IDriveHonda

Ok, I have searched and searched through numerous mini-me posts trying to find out exactly what I need to do, but the majority of these are done on the older gen civic's and crx's. Right now, I have a 99 civic CX with the D16Y7, I purchased a Y8 head ,Y8 intake manifold(with throttle body, injectors, and fuel rail), and a 2000 civic ex ecu(P2P). I need to know if my distributer and IACV off of the Y7 will work with the Y8 head? I have heard that I need to remove the oil squirter from the block so it can route to the one in the head(not really sure what this entails), I know I need to run the vtec wires, but do I use a Y8 headgasket and timing belt I assume? I also need to know if a tranny from a 94 EX will bolt to my Y7 block? Any and all help will be appreciated. Thanks.

thinkbrianthink bu

I need to know if my distributer and IACV off of the Y7 will work with the Y8 head?

You need to leave the ex iacv on the intake manifold or take it off and block the hole. you use the throttle body from your cx that has the iacv on the bottom. You will have to remove the throttle plate from the ex throttle body and put it on the dx throttle body. You also need an ex throttle cable.

I have heard that I need to remove the oil squirter from the block so it can route to the one in the head(not really sure what this entails).

No.

I know I need to run the vtec wires, but do I use a Y8 headgasket and timing belt I assume?

Yes

I also need to know if a tranny from a 94 EX will bolt to my Y7 block?

Yes

Any and all help will be appreciated. Thanks.

No Problem

IDriveHonda

So there is no need to do anything before bolting the head to the block? How does the oil work for the vtec? For the throttlebody, is there any other reason that I can't just use the EX throttlebody other than the IACV is different, and has a different plug? I have heard that I can use an IACV off of a AUTO EX and it has the same plug configuration, is this true? Lastly, will I need to modify the distributer from the Y7 to work on the Y8? Thanks a bunch.

4potnick

I am doing the same thing in a 89 hatch. I am using 2000 y7 bottom end and 97 ex whole topend and a p28. . Did you say that the y7 doesn't have the oil squiter in the block like the old a6 blocks?

thinkbrianthink bu

Idrive:
So there is no need to do anything before bolting the head to the block?

No.

How does the oil work for the vtec?

Its not like with a dohc engine. All of the oil passages are the same on the dseries blocks.

For the throttlebody, is there any other reason that I can't just use the EX throttlebody other than the IACV is different. and has a different plug?

No. you can use the ex throttle body.

I have heard that I can use an IACV off of a AUTO EX and it has the same plug configuration, is this true?

I remember hearing somthing like this too. But i didnt have the chance to check it out. I just used the dx throttle body and swapped throttle plates.

Lastly, will I need to modify the distributer from the Y7 to work on the Y8?

I dont think you need a new distributor at all or to even modify that one. Im pretty sure the y7 will work.

Thanks a bunch.
No problem

4potnick:

if your refering to the oil squirters in the block that shoot oil to the bottom of the piston as in the dohc vtec engines i do not know.

what i do know is that you dont have to modify the block or head when doing a mini me. you just use a y8 headgasket and bolt the head on as you would normally. all oil routing is uniform on d series blocks 96 and up. i believe you could even use a z6 head but im not clear so dont quote me on that.

Here is some info you guys might find useful. it was emailed to me by another member of honda-tech but i cant remember his screen name but thanks anyway.

PAY ATTENTION and DON'T SKIMP OUT ON ANYTHING!!!

In Order to Perform the "Mini-Me" Hybrid VTEC Conversion You'll Need:

96+ Civic EX VTEC Cylinder Head
Have it rebuilt(surfaced/new seals/retainers/valves/3-angle valve job).
Now's the time to either have it Milled (increase compression), Ported
(increase intake/exhaust flow) or Polished (smoothen airflow) or All Three
Modifications.

New Camshaft Seals & Valve Seals
If you want more power, toss in a performance grind camshaft while you
perform this swap.

96+ Civic EX Timing Belt (Honda Dealer ONLY)
If your car has more than 60,000 miles, go ahead and get a new water pump
from the dealer also. That way you won't have to worry about it later. And
you're already going to have the engine that far torn down.

96+ Civic EX Head Gasket (preferably Honda Dealer)
You can go ahead and get a performance Head Gasket if you plan on adding
a Turbo (thicker gasket). But the stock Honda will be fine for ALL MOTOR duty.

96+ Civic EX Intake Manifold Gaskets/Exhaust Manifold Gaskets
(Honda Dealer for both, or, Performance Exhaust Manifold Gasket if you
have a performance Header.

Valve Cover Gasket (Honda Dealer)
While you're at the dealer buying all the stuff, go a head and get a tube
of "HONDA BOND". place a small dab of this on the cylinder head, on the
corners that cover the camshaft. this will seal the valve cover gasket. (we
used it religiously at Honda Dealership where i worked, and i still use it
now on anything)

96+ Civic EX ECU (option #1)
To use the "EX" ECU you'll need the wire harness also. You can also get a
MSD RPM Activated Switch (option #2) to activate the VTEC System, or an
Aftermarket VTEC Controller (option #3) like a Field or A'PEXi. You have to
use on of these "options" in order to activate the VTEC System.

Suggestions: While you've got the cylinder head off the motor...it's a good
choice to buy a "Block Guard" from Nu-Formz (i don't suggest any other brand)
This will make the Stock Short Block much stronger (A must for Turbo /
Nitrous assisted cars, and a Big Help for All Motor Cars running lots of
power)

Other than getting your hands on these listed parts...the swap is as easy as
taking off your cylinder head and then reinstalling it. I also recommend
getting hold of a FSM (Factory Service Manual) from the dealer or a
"Chilton's" Manual for your car. This will help guide you as you do the swap.
They are both great references, and have VERY DETAILED
information/instructions. They will be necessary in order for you to torque
your Cylinder Head Bolts / Misc. Bolts & Nuts to the correct Specifications
(A Must)

NOTE* Since the DX models have the ugly intake/throttle body setup I chose to
get an Intake plenum and throttle body from the Civic EX that I used all my
stuff from. It bolts right into place and everything plugs in fine...The
accelerator cable bracket needs to be bent a little (do not stretch it!!!)
and you'll need a new Cold Air Intake to mate to the new throttle body
position.

If you are afraid of losing bolts, then get some plastic "zip" bags with
labels (personal experience) ...Label each bag according to what part of the
swap you are doing (example: Bag Labeled "intake manifold" ... it should have
EVERYTHING you removed in order to take out the intake manifold assembly) Do
this with all sections so you won't get them mixed up (take a little time to
do it....so you won't have a headache trying to make others fit).

Take pictures of your swap....have a friend snap a pic everytime you remove
something, or everytime you think you might have a problem remembering how it
goes back into place. This helps a lot (personal experience).

I hope your swap goes well. It's pretty easy, as long as you've got
everything in order. Be sure to have a FULL SET of Metric Tools
(ratchets/wrenches/sockets/
extensions) Let me know if you have anymore questions regarding anything.


[Modified by thinkbrianthink, 10:44 PM 11/6/2002]

Achenar

Awesome post

-a

thinkbrianthink bu

bump.

just thought i would bring this up for anyone in the morning crowd that might be interested in the info.

IDriveHonda

Thanks a bunch, I appreciate all of the input.

FDragger

very very nice post

now the question is.......

where is the best place to find a d16y8 head and intake manifold and possibly an ex tranny

the lower the price the better

thinkbrianthink bu

http://www.thepartstrader.com
http://www.copartfinder.com (pay site)
http://www.evanshondaspecialist.com (east tennessee)

thats just a few suggestions but give your local junkyards a call and make sure to take whatever head you get to a machine shop and have them check it out for warpage. shouldnt cost more than $50.

Katman

you should visit the D-series forum here:

http://pub143.ezboard.com/bhondadseries

IDriveHonda

Sorry to keep asking questions, but why do I need to use the EX throttle plate on my CX throttlebody? Is it because it is vertical now instead of horizontal?

thinkbrianthink bu

yeah. they are different shapes and pull from different directions. like the ex plates rotates from the bottom to top and the dx plate is the other way around. its not hard though. you just loosen the nut and take of the plate and spring. move them over to the new throttle body and voila!

Hatebreed215

Hey. I'm doin sorta the same kinda swap soon. i got a d16y8 motor from a 5sp 96 civic ex that im dropping into my 96 dx auto. I'm gonna reuse my old dx auto tranny and bolt it up to the d16y8 that was orignally a 5sp. I already have a new ex auto wireing harness for a 97, a 97 auto ecu and was wondering how i would make the 5sd manifold work for an auto cause i heard the idle air sensor is on the manifold for the 5sp as opposed to the auto that has the sensor on the throttle body? Can i just use my dx auto throttle body and just plug in the connection from the 97 auto ex harness?

If only u's lived in philly. I could use some help. Thanks

nerdsports

im throwing a d16z6 head on a d16y7. are the oil passages the same? an above post says the 96+ oil passages are all the same, but is the d16z6 head the same? MUST KNOW!!! thanks....

GOLDBERG

wondering why you need too use the ex timing belt?

jwork101

DAMNIT, OIL SQUIRTERS shoot oil at the UNDERSIDE of the piston. AN oil control valve, which is in the center and back of the block, is recommended you remove, since in theory it can block oil flow, not giving you enuf oil pressure for VTEC to work. Do a google search for "mini me honda", there is a website on crx.hybrid-perf.com about it which gives pictures. There are 3 real good writeups you will see there.
Hope that clears up the confusion.
Jim

eastbobdam

My 97' Y7 block didn't have an oil squirter, it's for the d15b block but still double check

EARLdaSQUIRREL

so do people use the y8 or z6 timing belt, or are they the same?

Straitup D

so how much power will this make for me? and i will assume that i will have to run 92 oct gas?

sedanek

hi everybody i want to do a mini me swap on my y7 w/ a y8 head can i do a little planing before put it on my block ? and what the maximum yo do ?

Burnin'Slow

can you use the rpm activator switch with a stock 99 cx ecu?

what about the vtec controller?

Thanks