nrg3k

Hello,

I have recently decided to use my old 1992 Honda Civic HB as a project car - setup for track use.

The main reason for this is my engine is seized (doesn't start, doesn't push start, can't turn the crank over with a breaker bar!) and I'm gonna rebuild, or replace.

After doing the research on different types of engines, i realized that my CX model Civic has a 16valve stamp on the cylinder head cover. This is a complete shock, as all the years i've owned the car, i never realized this (fyi, 1992 cx should have an 8v D15B8 engine). Is this a common thing with first rev EG civics?

I guess i'll only know for sure if i pull the cylinder head cover off... Any ideas what could be the case? i am the second owner - purchased the car in 1997 with 90,000 - it has over 250 now and hasn't been on the road for 3 years.

Any other recommendations for testing/rebuilding/replacing an engine for a n00b would be appreciated as well



If you really squint, you can make out the 16 on the cover... otherwise, take my word for it.

imported_SaYjAiBaO

all canadian model cxs came with dx motors if that's what you're asking. still a pos motor.

zeeman

iTrader: (1)

what are you plans with this car (i know you said track car, but what kind of track?)
What is your budget?
What are your goals?

If its 1/4 mile i'd boost the crap outta another d-series.

Chigga1

^^^^^ i agree, write your plans down...

Dseries or any B non vtec motor

nrg3k

The CX has a DX engine?! wow - that is a big deal since the diff is 70hp vs 100hp... I always thought the car felt like it had more pep than 70hp..

For my budget, plan and expectations (i have lots of this planned out actually):

budget: $3500
track: road (shannonville - i wanna be ready for the track day with BattleEndless on july 30), and auto-x

Either way, the motor is seized - i need it replaced. I was recommended by Teknotik to get the D15B JDM which as something in the range of 125-130hp (vtec). I'm gonna try to do this myself with a bit of help from in-laws. Should be fun - i'll post pix when i make changes

DJM:>

imported_wajih1

are you planning on building / boosting the D15b?, because thats just like a stock engine, not meant for racing. for 3500 you can easily get a b16 swap and if you are doing the swap yourself u can even get a b18c1. A d15b vtec stock is not a good option for a track car.

nrg3k

I was under the impression a D15B is a good boost engine? I like the idea of a non-vtech B18, but I also want cheap - i fully intend to boost this later in its lifespan, and I also expect to blow it up while i'm learning.

As a side note, i also intend to keep this car street legal, and use it from time-to-time when my wife needs the other family car... I don't need tonnes of HP for a fun track car (still learning...).

DJM:>

zeeman

iTrader: (1)

sounds like a b18b or b20 would suit you well. They both will have a lot more power (specifically torque, which is important for the track) and they will both take boost good later on down the road.
B20 with ITR tranny would be my choice. But with your budget (keeping in mind that i would highly recommend changing the timing belt/water pump/clutch before installing the engine/tranny) i think you might have to go with a less expensive tranny, like a b16 or gsr.

imported_t_dot_SiR

well... the d15b seems ideal in his situation...
install that, and custom built your turbo kit... get some tuning done... you're ready for the track day... also work on the suspension if you wanna do auto-x...

i think the d15b is still relatively cheaper than the b18b...
but if you can get 500 or so more..
jump to a b18b.. the b-series is more of a potential and performance motor... no matter what, the d-series is just for economy purpose...

a boost b18 will do good too
one more thing... the d15b has optional lsd on their d-series tranny which is a good thing too

d15b vs b18b... it all comes down to how much you're being charged for the motor...

and how well you know and how fast you can gather turbo parts... then get teknotik to do some tuning.... since you're running obd1 car... you can get the p28 chip and easily tune it with many different program

imported_SaYjAiBaO

i rather go with the b18b over the d15b because the price will be almost the same and you'll have the extra .3 litre displacement. d16z6 would be a cheaper swap than the two and it's potentials are higher than the d15b boost or NA. i haven't seen any heavily built NA d15bs but i've seen z6s put 160-170whp. don't go tracking with the b7 man. i went last year with that motor and it was sooooo slow. sure it was fun but not when people are blowing by you like you're standing still. even a z6 with mods walked me pretty bad on the main straights. with the z6 all you need is the engine, tranny and ecu. you can reuse everything else. reuse the stock engine harness and just wire up vtec separately.

you don't need a very powerful motor at shannonville to have fun. i wouldn't boost it on stock internals though. if you only auto x then yeah thats fine but shannonville is damn far and it'll be a pain in the *** if you run into trouble at the track but if you're engine is built and can take the beating then go for it. so spend the money on a z6 and with the money you save from not going with the b18 or d15b, get header and exhaust and it will be quite fun to drive at the track. i'm hoping to make it out to the track on the 30th as well. i'll see ya there .

imported_kickz

man go d15b
if your a newbie on shannonville you will have some madd fun with a d15b. better spend your money on suspension and tires ..
i konw that people in civics with sohc that have their suspension and tires and keep up with the bseries civics theonly thing is you a bit of time on the straight .. but if your going shannonville it isnt that long ne ways .. so you will end up catching them into the turn agian .=) but ya d15b y ou will have tons of fun

nrg3k

My understanding was the D15B i'm looking at is the JDM vtec version - not the US/Canada engine. From discussions i've had before, the JDM engine marked as a D15B is the same as the D16z6 in north america. After looking at specs, this makes sense - both are rated for similar power, same SOHC VTEC, displacement, etc. Anyone else know? I found this link, but it seems to be US engine models:

enginereplacement.com

As far as fast - i donno how fast i can go at a track without good rubber... i think getting a bigger motor is pointless in my case, when i know how fast a 100hp engine can take me (the civic did 360 at 160km/h on 401 and zero damage... so i think i'm ready for shannonville lol). Imagine how much fun 130-150hp will be with only 1200kg of car

Now its off to partsource for some tools...

DJM:>

imported_SaYjAiBaO

no you are wrong, the d15b is 1.5 and the d16z6 is 1.6! and the track is the full version, that's the one BE always run most of the time. the cam on the d15b is more aggressive than the z6 which is why it puts out 5 more hp than the z6 but the potential of the z6 is higher. the compression ratio is also higher.

imported_t_dot_SiR

i hope you weren't doing something stupid... making a donut at 160km/hr on 401... that is consider dangerous driving....

imported_wajih1

if you are planning on boosting it then its fine, because right now i have a d15b vtec, its good in low gears but as soon as you hit the 5th gear, you are basically done. On a track, it wouldnt matter, but dont expect it to be as fast as b series cars. Also if you can find a good z6 for cheaper, keep that in mind as well, although it's hard to find one with low miles. If you can afford it, getting what zeeman said would be a much better option.
I cant wait to go DOHC lol.

nrg3k

Re: spinning out - it wasn't intentional. but at least i know the limits of the car :\

The more I dig into this, i'm realizing I'd be better off with my other car (matrix xrs) for track day, than to rush the civic in a short amount of time. Decisions decisions... maybe I can just come out and meet everyone and get more ideas and refine my plan.

Thanks for all the tips - very much appreciated!

DJM:>

imported_SaYjAiBaO

civic > matrix on the track. matrix are heavy pigs. just because it's more powerful doesn't mean it's faster. all you need for shannonville is a good set of rubber and decent suspension. motor would be a plus but not a must have to have fun. it doens't take long to find a z6. the swap isn't rocket science either, it's even easier than a b swap.

nrg3k

If the price is right, i'm definately interested in the D16z6. Anyone know somewhere ones available? I'll inquire with shops online as well.

DJM:>

nrg3k

FYI i got a response from teknotik about D15 vs D16:

Based on our experience (over time) the D15’s area much stronger motor than the D16 counterparts. The D15s have a better bottom end and are not plagued with the main bearing problems that most D16’s are. We do have both in stock from this generation and can provide you with either.

I think i want something stronger more than anything...

imported_SaYjAiBaO

i'm not trying to knock teknotik or anything but their d series are seriously overpriced. sure they can provide you with a healthy motor but if you plan to boost it, it won't be long until you tear the motor down for a rebuild. if you're patient enough and look in the right places, you can find a good condition d16z6 and i don't mean the forums. most d series can only handle around 200whp on stock internals and you get sick of that fast. how many d15bs have you seen pushing over 400whp? i haven't seen one at all but there are a few on turbod16.com. so i wouldn't go say that d16s have a weaker bottom end than a d15b. you probably won't even be pushing the d series to the limits where you start breaking the motor anyways.

i got my z6 swap done for 5 bills. that leaves me with 700 bucks left over difference from doing a d15b. with 700 bucks i can walk all over the d15b with my z6. all d series are very reliable man, it'll take some stupid mistakes to blow one in stock trim. like trying to slap a b16 ecu in and rev it to 9 grand or mishift from 5th to 2nd, stupid stuff like that.