I am a noob with Hondas. I am very eager to build a motor for my CRX. Maybe some of you can help me out with some questions I have. If this is the wrong forum I’m sorry.

I want to start out with a high compression simple-build D16 VTEC motor. What is the highest compression I can get out of this motor while still using high-octane pump gas? I want as much performance as I can get whilst not compromising too much reliability. I will be driving this car long distances (about 50 to 100 miles per day) several days out of the week. I’m looking for 11:1 compression or better.

I hear stock Honda sleeves aren’t the greatest for high-performance applications. Burning up a few bottom ends won’t bother me too much but I’d like to have peace of mind that my pistons and rods will be okay if this thing blows, and I want the sleeves to last for a while at least. I’ve already heard the debates on block guards and I’m still extremely confused with the pros and cons.

Also, the ZC motor intrigues me, but I can’t seem to locate many aftermarket cams. Do stock D16 (non-VTEC) cams work? I can’t even find those. Everything seems to be for the single cam VTEC heads.

I am looking to get this thing revving high around 8,500 RPM still making power and not flying apart on me. If I get the crank balanced with the pistons and rods, micro-polished and knife-edged will that be sufficient to handle high RPM’s? Is there anything I’m overlooking with high compression and high RPM? Floating a valve maybe?

Does anyone have ANY suggestions to help me along? What type of cams should I look for? I’m thinking about getting my ECU converted to ZDYNE. Any comments about the ZDYNE?

Mucho Appreciated

 

D-series are a great platform. Cheap and reliable, the downside, is that you won't get as much power as you would from a B,H,or K series.

Easiest way to get ultra-high compression is to use D16A1 pistons, which are meant for the early model Integras. Not sure how much compression that'd be with a VTEC head.

Can't comment on the weak sleeves, but I can vouch that stock pistons/rods are usually pretty weak. Get a quality blockguard if you do choose to use one.

Pro = Cylinder's won't move under extreme vibration/abuse
Con = Restricted Coolant flow

ZC Motor is available in DOHC and SOHC, which do you want? DOHC ZC aftermarket camshafts are very hard to come by. SOHC ZC uses Non-VTEC D-series parts if i'm not mistaken. Cheapest and Easiest way for an aftermarket cam is a reground cam. Delta Camshafts (deltacam dot com) can do that for Cheap, under $150 I think? Get the 272 grind for maximum out of your NA beast.

As long as you use a thicker rod, ARP rod bolts, and QUALITY rod bearings, you should be fine for the lower block as far as I've heard. Just make sure your crank is in spec. Worry about the head though. To match the High-Duration camshaft, upgrade your valve springs to dual racing springs, titanium or high-quality steel retainers, and get stainless valves. Be sure to purchase an adjustable cam gear.

Haven't used ZDYNE before. Most people here are happy with Hondata.

Good luck!

---richard

 

nice first post

and what office888 said is pretty much right on. the code on the pistons he is referring to is either the P29's or the PM7's, they are very similar (if not the same). this site has a few good high-comp d-series threads, but search on http://www.d-series.org for many more good, informative threads.

i've been tossing the idea of a high-comp d-series around for a little while. good luck on yours!

 

Thanks for the replies, guys, I really appreciate the feedback. I found some CP 11:1 pistons that I'm interested in getting. My friend says that is way to high for a D motor. I have no idea, but why would they sell them if it was too much? He says that even race gas wouldn't be sufficient to keep it from detonating. Even with the right tune is this true? I obviously can't pump race gas on my way to school. This doesn't have to be the fastest car in the world. It's fast enough just as it is. I just want it to have a little more zip and stride without diggin too deep into my bank.

 

d-series sleeves should handle all the na power you can throw at them. 11:1 isnt that high, with pm7 pistons and a y8 head youll be looking at pretty high compression. im not sure exactly but it will be high have you considered a homemade turbokit? since your planning on zdyne anyway, you might as well make more power check out http://www.homemadeturbo.com and http://d-series.org
good luck with your project

 

I have a d16a6 non-vtec, look in my sig for my set-up. I drive around 65 miles a day and have no problems, I always us 93 octane.

 

see sig for times for my A6, stay nonvtec

get a header, p-29's pistons, z6 intake manifold and throttle body, and decent regrind like bisimoto and you will have a very healthy motor.

My motor is just a set of p-29, crane turbo cam, and alot of milling everything else is stock no porting or race gas needed just 93 pump.

 

A d16 can handel 11-1 comp, I run 13-1 with race gas and have no trouble. Good luck.