I have a 1991 honda civic si hatchback with a zc engine in it. I bought it with the engine already in it, without even knowing, anyways i dont think im getting the full amount of power out of it. When im in gear and i give it some gas it will accelerate but even if i open the throttle all the way i get more noise but dont go anywhere. I have DC headers and i have stock exhaust pipe from the cat. could this be the problem, i have no idea.

hopefull this much info will help :/

 

Without more detail, there isn't much we can tell you.

Is the check engine light on? Are there any loose wires in the engine bay?

 

no the check engine light doesnt come on.

also the wires in the engine bay are pretty kept together.

 

Either you have a mechanical problem, such as a sticking injector or low compression, or it is all in your mind.

Are you close to a 1/4 mile track? If you are, take it and give it a few good runs. I always thought my '7 was slow until I took it to the track and ran an unusually low time for a bolt-on N/A.

Or, if you know someone with a stock Civic, drive it. It should feel quite a bit slower.

 

is the timing off? maybe your timing belt jumped a tooth?

 

i dont think the timing is off because i have a brand new timing belt and the timing was set less than 5000 miles ago.

it seems my car runs a little rich, maybe i have the wrong ecu for my engine. ie; the old ecu was left in when the zc engine was put in.

its not all in my mind because my brother has a crx that has alot more acceleration with its stock engine. i know its a little bit lighter but thats not the difference.

is there a way to check my ecu to find out what type of engine it is programmed for?

idk it could all be in my mind but i would like to know for sure

 

If the stock ECU was not replaced during the swap, that will make a bit of a difference.

 

This is perfectly normal for a ZC.

 

Agreed 100%.

 

Better then the stock 'A6 at least.