Building a better D...

[disableddan]

Hello all!
I'm wondering about building a D15B2 for some boost. I have the turbo/ic from a 1g talon, still need to gather a bunch of parts. I'm considering doing a "block fill" (https://hondaswap.com/general-tech-articles/write-up-diy-block-filling-62903/)
but I understand that the D15 has toothpicks for con rods. I'm wondering if there are any other honda engines with beefier connecting rods i could score from pick n pull or something? I'm also thinking an Si head swap.
Basically any info/help you guys could give me on the subject of a turbo D would be awesome. I'm going for a pretty straight forward setup and on the "cheap".
Thanks!

 

[K2e2vin]

You're SOL with beefier stock rods for that D15. Best bet is to get Crower or FJT rods(FJT being the cheaper option), or get a JDM D15B crank which would allow you to run D16 rods or even modified B18/B16 rods.

 

[disableddan]

Yikes! Those crowers cost an arm and a leg!
Do you think that shotpeening or any other process would make the stock rods significantly stronger?

 

[disableddan]

Yikes! Those crowers cost an arm and a leg!
Do you think that shotpeening or any other process would make the stock rods significantly stronger?

 

[K2e2vin]

It'll be a little better but not significantly stronger.

 

[George777]

Have you considered the D16Z6 swap? I've heard they are pretty boost friendly, and it will be a significant improvement over the D15B2--even without boost.

 

[Luis998]

Have you considered the D16Z6 swap? I've heard they are pretty boost friendly, and it will be a significant improvement over the D15B2--even without boost.

George is very right. The stock D16Z6 is very boost friendly. If Scott were still around he would most likely tell you the samething, along with the fact that a stock D16 will handle up to 250hp on stock sleeves. Of course you will have to get it tuned properly, etc. etc. but it will be a lot more fun than using the B2. The Z6 can usually be had for under $300.

In case you are wondering about the FJT rods mentioned before, check out FJ Distributors. The rods go for around $250 I believe but do require some notching from what I can recall. Still, they are very comparable to others such as Crower or Eagle. Should you want to stay on the "lower side" of your budget, you could also opt for Vitara pistons. FJT makes rods that bump up the compression somewhere around 8:5.1. It is a bit low but will handle substantial amounts of boost. I'm not trying to sell you anything but FJT does make a complete bottom end kit for the Z6 which will also cut down on your cost immensly. Trust me, I just re-did my brothers B7 entire bottom end and wooo, I wish I would have gone with FJT's kit.

Whichever you decide to do the ultimate decision is up to you. It all matters on what will make YOU happy. Do not forget that you will need to upgrade your fuel delivery system, i.e. your injectors and fuel pump and that tuning will definitely be a must! Best of luck to you my friend. I wish you the best on your build. Please keep us updated on your progress.

 

[disableddan]

That sounds kind of cool... The only reason I was wondering about the D15B2 is because I already have it
So I take it the Z6 swaps easily into the Ef chassis? I don't really know much about those engines but I'll read up. I would love to be making 200+whp reliably which sounds more than plausible with a Z6. Unfortunately this project is a pipe dream until I have a garage But I want to be as informed as possible before I really start on it.
SO- With the Z6, what are the main concerns when boosting besides exceeding the 250hp mark? Would it be plausible to just buy a rebuilt Z6 and slap a turbo on it (with the aforementioned fuel delivery upgrades and whatnot)?

 

[K2e2vin]

A D15B wouldn't have any problems getting to the 200hp mark either; but as you've noticed it's much harder to find rods for.

If you're looking for something a little easier/cheaper, I'd suggest just switching to a D16A6 and converting to MPFI. It's cheaper, and don't have to worry about OBD0->OBD1 conversion, 4-wire O2 and VTEC wiring. If you wanted to; you could just swap the shortblock, get a reground cam, and convert to MPFI and end up with something better than a regular D16A6(the 88-95 non-VTEC motors share the same head casting except the 8v motors). Something else you could do that'll keep it non-VTEC(so you could still keep it OBD0), is using a Z6 head with Y7 rockers and using a reground Y7 cam.

Yes, buying a rebuilt block would be a good route to go.

 

[George777]

http://www.hmotorsonline.com/shop/sc2000search.cgi?what=page&item=30020

Another good option. Fun little motors, and the cost is reasonable.

 

[disableddan]

Well, I already have the MPFI swap done... it killed my poor B2 That and oil starvation, I think...
So the D16A6 would be very viable. And I like these mysterious engine part combos that magically make good setups... it's like someone at Honda wanted people to have fun with these things!
However- if the people at Honda saw my wiring they would probably be baffled. It's all sound, it's just kind of... messy.