I'm somewhat newbish to the scene with upgrading/swaping motors, started becoming one in 2010 to be exact. I just don't feel the need to upgrade to a B series or all the way to K yet. People tell me right away "Just move to B series at least and go from there." But honestly, I'm not all about speed and up'ing my performance yet beyond my D16. Right now I'm all about my D. I'm just wondering if anyone can give me some insight of what what parts to upgrade with and why. For Example, I purchased a password JDM carbon Fiber dry intake and I know that probably won't do much for a D series engine, but you know...it's just a starter point. I need education on a Hondatech.com level. "Why use Edelbrock headers" why not to use "whatever type of throttle body or ECU or when to upgrade your cams" etc.. I'm not TOO picky on prices, and I'm more about increasing my own potential with my civic rather than comparing it to everyone in my city/area.

:/ My first thread.

 

The most important question, what's your budget?


For Intake/Headers/Exhaust, especially on D-series engines you won't see any good gains, only SOUND. So spending $20-$100 on an intake, $100-$500 on headers, $100-$800 on exhaust won't do much. Even cams (or in this case cam because it's a SOHC) would be a small unnecessary boost.

The first thing you'd have to do is make sure your vehicle is at a reliable level, screw performance gains if your car isn't even safe to drive. Knock that out

There is a website dedicated to D-series engines for more info, i learned a lot from these guys and I already have a list of plans to throw into my D16 once I graduate and get the cash to turbo.
http://www.d-series.org/forums/


Here's what i've learned on D-series turbo builds:
$1,500-$3,000 will be a nice number to start with, if you don't think you'll finish the build, then don't start you'll be full of regrets. The following info may be wrong, just things i've gathered/trrying to remember.

1) Assuming you have a manual D16Y8, you're already set wiring-wise, especially if you plan on keeping that same motor and not swapping for another D.
2) OBD2 to OBD1 ECU harness
3) OBD1 ECU for tuning, and either the hardware to tune yourself or save up for tuning at a shop/professional
4) Fuel system upgrades, 440CC+ Injectors, 190+ Fuel pump
5) Intercooler + piping
6) Oil feed lines
7) Turbocharger itself
8) Little things here and there, if you want to go pass 220hp, then you'll need to rebuild your engine block.

 

Thanks. I guess I'm too much on the level of just "updaing" my parts rather than "upgrading" it. So when it comes to going to atleast B series, there's a huge gain in areas to upgrade with? I mean in cases of expanding my HP on the B series beyond what to expect of a D series engine. I just thought maybe if there are the right brands out there that would do the job.

Is it correct that B18C is japanese and B18C5 is American? And if that's right, does it actually matter with quality?

 

Theres a ton of B series fanboys that will tell you to swap, then theres a ton of D series fanboys that will tell you the D can make plenty of power. Everyone will tell you a different opinion, ultimately there is no right or wrong, but personal preference. I personally went the D series route because of my budget and reliability (D series engines are everywhere and a lot cheaper) and a great starting point for me. I started with a d16y7, and did a mini me swap (y8 vtec head) and was absolutely dissapointed. Going for 300whp over the winter on a full y8. I chose this also because i love peoples faces when their B is eaten by my single jingle lol. Save the SOHC! And good luck onyour build

 

But truthfully, unless you boost, you wont make too much noticeable gains with minor bolt ons. Unless you got a ton of cash of course, then you can do anything haha

 

By itself, the B16A2 or B18B/C# are both large upgrades over the D16Y8, and will literally bolt right in with the matching ECU, as long as you match OBD2 variations. You'd be looking at roughly 70 more bhp from a simple B18C1 swap, and that's quite possibly the most common B series available.

Then if you decide to look at any form of forced induction, not only do more options become available, but more power can be safely gained. A D series motor generally maxes out at about 200whp turbo'd on stock valvetrain and rotating assembly, with a home-made kit generally costing ~$2000. You can throw another grand at it for a Vitara build (pistons, rods, and bearings) and max out (safely) around 250 with an average tuner doing the work for you, 300 if s/he's good.

A B series will make near-turbo D power by itself. Throw boost on it, and you're looking at well-tuned Vitara build numbers, for the same price, with even more room to grow. Boosting a B will also cost the same as boosting a D.

There are also a lot more "go fast" options for the B series than there are for D series, and they're a lot more readily accessible. More companies support the B series, more people know how to toy with them, and they're just generally better motors from an upgrading standpoint.

 

That's what I was worried about. D series can only accomplishes so much unless I added turbo to the mix, but that wouldn't be enough to satisfy my needs on my civic. I'm currently SLOWLY investing into a B18c5 and swap, but Idk, the D16y8 has a grip on me.

I have plenty of time for education and ability to build my D16, but that B engine keeps knocking on my door to buy it and swap. Gosh this newbish world of mine... lol.. Part of me wants to swap to at least Type R but at the same time think "well, not enough people in my area appreciate the style of a fully built D16.

 

It all depends on where your goals are. You need to figure that out and set it in stone before you decide to swap or not.

 

I personally know 3 people making ~400-450HP with their Z6/Y8's.

D series can defiantly make great power, however a built engine, and proper turbo kit/supporting mods are needed....

 

Thanks guys. I'll try with the D series. There's there's always time for swapping when I need it in the future. Maybe it'll satisfy me and maybe make some here enthused too.

 

When I get to B (or possibly K) series, I'll upgrade it top notch hopefully by the time I post it.

 

Eh, you can easily go from turbo D to turbo B - just needs a new manifold when/if you do the swap.

 

install a 50 shot, retard timing and colder plugs and you got more power on demand

 

I thought we tried to keep recommendations legal? Nitrous is illegal for street use in most states, FL included

Also, a B18C1 swap would give you that 50 on the demand of your gas pedal. Turbo would give you upwards of 100 on the demand of your gas pedal as well. You also don't have to refill a turbo bottle

 

Meh. Who wants to keep refilling a bottle?

 

Just my Road Racing experience speaking here..
I dont condone any street racing at all so Im throwing that out there too.
I have owned hondas since the early 80's so I have seen the brand evolve from my first hondas starting with a 75 civic and 77 accord.
On the street I drive like a normal person.

I have run a D series road racing before and absolutely loved it.
You dont need higher hp to have a fast car.
Fast is the driver behind the wheel, not the car itself.
The car is the tool, the driver is the operator.
Anywhos, I know a good nummber of drivers who can drive the wheels off a under hp'd car ,and stay right on the behind with the likes of an Evo or Corvette.
In some cases they just run away on a road course from cars with superior HP.
Again its the driver....

In my experiences with modding a D, unless you boost, there are no bolt ons that add a noticeable hp increases for the money one would spend on a top of the line item.
The trade off is not worth the money spent.
Sure you can put on the likely suspects, intake exhaust,header. but id advise buying the cheaper versions of those items.
Spending 500 on a header is just a waste of money, intake.. keep it cheap.

 

I second the"It's the the driver" comment. When I had a stock y7 before my vtec head swap, I was stock. I just had an ac and power steering delete. I actually was able to beat my boy and his 09 si and his k20 all the time lol of course that was my starting point. I got cocky with another random si and i was just obliterated badly