Blackcrew

New to Honda cars. I have guy with a 1996 civic SI that someone put a D15z1 vtec into. He just got the car and wants it running. Is this swap doable or should I just change the motor to something else. Not sure what the original engine should be in the 1996 civic. I need some info since he is not totally sure what's up. Any help guys would be great. Thanx

HondaPartsHero

If its a Canadian Si use a 96-98 D16Y8, the Z1 is not going to be fun to get running correctly.

Blackcrew

Is 95 OBD1. And 96 OBD2? what is the best motor to put back into the 96. If I do complete the D15Z1 swap would I need the complete engine harness and computer for that engine? If that is the case then it probly would not plug into the chassis harness.

HondaPartsHero

Yes 92-95 is OBD1 and 96-00 is OBD2 for Civics. The best motor if it was an Si is the D16Y8. To be honest to get the Z1 running is going to be a complete hassle and depending on your locality probably won't pass emissions. It won't plug and play at all.

Blackcrew

Yes we do need an etest here in Canada. I found out more info and the guy has a OBD convention harness and the proper computer and distributor for the D15Z1. If I get the complete D15z1 harness the engine should run by-itself. Then hook up to chassis harness after by slicing and soldering.

HondaPartsHero

The Z1 harness won't work in a 96up civic. The 96up civic is one piece and the Z1 is OBD1 which is one piece. Plus if your etest involves hooking up a scanner the OBD1 ECU won't connect and you'll auto fail. Seriously just look around for a Y8 engine and sell the Z1, even if you get it to work by splicing you'll need the emissions components as well for the EGR which your chassis doesn't have. Good luck

Blackcrew

Well I guess I will stop beating a dead horse. Thanks for your help Partshero. I will tell the customer to sell the z1 and buy a y8

doublezerohatch

I just finished beating a dead horse. . . it was such an immense pain in the *** to put the Z1 in my 00 ek..I have no engine codes anymore, had to sort out a lot. but I am running my P2P Ecu. The car is dreadfully slow even with the Si transmission. I find myself going down to second gear to get up steep hills when loaded with wife and 3 kids . . .

On a positive note. They can plug in and E-test it. And Im averaging 5.1-5.6L per 100 kms . . .

If I were you I would definetly go with a y8.

doublezerohatch

Where in Canada are you located? I sure woulsd like to buy that ECu and header off theat z1 motor

speedjunkie_g35

It is illegal on a federal level to swap a motor older than the chassis, at least here in the stated. It has to been same year or newer. Honestly just get a vx/cx transmission and it will make a world of a difference for fuel economy.