advice on building a JDM 1.6l ZC motor in a '91 hatchback

PNH_lacrosse_ · Post by **PNH_lacrosse_** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:16 pm

Came across a deal on a '91 hatchback, and it has a swapped JDM ZC DOHC motor in it, and i was wondering if anyone could guide me into making this a fairly quick DD car?
i would like to run it all motor, turbo will be the last ditch effort. I was wondering what pistons, cams, and other components i would need to make 170-200hp out of a N/A ZC motor.

this car is $1500, meaning i only can spend another $1500 in it, thats including the suspension and, brakes wheels and tires
not to mention making that motor to what i would like it to be.

thanks for any help
brian

Post by **stolle** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:20 pm

i dont know much about the zc's, but just remember n/a hp = $$$$$$$$ were as you can slap a small turbo on and make 200 whp for relatively small amount of cash not only a small turbo would make it very streetable were you wouldnt have to see red line to get your car moving. or you could go the nitrous route but i wouldnt recommend that. just have fun whatever you do...

PNH_lacrosse_ · Post by **PNH_lacrosse_** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:23 pm

Small turbo setup will run me close to a grand probably, and i have almost no experience in building a turbo set up, and as little cash i have, the turbo will run me almost out of money which i would be planning on spending on the suspension and other components

Post by **budget_crx** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:23 pm

and if youre still wanting to spend the extra money on the NA build I can find some pistons and cams and other stuff for the ZC

Post by **stolle** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:34 pm

PNH_lacrosse_;533 wrote:Small turbo setup will run me close to a grand probably, and i have almost no experience in building a turbo set up, and as little cash i have, the turbo will run me almost out of money which i would be planning on spending on the suspension and other components

you could always get the car straight brakes, suspension, wheels, tires basically a good foundation. and then save up some more money to do what you want to make it fast. which is what i would do, if i had limited funds i would spend the money on what the car needs as opposed to getting things i wanted or things that would make it go fast. on another note with the people that are on this site you would have no problem getting a turbo on your car for under a grand...

PNH_lacrosse_ · Post by **PNH_lacrosse_** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:48 pm

as of right now the car doesnt "need" anything
the motor is fresh rebuilt, as is the transmission (4spd manual) and the clutch is also new. the brakes may be the first to be replaced (rear brake disc swap from friends older integra) then it'll be set.
and for wheels, im not looking for fancy, if anyone could help me out with some 15-16 inch steelies that are wide enough to keep traction with some good tires on them (sleeper/daily driver) so that no one will see it coming.
suspension, springs, rol;/anti sway bars and some adjustable shocks and lowerin springs
it has exhaust and spoon headers already installed on the motor.
so, a sub $800 dollar turbo setup would be ideal!
thanks again for all the help.

rickles8099 · Post by **rickles8099** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 11:13 pm

a decent suspension and clutch will cost you almost a grand by themselves. then if you want to go all motor, you will need to get a bore/hone, pistons, balancing (not needed but recommended) which will cost another $500 - $1000. decent wheels/tires will cost you anywhere from $200 and up depending on if you can find steelies and tires that are used and in good shape.

i would recommend either changing the 4speed tranny to a 5 speed or just getting a 5 speed tranny. then go turbo. or i would have to second what stolle said. get the necessary things taken of first and then go fast. if you even plan on around 200 hp you will need a clutch which will run you around $250 and up. also, do you plan on doing the work yourself or will you need someone to do it for you?

PNH_lacrosse_ · Post by **PNH_lacrosse_** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 11:19 pm

I can do some of the work myself, the brakes, shocks, struts wheels (tires will have to be put on) and other things i am capable of, and i can tear down a motor.
seeing is that i can make easy HP from turbo set up and would cost less than going N/A, that may be the path i want to take.
as for making the turbo set up, i will try as hard as i can to do it myself because of the budget im set on.

rickles8099 · Post by **rickles8099** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 11:21 pm

PNH_lacrosse_;539 wrote:I can do some of the work myself, the brakes, shocks, struts wheels (tires will have to be put on) and other things i am capable of, and i can tear down a motor.
seeing is that i can make easy HP from turbo set up and would cost less than going N/A, that may be the path i want to take.
as for making the turbo set up, i will try as hard as i can to do it myself because of the budget im set on.

well, i think there might be a couple of people here on this site that may be able to help you and/or give you advice. you just need to ask the questions.

deetz · Post by **deetz** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 11:51 pm

i for one favor nitrous,, only because i have proper equipment to handle it, if you decide away from the zc i could help you build a mighty nice b16a, gunmetalsi has a couple blocks for under 100 bucks,, hell of a starting ground,, that way when you have a lil extra cash every now and then by the next item on the list, block, then crank unless you run stock crank, pistons one month, rods, valves exc. it takes time to go fast if you dont have the funds to do it, hence why mines sat for 4 weeks hehe