Ok, after doing nothing on my Civic for the first 9 months I had it, I've finally gotten around to starting work.

So far here's what I've got:

JDM ZC 1.6 DOHC
JDM ZC Tranny
89 teg ECU
AEM CAI

Now that I've gotten this much, the 'I want more' bug has bit me. I'm leaning towards doing things in this order:

Coilovers (w/camber kit)
Exhaust (cat back - I already have ZC headers & downpipe, so I'm 4-2-1 right now)
Wheels & Tires (17's)
Rear Brake Swap (anyone done this? I found kits from H.A.P. Recycling, but don't know anyone who's done this)
GReddy Turbo (I'm wondering if anyone has any first hand experience with modding the plumbing on a turbo to fit a ZC...)

In any case, I'm looking for a little feedback on the order I'm planning on doing this in, plus tips for the brake swap and turbo.

Thanx,
Eric

 

how about an si final drive into your zc tranny
go from a 3.888 final drive to a 4.250 i think there's a sig dif right there http://hybrid.honda-perf.org/tech/zcsifdswap.html
inexpensive but laborous but most likely quite worthwhile as the gearing of the d series motors isnt that aggressive to begin with
for the amount u spend on an exhaust i dont think its worthwhile for the power u get.. go for some headers or the springs thats what i'd do
and http://www.fastbrakes.com more worthwhile than a rear brake swap
my 3 cents

 

Eric,

If you're really looking for performance those 17" wheels just aren't going to cut it, sorry. If you can stomach it go w/ 16s.

 

This link here should help you with the rear brake swap:
http://www.geocities.com/tjsite/rrdisc.htm


This really makes me want my ZCivic to run soon. Hopefully in one month!!!!

 

First of all, thanx for the info regarding the disc brake swawp.

I had originally been looking at 16's for my Civic, but one of my friends who's had a couple of very fast Civics suggested 17's. Please excuse my ingorance, but how will 16's improve performance as opposed to 17's?

Thanx,
Eric

 

hahah get 14" like me.. weight..

 

Well, it's not so much weight as it is rotational inertia. Mmmkay, imagine this scenario. In one hand you have a 20lb dumbbell. In the other hand you have a 20lb bowling ball. Try turning each hand suddenly, and then try stopping the rotation. As you can imagine, the bowling ball will be MUCH easier to stop.

Or, for an even better analogy, imagine taking a long 20lb stick and a short 20lb stick. Try spinning each one in your hand. The longer one will be harder to start spinning and to stop spinning. The same idea follows for your wheels - smaller wheels are easier to start turning and stop turning, hence better performance. That's why all the top drag racers use 13" wheels, and that's why you never see 17" Mickey Thompson slicks.

On the other hand, larger wheels provide a more comfortable ride (they don't 'feel' as many dips in the road). Heavier wheels are also more comfortable, ride-wise, but again they'll slow your car down.

Hope that answers your questions .

P.S. ... Forgot to mention that smaller wheels are like having a larger final drive ratio in your transmission, which makes your engine more rev-happy.


[Modified by raeneshadow, 3:31 PM 6/28/2001]

 

I installed a GREDDY intercooled turbo on my ZC. It's the 5th gen turbo kit, most of the piping is custom cut (from the kit piping) and it is awesome! I bumped it up to 7 psi and this thing is FAST!!!!!!! The only issue is blowby. I recommend doing the rings if you do a turbo. they are supposedly a week point of the ZC....and it seems that way as I am burning oil on boost.

why GREDDY? cost is one. for around 2500.00 bucks you can get a turbo AND intercooler, all piping and BOV. other kits have more, but are EXPENSIVE!!!!!! I just wanted some easy street power and am VERY happy with it.

if you need help, need the kit or have question email me: civicracer@core.com I am thinking of making the 5th gen kit into a direct fit for the 91 cars. if you do the intrcooler however, I did the Wings West front bumper for room....it won't fit without SEVERE mods in the stock bumper. anyway, hope this helps!

 

Do you Know where I could get an 89 teg ECU for my ZC?

John

 

John
Check out the classifieds section on resource.crx.org (sorry guys), they have a lot of miscellanous parts for CRXs and lot of ZC parts as well.