Ok ok, i know I sound like a total n00b but I gotta definatly make sure... I'm on my journey to build a SOHC AUTOMATIC... crazy ain't it? Not looking for a speed rocket, just something above normal...

Currently I have a d16y7, looking to swap the head, of course that is the first step... gonna build internals and such, boost, and some tranny work to keep it going....but all that isn't my concern...
I'm in the process of starting to swap the head but I gotta buy it first..I have a potential deal going on for a ported one for 100$...



Here comes the dumb question...the soleniod for vtec...thats it at the bottom left of the head right? So if i purchase just whats in the picture... the only thing I have to worry about when swapping is the Dist. Cap? and of course the lil extra oil line. I don't really have to worry about the ECU or anything do I? Sorry again for the noob question...

 

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No, that's not it at the bottom left. That's just a coolant passage. The solenoid is located at the TOP left of the head. You can see it in this picture. See that thing sticking up at the top left, with the wire coming from it? That's the actuator solenoid.



I can't see for 100% sure in the pictures you posted, but it doesn't appear to me that the solenoid is present. You would need to purchase that.

Second .. are you sure that head in the picture is even a Y8 head? If it's a Y7 head, you can't just slap a solenoid on it and expect it to be VTEC. If it's a Y8 head, and you want to use a Y8 head in your Y7 car, you'll need a new ECU, some additional wiring, and oil lines as you mentioned.

Here's how you can tell if it's a Y8 head or not. Look where the VTEC solenoid SHOULD be (top/back left). You should see bolt holes and oil passages for the solenoid. A Y7 head will not have these. Here's what's under the solenoid on a Y8 head.



If yours looks like that, it's a Y8. If it doesn't, it's not. LMK if you need more help.

 

I am wondering if you can put a B16 (99-00 Civic Si) head onto a D16Y8 block? I thought I heard it was possible but my friend told me that is wasnt. Which is true?

 

Not possible.

(Well, nothing's IMPOSSIBLE, but trying to do this would cost you about 10x more money and effort than just buying a B16 block. It's not gonna happen...leave it at that. )

 

Thanks for the info :thumbup: What would you have to do to be able to do that?

 

Can't even begin to think of it all. First of all, the bolt patterns are nothing alike, so you'd either have to drill new holes in the block or head, weld up the old ones, etc. Second, the bore is completely different, so I don't even know if the head would line up correctly PERIOD (may be too long, bigger bore on the head). If by some miracle it did line up, you'd have to weld up the chambers to match the block (unless you can bore the block out 6mm, which I doubt)...hell I dunno. It would be a very big mess. Just leave it at that.

 

This is the only picture he had left... is it a y8 or y7 head?

 

That's a Y8 head.

You can see the oil passages and bolt holes for where the solenoid would go.

But the solenoid is not there. See my pics above for comparison.

 

What USDM engine would be a bolt in for a 99 Civic Ex?