Mini-swap in a D16 1.5L

[illusion]

Leme give you all some insight. I talked with soundqjr for a while, hes a cool guy, and we came to the conclusion I think I'm going to swap a vtec head onto my stock D16 1.5L, I've worked on other cars before, but this will be my first big project in a car by myself, so I would like the replies to be truthfull and not "LOL OMG NOOB@CARS." I've worked on older cars, but no imports, I've also built a custom computer ground up with mixed parts, so I'm pretty confidant I can handle this. (BTW I can build anyone a fast computer, message me if interested).

Ok so lets get started. Lets talk strictly motor here. As I said before what soundqjr mentioned to me as a "mini-swap" was changing my current D16 head with a vtec head. Once this is complete I would like to turbo the engine, inter-cooler, blow-off, full exhaust/cat. From my understanding, changing nothing but the head of the engine would require no new pistions/crankshaft correct? Anyway... looking for directions on what type of head I should get, the ECU I would need (P22 or something?), and basically any helpfull information about the head first, then turboing it. Prices, and places to buy the parts would also be awsome.

Thanks for the time
- Kyle.

[deetz]

I talked with soundqjr for a while .

first major mistake

[illusion]

:Whdatk:

[JustRob]

Leme give you all some insight. I talked with soundqjr for a while, hes a cool guy, and we came to the conclusion I think I'm going to swap a vtec head onto my stock D16 1.5L, I've worked on other cars before, but this will be my first big project in a car by myself, so I would like the replies to be truthfull and not "LOL OMG NOOB@CARS." I've worked on older cars, but no imports, I've also built a custom computer ground up with mixed parts, so I'm pretty confidant I can handle this. (BTW I can build anyone a fast computer, message me if interested).

Ok so lets get started. Lets talk strictly motor here. As I said before what soundqjr mentioned to me as a "mini-swap" was changing my current D16 head with a vtec head. Once this is complete I would like to turbo the engine, inter-cooler, blow-off, full exhaust/cat. From my understanding, changing nothing but the head of the engine would require no new pistions/crankshaft correct? Anyway... looking for directions on what type of head I should get, the ECU I would need (P22 or something?), and basically any helpfull information about the head first, then turboing it. Prices, and places to buy the parts would also be awsome.

Thanks for the time
- Kyle.

Let me try and help you out a little. First, what do you drive and what motor do you have (i.e. D16A6, D16Z6, D16Y7/8, etc.)? If you have a D16, its not a 1.5l, its a 1.6l. Turbocharging a D motor is simple. You want to go with a smaller turbo like the 14B, T-25, or IHI RHB 5. A medium size front-mount intercooler would be best. I would get something with a 2.5" inlet/outlet. As far as the Blow-Off Valve, if your doing a budget build, you can use a DSM or Probe BOV, or you could use a GReddy Type RS or the HKS SSQV. On the exhaust, I would just get something custom made, 2.5" all the way through with a little bends as possible. IMO, I'd just go with a test pipe and say forget the cat, but thats just my two cents. You don't need to worry about the pistons, rods, or crank. But there are a few things that you will need when doing the head swap...

Required:
Cylinder Head (Including distributor, valve cover, plugs/wires, VTEC solenoid, etc)
D16Z6 (for Turbo app./lowers compression) or D16Y8 (for N/A app./rasies compression) Head Gasket
P28 ECU
Timing Belt
Wire and plug for VTEC oil pressure switch

Recommended:
Water Pump (for the block you are using)
Spark Plugs
Spark Plug Wires
Valve Cover Gasket
Distributor cap and rotor

I would recommend the P28 ECU due to the ease of chipping/tuning. If you drive an OBD-0 or OBD-2 car, convert forward/backward to OBD-1 to use the P28. When I did my turbo setup, I just took it slow and waited for the parts to pop up on STLSR/StlHondas. I probably only spent about $1,000 on everything. The only things it needed to be complete were the oil lines and charge piping. Here are a few good resources for what your trying to do to your car...

Websites with lots of info on turbochraging a D-Series
http://www.homemadeturbo.com

http://www.turbod16.com

http://www.d-series.org

Websites with parts for turbocharging a D-Series
http://www.stelthmodeperformance.com

http://www.bmcrace.com

http://www.tunertoys.com

http://www.pgmfi.org

Great link for swaping a D16Z6 head onto a D15B7 block
http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=554053

[deetz]

good write up, i was just too lazy to search for it

[90CivicEx]

Leme give you all some insight. I talked with soundqjr for a while, hes a cool guy, and we came to the conclusion I think I'm going to swap a vtec head onto my stock D16 1.5L, I've worked on other cars before, but this will be my first big project in a car by myself, so I would like the replies to be truthfull and not "LOL OMG NOOB@CARS." I've worked on older cars, but no imports, I've also built a custom computer ground up with mixed parts, so I'm pretty confidant I can handle this. (BTW I can build anyone a fast computer, message me if interested).

Ok so lets get started. Lets talk strictly motor here. As I said before what soundqjr mentioned to me as a "mini-swap" was changing my current D16 head with a vtec head. Once this is complete I would like to turbo the engine, inter-cooler, blow-off, full exhaust/cat. From my understanding, changing nothing but the head of the engine would require no new pistions/crankshaft correct? Anyway... looking for directions on what type of head I should get, the ECU I would need (P22 or something?), and basically any helpfull information about the head first, then turboing it. Prices, and places to buy the parts would also be awsome.

Thanks for the time
- Kyle.

Mini-me swap is a good swap but talk to some people who do more to there cars, not saying AJ doesn't know what he's talking about but talk to people who have done the swap themselves. If your motors 1.5 it will be D15 and if it's 1.6 then it's D16, depending on the year which I believe you said it was 95 you will want a P28 ecu. Turboing it HMT style is cheap quick and easy, but if you buy a kit don't go with a horrid A/R "Air Research" or anything. I would go with something name brand cause you can spend a few hundred more and get a good kit that won't break down on you. I say before you go mini-meing it just turbo the motor in there that way if theres a problem you don't ruin the head and then have to rebuild it or something.

[illusion]

Really awesome links man, thanks. Any other input would be greatly appreciated. I'm guna try for this mini-me swap first, then we'll talk turbo

[illusion]

After a bit more reading, they say swapping out my tranny for the EX's would be a smart choice after I install the head, due to the shorter gears of the EX. Any thoughts about this?

[JustRob]

After a bit more reading, they say swapping out my tranny for the EX's would be a smart choice after I install the head, due to the shorter gears of the EX. Any thoughts about this?

I highly recommend doing this. I had an EX/Si transmission in my D15B7 and it deffinently improved the performance. If your going to boost the motor, I'd suggest a Centerforce Dual Friction clutch and a new stock flywheel or resurface the old one.

[deetz]

ive got a good tranny out of a 91 si, lemme know if ya are interested