Picking up a '95 Civic DX auto coupe with a blown head gasket. Looking for mileage out of this thing, so I was looking into swapping on a D15Z1 head and ECU. I understand I just need the head, the VTEC solenoid, and the ECU. Only extra work required is running an extra wire off the D15Z1/P07 ECU to the VTEC solenoid, and all should work....if I had a 5spd.

Is there a way to get this setup up and running with the automatic?

I don't know how tuneable these ECUs are, but can I get a computer tuned to do this? I know its incredibly easy to do in the LS1-world that I'm from using HP Tuners and such.

 

non manul e(fill in blank)u's are ou() ()ere , jus look for em, u don really ()une a e()u for au()o from manual wif ondas. (my keys are f'd, idk wy)

 

^^^ allow me to translate

"non-manual ecu's are out there just look for them you don't really need an ecu for auto from maunal with honda's"

correct?

 

100%. I final found THa i HaVe To use Caps for THose leTTers, wHo would'Ve known. ExpCepT you will need THe ECu for a auTo if you donT already HaVe, Hondas made preTTy muCH eVeryTHing wiTH auTo or man. so THe eCu's are ouT THere. (THaT lasT THing i said was you CanT really Tune a eCu man To auTo

 

. damn well like 90% right

 

Wait...so can I just use any automatic 1.5L VTEC ECU then, or does it have to be specific to the "VTEC-E" stuff? I was under the impression it had to be the D15Z1 VTEC-E ECU to kick the solenoid on at the right RPM (2500)?

I guess I could just get any automatic VTEC ECU then and have it flashed for a 1.5L with the earlier VTEC events.

 

you will wanT To use THe d15z1 auTo eCu, THey make VTEC ConVersion kiTs, iTs jusT soldering sTuff in basiCally. iT may be possible To THen CHip and program for VTEC, buT iT would be CHeaper To find THaT eCu.

 

Except from what I've seen there was no D15Z1/auto combination. It seems they were only available with their own special tall-geared 5-speed...which would mean there isn't an auto D15Z1 ECU out there I could use.

If there was, that'd be all I would need. Then I just pop an extra pin in the ECU connector and run a wire to the VTEC solenoid, and I'd be done and good to go.

If I were to just get the 5spd D15Z1 ECU, can I have it reprogrammed to control an automatic transmission? I know I can do that with my HP Tuners software for my Camaro.

 

UnforTunaTely no, if you look aT Comparison piCs of man. and auTo eCu, THere is a wHole SeCTion THaTs deVoTed To ConTrolling THe auTo TrannY, and iTs jusT noT presenT in a Manual eCu. HoweVer if you goT aHold of A auTo CiViC, you migHT solder in wHaTs missing. To my knowlowledge THey're arenT Tuners for Hondas like HypereCH and superCHips, eCT for domesTiCs.

 

Can shops reprogram the factory ECU, or do Hondas have to resort to aftermarket/piggyback ECUs?

If reprogramming the stock ECU is possible, maybe I could get an automatic VTEC ECU and have a shop reprogram it for the 1.5L and switch the VTEC over at 2500RPMs instead of whatever it usually kicks in at.

That way I'd have proper control of the transmission as well as the VTEC solenoid, and it would just need to be programmed to come in earlier.

 

THaT sounds like a good idea aCTually. THey need To be CHipped (Crome, uber, eCT.) and you Can geT any engaugemenT poinT, or a piggybaCK suCH as THe VAFC-2 would be good buT THe lowesT engaugmenT poinT i THink is 3500.