I recently picked up a nice little car from another member on the boards here.

According to him, it's got a JDM d15b in it, which is mated to a 4spd transaxle. I can verify the transaxle claim, I can't verify the d15b claim. Anyway to find out? I'm going entirely by what Andy told me ... I'm just looking for a second opinion. The car is a base-model hatch, with nothing in the engine bay (no A/C, no P/S, nothing). It has a nice roar when I punch it, but it doesn't ... go anywhere.

He said with a few simple modifications, it can be hella fast. A VTEC controller and 5spd. I can see how the 5spd would help a bit, keeping it in the powerband, but are those two mods enough to support the claim of a 13 sec hatch? If so, I don't see why every hatch isn't running this setup ...

I do enjoy this little car, it's a step in the "fun" direction (more go-kart-like) than my ZX2. However, you guys were right before, a lesbian bar has more ***** than this little thing.

I don't want to catch modding fever too severely with this. I have the payments to make on it, as well as every other payment under the sun, but I'm open-minded to a few simple things. I'd like to avoid an exhaust on a 1.5L; that just sounds like it's asking for an annoying sound.

I'm looking to boost the top-end a bit (perhaps by enabling VTEC ... is there a way outside of a $150 VTEC controller?), and perhaps gain some more mileage out of it as well. The highway mileage back home was a paltry 30-33mpg, something fitting of a 3.8L V6, not a 1.5L I4.

Comments?

 

Well you have alot of options.

That indeed is a jdm d15b (Vtec valve cover/ spark plugs in the front).

For about a grand (shopping around/patience/good deals) you can source:

a supercharger
a greddy turbo kit
cam/valvesprings/thinner headgasket

for about $150-$200 you can find an SI tranny.

If you're gonna stick with the single stick I would check out http://www.d-series.org or some of the All Motor/Forced Induction forums here.

Good luck!

 

try this one for me:

pull down the carpet on the passenger firewall. look at the sticker on the side of the ECU.

what does it say?

if it says xxxx-P08-xxxxx your in business.

if not, you need a P08 ecu, or some sort of apexi system to enable the vtec and adjust the fuel maps.

thats definatley why the car feels underpowered. that 4 speed tranny is the worst thing honda ever made. its one of those things EF people never seemed to find much use for.

so as said above, si 5 speed tranny, the correct ecu or a vtec controller. id recommend an obd1 swap and the ecu honda intended, but the other way works too.

 

Doublethink:

What all is involved in switching to the P08 PCM? Andy said the motor was OBD-II, but the "car" was OBD-0 (or no OBD?). If it's just as simple as an unbolt-and-rebolt, what gains can I expect from upgrading the PCM like that?

Also, something like this? That price seems high, and I'm weary about shipping overseas, but is this the type of gizmo I'm looking for?

I agree, also, that the 4-speed is a piece. It seems nice with the mileage, but at the same time it also seems like a 5-speed could potentially net me even higher mileage, if the ratio in 5th is ultimately taller than it is in 4th now.

All told, what gains could I expect from these two upgrades?

 

To swap the the P08 ECU you will need:

P08 ECU
OBD0-OBDI Jumper harness
OBDI Distributor
4 wire O2 sensor

...and to run VTEC with the OBDI ECU...
VTEC pressure switch plug
VTEC solenoid plug
Extra wire to run back to the ECU

All of this can be had for under $250 just search here and ebay

The 5sp tranny will make the biggest difference of all, that would be a great wy to spend a little cash.