Question>> D16Z6 Swap into 88 Civic LX

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ceehris

ceehris

New Member
okay well basically i just bought a 88 civic lx (4door) and it already has a d16z6 swap into it. buddy sold it to me cheap because it nolonger runs.
He had the motor swapped by some "kindergardner" and the wiring job is real shitty. So I am guessing it is most likely a wiring problem. Regardless I am going to rewire all the dpfi to mpfi and so on to cancel that out as a possible problem first. I have done simple motor swaps in the past but nothing to
do with vtech. so here are the my questions I have about this swap.....

Is a D16z6 basically the same motor as a D16a6 just with Vtech?

What is the best/easiest ECU to use with this swap??
(I am under the impression that you would just use a PM6 with a Vtech Controller)

Is a Civic LX the same wiring as a DX?

Is there anything important I need to know about this doing this Swap?

I would appreciate it if anyone could answer these questions and any future questions I will have.

thanks,
Cee
 
Well first your going to need to get another engine harness for the LX.Next just wire MPFI off of that harness.Now you need to convert to obd1 to get it to run properly.You will need a P28 ecu,obd1 dizzy,a 4wire o2 sensor and a you will need to wire the obd1 injectors or just keep your obd0 injectors and keep your resistor box.Your going to need a OBD1 ecu jumper.You can make your own (tedious wiring) or you can find one pre-wired for around $100.Check out Rywire - Online Store they have everything you would need and can help out alot.Dont worry with the VTEC controller,just do it the right way with the correct ecu and you will be much happier.
 
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Blanco said:
A D16Z6 doesn't have a phone in it but it does have VTEC.

You don't need a new harness. Running a Z6 with a PM6 and VTEC switch is the worst way to do it because the PM6 doesn't have either the timing or fuel maps for VTEC. Go to RyWire.com and see what you need to do an OBDI conversion so you can run the proper P28 ECU with the engine.
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He should get a new harness being that he wants to re-do the mpfi swap.There is no telling what is wrong with the wiring in it now and it would be best and smart to just re-do it so you are positive its correct.
 
ef8 said:
Well first your going to need to get another engine harness for the LX.Next just wire MPFI off of that harness.Now you need to convert to obd1 to get it to run properly.You will need a P28 ecu,obd1 dizzy,a 4wire o2 sensor and a you will need to wire the obd1 injectors or just keep your obd0 injectors and keep your resistor box.Your going to need a OBD1 ecu jumper.You can make your own (tedious wiring) or you can find one pre-wired for around $100.Check out Rywire - Online Store they have everything you would need and can help out alot.Dont worry with the VTEC controller,just do it the right way with the correct ecu and you will be much happier.
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damn after looking around more on the forum. ive found alot of the info I needed!
Just a few more Qs
Will all the connectors from the 88 lx match up with the d16z6 (93 si)??
if I have the wrong dizzy as it is obd0 and I need a obd1 dizzy what year/models can I find this in if I am to search some auto wreckers?!
 
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heres some pics of the engine and car

civic01motor.jpg
 
Blanco said:
For your distributor, look at '92-'95 Civic EX and Si. I bought mine from eBay by searching for D16Z6. I don't know if he's still doing it but there was a dude selling remanufactured distributors that look (and work) really good. I got mine with a new cap, rotor, and coil for $140 shipped.

For the plugs. The distributor plugs need to either be changed or you can buy the conversion harness from RyWire. You'll have to move the fan switch from the back of the A6 block to the thermostat housing of the Z6 block. You'll just need to lengthen the wires and use the correct female plug. It also helps to lengthen the IAT wires by a few inches for a little extra clearance. The MAP sensor plug will reach without any problems although it looks like you're still using the A6 intake manifold, or at least the throttle body. You'll have two unused plugs after all's said and done. One is a small rectangular plug that went to the FITV on the A6 manifold (you'll still use this if you're using the A6 IM) and the one wire O2 plug. Otherwise it should all plug in. Oh yeah, you might have to trim the fuel injector holder a little to make the wiring harness easier to route.

And get your top timing belt cover on. If you haven't already, you just need to do some minor trimming to make it fit.
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Ya okay thanks man I appreciate the info!
Yea its not the A6 intake manifold I know that. Might be the A6 throttle body though. I havent taken a very good look at the TB too closely. Yea buddy who did the swap left the timing cover off. He says its a JDM look, I personally think its a stupid idea. Im not sure if Im going to be able to find just a timing cover.
Do you think any D series timing cover would fit?
when you speak of IAT are you refering to the IACV (Idle Air Control Valve)? If so yea I know what you mean by making it a bit longer. I remember I had to do that when I did my first DX to SI swap.
So I take it I will still have to swap the TPS sensor outter wires!?
What did you have to do with the shifter linkage to make it work with the Z6 in yours? I know its a cable clutch. I would assume that all the linkages would be the same as dont you just use an SI tranny?
Thnks for All Your Help by the Way! I was sorta panicking after I looked the car over with how much crap was messed up and I was unsure where I was going to find the info to do it correctly! so thanks again!
With all the kits they have for this swap on Rywire.com which one do you think would be the cheapest to use and the best for my situation?
As from what I see. All I really need is the obd0 to obd1 ecu jumper. as I am going to wire the dizzy obd1 plug onto my harness instead of using the dizzy adapter on Rywire.com

I just talked to buddy that did the swap. and he sayed the motor ran. the only reason it wont now is because it is missing the Vtech controller. Is this true. If it was running off of a PM6 with a Vtech controller, If the Vtech Controller is now missing. Would it cause the motor to not run?
 
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Blanco said:
The IAT is a small white sensor on the back of the IM, on the driver's side. The wires reach but it's kind of a tight fit.

An OBDI throttle body will have the MAP sensor on top of it.

It shouldn't be too hard to find a Z6 timing cover. And you're right, it is a stupid idea. It's just asking for something to tear your timing belt apart.

I've never heard about switching the TPS wires for this swap. Unless you mean for the MPFI conversion, in which case I'll have to look it up later.

I used a CRX Si transmission with my swap so everything bolted up like stock.

If you can do everything else as far as wiring goes all you need is the ECU conversion harness. I made my VTEC/O2 subharness but I went with the distributor adaptors from RyWire just for less hassle.

Hmm. I don't have any experience with VTEC controllers but I'm pretty sure the engine should still run like a non-VTEC.
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whats the difference between a civic Si tranny and a crx si tranny? I thought they the same thing!
Im not sure what tranny is on the motor right now, I know its a cable clutch.
Does Anyone know what trannys you can use with the d16z6? other than the stock one that comes with it
 
So I cranked over the engine today and checked the PM6 (yes I know bad ecu to use with d16z6) for a DTC and its displaying only one code, which is 4.
this means its the crank angle sensor or could be the wiring to it.
but anyways I have another question!
since its giving dtc 4 would this cause the motor not to run?
the crank sensor is built into the dizzy right (obd0)?
 
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