My dad recently picked up a 91 honda civic hatchback for free from a co worker, free obviously means something is wrong with something, that something would be the engine.

It has the D15B1 engine and 4 speed manual transmission, which to be honest i dont really care for because 70 hp is neither exciting nor fuel efficient with only 4 gears.

I'm still deciding whether to put in a D16a6, jdm B16a, or just rebuild the stock engine into a D15B2, though im really leaning towards the first two.

I'd also like to swap up to a 5 speed manual instead of the 4 speed but not sure about different models.

So fill me in, I want a well performing car but still want decent mileage, what would you guys recommend?

 

Well D series virtually drop into that car of course, aside from wiring. I think a rough estimation of a B16a swap is about $2,000 total, I would not know for sure, I have never done it. But, something to say about the original motor, I have a 90 Civic base model 4 speed and it might not be exciting but it has decent power, and I get 35 - 40 mpg, if thats not fuel efficient I don't know what is. If I were in your position I would toss the old motor and drop in a fresh D-series. Personally.

 

ya d-series will be your cheapest and easiest route, as long as you use an 89-91 tranny it will swap right in dont have to change axles nothin or hubs. and the a6 pull strong and are really reliable it maintaned good luck bro. Oh and best bang for your buck for some free torque and hp do light weight flywheel like 7.5lb fidanza they free so much rotating mass up and makes it easier for your engine to get more power to the ground

 

Thanks for the info guys :D the D16a6 is definitely a possibility.

p.s. i may have forgotten to mention that a friend gave me a spare mitsubishi turbo and intercooler, was wondering how much id have to do to make the engine handle a low psi turbo.

 

The best thing for you would be to hook up a D16 with VTEC if you want (some) power and (great) mpg. These motors can run on 6 psi daily with stock internals.

 

fixed*

psi means nothing if you don't take into account the size of the turbo.

op: whichever d-series route you go, make sure you convert to mpfi. it makes a huge difference in power.

http://hondaswap.com/swap-articles/d...writeup-49557/

 

Ok. Thanks for the clarification. I knew 200 is reachable in a D-series. I'm wanting to get that NA in my Y7 this summer.

 

d series is your easiest choice

 

If you rebuild the stock engine like me itll be pretty dope on milge and a smooth long lasting car. but performance ? noo lol
so go with the B16

 

Wait, what? 200 HP with a D16Y7 N/A?

No.

 

Huh, i was only looking for in the range of 100-150hp, 200hp would be sweet.

another thing i was worried about is the ecu's, read up a bit but still confused whether i should just get the one for said engine or if the in the honda right now will work.

 

why not just rebuild the d15 and do a mini me swap you'll gain a significant amount of power while still being fuel efficient; while adding either the zc or si 5-speed tranny.

 

cause thats a lot more work than i wanna do or have the money for.

 

woot, friend found a few zc engines for me to look at.

 

im in exactly the same case as the original poster and wanted to do the same things with the tranny and swap or rebuild.
I could get a zc longblock but im worried about getting parts like the ecu, transmission, axles etc. are these parts hard to find?

 

okay... HMOTORS (google is your friend) is best site i've found for (local, and i've seen people from farther) california. Cheap ZC engines. Drops in with D-series, least did for me.

Parts are easy to get, craigslist/honda-tech is also your friend.

 

ya the longblock is from craigslist

 

build the D15B2(:

 

i have a d15b1 and although cheaper for the most part, idk how easy performance parts for these engines are to come by. idt they are very common

 

ok dude check this GET A ZC dohc zcs are awsome thay have underestamated power iv gave a few b16 civics a run for there money with a zc there cheap easy fast powerfull i swaped mine in my civic in a day im not a big car guy but man swapin a zc was nothin and i cant beat the power of the motor for the price look em up

 

even a sohc zc there even cheaper with a few ponies less power 120 i think instead of 135-dohc anyways u could use all your stock mounts stock tranny just need to buy a dohc zc longblock there relativley cheap man like 600 to maybye 700 bucks if u look around

 

had a d16a6...have a b16a now....very happy with my decision to go b series route.

dont get me wrong i loved my D, but its like im cheating on my wife when i drive my B...its ****in exciting!

 

b16a or better. so cheap nowdays why not....

my vote is jdm b18c

 

Is it your dad's car or yours? What is wrong with the motor? I would keep it single cam and stock if your dad plans to use it as a daily.

 

thanks guys this helped me out a lot