Originally Posted by From that website

The D15B7 with a VTEC head is called a mini-me setup. It's sorta like a LS/VTEC but not. With the LS/VTEC you have modify the VTEC head, run oil lines, and so some other things. The mini-me setup is pretty much just slapping on the head.
Here is the shopping list of parts you need when using a D15B7 (92-95 DX engine)

D15B7 block
D16Z6 head
D16Z6/D16Y8 head gasket (the D16Y8 headgasket is almost 1/2 the size of the Z6, so it will up the compression some)
Civic VX timing belt
Civic HX spark plugs (not required but recomended)
D16Z6 ecu
D16Z6 intake manifold (including fuel rail and injectors)
D16Z6 distributor

You can get away with using a non-VTEC ECU and running the VTEC to a MSD RPM switch but the fuel maps will be all off. So I recommend getting a D16Z6 ECU.

Using the D16Z6 ECU you will have to run three wires to make VTEC work: the VTEC solenoid, VTEC oil pressure and VTEC oil pressure ground

The compression ratio of this engine, running a Y8 headgasket and a D16Z6 head should be around 11:1 so run 93 octane and colder plugs. You may also have to retard the timing a little.

If you want to go faster, I recommend getting some ZC pistons...with the D15B7 block it will up your compression ratio by .4 points. You can find them pistons used for about $100 or less.

Lets talk about power. How much does this make? A basic D16Z6 head slapped on a D15B7 block will make 132-137hp. With ZC pistons you are talking 140-143 (stock everything). Add the basic bolt ons and tuning you can come close to 150-160hp without major work. With a big cam and other stuff you are talking even more. I really don't know how much power you can get out of the D15B7 N/A. I would love to try if I had an extra car lying around.

Now that you have your high compression block, and trick head, here are some other little tips which will make it go even faster.

POLISH THE COMBUSTION AREA on the head. The smoother it is the better it will combat detonation. And also help power. You can do it yourself with a polishing tool...it will just take you forever! But it will be well worth it. You can also polish the intake and exhaust ports on the engine...and the intake manifold. The smoother you get it the better. Don't try over boring it unless you *really* know what you are doing. Just make it look nice and smooth.

And of course this engine really begs for a 4-1 header.

With that kickass high compression block lets add some zip. Get a nice cam. I would call the good people at GUDE, they seem to have the trick cams for the SOHC engines. Ordering a chipped ECU/CAM (make sure you get the big big cam). They will tell you its race only...but don't worry about it. Get the big one and it will add a wonderful top end. Your little SOHC will scream and make power to 8500 rpm or more. Or if you have the money you can order a full head kit...which is port and polishing the head, a big cam, ported throttle body and intake manifold. It will add a good 20-30hp so I have heard. GUDE highly recommends the ZC pistons with their big cams...they said it is almost a must.

If you have a DX tranny, I highly recommend you use the D16Z6 SI/EX tranny. Most people think the SI and the EX tranny are the same, but they are not. The SI has a shorter 5th gear, which doesn't really matter much cuz you only use 5th gear for crusing. But other then that they are the same. This mod alone will lower your 1/4 mile time by 1/2 a second or more.

And of course, since we are mixing and matching parts you can make a mini-me tranny.

Hybrid tranny #1 Use a Civic CX 3rd gear for 4th gear in a SI/EX tranny.
Hybrid tranny #2 Use a ZC 3rd and 4th gear in a SI/EX tranny.

Here is what it would look like on paper...(I just copied and pasted this out of a file don't think all this is stored inside my head hehe)

This is the gear, gear ratio, shift points, and top speed in each gear at top rpm.

DX
1st----3.250---0000/6800---34.8mph
2nd---1.761---3685/6800---64.3mph
3rd----1.172---4526/6800---96.9mph
4th----0.909---5274/6800---124.5mph
5th----0.702---5251/6800---161.3mph
Final Drive---4.058

Si/EX/ZC
1st----3.250---0000/7200---35.2mph
2nd---1.900---4209/7200---60.2mph
3rd----1.250---4739/7200---91.6mph
4th----0.909---5236/7200---125.9mph
Choose your 5th
5th----0.702---5560/7200---163.0mph (EX coupe and EX sedan)
5th----0.750---5941/7200---152.6mph (SI HB and Del Sol SI)
5th----0.771---6107/7200---148.4mph (ZC)
Final Drive---4.250 (for the EX/SI, not sure what the ZC is)

Hybrid #1 using stock gears (CX 3rd for 4th)
1st----3.250---0000/7200---35.2mph
2nd---1.900---4209/7200---60.2mph
3rd----1.250---4739/7200---91.6mph
4th----1.066---6140/7200---107.3mph
5th----0.771---5207/7200---148.4mph

Hybrid #2 using ZC 3rd and 4th gears
1st----3.250---0000/7200---35.2mph
2nd---1.900---4209/7200---60.2mph
3rd----1.346---5101/7200---85.0mph
4th----1.033---5526/7200---110.7mph
5th----0.750---5228/7200---152.5mph

As you can see the best tranny is the SI/EX with the modified ZC gears. But finding a ZC tranny can be hard and expensive. Personally all that tranny work sounds like a pain in the ***. I would just stick with a stock SI/EX tranny and call it a day.

I highly recommend an EX/SI tranny to your mini-me setup.




written by: cluster