natesfresh

I BUILT A D15Z1 VTEC MOTOR DROPPED IT IN MY DX 94 CIVIC HATCH BUT VTEC DOES NOT ENGAGE CAN ANYONE HELP ME AND ALSO POEPLE HAVE TOLD ME ITS NOT A VTEC MOTOR BUT WEBSITES AND FORUMS SAY IT IS...CAN YOU HELP?

Relic1

the Z1 is a VTEC engine. ignore people who say it isn't.

It is a VTEC-E engine, not the typical VTEC.
http://www.b18c5eg.com/VTEC/sohcvtece.html <-- that's how it's used

http://www.b18c5eg.com/VTEC/sohcvtec.html <-- that's how normal VTEC in a SOHC is used.

to figure out why your VTEC is not engaging, what ECU are you using? do you have any CELs?

EJ8_Enthusiast

wicked links. always wondered what vtec-e was.

natesfresh

i have the stock one for an hx uhm i have a p28 but i dont use it sionce vtev wont engage and i have a cel for a heated 02 sensor and 48 which i think is something to do with vtec prtessure solenoid

Relic1

41 Primary oxygen sensor heater
&
48 LAF - lean air fuel sensor

both mean no VTEC.

Also the Z1 running off the HX ECU is not going to work very well. The HX is a 1.6L, the VX is a 1.5L. It will have too much fuel, which may be setting CEL 48... All though it's more likely you have the wiring incorrect.

Why do you have a HX ECU (OBD2) in your 94 hatch (OBD1)? There are a lot of emissions related items in the HX ECU that an OBD1 car simply doesn't have...

If you meant you have a VX ECU, that takes this reply a different way, back to wiring problems... Was the chassis a VX to begin with?

supraccordlx

Did you even wire up the vtec?

Root16

Using caps lock is tantamount to yelling. People don't like to be yelled at in forums. Punctuation also makes reading posts easier.
I had code 48 in my Honda Civic VX with the D15Z1. It was a bad o2 sensor. So you might have a bad o2 sensor in there or the wrong one. That engine requires the super expensive 5 wire wideband o2 sensor which is no less than $350 from Honda (usually about $450). Check this thread out for more detail on code 48. http://www.gassavers.org/showt...48%22

95vxtealhatch

you need a vx ecu period. nothing else comes close.

natesfresh

no im using the vx ecu i also have a p28 if you think it would help and also it might be the 02 sensor i used a universal one to pass smog after i dropped the motor in so the 5 wire o2 sensor might be the problem but when i looked up the codes it said something about vtec pressure solenoid. new question what head could i swap out to get it a little faster my goal for this car is to have it be as quick as possible while getting the best gas mileage and i realize this motor isnt the quickest but this is an experiment slash project car...

95vxtealhatch

Seriously man the d15z1 is NOT a performance motor. It could be if you got the crank & pistons out of a d15b, then slapped a z6 head on it. Putting a z6 head on a d15z1 lowers the compression down to like 7.5 to 1 or something crazy stupid. Don't turbo the d15z1 either it has 1.5 connecting rod bearings and tiny rods. The ONLY mod to do to a d15z1 is an ex/si tranny. If you put any money performance wise into that engine your litterally throwing it away. Bare minimum worthwhile motor is a d15b or d16z6. Hell id even go for a US d15bx mini me over a d15z1. The d15z1 has really huge dish in the pistons, and a super high compression MPG head. The statement " i realize this motor isnt the quickest " is such an understatement. The VX chasis is great for a vtec motor swap. all thats needed is an ex engine harness or a 4 wire o2 sensor conversion.

natesfresh

thats true trust me i know ive had alot of people tell me a swap is worth the money butwith stage 2 cams si tranny an exhaust it should be perfect all i really wanna do is get it to like 125 horses plus the head swap. when you say its crazy stupid it means swapping the head i lose alot of compression am i right.....

Relic1

here's the problem you're going to bump into... the SI trans will screw up the ECU. The ECU has the gearing of the trans built into it so it can calculate what gear it's in based on RPM and speed.
If the P07 sees fifth gear on an SI trans it will think that it's in 3rd gear. (yes the gearing is that different) This will cause your mileage to drop significantly since the lean burn mode is severely limited in 3rd gear compared to 5th gear. It will also set off the fuel and ignition trims.

Also, I highly doubt you're going to get 125 out the Z1, without swapping out pistons and head At least keeping it N/A. With a small amount of boost you should have no problem getting there, but tuning the Z1 is very tricky.

swapping the head for a Z6 head will result in ~7.6:1 compression.
http://www.zealautowerks.com/dseries.html
this is so low the car will hardly be able to get out of it's own way... even on boost.

and as far as I know no one makes cams for the Z1, it's not the typical honda head. (I could be wrong on this part)


My recommendation... enjoy the mileage you can get out of the VX, save for a swap. keep in mind I love the VX, it's far from a bad setup... just not a setup for power.

natesfresh

thats what i figured i would hear thanks alot though guys im just gonna make everything look a little cleaner i wanna get at least 2500 for it and i could right now but ill puit some work into it and see what i can get... if you know anyone thats wants to trade or buy let me know thanks for all your guys help