EK7_DriftMania

I know that veryone is doing their turbos and swaps, and unfortunately, for a stundent's budget I can not do these stuff yet.

However, I have heard of Mini-me conversions. I too was against this setup, but now that I done some research, there are some good reviews on it. I doon't know if anyone is willing to inform me on the matter. I need to know everything there is to know about it, including opinions, good and negative. I am considering it soon. So, please post some prices, parts, etc... Don't know much now, so please feel free to fill in the blanks.

90ls

whats a mini-me?

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

Basically, thow a VTEC head on a non VTEC motor, and call it mini-me. About a 15-20 hp gain. No real drawbacks... need head (who doesn't ) intake manifold, VTEC solenoid, distributor, knock sensor, ECU, throttle body, air box, new head gasket and belts. Basically everything that attaches to the head + the head.

Guest

bbarbulo, would you recommend that type of work?
About how much would that setup go for?

thanks

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

The whole setup can be had for around $500-800 bills, but I would recommend doing some additional things while the block is open. I would balance and blueprint the bottom end with a D15 crank, custom rods, and high compression pistons, add oil squirters, new rings, VTEC oil pump (polished), port and polish the head with a 3 angle valve job, titanuim retainers, some decent valve springs, a lightweight flywheel, and a ECU that allows you to rev to about 9000rpm. The torque will be about the same, maybe slightly higher, but the horsepower at the crank would probably be about 160 or so. That's a SOHC VTEC normally aspirated setup done right. Total cost...probably over $5000, but L&B would know best.

Yeah, if you are on a budget and just want VTEC, I'd do it. HOWEVER, I must warn you that you may be disappointed with the results...the car will drive and feel virtually the same, except past 5000rpm, which is not really that often for a daily driver. You would be better off with another power-adder, like a swap or turbo. It would be great experience if you wanted to do it yourself and got a great deal on these parts used.

EK7_DriftMania

Your right, I had previous posts on swaps like the ZC engines. What do you think? Is the integra's 140hp any good and will it drop in exactly?

imported_Slvr-Bullet

Instead of a mini-me, why not just drop in a Y8?? Cheaper IMO.

DX SLEEPER

hey i got a question for bburbalo so this head from the sohc vtec will fit on my d15 block right?? Cause i mean this is a cheap alternative to a swap if you just want to swap the head not doing any engine work right well and the ecu. I wonder how much just a head swap like that and ecu will cost?? And what kind of power gain would we be looking at here with that setup. I'm think it's worth to do the zc swap cause than i am getting everything new plus a lot more power, i would consider this however if it would be very cheap cause the full zc swap and new clutch runs about 2000$ so if i can do this for like 500$ i would consider it. My motor now only has 167k on it so it's still packing heat for another 100k easy hmmm so many options what to do.

imported_precision4

i swapped in (well actually KS-R ) a d16z6 (5th gen Si w/vtec) in my 4th gen for 700 and its great!

imported_JookSingKid

I have a friend with a mini-me set up.

Very very impressive.

He runs with B16s all day long with no problem.

He pushes about 140 to the wheels

imported_JookSingKid

If I ever do a 4th gen, I will do a mini-me

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

D15 block will support a VTEC head, but you won't get the 127hp that you get in a D16Y8 or D16Z6 block. If KS-R can swap it for $700, I'd do it. By the time you get all the parts together, and new gaskets, timing belt, water pump, etc. you're looking at well over that much. All stock D15 with a VTEC head on it will prolly put out about 120hp if you are lucky.

JSK must not know about that 140whp SOHC -- he's actually spraying it with a 100hp shot of N2O.

imported_JookSingKid

Actually the D15B7 Block is the ideal block to use.

Have you ever heard a built single cam?

It sounds so sic.

The built single cam is impressive as hell!

EK7_DriftMania

700 is cheap for the setup. Too bad you only get the difference in vtec otherwise there are no difference. What about the ZC setup, is 140hp true, because those cars are not that fast on the streets, they are fast with mods, I think SI is faster with only 127hp. What does a SI short block go for? Do I have to use the SI manifolds, I know it hold more air/volume, but is it required?

Another thing, when I have all the money to get this setup done, I am planning to get the engine from a JDM shop, properly a VTI. Becasue you know Japan does not have SI. Can I run a SIR ecu on the VTI? Can I mix and match parts if I can't find matching parts?

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

The intake is required, the exhaust isn't... but this is going be other ppl's info that I read, I have not done this...so until you try you don't know for sure. B18B can be swapped in for about $2000, but way faster than any other cheap swap...and it will require massaging the framerail. ZC is 130hp I think, but no good since they are kinda old... I'd take SOHC VTEC over ZC in a 4th gen.

EK7_DriftMania

You know what's weird B18B is the integra non vtec, right? The base line on the dyno is only 105 hp, that is 5 hp less than SI.
http://www.importtuner.com/tech/0201it_ppintegra/
I think I should save up for something good. but I want some power right now that I can use. You guy notice that all cars are pushing for the 200 hp mark. Dodge Neon is now 215hp and 230 lb of trq. 0-60 in under six second. I know I can't compete now, but I want something that can take me into the low 8s. Maybe high 7s is pushing. What do you think? I really want to experience a car with this setup, I have driven SI, would the Mini-me have that kind of epxerience. Thinking of doing it soon, sounds good so far, are there any negative results, that is what is drawing me back.

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

No negative results if all is done right...but have you been using syntetic up to this point? You engine wasn't meant to scream at 7500rpm, but it'll do it. Just high quality fresh oil all the time is a good idea. LS-VTEC has oil leak problems if not all is done right, so I imagine this may be a concern with the mini-me as well, but if it's done right you should have no problem. To be honest, if you are shooting for a performance goal (like a 7.5+ 0-60 time) then you are best off to start with the right platform. So, if you want a B18B, hold off for the B18B. Spending 8 bills now would be dumb cuz that 8 bills that you could have put towards a B18B...in other words, almost 1/2 there. I say you need to put that money towards a kick *** susp or brakes before you do the swap. If you have these already, then just put the money aside and wait for a deal on a B18B. Just my .02 But if you are sure you wanna build a SOHC, then do it right and go all out with internal work, high compression, cam, springs, porting, valve job, computer, header, ....the works. Best to do it once and do it right. When I was in school I was faced with the same dillemma...but I held off.

EK7_DriftMania

Yeah, your right. I was thinking of the same thing, but I need power now. I think I have pushed it as far as it can go. Maybe NOS, just little?

I got all the little mods: Intake (cold), exhaust, ground wires(home made), and some suspension. I need something alittle bit more, so I thought mini-me is good.

Another question - If I decided to go with the ITR swap, would I have to get the ITR brake conversion, like front and rear dics brake, or is mine front dics and rear drum good enough?
Thanks

imported_My Blue Si

EK7, im not too sure if you know much about the ZC's as you claim that they lose to stock Si's. One word BULLSHIT!!. Do you have a zc? probably not. Do I have a ZC, yes I do, and yes I have raced and yes i have raped sir's and gsr's so what makes you think that it can't take out an Si. The ZC is the best swap for it's costs. I must agree with bbarbulo on it being a very old motor b/c mines a 1990. They say it has 50K but i think it's BS. You are also right when doing a mini me swap, if it's not done right it will blow and I have witnessed many of them that have. I would go for an LS motor b/c it's a great motor, it's DOHC and you can possibly get one from a 93 with less than 200K on it. The motor also has around 120lbs ft of torque, anyway something around there, which means it will take most b16's at the line as of the b16's only having 111 lbs of torque. Iif you want maximum performance, the best thing I would do is an LS VTEC swap b/c you've got torque and high end speed all in one. So I believe the best swap is the LS VTEC.

EK7_DriftMania

Yeah I think so too, but remember one thing, your swap is a ZC into a small *** civic that is super light, almost 700lbs (around) lighter than mine, the lowest model had 69hp and top has 108 hp. Of course, with a 140 hp swap it is fast. No ****, man. If I had your weight, I would keep me engine stock and I would shut me bitch hole.
What I am talking about is stock car racing, a 2000 integra and Civic (non-vtec) going at it, the integra is not that fast for its power claims. Like those crappy Celica (2000) GT, with 140hp that goes no where. Not always about HP. I know SI has good rep always, the ZC are good for samll car swaps, it does make mine .XX secs faster, but SI makes 1 sec defferent, so that is why I want the Mini-me. Keep small cars out of this. Because I don't have one. If I had the money it would be a type-r for sure.

There was a guy on this site that offered me $6400+ for a 00 integra R swap, and I turned him down cause I don't have the money. He has one in his car. If I had, I would have grabbed it.