Hey guys, some of you may have read my thread here:

https://honda-tech.com/forums/showth...2589096&page=2

Basically I cant get my 91 SI (D16) to pass WA emissions due to high HC and I have been trying to troubleshoot it in my spare time. I have literally tested everything... including a compression test which had results within spec....

Well today I did a leakdown test (should have done it earlier..doh), and it turns out #3 and #4 cylinders are 60% leakage, where as #1 and #2 are about 20-25%... this explains the high HC since the oil is being burnt..

Anyways, this civic is a daily driver for me... but im not totally against a motor swap if its somewhat economical/reliable. Should I just re-ring it, or is there an alternative motor I could get my hands on thats a direct swap for a reasonable price?

Thank you for your help!

-Aaron

 

in most cases you're better off swapping. even if it's a motor of the same type, but now is a good time to upgrade a little if you'd like. if you want super cheap and super easy, check out some of the other D-series motors.

 

i'd rebuild

 

get a jdm zc sohc

 

+1 on the sohc zc

 

Most likely you will not be able to get away with "re-ringing it". If it is leak down testing that bad then after you hone the cylinder walls to get a good seal you may be out of spec for putting new rings in it. The only way to truly tell is to pull out the motor and take the pistons out and measure them and the cylinders, after that then make your choice of what is better for your wallet.

Wait what? Swap that **** already...

 

sohc zh eh.......... ill have to do some research, what all would I need, if somoeone wouldnt mind telling me?

 

thats zc sohc...its basically the same engine that came in your car if yours is a stock si which should have a d16a6...all the parts are the same and its like taking your engine out and putting it back in but will low mileage if you buy it from a jdm importer...stock zc sohc is rated at 120hp with more aggressive cam timing and your stock d16a6 only has 108hp...click the link below to purchase zc sohc from legitimate jdm importer since they just got some back in stock...!!!
http://www.hmotorsonline.com/shop/sc...age&item=30020

 

So... What do you mean all the parts are the same? Is the ecu the same? Can i use the tranny i have now? :/

 

if your car is a si then yes since it should have a pm6 ecu which is the same for zc sohc...all d-series trannys match up to all d series engines...!!!

 

Hot! Hmmmm so a new motor is 450 + shipping... rering kit is like 350 or so.... not that much difference I guess.. Anyone know the price of shipping?

So theres no jimmy rigging **** I have to do, no splicing harnesses or anything? Sounds too good to be true.......

About how many miles do those motors have? and how do I know that it will even run when I get it? :/
EDIT: I read that they guarantee it runs...


I really appreciate the help by the way guys.

 

call them and ask them for a shipping quote and engine mileage...hmotorsonline is like the most trusted jdm engine importer because they sell quality engines not garbage...when you get it you obviously want to change all gaskets,timing belt,water pump and other basics...the zc sohc requires no engine wiring modifications if you have a 88-91 civic si since your already mpfi not dpfi...just take out your old engine and put in the new engine and thats it...!!!

 

that is HOT! Thanks ill give them a call. Saves me some timing tearing down the block ^_^ and ill have slightly moar powar! So what about parts, hard to find or do most of the d16a6 USDM parts fit?

 

same parts...!!!

 

Sweeet!

Well I just learned theres a foreign motor importer like 2 miles from my house that has a few ZCs according to their inventory. Ill see if I can grab one from there and save on freight.

Thanks a lot for the help!!!

 

just make sure they give you a warranty and the complete zc sohc longblock with intake manifold,dizzy and externals so that you could make some money off the parts by selling the mpfi parts on here...some shops only try to give you the long block only and charge the same price if you purchased the long block with the extras...zc sohc external parts are interchangable with d16a6 parts...!!!

 

woo good to know, thanks!

 

 

Hmm well I spoke with hmotorsonline.com and they told me its 250 to ship... so it would cost me about $725.... my alternative is to buy from here http://www.foreignengines.com
which is local to me... I spoke with them and its $570.... and thats without exhaust mani/intake mani/rails/injectors.. its just the longblock....

Hmmmmm.... what to do?

 

MUST I REPEAT THIS A MILLION TIMES???

It is almost guaranteed that you will have to bore your motor out if it is leak-down testing that bad!!!

 

Im not sure on the emmission testing you have there but you may want to make sure it will pass inspection with an engine code of "ZC" instead of "D16A6" just some thing to keep in mind before you drop that kinda money on something that still might not pass

 

Should be fine, they dont look at the code.

Yes im gona swap it!!!! Should i buy hmotors one or the bare longblock??? Will i be able to make up the difference by selling the leftover parts if i buy the hmotors one?

 

buy from hmotorsonline because the extra money you spend on shipping you are guaranteed to make it back with selling the external parts to other people on here looking for mpfi parts...just make sure when you order it to ask them and make sure they send you a 88-91 zc sohc with the mpfi external parts and not the carburated parts because you would never sell the carburated parts for profit...also make sure to ask if it is the pm6 version and is obd-0 because they have different zc sohc for other years...remember all them external parts that aint included from that local jdm engine importer are worth $$$ and it wouldn't make sense to pay for a longblock without the externals...sometimes you have to spend money to make money but you wont regret it

 

I don't agree, and I don't remember reading the OP saying exactly where the leaking was happening either. It could have easily been leaking past the valves, and I've seen engines with 90% leakdown get refreshed with a hone and re-ring.

If you're willing to spend $750 for an engine, why not pull the thing and rebuild? You could even toss some higher CR slugs in there while you're at it. Or toss a VTEC head on it.

If money is the biggest issue, You should be able to rering and have everything back together for $250 or less.

 

Leaking past rings, lots of air heard thru dipstick tube