I am not sure if anyone remembers me but I was given a 1994 Del Sol, had plans to do a drivetrain swap a year back but that fell through. I am tired of this 1.5 engine and not having any room in this two seater. I love the gas mileage and using it as a commuter, but would like to get some oomph in it. So I was thinking of just trading it in on a good used hatch at a local dealership.

I am thinking about going with a 96-99 Hatch. I am not a Honda knowledgeable guy so would this be a good upgrade? Is the suspension on this year Hatch like the Del Sol (front and rear independent A arms)? I do see a benefit with this car, however my situation requires more room and I have been a hatch fan across different brands, first one was a VW.

Any suggestions are welcome. I want a good commuter that will also be enjoyable in my commute. I do not plan to keep it stock and the only reason why my Del Sol is stock is that I don't know much about what you can do to a 1.5 engine for hop ups.

Thanks.

 

Ok first off there was just a thread about improving the 1.5 engine. Search next time and you will find the answer.

You can do a head swap with a D16z6 and bump up the power.

Turbos are the best way to get real power from the 1.5 sohc but it takes time money and alot of research. Plus if you put it in wrong or don't tune it right you will blow up your engine.

Why not just get a b16a2 swap and do that? It sounds like you want the easiest thing with as little work as possible. Search alittle and you will find a crap ton of ways to make your car better.

 

I've got bad news for you. The only engine available in the 96-99 hatch in the US was the base 1.6L and it will not be any faster than your 1.5L del sol unless you do a swap.

 

i have a 96 hatch and i love it i would like to get a sol but as a second car. the hatch is great to carry **** in too, i haul my bike around all the time!

 

I am not adverse to doing work. Take a look at my 1954 Ford Project in my sig. That car was resurrected from a Junkyard.

If I am going to do engine stuff on the Del Sol, you bet I will swap an engine in, however my main complaint at this point is the space in this car. I need more room that a hatch would offer. I guess my second request would be how is the suspension in comparison? Will the Hatch be similar and can it be made to handle well? How much heavier is the Hatch? I know the earlier body style hatch is lighter than the Del Sol, but I am not into that body style as much as the newer one.

I like my Sol because it saves me gas as opposed to my 351W V8 in the Ford. I would like to get a 4 cyl car for commuting but 93 hp with as abysmal torque as my 1994 1.5 has just is not going to cut it. I have just outgrown it and it is hardly a usable car for my needs at this point in my life. I could see someone taking it and turning it into a track car.

I am looking to get a spirited car with the Honda reliability, can be modified and still get decent gas mileage with the space I need. I am also not adverse to the 96-99 coupes either.

 

Ok I think all the hatchs that were made in the us came with the d16 engine which like someone said is not much better than you 1.5 del sol.

The suspension question is useless because the suspension on civics and desols is what you make it. The factory suspension sucks as far as handeling so a good coil over kit is a must.

You could always find a civic that already has a engine swapped in and go with that just make sure the work was done well. Or get a hatch cheap with the d16 and swap in your own engine and through some coilovers and wheels on and drive.

With hondas they are what you make them. They can be boring little 93 hp cars that get you from a to b with 0 thrills or they can be faster than your ford with the v8.

 

Are there any sites that specify the pros and cons of one generation over anoter for POTENTIAL regarding suspension? Essentially I am looking for a platform, not a stock car. I am not sure if I am conveying my needs/wants correctly, but I need someone who has been there and done that throughout different Honda Generations to show me why I should keep my car or why I should move to another generation. This while I have two stock cars to do a compare and contrast regarding $$$ amount to do a nice streetable upgrade with both platforms. I enjoy both 4 cyl and 8 cyl cars and I know Hondas can be made quick. Heck, I cut my teeth on a 64 VW so I am not car stupid.

I know the 94 Del Sol is lighter than the 99 Hatch. The power to weight ratio potential (limited by engine swaping due to skill and fabrication ability) is better with the Del Sol off the bat. However, due to its Targa Top, the torsional rigidity of the Chassis leaves much to be desired, lest I get my welder out and fix the metal fatigue on my Central Phoenix road driven unibody Honda. But there goes my weight savings and I should have started with a 94 Hatch that did not have this downside.

From what I have reasearched on my own, I understand that my generation Honda is preferred for its suspension as opposed to the EP3 with its MacPherson strut set up. I understand that CRX's are a great choice for hitting 9s on the the strip, however none of that matters as we are talking extremes at that point.

I guess I need to go to a local tuning shop and pick their brains for an afternoon.

 

going to from a del sol to a hatch is not much a difference if u want power, good gas milage, newer, and daily commuter than get an em1(99-00 honda civic si w/ the b16)

 

i just got a 97 hatch and it has the 1.6l it sux. but i am going to go for a show car. so the engine is the last thing i am going to do. plus the car only has 35,000 miles on it!!! but i love hatchbacks!!!!!!!

 

get a 99-00 hatch. You'd be amazed all the stuff I get to fit into it several times a year.

over 500lbs of stuff.

Seats fold down to make everything easier.

It handles great, looks good. Chick either love or hate the damn things though.

I think all chicks dig del Sols.

 

get a 99 hatch. there is plenty of room and the suspension will do just fine once you put in sway bars and coilovers. then turbo

 

Trade in

Sell that beast on autotrader.

 

Thanks all for the input, I have decided to sell the Del Sol. Now to find someone to buy it so I can finance the Hatch.

 

I'd pay cash for the hatch if you can. I always think financing on a car that's under 8k is a bad idea. But If I could buy my car new, (00 hatch)

I'd totally deck it out from the dealer.

I think 00 dx was 10.5k new from the dealer.

Oh what I'd give to get my car with 000004 miles on the odometer. I'd nut.

 

Well, I plan to sell the Del Sol, take that money, get a loan from my Credit Union and then go shopping for private sellers. I don't plan to set foot on any dealership. I figure I can get 1/3 of the money from the Del Sol and the rest from the CU. Since I have another car to drive, it won't put me in a bind to buy the first one I see, rather, I would have a chance to be picky.