Hi- I just picked up a couple of '92 Honda Civic's. One is a Hatchback VX and the other is a 4 door. The HB has a d15z1 engine (hardly any power at all). The 4 door has a D15B7. The 4 door smokes a little. The 4 door has a ton of power. How is the B7 engine so much stronger than the Z1? The book I have says the Hatchback VX only has like 92 hp. What's the difference in the 2 engines, they are both D15's? Must be the head? Are all D15b engines the same? I see some B1's ????

Also on the 4 door, I plan on replacing the engine because it does smoke a little. I've read that there's several different engines that will fit. My question is if I stick to say a D15B engine, will all the electrical connectors hook back up to a different engine? Also will the 5 spd transmission work without any modifications. These are actually my first 2 Honda's and I got a pretty good deal on both.

 

Oh boy, you have a lot of reading to do! Check the stickies at the top of the forum for some quick answers.

There are several reasons why those two D15 engines perform so differently. The difference in compression is a start...also your VX has VTEC-E...
Check here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_D_engine

To answer your transmission question, all 92-00 D-series transmissions are interchangeable.

 

the Z1 is a economy engine it has 90 some odd HP . the B7 is just your typical non V-tec D series thats the reason in such the big power difference. if you want more specific's check out the sticky's. hope i helped .

 

If you looking to put a new engine its probably best to put a B eries engine, though you will need alot more stuff such as wiring, mounts, gearbox ect ect There should be a stick thread on it.
If your going to keep to the D series engines i would go for a D16 and you'd be able too keep sme stuff of the D15B7

 

For plain simplicity, a d16 would be optimal. If im not mistaken the 92 civics and ONLY the 92 civics were pre-wired for vtec. V-TEC E is not worth the time and money unless you want to get insane gas mileage. I would not recommend a high mileage d16y8, due to the crap oil pumps; y8 rod bearings ftl . If you end up with a lower mileage y8, shim the oil pump, replace the timing belt, water pump, tensioner, and re-gasket the entire motor. d16z6 or even a zc would both be budget-friendly candidates. Oh and stay away from dx trannys if you plan on going fast in short distances.
turbod16.com or d-series.org for days and days of d series info.

 

Thanks everyone. Like one of the guy's said. I need to do a LOT of reading. Thanks again for the replys.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tx_ej8_49 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If im not mistaken the 92 civics and ONLY the 92 civics were pre-wired for vtec.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yup. From the ECU to the shock tower plugs. The engine harness isn't prewired though.

 

D16Z6 (JDM D15B), is probably the best sohc swap you can do. I thought the VX and CX also used the same throttle bodies which are the smallest sohc bodies. Either way, the motor's you have a very basic, and I wouldn't recommend putting to much money into them, but a swap could be worth it. JDM motors are easy to come by. I live in Vermont, and we can get them shipped from Montreal in just a few days. http://www.osakajdmmotors.com - check it out, and good luck with the project.

 

Trickytron-
Looking at d15b engine, would I need anything else to make this swap if I purchsed this engine? (besides the engine) Also, is this motor a good deal stronger than the D15B7 or they about the same. Not into racing, just something that's dependable and will last me a while. How much would shipping be to Mississippi?

 

JDM D15B Vtec is 128.8HP, your D15B7 is 102 and the D15Z1 is 92. They're nice little engines and what I run in my sedan. Don't buy it from osaka though, i've heard real horror stories. hmotors is supposed to be excellent to order from though.

 

Thanks
How much trouble to fit the D15B engine into the Civic, removing the D15B7? I mean would I have to purchase a lot more than just the engine?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tx_ej8_49 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> If im not mistaken</TD></TR></TABLE>

You are actually.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tx_ej8_49 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> '92 Civics came with VTEC wiring from the shock tower down to the ECU.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Fixed.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tx_ej8_49 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If im not mistaken the 92 civics and ONLY the 92 civics were pre-wired for vtec.</TD></TR></TABLE>

So no other car from the 92-95 Civic line came wired for VTEC.

 

All '92 civics, regardless of trim level are pre wired for vtec from the ecu to the shock tower for that one year only. Now obviously all '92 - '95 civics that came from the factory with vtec engines were wired for vtec if thats whats you're trying to get at. I'm all for correct information, but that was kind of an unneccessary comment to be a d*ck IMO

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by taterbug &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks
How much trouble to fit the D15B engine into the Civic, removing the D15B7? I mean would I have to purchase a lot more than just the engine?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Engine and ECU, you will need to run the vtec wiring in the engines harness (not hard). If you can afford it the transmission that goes with the engine is geared shorter for better acceleration at the expense of gas mileage. The original tranny will work fine though.

 

^ Word. Really...

 

94EG8-

Thanx! Sorry for so many questions.

 

It looks like most of your questions got answered. I have not have any problems with Osaka, but I am sure shipping would be a hell of a lot more going to you than it was to me. Computer is the biggest thing you'll need to get, and they can supply one for a fee, most JDM motor places can. Definately a little more power, and a higher redline, so the swap will be reliable, and a little more power! I say hop aboard the D15B swap club!