EconomicalFun

Hi, I am looking at two engines from hmotorsonline, the JDM d15b 3 stage vtec and the 96-99 zc / d16a,
The engine in my 99 Civic ex threw a rod a week after I got it, I just want to get the car running on the cheap, are these good deals? They should bolt right in no?
My main focus is mpg and cost savings, so, seeing as both engines should be bolt in swaps, which engine should I get? I know this is a noob question but I need some help in deciding. Thank you.
Here are the links if interested
https://www.hmotorsonline.com/motor-mall/96-99-zcd16a-sohc-long-block-non-vtec
https://www.hmotorsonline.com/motor-mall/d15b-sohc-vtec-long-block

weekendboost

Can't you source a block locally? Seems kinda high to me, 1k with ecu.

EconomicalFun

Well that's the thing, the only blocks I am finding locally are around 800 for a block with over 100k miles.. Everyone is talking about finding cheap D series blocks but I swear I have checked every local junker and can't even get a quote under 700! Thanks for the reply though :D

efekek

where are you at? keep looking you'll find one I mean hell I bought my car for 800 with a healthy z6 in it

EconomicalFun

Thanks man, I am not new to the wrenching game but I am new to buying new engines, maybe there is something I am missing? Even craigslist turns up empty, I am in Reno, Nevada. Thanks man.

TomCat39

If I recall the 99 EX would be the OBD2B D16Y8 vtec motor.

I think the 3 stage D15B motor is an OBD2A motor.

I don't know what the ZC/D16A motor is.

The 3 stage has a 5 wire Primary O2 sensor and I believe it has an EGR. I don't know if the 99 EX utilized an EGR system.

There could be a difference in the IACV too, one might be a 3 wire and the other a 2 wire.

These are the details you will have to investigate and work with/around being you are switching motors altogether.

If you found yourself another Y8 it would be a 100% straight plug and play.

EconomicalFun

Thanks, is there any reason why the "ZC/D16A" is so hard to find information on, this one is supposed to be non vtec, but even looking at the Wikipedia list of d engines, there are no ZC non vtecs, and then looking at just the D16a, they are also vtec, and I can't find any other information on that engine, HMO said it is a "direct replacement for the USDM d16y7," But I am honestly having a hard time believing they are exactly the same, Do appreciate your help though.

mk378

Don't try to install a 3 stage VTEC. Any single-stage VTEC can use your existing manifolds, ECU, etc. For daily driving you just want to swap out the block and head assembly and plug and play the rest with the USDM parts that came with the car.

TomCat39

The ZC is another JDM motor. The thing about JDM motors at the time was they all were named the same and the dealership would use the VIN to know which variant was in the car.

For example there is at least 4 possibly 5 D15B motors, some vtec, some not. But they were all stamped D15B.

ZC has both SOHC and DOHC variants and who know what else.

Finding documentation is not easy as it's Japan. If you find anything, it's in Japanese.

The other problem you are going to have is if you use the ECU that comes with the motor (3 stage or ZC) it's JDM and will not talk to OBD2 scanners and in some states becomes an instant fail. This is very likely why mk378 mentions what he mentioned.

If emission tests are not something you have to be concerned with, I personally like the 3 stage motor and would do the extra work to get it working on the 3 stage ECU. But that's me. You get vtec-e and vtec with that motor. But it's a lot of work.

If you get the ZC, do like mk378 said and just use the head and block and reuse your manifolds etc.