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View Full Version : Stupid question(s).

exkres
10-18-2006, 10:00 AM
I've been reading around on many different websites, forums, etc. trying to find some answers to what are probably stupid questions - but alas I've yet to figure out the answers, so I am now turning to the experts (or at least I may be able to find one expert in here).

I have a 94 civic (who doesn't, right?) and I'm aiming to "beef" the car up a little bit, and I'm really not sure what I'm doing, unfortunately. If anyone knows of any guides, books, etc. that could help I'd really appreciate that as well.

As of right now the car is ricer-stock. (Ricer-stock is what I call a civic with I/H/E, so that's where we're at.) I have the D15B engine and big surprise, the 102hp isn't really any fun. This is where I'm getting stuck. I don't want to swap to a b-series engine, so that's out of the question. It isn't about the money, I would just take more pride in building up a d-series engine than swapping to a B. Now, like I said I really don't know what I'm talking about here, so I'll just cut the life story and ask for advice..

I have been considering swapping to a zc dohc engine, but only if I can't come up with a better solution. I've seen talk about people doing a "mini me" swap or some nonsense, putting different heads on engines? Is there another head that I could put on the D15 that would make any difference, or is it pretty pointless? I've been able to find numerous D16 heads, ported+polished and what not, for really good pricing.. problem is I don't know what's compatible or what fits. If that head won't work, any other heads that might?

Also, if I were to start replacing internals where should I start? I know that higher compression would probably be a good idea, but I don't know how to get to that point. I've seen people bragging about their cams, rods, etc. but I don't know which ones will benefit me or not.

I realize that I'm a 'newb' and I realize that this is probably a stupid attempt - but hey not everyone was born knowing the full workings of an engine and I'm wanting to learn. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys.
OniFactor
10-18-2006, 10:08 AM
you have a jdm d15b? or just the stock engine? what trim level is your car?
exkres
10-18-2006, 10:18 AM
you have a jdm d15b? or just the stock engine? what trim level is your car?

Just the stock engine. It's a DX. I'm starting at the very bottom, haha. =)
civic510z
10-18-2006, 10:58 AM
Just the stock engine. It's a DX. I'm starting at the very bottom, haha. =)

it could of been worst. you could of gotten an cx. hahaha

you could just swap a d16z6 head on it. it give you about 20 more hp and the power of v-tec.:mikej:
spool'nsol
10-18-2006, 11:11 AM
head swap and swap to an EX/Si tranny, and if you have the time/money, go turbo.
93 red ls
10-18-2006, 11:18 AM
turbo ftw!
exkres
10-18-2006, 12:22 PM
it could of been worst. you could of gotten an cx. hahaha

you could just swap a d16z6 head on it. it give you about 20 more hp and the power of v-tec.:mikej:

That answered a big question.. wasn't sure if that was possible or if the d16 head would fit. Will the d16 head be compatible with my current intake or header? I don't know which manifolds the head has to deal with, so just curious there.

Edit: after reading around some I realized that my last statement was stupid.

I've been seeing people say that you can run 8-12psi boost on a stock d15 without much of a worry. Some daily drivers are being run on 8psi and still durable. Am I gullible or is this actually true? If so then I'm more interested in boost than before. I was always under the impression that if you added a turbo, you needed to have some tuning done. Any ideas?
myHonda1
10-18-2006, 12:36 PM
with you d15b7(i'm assuming you have) you could actually go turbo for less than $1500. which is what i did. just put together a homemade kit. its cheaper and will net you more power than going N/A or a supercharger IMO!

these guys are the kings of homemade turbo's check it out!
http://www.homemadeturbo.com/
DOHCDX
10-18-2006, 12:39 PM
forget a head and tranny swap

research it, then go with a DIY turbo
exkres
10-18-2006, 12:55 PM
with you d15b7(i'm assuming you have) you could actually go turbo for less than $1500. which is what i did. just put together a homemade kit. its cheaper and will net you more power than going N/A or a supercharger IMO!

these guys are the kings of homemade turbo's check it out!
http://www.homemadeturbo.com/

Thanks for the info guys, I'll start researching this some more and hopefully figure out how to get a turbo set up. But back to an earlier question.. will it be safe to run a turbo with my stock engine and internals, or do I need to replace anything? I'm wanting to build a "perky" daily driver. I'm not interested in a 12 second car or winning 5 billion street races.. I just want something that's semi quick and fun to drive, without sacrificing durability. Is it possible to run a low boost on stock or am I going to need to get something tuned either way? If the latter, what would I need to do to increase reliability?
" Low "
10-18-2006, 01:00 PM
Thanks for the info guys, I'll start researching this some more and hopefully figure out how to get a turbo set up. But back to an earlier question.. will it be safe to run a turbo with my stock engine and internals, or do I need to replace anything? I'm wanting to build a "perky" daily driver. I'm not interested in a 12 second car or winning 5 billion street races.. I just want something that's semi quick and fun to drive, without sacrificing durability. Is it possible to run a low boost on stock or am I going to need to get something tuned either way? If the latter, what would I need to do to increase reliability?

yes there are several poeple on here that are running turbo setups' on stock motors.....nothing new

have fun and boost away
DOHCDX
10-18-2006, 01:12 PM
yep, keep it low boost 5-6psi and tune it well, and it will be totally reliable on a bone stock engine
primercrxSi91
10-18-2006, 01:24 PM
turbo..doing the same thing to mine i just gotta get a turbo i have everything else but a turbo and oil line...id go turbo if i was u and wanyways u getta hear the BOV
spool'nsol
10-18-2006, 08:02 PM
i can tell you right now that you might as well go ahead and build the motor. Boost is more addictive than crack. Once you pop, the fun dont stop.
exkres
10-19-2006, 01:21 PM
i can tell you right now that you might as well go ahead and build the motor. Boost is more addictive than crack. Once you pop, the fun dont stop.

haha, well that's all for the better, then. I'm hoping to get addicted and I just got a big raise so money is available (not growing on trees or anything, but I have a little bit I can play with now). So what exactly should I be looking in to building/tuning?

I was planning on getting a 14b turbo and running it at 8psi to begin with - but that was my plan for the stock engine. I'm not sure how efficient a 14b is when it comes to higher psi nor am I sure how fast it spools (I'm thinking that it's on the slower side) but again, I'm a newb. From what I've been reading the boost psi isn't accurate to judge what needs to be built, so let's say I end up pushing it past the 200-220 whp that I've read is safe - what would I need to replace? I'm not sure what needs to be done to allow the engine to handle the extra boost.

Thanks again to everyone who has given me input - it's a big help.