My Son and his friends are really into the whole tuner thing and LOVE Hondas. I am an old-school Street Rodder (47 years old and a medically retired cop) with a ton of knowledge when it comes to building those type of cars/trucks. I am looking to buy a 93 Civic (I currently have my eye one) and want to turn it into a project he and I can work on together. He is far more knowledgeable on the import tuning thing than I am but I have the mechanical knowledge he lacks.

The car I am looking at has the following upgrades in which I lack the knowledge so any input would be VERY helpful to me. It currently has the following: 5 speed with a jdm d15b7 has full exhaust lowered on 17" nickie wheels clear tail lights runs an drives good no power steering (taken from his add). I need to know if this is a buildable engine? Due to an arm injury, power steering would be most helpful, how do I get it? And what else do I need to do make it quite fast when needed?

Any direction and help would be GREATLY appreciated!!

Dino

 

One old fart to another, start by looking for an unmodified car, the last thing I would want for a project car is someone else's project. 94

 

Clear tails. That does not bode well for the condition of the car. I'd look for an EX or an SI.

 

I don't believe this guy has done much as far as modifications other than the lowering (which I will get details on how it was done) and the exhaust. The car looks very clean for a 93. I don't see any aftermarkets parts on the engine but then again, I have only seen pics.

 

From what I can tell, the clear tails are aftermarket and are only cosmetic. My Son tells me I need to go back retro or with factory tails from another year that fit. What are your thoughts?

 

Thinking of a motor swap? The jdm d15 is useless to build.

 

Lowered? Lowered on what?

 

Def thinking on a motor swap. Doing a little research to determine what will fit and buildability. Looking to get around 200+ ponies without a turbo then adding the turbo for extra.

 

Don't know yet but will be finding out. I'm hoping for a ligit kit and not grarge cut springs.

 

I believe you meant to spell, "legit."
Anyway, as stated above, I believe you should look for something completely stock.
If you seriously have the money for an engine swap, upgrading the internals, to later on install a turbo, then you should simply look for a rolling shell in great condition.

This way, you'll be able to start fresh with your own project, rather than finish someone else' and fixing what they messed up.

Either way, it's your call and in the end you're going to do what makes you happy. Though I still believe you should take into consideration the amount of money you'll use fixing other people's mistakes.

In response to your questions, the current engine in that car is not good to build on. To be completely honest, I'm not sure what all parts have to combine to make power steering, but that's just another reason I'd look for a rolling shell with A/C, P/S, etc. untouched... waiting for you to install your motor.

A great place to purchase motors (simply because they're unbelievably helpful) is http://hmotorsonline.com/shop/sc2000...USDM%20Engines

 

It's either N/a or boost. You will not make 200whp on a low comp motor. Building a N/a high compression motor is not ideal for boost. The d16z6 motor is a good SOHC motor for boost and the best part is it's cheaper than going with a B series motor. I have seen a bone stock z6 boosted in a 92 Hatch run 12.6 in the 1/4 on drag radials.

 

Search craigslist for that local totaled ls integra or gsr. swap out the oem engine with a full b series. Recomend the gsr. But i seen stock ls engines on boost make almost 400whp. Yhe swap will be great for all motor until the boost comes into play. Good luck

 

Like others are saying, I would either find something else with untouched power steering, or you could pull a stock unmolested PS setup from a junkyard and throw it in. As for the suspension, a good setup is not cheap. Chances are its junk. Cheap coilovers, or cheap springs on stock shocks. You can make a d series engine quick (google bisimoto), but personally, if you're going to spend the money and time into building something, any b series vtec engine will have a much better flowing head, bigger cams, and more displacement (b18), a bigger aftermarket, etc. than any d series engine. if your going to put money into a engine, i would start with a 1.8 liter (b18), and not a 1.6 (b16) for obvious reasons. that .2l makes quite a difference, even more so if you resleeve to get a bigger bore and go up to 2.0l. ($)

A b series vtec engine (b16a, b17a, b18c1, c5, etc) is pretty much the chevy 350 small block of the honda guys.

 

if you come up with a budget, we're pretty good at helping you get the most bang for your buck in terms of what you're trying to accomplish.

good luck! i think its awesome that you're doing this for your kid. it teaches a wide variety of valuable things just by the nature of the project, and you get to spend time with your son. :thumbsup:

 

I would also find a car with the power steering intact still. and as a fellow street rodder you will be most happy with a ls or b20 vtec. either of those will give you the torque and mid range that youre used to. suspension wise there are cheap full coilovers like black works or form and function that are fine for the street or a very proven combo is ground controls and konis. the ground controls wrok great and u can choose ur spring rates.

 

also, the clear tails are for the most part considered in bad taste and outdated, especially with the Honda crowd that is into actual performance over the looks of the car. just sayin... I'd find a set of stock tails myself...

 

As stated above...sell that car and find a completely stock EX/SI...200hp involves a good amount of money after tuning and other things...If money is not an issue give Hmotors a call and order a B18C...thats 200hp at the crank...or even a K20A if your looking for something fancy...but on the rear clears, I personally cant stand em...but my old eyes are sensitive in the dark lol