I have a 93 Civic DX (d15b7 motor), and I'm getting info on putting a d16z6 cylinder head on it. I know a full motor swap would be better, but it's also more expensive and since I'm going to change my timing belt and water pump anyway, a mini-me swap didn't seem like too much extra work. I know this topic has been covered many times already, but I can’t find clear answers to some of my questions.

I know this will raise my compression ratio a good amount. Can I keep my stock internals and not risk destroying my engine? Will it just blow up in a few thousand miles? Do I need premium fuel?

Also, where should I get parts? I don’t want to take them out of any junked Civic since they might not be functional in the first place. Should I just buy junked parts and send them away to be remanufactured or inspected?

Thanks in advance.

 

Yes, you can keep your stock internals...you'll need to have an oil line drilled into the block for the VTEC head so VTEC operates (and functions properly and remains safe for the engine).

You'll also need a D16Z6 ECU.

Find somebody who is familiar with Honda's and knows his machine work and you'll be more than fine.

However, you should know you can get a full, reliable, properly functioning D16Z6 for cheap money...we're talking $500-$800. You'll be paying way more than that to get parts for your T-Belt, water pump, the purchase of the head and the machine work it requires, which is why this swap isn't very common in the first place. It'll bolt right up to your current car, you will however need the D16Z6 ECU and wiring harness, which you can find in a junkyard if need be.

If you're absolutely hellbent on this...

As far as parts, are you talking T-Belt and water pump? Go new, it's infinitely worth doing things right the first time.

Finding a D16Z6 head shouldn't be difficult, check Craigs list, HAN's for sale forum, and Honda-Tech's MarketPlace.

Good luck to you.

 

if its done right, they can be just as reliable as a stock engine.
make sure that you know what your doing. or have some one there that knows what there doing. also make sure you have everything you need together, so there isint any down time.

 

It's been a little while since I started this thread, but I decided that I was going to do the swap; I almost have all my parts, and I'm planning to begin this weekend. I had a little trouble relacing a broken sensor in the head I bought, and I still can't determine which head bolts I need (I'm using ARP's.) If anybody knows which to use, your help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

im about to do this.... i was wondering how yours went?

im gonna use the y8 head, only different is intake i think...

:bump:

 

It went ok, I guess. I still have to get it tuned, so I haven't yet seen its full potential...it might also just be that this swap will barely give you any additional power in the first place. I had a few small problems on the way, such as a few broken parts and blowing my head gasket the first time I did the swap. By the way, don't use Permatex Copper Spray; I learned the hard way.

Parkway driving, on the other hand, is much more enjoyable. My car used to crawl to 80 at WOT, now it flies to 85 and beyond without letting up. The low end still sucks.

I think you'll have better results than me (slightly) because the y8 head will raise the compression even more and will handle preignition/detonation better than my z6 head.

Good luck, and feel free to PM me with any questions.

 

yea im doin a mini-me swap (thanks to RSXt3 for the parts) in my ek hatch, y7 bottom y8 top and high compression pistons (from my boy's CRX), after all said and done lookin at about 180 hp all motor, the motor will be port and polished, changin out timing belt, water pump and all that once everything is out. Thinkin about turboing it next spring but i got time before that.

 

you'll have to spend quite a bit of cash for that goal

 

yea i know but itll still cheaper then buyin a new motor, tranny an all that ish

 

For 180whp N/A, you should really look into another engine (I factored in the cost issue). With a d-series, even a mini-me, the 150/160whp threshold will be hard to cross without a lot of cash. Also, if you do reach that mark, you'll probably have a very aggressive cam and other things that won't make the car very "streetable". You're better off taking the massive amount of cash you will end up spending and invest in a cheap b-series engine.

If you want 180whp with a turbo, that won't be very hard at all. Just get some decent engine management, and you're good to go.