Well I've decided on what parts I'm going to use in my quest to build a nice daily-driven D-Series motor for my 1990 hatchback.

For a recap on how I got here, check this link:

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=400841

So anyways I have decided to build up a D16A6 motor. the D16A6 in the 1988-1991 CR-X Si and 1989-1991 Civic Si engine. It is a 1.6L non-VTEC 16-valve motor. It is rated from the factory at 108hp at the crank, but if you know me I can't settle for "factory" ratings now can I?

The stock compressrion ratio (CR) for the D16A6 is a lowly 9.1:1 with the stock dished pistons. A popular set-up that has been used for years and years is to use either the 1986-1987 Integra flat top or even better, the 1988-1989 dome top pistons.

For references check out this link to see the various specs on some popular D-Series pistons, heads, etc:

http://www.muller.net/sonny/crx/pistons/crchart.gif

As you can see a big-*** bump up in CR will result when going from the -3.4cc D16A6 pistons to the +7.2cc D16A1 1988-1989 Integra pistons.

I have chosen to go with the 1988 Teggy pistons because they are free to me because my shop has an abandoned 1988 Integra sitting out front that's been there for almost 3 years now.

I'm also going to use a 1996-2000 Ex head gasket because it is metal and thinner than the 1988-1991 D16A6 head gasket - this will yield approx. .3 more CR points.

Add to that a milled head and the CR ratio will be close to 12:1 according to some CR calculators that I've been playing with like:

http://www.c-speedracing.com/howto/c...c/compcalc.php

Well anyways I'll just get to the final set-up that I've chosen.

D16A6 from 1989 Civic - $50.00 and smoked like a bitch
1989 Civic Si tranny in need of bearings - $50.00
Free used 1988 Integra pistons
Free used 1988 Integra Rods

And new parts from Honda/Acura:

Piston ring set
Rod bearings
Main bearings (if necessary - probably will though)
1996-2000 Ex head gasket
New intake manifold gasket
New exhaust gasket
Timing Belt
Water Pump
Front main seal
Rear main seal
Cam seal
Distributor o-ring
V.C gasket
Oil pan Gasket
Plug o-rings
Vavestem seals
Ait filter
Rotor button
Cap
Plug wires
Plugs

All transmission bearings - 5 main shaft and counter shaft bearings total
Main shaft Seal
Shifter Shaft seal

...and I'll come back and edit as I remember more stuff.

After I get all of the parts in I will inventory them and price them out accordingly in this very post. I'll be sure to include part numbers too.

Anyways so what about some pictures of the build-up?

I used my lunchbreak to get started on the D16A6 teardown.

Here's a pic of the tired D16A6:



Check out this phat-*** oil leakage!



And here's what i found after pulling off the valvecover:



Sweet! Looks like someone went way over 3000 miles in between oil changes! A closer look?



So I mentioned that the motor was burning oil, right? Here's some proof:



Better look?



See that crusty ****? That's proof that oil doesn't like to try and be combusted after it slips past the rings. At least the cylinder walls were perfectly smooth and not gouged at all:



Wonder why they swapped in the first place?



So what was i to do about that nasty-*** head? I mean I cannot have a bling-bling SOHC with a stained and nasty-*** valavetrain can I? I wonder if this parts cleaning cabinet works okay - just turn the timer dial and walk away:



And out pops a like-new head:



More shots:







How about that cam? Looks okay I guess, but I'll find out for sure when i pull off the rockers and send the head off to be milled - possibly .02 or even .025-.030 off maybe.





And even if the cam turns out to be not great, there's 3 more D16A6 motors laying around and an aftermarket good cam is not over $250.00 new and much, much cheaper used!

So what's next on the agenda? Finishing dissasembly of the head and having it milled. Then it's on to tearing the block down and getting it as blinging as the head.

Then the funnest part besides the reassembly:

Tearing into this piece of **** and digging for rods and pistons:





Believe me I'll be back to update this thread as the build-up progresses. I'll probably just edit this post rather than reply and make people hunt for nits of info on different posts.

I'm open for any questions or suggestions on the set-up!

Oh lastly would you expect much out of this thing at a redlight?



I'm keeping it that way too. I love the smooth ride of the stock sus - I'm 100% dead serious. I've got the silver bitch if I want to handle good.

D-Series Power y0!

 

sorry tom but i'm to have to dock some points....its not a 92 and up civic

but good luck on the gg

 

Good luck!!! Wish I had your kinda hookups...lol

 

Ahhh but in this case why does it matter what car it's going into?

That D16A6 would bolt right into any 1992-1995 Civic and would make a killer replacement for a budget-minded CX, VX or even DX owner.

Hell I might drop it in the Silver hatch just for ***** and giggles!

...or maybe not.

 

good luck, I've been considering doing the same and putting it in a crx shell I have rotting away. Maybe if somebody in the pa/nj area decided to buy that shell (HINT, HINT), than I wouldn't have to spend the $$$.

 

Sounds like it is going well so far! I will be pulling my 70 hp wonder here soon too... It loves to eat oil... Prolly gonna get a D16Y8 for now... Anyway, looking good so far, as usual Oh and not that it's of dire importance right now lol but did you ever get the crimps for the radio? Just wondering because I hated to leave it like that... Unfinished projects bug me... Anyway, keep us posted on how everything goes, of course we all know it will come out looking good.

 

good lord
how much is one of those cabinets and where can i get one.

 

nice. tell me that machine isnt just sitting in your garage. damn i need one of those. good luck

 

I want one of those magical cleaning cabinets......

-Nick-

 

haha. keep us posted tom... id like to what the end result is.

d-series...

 

pic 3 is what we call "sohc bbq" at my shop... sounds like a plan tho good luck /w it!

 

Sounds like fun!!!

I'm probably going to be getting a friends D series engine soon, I hope to make a second little project out of it... after he gets his swap.

 

that is what i was thinking after i looked at the pics of how 'blingy' that looked

 

DAM now you're making me want to hold off buy my b-series engine swap. keep us posted.

 

Thats really cool going with a D-series engine...

A suggestion about your transmission selection, why dont you go with S20 LSD tranny beccause its affordable and it has LSD plus it bolts right up to any D-series engine.

But since this is going into your daily driver, a cam great for the street and strip would be the Zex Street/Strip cam...very affordable and grabs some nice gains.

 

yea i heard good numbers about that cam. also gude does a d series head package that WALLOPS!!! i mean it makes D motors smack up on a lot of cars.

Bill offers about 45-55 with his complete package.

 

The S20 is a hydro tranny - my 1990 Civic is a cable tranny.

Thanks for the suggestion though. Had it been a 1992-1995 Civic I would have probably built up a shirt ratio tranny per Mista bone's website in his link and then added an SRR 4.929FD, but since it cable the next best thing will be a ZC tranny down the road with a CR-X FD or swapping ZC 1-5 gears into my rebuilt 1988-1991 Si tranny.

 

Oh yeah andlast I *heard* the Zex cam was on back-order, but then again it was the VTEC cam and not the non-VTEC one.

Any links for that cam?

 

Looks like everythings going as planned
and i defintetly need one of those cabinets!!!

 

http://www.zex.com/store/merchant.mv...egory_Code=CAM

I believe that is all of their cams. So I don't know if they have one for yours.


[Modified by AresB16A2Turbo, 10:00 PM 1/30/2003]

 

nice project tom you should look into seeing if skunk2 makes a cam for the non-vtec..i know they have one for the sohc vtec and i heard its pretty good..goodluck and keep us updated..

adaM

 

I cant belive how much better it looks after being in that machine. I can't wait to begin my build.

 

wow it came out clean.... and good luck with your project

 

Wow, that came out real clean! What is that machine? Hot tank? Anyways, are you gonna replace your valve seals? If not, you should, that's an old motor.

 

Hmmm, I must invest in one of these "part cleaners"