I have the 2nd gen DOHC ZC and i am wondering is it worth it to sleeve the block if i don't want to run above 12psi on the motor, i will be doing forged pistons and rods but sleeving the block is alot of money and if i really don't need it then money saved; your input will be appreciated.

 

If you are going to stay at or below 12psi you should be fine. It's not so much the amount of boost that you run that matters. Do make sure that you have a good tune done.

 

what is the thing to look for to know if you need sleeves?

 

you never need them, unless your sleeves are totally un-usable (out of round, totally scored, etc.) or unless your power goals are more than the sleeves can handle (that power level is still up for discussion on all honda engines it seems)

you'll never make more power on 12 psi than your stock sleeves/pistons/rods can handle, unless your detonating the crap out of the engine.

detonation and poor/ragged edge tuning is what kills honda engines under boost, not simply "12 psi" or whatever. there is no boost level you can say "here is where you need sleeves/pistons/rods"

i'm running 20-21 psi through stock a6 sleeves (same as dohc zc), w/ SRP's/eagles/stock head/delta cam.

i've been doing so, with a decent sized turbo,for well over a year. no problems yet. made 300.08 whp a few weeks ago before the cam went in.

TUNE it safely, and it'll last on stock pistons/aftermarketpistons/whatever.

 

d series sleeves have been proven time and time again it can handle alot of power as long as your tune is right. There are couple D motors that are pushing over 400 hp safely.

 

You'll want more than 12psi. Trust me.

Sleeve it and be done.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PrecisionH23a &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You'll want more than 12psi. Trust me.

Sleeve it and be done.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Bad advise for somebody that only wants around 300whp for a daily driver and every once in a while track use. A simple built setup with pistons/rods will be fine. Save your $1,000 on sleeves and tune it well like others have said.

 

thanks for the advise

 

SC50 and 27psi with stock sleeves + blockguard.

 

is it needed... no.


is it worth it to know you can push it that much harder... yes.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by scB20teg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Bad advise for somebody that only wants around 300whp for a daily driver and every once in a while track use. A simple built setup with pistons/rods will be fine. Save your $1,000 on sleeves and tune it well like others have said.</TD></TR></TABLE>

How is it bad advise? It's better to be safe than sorry plus 95% of the cars that I have done always come back wanting more power. Sleeving costs a measly $900 bucks... if you can't afford sleeves I find it hard to believe you can afford having a built turbo honda.

As far as working with set-ups that are unsleeved, I've done plenty of stock sleeve set-ups. We all know they work... but having sleeves gives you piece of mind. **** happens.... from getting a bad tank of gas to overboosting... it's good to have the extra insurance and piece of mind.




B18c1 stock sleeves pistons+rods- Mustang Dyno




K20 stock sleeves + pistons/rods

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BoostedJeff &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">is it needed... no.


is it worth it to know you can push it that much harder... yes.</TD></TR></TABLE>

My point exactly.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by scB20teg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Bad advise for somebody that only wants around 300whp for a daily driver and every once in a while track use. A simple built setup with pistons/rods will be fine. Save your $1,000 on sleeves and tune it well like others have said.</TD></TR></TABLE>

you just opened old wounds and poured salt on them.. man.. good job..

 

if you can afford it, go nuts.

i personally wouldnt ever sleeve such a cheap engine though.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PrecisionH23a &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You'll want more than 12psi. Trust me.

Sleeve it and be done.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yep

 

See...my issue is....i dunno how much longer I want to deal with B series, they are fun, simple to work on and make crazy power BUT....K is the future, and if i were to bust a sleeve now, id go K swap asap. turbo K24 torque curve &gt; ALL

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PrecisionH23a &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

How is it bad advise?</TD></TR></TABLE>

So you saying everybody that wants 300-350whp on a d-series motor should go buy sleeves? I realize people always want more power, but how many d-series setups do you see running around making 400, 500, 600? Yeah not many. It's been proven the stock sleeves can easily handle a good amount of power if built and tuned correctly. Anymore than 300-350whp is useless on the street and would be for track and race gas only, so for a daily driver spending $1,000 on sleeves would be a waste IMO. If it's a full on drag car or you don't mind dropping a $1,000 for piece of mind? Then go for the aftermarket sleeves, but remember, sleeved motors blow up too. I just don't like the idea that you should "always" get sleeves, just incase. Just depends on what the person wants out of his car I guess.

 

Ok then why get pistons and rods if people have made 400-500whp on stock?

Do what you want. I am giving my opinion since I've seen what happens to people that do budget builds.

 

That's a little different, but to answer I doubt a D16 is going to last running 400-500whp on stock rods/pistons. With forged rods/pistons and stock sleeves it will last 300-350whp no problem, which should be plenty for the street. For some people a budget build might be all they ever need if they don't go to the track.

 

I never sleeved an im happy I didn't. Ive been running my b16 with pistons/rods at 14psi for 55k miles and upped it to 18psi this summer. It's all in the tune. Theres no definitive answer. If you want the piece of mind then do it otherwise dont.

 

Honestly if you are going to be putting stress on the motor. Do it right the first time get it sleeved for extra insurance get it done.

If you are going to drop over $5 g's on your motor you can spend an extra grand to sleeve your block.

Or you can buy a new motor if your origianl motor blows cause you ran it hard.

just a thought

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PrecisionH23a &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

How is it bad advise? It's better to be safe than sorry plus 95% of the cars that I have done always come back wanting more power. Sleeving costs a measly $900 bucks... if you can't afford sleeves I find it hard to believe you can afford having a built turbo honda.

My point exactly.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

This is Honda-Tech. You have to remember that at all times.

If you want customers who don't mind dropping some money on their car just to have the piece of mind that it's not going to leave them stranded on the side of the road I suggest you head on over to http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zeromain .

 

I am going to learn on this motor and eventually get a k-series but the zc is a beginner for me