I recently purchased a 1989 CRX Si. It currently has a dead engine and I am trying to decide if I want to rebuild it or swap it.

From the research I have done the stock engine for this car was the D16A6. The engine that is currently in the car is a D16Y7. What I would like to know is which one is the better engine. Should I rebuild the D16Y7 or try to find the D16A6? Or do I go with a JDM swap and get a ZC?

I am not ready to swap it for a B16 yet.

The car has an L3-1 transmission.

 

I like the D16A6 more than the D16Y7 myself. I would get a D16A6 over any other non-VTEC SOHC engine.

What ECU is in the car? I am wondering if it has been swapped to OBD1 or if it is running off of the old OBD0 D16A6 ECU.

Thanks

 

In my research I did see that the D16Y7 was OBD-1 so I will have to check and see what ECM is in the car.

Is the JDM ZC the same engine as the D16A6? I think the specs show it has more power and possible better camshafts?

 

The JDM ZC has MANY variants. Just put that to memory now. There is a VTEC model, non-VTEC model, and a DOHC model. I would personally stick with USDM D-series motors due to availability and price. The D16A6 is a great non-VTEC motor and is an easy swap. The D16Z6 is my favorite SOHC VTEC motor for this chassis.

 

Are there a good deal of aftermarket mods available for the D16A6? Sorry for my ignorance I am new to the world of Honda.

Would this ZC work well? JDM Engine Corp Engine Details - Honda Civic JDM ZC D16A SOHC Non Vtec Engine OBD0 Motor 88-91 1.6 Liter Japanese

Is a B16 worth the cost? I might have a lead on an older CRX that has a B16 swap that I could pull out. What is the best transmission to use with the B16?

I want to autocross (Solo) this car so I am trying to navigate the rules in relationship to engine swaps as well. I don't want to end up in a class in which I cannot even compete.

 

What vehicle can you find a D16Z6 in? Are there any others that come with a D16A6?

 

Wiki can tell you everything you want to know about the engines.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_D_engine
z6 is:
1992–1995 Honda Civic Si
1992–1995 Honda Civic EX, EX-V
1992–1995 Honda Civic ESi (European Market)
1993–1995 Honda Del Sol Si (US)
1993–1996 Honda Del Sol ESi (European)

a6 is:
1988–1991 Honda Civic Si, CRX Si, 90-91 Civic EX (4dr), Civic Wagon RT4WD (USDM)
1988–1995 Honda Civic Shuttle RT4WD (UK/Europe/Asia/AU/NZ)
1989–1996 Rover 216/416 GSi/Tourer (UK/Europe)

 

Yes and no. Intake, header, exhaust and a tune up helps these motors out quite a bit. They have a bit of potential for stock motors. Definitely the cheapest.

That would work, I'm sure. It is basically the D16A6 JDM equivalent. I am not sure if that is a good importer site. I trust Hmotorsonline. Other than that, I cannot vouch for anyone.

I think it is due to the DOHC and history of the B16A. But if you are going that far, I'd suggest a B18C5. The YS1 or Y1. A short geared cable trans is the best/easiest. A GSR is better if you want to go Hydro. That or a ITR trans. I'd pull whatever trans the CRX has in it since it will work.

Yup. The CRXs classing sucks due to being a 2-seat sports car. That is all I am going to say. I believe a Si Hatch has good classing with the D16A6. Find a goal, set a budget, and we can help more.

 

I have a d16y7 in my car now. I chose the mini me route.

 

The ECU has been swapped for an OBD-1.

 

Can someone tell me what the difference between the D16A and D16Y engines are? I haven't been able to find a whole lot.

Some say the A is better built and stronger. Some say the Y has an undesirable oiling system. From what I can tell they appear to be the same base block, but I haven't been able to find much info.

 

They are the same displacement, both single over head cam, and both non-VTEC. The D16Y series does have undesirable oiling. It is possible to spin bearings in stock form and it happens all the time. The D16A6 and D16Z6 blocks are the same. The heads are different though.

There isn't a lot of differences between them aside from the crank. The crank is where the oiling differences are and I believe the D16Y has a weird dipstick/oil pump thing.

I was going to go with a mini-me when I had my D15b2...or b1 or whatever. I chose not to after a lot of debate.

 

I personally believe the a6 block was built much better than the y series blocks. I have an uncle that babied his 98 ex for like 8 years, and the one time he raced it, against my friends crx and my.other friends hatch, he spun a bearing. I have an a6 in my wagon with almost 290k miles still running and has been beat like crazy.

 

I appreciate everyone's input. I think I will be searching for a D16A6 to get this car back to stock engine so I can autocross in STS. I don't think I want to deal with the classing that would result in an engine swap.

Will the L3-1 transmission work with a D16A6? Was that the stock transmission for the 89 CRX Si? Does anyone have a good resource about the transmissions

It has a header, cat-back exhaust, coil overs, a body kit and stock size wheels and tires.

Does anyone know if it can be tuned and still run in STS for autocross?