I just picked up a 95 Del Sol S. I love it and it is my new project car. My basic question is the main bearing in the S20 transmission is going out. It has a D15B7 that is stock and running strong for 187k on it. Should I pull the tranny and have it rebuilt, and put a D16z6 or y8 head on and mini me it. Or should I do a whole Engine and tranny swap to a D16z6?

Thanks

 

Input shaft bearing on one of those is worth about $20, figure in another $5 or so for the seal that goes under it, do the labor yourself and you're only in it for $25 (there are a couple of other bearings in that that you should look at, but chances are you'll be well under $100.

 

Well what do you want from this car? Tons of power? Maybe a little pep and a nice oem/jdm look? I mean if its a project...and you're wanting any kind of pep/power you will need to rid of the B7! Z6/Y8 is a good SOHC...I'd rather just find a full swap rather than a mini-me...what about B series?

 

94EG8 Thanks I think that is what I will do with the trans if I stay D series. I did pick up a used S40 trans but then I learned the gear rations in the S20 are better so I rather just rebuild.

hannslebo I would like a B16 the issue is cost I can't find any decent priced B16's I keep finding D16Z6's rebuilt for $800.

 

It depends on which S20 and which S40 you've got. All S20 tells you is it's a '92 - '95 Civic/Del Sol D-series transmission, S40 just means '96 - '00 Civic/Del Sol D-series transmission. Check the stamp above the fill hole on the side of transmission. A000 = long geared CX/DX/LX/VX (there are actually two possibilities here, CX/VX = really long or DX/LX = still long but not as bad, finally you have B000 = short geared EX/Si transmission (if S20, if it's an S40 you have a possibility it could be an HX (big bearing case, but geared long))

I don't want this to turn into big flame fest or anything, but B16s are overrated, even in a CX hatch they're still torqueless, they don't feel any different than a Z6 until about 5000rpm. A B18C GS-R is a far better choice IMO.

 

I am putting off engine plans for now. Decided to build up the steering and front end. My plan now is to build from the ground up. Meaning suspension and steering first.