engine swap ideas (warning:long winded)

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S

sn0w3n

billy f
First just to clear out any future problems, i am 15 and, i am pretty new to the honda sceen. However, i am not a noob when it comes to engine basics. Ok with that being said, i have always wanted to have a first quick car. After checking out 5.0 mustangs and seeing how they ultimatley sucked down way to much gas, and after looking at all the fuel economy for a z29 camaro i came acroos an idea. My dad owned a honda of this generation (standard dx) and i decided after doing some research (for about a month) that I possibly might might buy an engineless one and do an engine swap. Also so you know, my best friends dad used to due engine building and as such, he has an engine lift, a whole variety of power and non-power tools and finally he is willing to help me on any car project. however, he does not know much about hondas, so i wondered if possibly people could tell me some things like. One, some easier and harder swap ideas and the stuff neccesesary to complete them. And two, is it possible to have an a jdm engine in the states, due to smog laws. After seing h-motors website, it basically said how they weren't legal for use on roads but, i wonder if there are any ways around this. thanks, Will
 
First off welcome. you are in the right place, what year,make, and model do you have? What is your budget? (tell me this and i'll give you an idea of the potential) also now that you are here I can tell you that I am new to hondas although my roots are on v8 power, and I was able to carry out a swap with ALOT of research and info from this and other sites, some realistic expectations and patience. Also yes JDM engines are common in the states but you might wanna check local laws for NJ, but I know i've seen members with swaps from NJ.
 
this site is really helpful if you know how to use it,research your options
tell us your plans(what are your power goals,budget,etc.)
most people will tell you to go for a bseries swap as they are fairly easy,and dont cost that much,but theres potential in anything you want to do
 
Thx a bunch, number one its a 1990 civic dx hatch manual. Number two in total I will have about $7000 to spend
 
I would say stay single cam, go with a Z6, they are cheap and easy to find. Youll have to do an OBD conversion. Build the motor, pistons, cam, mild head work, an intake manifold that matches your cam profile, and a good header and a tune. It will make more whp than a stock B-series, and will leave you money left over.
 
:ditto: on the Z6 swap. Probably the cheapest of the swaps(minus the non-VTEC D-series), and pretty easy to do.

There's a couple of guys hittnig 160-170whp with off-the-shelf parts with the D-series, all motor. Just for kicks, the highest HP D-series, NA, is about 270whp on a D15B2(Bisi Ezerioha). He's now making over ~480whp on a F22.
 
or he could go buy a d16z6 swap to mpfi,and have sooo much more money to spend and sank your gsr:)
 
something i have been looking into for a n/a sohc build is individual throttle bodies...read up a bit on them. it might be worth it to you if you are serious about this build.
 
honestly with the power your looking for itb's would not be worth it,it is a bitch and a half to tune with/for itb's

z6 is d16z6 yes,and they have alot of potential,just ask blanco
 
thx injen, i looked up the z6 engine performance parts, im definetly going to look into those, but also, i really like the idea of having a jdm engine in the states, im going to look up smog stuff but in the mean time do you have any recommendations for a jdm motor.
 
why a jdm motor???
just buy a d16z6 from here and build that,theres really nothing special about "JdM EnGiNeS"
 
since you have help and a pretty healthy budget I would also go with a GSR swap, it's just as easy, they are easy to find easy to mod, osakajdmmotors.com has them pretty cheap and you can opt to get an LSD installed, but this is about what you want so do a little research 200whp is possible with many different combinations, there are easier ways to do this and harder ways.... also an H22 swap will be 200whp with no mods to the engine but is not the easiest of swaps....
 
Honestly B-series motors are the most overrated of all the swaps. If I could do it again I would have gone the built and boosted D-series way. Then again I got my B16 swap with everything (mounts, linkage,axles) for less than a grand.:D
 
INJEN78 said:
why a jdm motor???
just buy a d16z6 from here and build that,theres really nothing special about "JdM EnGiNeS"
Click to expand...

wrong... they generally have higher compression than the USDM version.. thus meaning more bhp..

USDM GSR = 170
JDM GSR = 180
USDM b16 = 160
JDM b16 = 170

and yes you can smog JDM motors here.. you just need the USDM manifold, throttle body and ecu.. and make sure all the sensors are hooked up.. for 7k, i'd go with a JDM GSR swap.. toss some CTR cams in it and toss an ITR tranny on it.. have fun
 
efhondakid said:
Honestly B-series motors are the most overrated of all the swaps. If I could do it again I would have gone the built and boosted D-series way. Then again I got my B16 swap with everything (mounts, linkage,axles) for less than a grand.:D
Click to expand...
if i knew then what i know now i woulda stuck with the SOHC as well,

eg6sir said:
wrong... they generally have higher compression than the USDM version.. thus meaning more bhp..

USDM GSR = 170
JDM GSR = 180
USDM b16 = 160
JDM b16 = 170

and yes you can smog JDM motors here.. you just need the USDM manifold, throttle body and ecu.. and make sure all the sensors are hooked up.. for 7k, i'd go with a JDM GSR swap.. toss some CTR cams in it and toss an ITR tranny on it.. have fun
Click to expand...
yea but he could easily put the money into a d and make the power he wants.a little easier and cheaper.i dunno its his decision
 
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