Spencer Andrews

Hey guys, so I have a 1999 civic with a d16y8 vtec engine in it that is geting kinda tired. I was looking to swap it with a b series at first, but I realized a d series swap would be more cost effective as I'm only 18 with limited funds. What should I look for in terms of a swap if I'm looking for a bit more power on a different vtec engine with minimal mods?

Former User

You'll find invaluable information in the FAQs sticky.

Jason B.

I was about to turbo my D16y8, thought it was going to be cheap and build the power I wanted. After putting together a parts list and factoring in the complexity plus tuning costs I realized it was going to cost a ton of money and only yield a minimal gain.

The real breaking point for me was the transmission, I discovered it was probably going to blow up with my 300 hp goal and there was not much that could be done to improve its strength. In all it was reaching $6k+ and I realized that for the money I could be getting so much more from an actual performance motor. Also, if you read enough postings on turbo D motors then you will find in almost every thread someone telling the OP to forget about the D series and go B or K.

So that's what I did, found a K20a2 motor, trans, harness, and ecu for $1500 and my parts list is only $3k. There is probably $1k in misc. stuff but in the end it's a K motor and will make power much easier than the lazy D motor.

DooDooBrownEg

D series are great for beginners. The Y and Z D's will handle a small amount of boost, and here in Oregon there is a builder that puts on boost kits for roughly 1500 with a tune. So in my opinion, it's not that spendy. But if you want way more output for the amount of money you put in, go with B or K. B swaps have been done more often, and K's are the motor of the future tbh. H series are good too, but not a lot of folks have done them...

hondur

iTrader: (1)

Lmao he's talking about losey transmissions and then says he went k series. Funny guy.

Didn't you do your homework? K series transmissions are rather weak.

hondur

iTrader: (1)

D series are the most cost effective in my analysis.
Swap, $100-300
Rebuild with forged internals 2,000 at most (not sleeved)
Good turbo kilt pieced together with junkyard parts $1,000.
Tune it yourself, or get someone to do it for $500

So for about 3,000 you can have a butt load of power. Around 500hp if im not mistaken

Jason B.

I did my homework but it seems you can read.

I'm not boosting the K motor and as for the trans, I would rather drop $$$$ to build a K series 6 speed than spending nearly the same on the D series transmission. It's about spending money wisely.

Furthermore, if you are putting a turbo system on a D motor for $1500 then it's probably from eBay. A good turbo by itself is $800.

Lol, 500 hp on a D motor for $3k using junkyard parts, that's about as hack as it gets... And wouldn't happen.

StokelesS_g2

For $3k, 200-300hp is doable if ya DIY. If not, SMH.

I used to have a car with an eBay kit, going on 5+ yrs, it's still up and running today. Tuned @ 8psi.
Just dont cheap out on the important stuff.

DooDooBrownEg

I know plenty of folks running ebay turbo kits for 1500 and tune, still rape them daily. No issues whatsoever. Ebay parts aren't that bad, it's all in how you use them. If you expect to run 20psi off an ebay kit, you're not thinking smart...

White_EG1

You sure about that

hondur

iTrader: (1)

Hell yeah its closer to three than six if you're at all resourceful

Jaggance

b16 or b18

Bull Steed

What kind of turbo-ing can it handle stock?

And would a Z6 be better due to more oil delivery, or does that not matter too much?

hondur

iTrader: (1)

I guess it matters enough that I don't want to find out. If you want, build up the y8 head since thats the Better one and the z6 short block is the better one.

Apparently 200, 250 is max and 250 is pushing it. 300hp is a Time bomb. The factory rods and pistons are trash.

The fact that its an open deck block sucks too, if you want like even 500hp you're gonna need like highpo dartonor whatever sleeves.

bytpower

Save up and go k series. Im boosting my d16y8 for ***** n giggles and whenever it does blow k is the way to go. I would recommend piecing it together

eghatch9295

iTrader: (1)

gsr/itr swaps are still the best bang for your buck in these cars. proven reliable engines, no shitty 3rd gear like the k trans, no heavy shitty piglude engine, no trying to squeeze 400hp out of a d series. 197hp with the lsd-itr trans is a good time.

Baby99EX

H22 haha, cant go wrong!! lol

G82pCoupe

if you end up not wanting to stay D just find a complete ls or b20 swap. cheapest dual cam swaps

EK_Strooper

if u want more power just set your vtec to idle LOLOLOL

EK_Strooper

jokes aside. Boost the D or go b20z vtec

tony_2018

Best swap? toyota 2jz-gte 4spd automatic