Let's start by stating the obvious... when it comes to car mechanics, I suck. That being said...

I'm trying to put together a list of exactly what I'm going to need, and also what I may as well get out of the way for my upcoming engine work. I want to do a mini-me swap and eventually get a small-ish turbo, but I don't think the turbo will be happening for a while. So, for the mini-me...

z6 head
z6 manifold
new rods/pistons
cam/adjustable cam gears
clutch kit
rebuilt transmission (grinds)
flywheel


I know I'm probably missing so many things, but I'm not too good at the car fixing thing yet.

Would it be wise to get a better transmission since I'm going to eventually get a turbo, or can a rebuilt stock d16 tranny hold up on around 200ish hp just fine?

If I have to get a better tranny, which one would work? Would I need a better clutch (stage 2) ?

Are 450cc fuel injectors necessary?

Z6 heads require a... p28 ECU? Anything special to go with that that I'll need to get?

I still don't get the whole obd-0, obd-1 etc stuff. How can I tell which my car's using, and will I need to convert? 90 CRX Si, if that alone tells you.

I have purely stock suspension... What should I upgrade to considering the mods?

With the added performance from all of this, will I need bigger rims, wider tires, etc? Apparently (if I have to get a new one) different transmissions = different wheel specifications? How can I figure out what kind of offset etc I'll need in a wheel to go with my tranny?

Also, if you have an recommended brands/types/etc for the parts I already have in my "list", please, feel free to suggest them.


Sorry for all the questions, and yes I do indeed expect the "why buy a car that needs work if you don't know any of this?" comments... but it has been in my family since it was put on the lot in 1990, brand new, and I want to keep it that way.

 

i wouldn't go with huge rims and yes you will need to convert to obd1 to run the p28 you will need to get a jumper harness from obd0 to obd1

 

Do you know what size rims, off the top of your head? I don't understand how to measure the offset I'd need. And is there a particular "brand" for jumper harnesses you'd recommend, or are they all essentially the same?

 

yes just different names i'm pretty sure, and rims you ould get away with some 14s i wouldn't go any bigger than 15 though.

 

just stick with some honda wheels such as webs, hxs, blades. they arent real expensive and they will fit with no prob. my wheels are 195/15/50 and they are perfect on a 2 inch drop

 

I think your getting in way over your head.

If you're going to get different wheels and don't want to use Honda(which are a decent choice for the most part), You'd probably be good with a 15x6.5 with a 45 offset. The offset doesn't affect the diameter of the wheel, it affects the mounting in relation to the centerline of the wheel. A lower offset(30 vs 45) the wheel will stick out further in the fender line. Tire sizes will also affect your overall diameter.

A d16a6 trans should be fine. You could probably benefit from an LSD also. However you can install a trans from an EG si which there are many more options for. If you want to do this you will have to convert to a hydraulic clutch or use a conversion kit.

Tuning will be your biggest help. Especially with a turbo. OBD1 is much easier to tune with and offers many more tuning options.

OBD"0" is a different software platform than OBD1. OBD1 is used in 92-95 Hondas. OBD"0" (or which is commonly refered to as) is pre 92.

You can convert your OBD"0" 88-91 Honda to OBD1 by replacing the distributor, installing a 4 wire O2 sensor, installing a jumper harness for the ecu.

Im done for now. I just gave you a big jump start. Do your own research and come back with more informative questions. I don't really think you know what to ask right now. I'm not trying to flame you, you just need better questions.

 

Well Let's Start By Stating The Obivous... You Shouldnt Be Doing This Project.

You Suck..... You Said It.

 

I really appreciate the help. And I know my questions are terrible, I apologize for that. I basically just want to know what, on a 20 year old car, would be wise or even necessary to replace so that the ~80-90 hp you're adding doesn't break it, blow it up, etc. This is assuming all parts in/on the car are stock, aside from things that must be changed on schedule (i.e. water pump, timing belt, etc )

 

you should just do basic bolt on's if you lack the mechanical experience/know-how to take on that list of things you would like to do...


here is my opinion on the things you should do to your STOCK car
- aftermarket header
- free flow cat/ unrestricted resonator
- cat back exhaust system
- aftermarket intake manifold
- aftermarket throttle body that is at least 62mm
- aftermarket intake arm ("cold air")
- underdrivin pullys

all that stuff is easy and each individual project shouldnt take more than a few hours start to finish.

in my opinion that is what you should do, because no matter what head, (d-series) block, cam, trans, or whatever. all of the mods listed above will still work on your car and still be able to put power...

dont get me wrong, if you feel like you need to do a head swap and put new pistons and rods in and get a cam, by all means do so.... but you gotta do the basics first. spend a nice chunk of change and do some searching for what other people are using on their setups, get what you like, not what everything thinks is "cool" or "jdm". the basic bolt ons should net you enough power to hold you over untill you get the "honda sickness" and rip apart your entire engine on a whim....

basically if you take anything from this rant let it be this:
you engine has to be able to breathe to make power & the honda gods were not kind to EF's EE's and ED's intake and exhaust systems.

BOTTOM LINE: the faster you can flow air in and out effectively, the faster your car can potentially go.

 

Thank you very much for your input, I think this is where I'll start. Who knows, maybe I can actually learn something by doing the DIYs first, too.

Thanks again.