.

Nick T.

Okay. I now understand. So, if the D16a6 is approx. the same as the ZC, what is the difference? What should i do to the d16a6 to be like the ZC or better?
Thanks for all of your help!

D.T.P

I believe the only difference was the cam between the a6 and the zc. Not sure about the pistons though.

Nick T.

So D.T.P., what you are saying is that if i swap the cams from the zc to the a6, technically i will have a "zc" ?

D.T.P

Just verify the piston codes. Research it. Busy at work otherwise would find out for you. Other than that, yes it will be the same.

Nick T.

Okay. Thank you to all who had helped me solve my "zc" problem. I know where to go now if i need any help with hondas! Once again, thank you to all!

ol Dusty

iTrader: (2)

Pistons and cams are the difference usually but also the ECU tuning is slightly different to match the other engine.

Nick T.

Would i them have to change pistons and tune the ECU to have the same power as a zc motor?

D.T.P

why would you go for same power? there is no way of knowing what pistons you have unless you take the head off, so they wont be able to check. Slap some higher compression pistons...

ol Dusty

iTrader: (2)

that and look for a set of Colt cams for it if your going to change internals. The differnece between stock d16a1 and a ZC is 12-22hp depending on what d16a1 you have. 86-87 was a vacuum advance dizzy at 108, the 88-89 was electric advance and made 118 the ZC was rated for 130 all at the flywheel IIRC. Might as well bump up the comp a little further and get some good bump sticks and shoot for 140 or so plus then you'll be getting new cams and not used ones. I don;t know if you can still find new OEM ZC cams. I'm also rebuilding a d16a1 to put in my CRX but things have changed with 1g crx's and what you can do easilly since I bough mine. Knowing now what wasn't as possible then, I'd not bother with the a1 and drop my Civics d15 in there and sell off all my turbo stuff to fund a B20 build for the civic later (which still may happen after I ove back to T.O.) All because parts for the d16a1 are not as good as the newer d15, both for stock and aftermarket. A DOHC ZC makes very similar number to that of the SOHC Vtec d15b, you should keep this in mind for your build before youspend a lot of money. If it's for a race class and you gotta keep the a1, then I'd start looking for colt cams and also try d-series.org's DOHC section and redpepperracing.com as there are a lot of guys like me who have a1's and a lot of them know more then I do about them.

Nick T.

I understand what you are saying ol Dusty, but I have an a6. It will still be the same concept, wouldn't it?
And D.T.P., where i race, apparently they will be looking for things like pistons. But that would definitely be an option for power!

D.T.P

Dustin, he has SOHC zc not DOHC.

OP and how exactly are they going to check for pistons? remove the head? better fund you some new head bolts and new headgasket lol. And looking through the spark plug hole, well you wont be able to tell what piston you have. Just saying...And if they are looking for different valve reliefs or intense edge like some high compression pistons have, well you can always use some OEM pistons, since most/all d series use same bore, using a different piston from an oem engine would be an option also

Maybe somebody with more experience can chime in.

MPR

Nick T. I saw your other post int he D-series info sticky thread about getting more power out of your engine.

I'm a little confused. What exactly are you looking for? It sounds like you want to make more pwoer, but only as much as the JDM version...? Why?

How much power are you looking for? What kind of racing do you do (if any) and what are the limits of the class you're in (if any)?

Nick T.

Well, I race circle track racing. And really, I am looking for the most power that i can... These are the engine rules.

Only engines that were factory available for the make, model and year being run are permitted.
 Maximum engine size is 2500cc.
 No head modifications.
 Cam lift will be inspected and must conform to the engine specs for the car.
 Maximum overbore of .030”allowed.
 Exceptions to the above engine make, model and year rule must be presented in writing to the tech official and tech supervisor for discussion and ruling through the track management.
 No double overhead cams allowed

Any help with this is appreciated and yes. I am looking for power... Once again...
Thanks in advance!