Well, having had threads on other forums for V8 related cars, I'm here to officially start my build on this hatch. I find that once you announce it on a forum you tend to get things done faster, even if only out of guilt.

This is my FIRST build on a Sport Compact car, and would actually like to thank a lot of you guys and the guys over at D-series, for all the information that lead to me having the ***** to start something I am SOOOooo unfamiliar with. My son is interested in tuner cars, and this is making a great father/son project, so I'm quite excited about that and what I've already learned, and hope to continue to learn. Any chance a dad gets to hang with his kids, in a positve and fun way should never be overlooked, so here's where it lead. And I can't wait to get working. (already have actually, but we'll get to that).

About me,
I'm an experienced welder/fabricator and have cars from about every genre. Lifted Superdutys, pre-runner, ratrods, old school customs, juiced 84 cadillac with 72 volts to the front pumps, drag cars, street bikes, choppers, dirt bikes, sleds, fighting and rover robots, I have a bit of everything, and a lot more I didn't mention. I tricked out our shop fridge and made it a rolling hot rod, and made a lifted kids wagon (with 4 wheel independent suspension, and 4wheel steering on big ATV tires) that were shown on an episode of xtreme 4x4 TV. This is MY FIRST sport compact attempt. And the learning curve has been HUGE. I'm a car guy, doesn't matter what it is, I respect it and the work that went into it, and that's the bottom line.

About this project,
I started reading up about a month ago, and have been reading non-stop about 8 hours a day. I've given myself a small college course on my little EF project ...lol... I didn't know what an ecu was a month ago, no I feel quite confident that I can re-wire this car for the MPFI, the d16z6 head swap, and finally turbo it. (with your guys help, of course)!!!! I ain't that dang smart, but I know how to ask a question.

Going to be a dedicated drag car with the occasional trip to the Ice cream store or parts shop.

about the car
Friend of mine owns a tow company/body shop. Somebody ran over the front of this car, basically totaling it. The guy didn't think it was worth the $104 tow bill, and surrendered the car. I picked it up for $104. All the stuff on the front that is trashed, I was going to replace anyway. A guy doesn't get that lucky very often. Hood, fenders, lights, bumpers, radiator, battery, right spindle, were all getting the boot for performance stuff.

I had them put the car on the frame rack and straighten the front to spec, and all is good. I'm now officially into the car for $204. Had new tires on it and a d15b1, and the guy that had the car said it ran great.

I drive the car home tonight, my first ride in the car (less than a mile from the shop, not to worry about the lack of radiator). Engine sounded great, seemed to shift well. Engine does smoke, to much for my taste, power was pitiful, and it turns out it's a 4-speed, I thought it was a 5. I got it home, pulled up to the garage, thinking, "what the hell" and thought I'd test the clutch by locking the e-brake up and dumping the clutch in first. I was hoping for a fun little burnout and smoke show. I got the smoke show, it was the clutch...lol... SOOOOoooo, now bolt ons for me, starts with a rebuild.

So, bottom line is that I'm not going to get to do some quick bolt-ons (MDFI conversion and mini-me VTEC conversion). Gonna strip the engine out, put in some great rods and pistons, something that will take 15-20 pounds of boost, and try from scratch. I know it would be cheaper to just put a b-series swap in there, but I really want to learn this Honda thing with a little "trial by fire". And a lot of it is the satisfaction of learning technology that is new to me.

Here's what is already in transit to me.
Fluidyne 1/2 width radiator
MPFI setup to replace the dpfi
D16z6 head, ecu, vtec, distributor and timing belt stuff.
22x8-15 slicks front and skinnies on the back, on black exospeed VDP's
4-2-1 header
New headlights
blinkers
radiator core support
(more to come)

Expect slow updates, I have a LOT on my plate, and am trying to drag this out all winter for a father/son project.


Shot at 2007-10-09


Shot at 2007-10-09


Shot at 2007-10-09


Shot at 2007-10-09


Shot at 2007-10-09


Modified by vectorsolid at 10:45 PM 10/9/2007


Modified by vectorsolid at 3:19 AM 10/10/2007

 

Thats cool man.. Seems like a cool little project with all your experience. What are your plans for the turbo set up? What program are you gonna run it with? Gonna stay obo0 or go to obo1?

 

going obd1, and hondata s300. I have a lot to learn about it, but like what I've read about it. (at least I think that's right for Hondata, obd1) Not a big worry yet.

Was going to go the ebay turbo route, but think I'm kind of over it. I think people go that way because it's easy, I know it still appeals to me. I'm finally up enough on it (but barely enough) to "think" I know what I want in a compressor map, manifold, BOV, and WG. And am confident enough that I think I can piece together a nice setup, even out of used stuff. I'm still gonna have questions though... ...lol...

I was almost ready to do a junkyard turbo with scrounged up 14b and a cheapo manifold, but I don't think I'm gonna be happy with it, the more I read. I really want to have this car dip a 12 sec quarter. I don't care if it's 12.9999999999999, just to say, that my son and I pulled that off would be a huge feeling of accomplishment for me. And I think to do that I'm gonna need to boost 15-20 psi, and from what I've read, it doesn't take much of a bottom end to make that happen on a D-series. Talk is cheap, I'm a noob, we'll see.

Gonna absolutely gut the car, and go lexan. I'd like to front half the car (because it would be a fun build, not because I think it's all that necessary) and also build a spindle mount rear axle. I think I have the front figured out, including traction bars and geometry. Rear axle I'm iffy on, but I think I can pull it off. I'd like to get the car (without driver) to around 1600-1700 pounds.

Also, MASSIVE props to the guys that do wire and engine bay tucks... That's wild.

Locally I'm telling my rodder buddies, that are now convinced I've lost my mind, that I'd like to have it be a 15 second car, maybe break a high 14... I figure that way, if we do this, and it sucks, I'm not gonna look all that bad running 15's, cause that's what I told them. I really want to pull some 12's with a DEPENDABLE car. And I'm willing to spend some money to make the drivetrain hold up. I hate watching NOPI tunervision and all the guys that never finish... I hate that, don't want to be that guy.

Talk is cheap, we'll see.

 

One more thing I thought of. We're not touching the wiring UNTIL, the engine is overhauled and back in the car and running with the DPFI. THEN and only then will we start with the MPFI and d16Z6 mini-me conversions (also one at a time). I think to take a working wiring harness and work it over, BEFORE you put the engine back in is asking for trouble here in "noobville"..

I read that somewhere here on the forums, good advice.

 

hey welcome to the world of honda's, i must say i am only 17 but have been around ford V8's my entire life thanks to my dad and would always shake my head at the honda's driving around until that is i needed a car and it turned out that a honda was cheap and reliable or so i thought Now i must say that they are quite fun and very addicting Anyways good luck on the build and the time you get to spend with your son cause i must say those are some good memories from my childhood spent under the hood with my dad

 

Def should be fun, wish my dad got into hondas, instead i got woke up at 3 and 4 in the morning to come hold the light or "watch and pay attention, boy, this ***** valuable knowledge" on our '70 Chevelle SS. all before i had to go to school the next day. I hated cars when we started, but i've def grown up a bit.

either way, good luck. 12's in an ef, not going to be crazy at all, your rodder buddies should be shocked by the time yall get done with it.

goodluck.

 

Good deal, 12's shouldnt be that much of a goal to achieve as long as you take your time. I know from experience on my ef build last year that if you take short cuts...bad things will happen. Good luck, i'm subscribed!

 

good luck with the build and welcome

 

Welcome to the Tuner World and good luck with your build. Don't forget to keep us updated on your build

 

Poor knuckle! Sounds like you've got a great background and will be building this car the right way, not the fast way.

Best of luck to you.

 

just a heads up you might want to pick up a d16 block if you want to upgrade rods and pistons, i think crower used to make aftermarket d15 rods but are now discontinued. good luck with the project!!

 

Holy Jesus you are gonna need some prayers. Good luck. hahhaahhaa......


O my god.

 

hmm imo working on the wiring while the engine is out would probably be the best. If I had done that I would've probably saved myself a few headaches on my first swap.

Oh well good luck with the car. I worked on mine with my dad and it was the first compact he ever touched also.

and if you dont have it already buy//get a helms manual.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by michael O &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">hmm imo working on the wiring while the engine is out would probably be the best. If I had done that I would've probably saved myself a few headaches on my first swap.

Oh well good luck with the car. I worked on mine with my dad and it was the first compact he ever touched also.

and if you don't have it already buy//get a helms manual.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Actually, that is some worthy noob advice!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bserieskllr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">just a heads up you might want to pick up a d16 block if you want to upgrade rods and pistons, i think crower used to make aftermarket d15 rods but are now discontinued. good luck with the project!!</TD></TR></TABLE>

MAN, WHERE WAS THAT PIECE OF ADVICE YESTERDAY!?! ...lol...

I've actually been working on that very thing ALL DAY. I just wanted to piddle with the d15. TURNS OUT, that the D15 is basically shot in this car, and needs to come out and be overhauled. At that point, just popping on bolt-ons is kind of mute. AND, as you pointed out, d15 parts are seriously hard to get for the bottom end. And you can't build 350-400hp on a d15-d16 without hitting some pretty good boost, say 15-20psi, which is where this was actually headed. I'm just not being entirely honest with myself, and hoping the wife doesn't find out.

If I can't bolt crap on, and I've got to overhaul the engine anyway, and D15 rods are like $900 and D16 rods are like $300, well you can see where that was going. So I was looking at d16 stuff.

Then I thought about it some more, "this is stupid", I've got a car with a B-series swap in it. (it's in the midwest, haven't had time to pick it up). Why not go B-series and the son's car will have parts that work with Dad's car, and vice versa. I'll be able to upgrade and swap parts between the 2, making it much more economical and with 1/2 the learning curve, only B-series, not B and D.

So, I spent all day researching that, and I do mean all day. I think I've been at it about 18 hours at this point.

I think I know what I want in a B-series swap and what parts I'm going to need to get started. Looking for 350-400hp and a nice 12 second 1320 outta this setup.

I think the engine is going to end up B16a (about the easiest to get and with the cable trans a much easier install in my 4G). Eagle Rods, Arias pistons .5mm overbore, block guard is likely all I'm doing to the block, gonna leave stock cams for now, but with valves, springs and retainers, likely Supertech stuff . Head gets a nice port job. I'm guessing around 660cc injectors. I'm going to think about the turbo setup for a while. That's a whole different world of research that I was about done with for the d-series that is BACK again, but changed, for the B-series. ...well POOP!...

*UGH*, what a tough day. I have 3 engine places lined up in the morning to call for a B-swap.

I've got HMO, a place in Canada I scrounged on eBay VTEC motors, and JDMracingmotors. That's what I found scrounging around. IF there are bettter places, let me know. I haven't ordered it yet. Gonna give it 2 days and see what comes up before I do. I want to get it coming, D motor comes out this weekend and we're gonna start stripping the interior.

 

Good deal, boosted vtec is always fun! I was sorta hoping for a good ole naughty D slam though ...

Anyways, i'm guessing by HMO you mean H-motors?With all the posts ive read they seem like a very reputable company at a decent price. They guarantee all working sensors dont they? Thats a pain when it comes to ordering these motors...believe me, my tps, map, Iacv were all unfunctional when I swapped my b16a. Good luck, most of all have fun, I wish my dad would of helped me.

Major props

 

Yeah i can give h-motors online credit cause they are the ones i bought my sohc zc from and i couldnt of been more happy. All sensors worked flawlessly and they even pressure washed the engine for me before i got there so it was extremely clean. They are very friendly to deal with as well

 

yes H-motors is good.

I also bought a sohc zc and dohc zc trans from them and both worked awesome. They can even get ahold of some misc parts for you also. Shipping costs suck with any place tho.

 

nice the new plans sound good, 350hp-400hp will put you in the 11's for sure. also ive heard the best about hmo aswell.

 

nice writeup.
for getting off to a good start!
for picking the EF platform.

 

you had MY respect at:

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vectorsolid &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
About me,
I'm a car guy, doesn't matter what it is, I respect it and the work that went into it, and that's the bottom line.</TD></TR></TABLE>

if only everybody had that open of a mind concerning different genres of building and modding. and isn't it great how fast you can get up to speed these days, SO MUCH INFORMATION at your fingertips...on ANY subject really!

i was excited to see a Dseries build, but your logic makes sense with going Bseries in your situation.

good luck, sounds like fun!

 

good luck!

 

Thanks guys.

Started stripping the front end tonight, getting ready for the core support. Started weighing everything too. I'm eventually going to start a thread, "What stuff weighs". Lot's of people curious, most are not interested in gutting their cars to find out the potential value, or lack there of.

I was interested in finding carbon or glass fenders until I found out tonight they (stock fenders) only weigh 4 pounds each to start with, and that's with the little chrome molding. Complete door with glass is about 76 pounds. Let's see what I can strip that too. ...lol...

I got this car for $204, I'm not worried about ruining it in the name of fun!!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FOUR-G &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you had MY respect at:
if only everybody had that open of a mind concerning different genres of building and modding. ... </TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks man. you know what's sad, I've actually been getting some light weight "hater-aid" from some people I know. Kind of surprised me a bit. All the more reason to shrug it off and blow off a few doors like it was no big deal. I've got all winter, and I've decided if I can scrounge up a CHEAP 1.6l D shortblock, I'll give the D one last shot with about 5-10 pounds of boost and see what happens. Maybe learn a few important things with a cheap engine first, before learning on a more expensive engine.

I'm thinking I can scrounge a short block for say $100-$150, that's pretty cheap to get the engine running, and bolt a turbo on it.

 

Well, picked up a parts car, site unseen. Guy said his kid was thinking he was in the fast and the furious movies, and it just quit running, so he decided to sell it. Unknown reason as to why for the failure. I'm thinking, well, how bad can it be. He says the body panels are so-so, but has new starter, alternator, tires, and a bunch of other crap, so I take a chance and drive 600 miles round trip to get it. It's rough, but for $300 I got some crap I need. Also has a 5 speed trans I need.

So I'm thinking I can really get a look at what's going on, now that it's home. I find out what Junior did to the car. He launched a rod through the block... in the pic you can see a piece of the rod with some wristpin in it... Not gonna be pretty in there when I pull it apart. I still think I came out allright, hell, new tires was $300. BUT, I was really hoping to have a good d16 block to play with.


Here's the second car. and a pic of the block.

Shot at 2007-10-15


Shot at 2007-10-15