What kind of ZC is this??

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Ic3

Newb Engine Swapper
Hey everyone
I'm wondering what type of ZC this is? It is real hard to do searching on forums ect because the code is only 2 characters. It does have a red head but it could be painted. It's not vtec. The only thing stamped on the block is 'ZC' witch looks JDM to me but I could be wrong. Im going to do a bit of cleaning on the block try to find what year its from. From the little searching I did on google I think it could be from a 90 CRX? Any info you guys have on this or links would help so much! I am planning on swaping this into my 94 Civic shell. Right now I have the head off and am considering some low comp pistons and forged rods and turboing it as its only around 130 hp maybe even less.
Thanks for your time!

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Ic3
 

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Heres some more pictures. I ripped the hole thing apart almost to check for cracks in the block. Looks all good. Will start building it up as soon as I get a little more info on it.
 

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Thanks Jlicrx!
Would you happen to have any info on these? Or any links to websites with some good info? I found a few that helped out alot.. I gotta pick up some Timing gears and a Dizzy. My DX transmission fits right up to this block I guess I will try to use it as I read a few places it will work. I am also looking for a ZC ECU or maybe mapping my own? I want to order one of these ebay gasket kits but I fear there just slapped together and half the gaskets wont line up properly :S Oh well I guess you gotta spend a little to see.. I will post the build up on here. Thanks again and anyone else with any information would be great!
Thanks everyone!
Ic3
 
Thanks Jlicrx!
Would you happen to have any info on these? Or any links to websites with some good info? I found a few that helped out alot.. I gotta pick up some Timing gears and a Dizzy. My DX transmission fits right up to this block I guess I will try to use it as I read a few places it will work. I am also looking for a ZC ECU or maybe mapping my own? I want to order one of these ebay gasket kits but I fear there just slapped together and half the gaskets wont line up properly :S Oh well I guess you gotta spend a little to see.. I will post the build up on here. Thanks again and anyone else with any information would be great!
Thanks everyone!
Ic3
basically, the 88-91 DOHC ZC is a cross between 88-89 USDM Integra D16A1 and 88-91 CRX/Civic Si - gaskets and seals for 88-89 Integra D16A1 will work - timing gears are unique to the DOHC ZC - B/H series gears will work on the camshafts, but you have to have the DOHC ZC timing belt gear that goes on the crankshaft - i assume you will be running it OBD1, in which case you need a JDM DOHC ZC distributor TD43U - there aren't any others that fit - timing belt is 88 Prelude 2.0 Si - your transmission, flywheel, etc. will bolt right on - the correct ECU for the OBD1 ZC is a P29, but you could always chip a P06 with the P29 maps
 
basically, the 88-91 DOHC ZC is a cross between 88-89 USDM Integra D16A1 and 88-91 CRX/Civic Si - gaskets and seals for 88-89 Integra D16A1 will work - timing gears are unique to the DOHC ZC - B/H series gears will work on the camshafts, but you have to have the DOHC ZC timing belt gear that goes on the crankshaft - i assume you will be running it OBD1, in which case you need a JDM DOHC ZC distributor TD43U - there aren't any others that fit - timing belt is 88 Prelude 2.0 Si - your transmission, flywheel, etc. will bolt right on - the correct ECU for the OBD1 ZC is a P29, but you could always chip a P06 with the P29 maps

Thanks for all that information. Every bit has answered a question in my head! I will make sure to +R you again once I can. BTW Love your website man still surfing it haha Thanks so much! I will be dropping this into the 94 Civic shell unless I end up playing with the H23 in the shed.. Anyone need any H23 parts? Its pretty much new.. I took the head off yesterday and I was impressed with the conditions of everything.. I was thinking of getting some AEM Adjustable timing gears for the ZC as they are listed with my current suppliers and to find the JDM ZC ones might be a big difficult seeing as these engines arent as common as the rest... Or they are and I have little exp with them but I promise give me a few weeks of reading around the net and I should have this sucker running! My gf just went to the book store to pick up the CRX manuals and some other engine manuals JDM/USDM hopefully one has some info for me. Thanks again!<3

Ic3

Ic3
 
its only around 130 hp maybe even less.
the advertised hp is 128 but they actually have around 137-140 at the flywheel (based on dyno runs of stock DOHC ZC with IHE, which usually yield between 118-122whp)
 
the advertised hp is 128 but they actually have around 137-140 at the flywheel (based on dyno runs of stock DOHC ZC with IHE, which usually yield between 118-122whp)

Yeah... What you think about boosting it? It is an open deck.. I was thinking of maybe doing some of that block posting I seen around.. I guess my goal will be around 200WHP tuned for safety... Unless I get bored and replace the internals waile building it up.. But I'd rather get a closed deck for higher boost.. This will just be a test project to gain some more exp.. I'm having fun none the less and you make me happy by devoting your time to answer my silly questions :) Thanks

Ic3
 
I was thinking of getting some AEM Adjustable timing gears for the ZC as they are listed with my current suppliers
AEM doesn't make adjustable gears for the DOHC ZC - JG Engine Dynamics has the specifically for the DOHC ZC (as do a couple of other places) - we just use B-series gears on our ZC, however, the timing mark on the exhaust cam is one tooth off on the B-series gear - we just add another mark to get them right
 
Yeah... What you think about boosting it? It is an open deck.. I was thinking of maybe doing some of that block posting I seen around.. I guess my goal will be around 200WHP tuned for safety... Unless I get bored and replace the internals waile building it up.. But I'd rather get a closed deck for higher boost.. This will just be a test project to gain some more exp.. I'm having fun none the less and you make me happy by devoting your time to answer my silly questions :) Thanks

Ic3
a lot of people are making 200+whp on all stock internals DOHC ZC running 7-8lbs of boost, with the right set-up and tune
 
Thanks everyone for the info!
So I found the time stamps on the head after cleanin it up abit. Its a 90 so im guessing out of a 91 CRX?
Right now I need to order a full gasket set, few cooling tubes as these ones are old and brittle. I took the bottom end appart last night and the block is clean no fractures or cracks soo we got a good base.
A few parts I need are: [ If anyone has the parts listed forsale let me know :) ]
All gaskets just to be sure
Distributor
Timing gears
Alternator but I think I can use the one off my D15? Same mounts and everything on the ZC block
Throttle Body (Might just order a aftermarket IM if it comes with the TB)
I think I will go without the power steering so none of that

I unbolted the driver side mount off the D15 and bolted it onto the ZC.. It fits perfect and has the same clearance cut off as the other mount for the timing belt so I think it will work.
I herd you can use the D series transmission on these and looks like my D15 will bolt right up. I will try it out in a bit. Once I get the tranny on im going to wheel it to the shell and see how it fits in the bay. The head looks decent valves seem in great condition. The pistons look like they are high compression? They have a dome on them was wondering if they come stock like that? If anyone has any questions that is building one of these up or wants any pictures of the internals let me know I been snapping crazy pictures but just with my camera phone. Waiting for my digital cam.

Ic3
 
the stock PM7 pistons are domed due to the larger combustion chamber - your alternator, starter, transmission, flywheel, mounts, etc. all bolt right on - not too many people making an intake manifold for the DOHC ZC - the stock OBD0 DOHC ZC intake manifold will accept only the 88-91 CRX/Civic Si, 90-91 Civic EX and 88-89 Integra throttle bodies, which are all the same - no other throttle bodies will bolt on - an OBD1 DOHC ZC intake manifold will accept the later D-series, B-series, etc. throttle bodies - the distributor and Cylinder sensor are the same as the 88-89 Integra
 
your alternator, starter, transmission, flywheel, mounts, etc. all bolt right on
Do you mean from my D15?

What about my timing gears? I wanna search threw my supplier catalogs for them and wonder if any will work from another USDM motor or something like that? I see they have AEM ones listed for 88-91 CRX EW1 and the D but I think the D's were the SOHC? If I could find something the same tooth or something I could maybe like up my own timing as I rebuild the block? If you can... Maybe setting TDC and having the cam lobs with I side open on the first cylinder.. I donno if that makes any sense but just wondering if any other gears would work as it might be reall hard to find the gears new :S Thanks for all your help man honestly you been great...

Also im pretty sure these plugs are OBD0 as there the big round ones.. What do you think?

Oh and anyone with a usable ECU that has one for sale let me know please :)

Thanks everyone

Ic3
 
Well anyone who considers this swap into a 92-95 civic style it's real easy. Remove the driver side mount off a D series and bolt it into your ZC block. Thats it. The transmission is the same thus same mounts. I just put the bottom end into my coupe fits like a dream :) You guys wouldn't believe how tho thats all I can say.. Took alot of muscle power lmao even had my mother over there helping me. Family outting! I will order everything tonight I need aswell as call around to a few spots and see if I can get quick head work done.
Thanks everyone for the help :)

Ic3
 

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