Hello

I have a 1990 Civic Si Hatchback with the stock d16z6. I am contemplating doing the z6 or zc swap. both give approximately the same performance from what i'm told. Which one will be more reliable for every day highway use, and which one will be cheaper. I know that with the z6 i'm looking at about $100 extra for a VTEC switch and can use my stock ECU, but with the ZC I gotta get a new ECU. Also, where can I find a ZC for the best price. I am in Richmond Virginia. The only thing else I am planning on doing is replacing my front axles (already have) and going ahead and replacing my clutch. Let me know, and thanks in advance.
-- O. Jeremy Miles
FireFighter/Medic
96 Explorer 4dr 4x4 - Alpine/Image Dynamics/Kicker/MB Quart
90 Civic Si Hatchback - Stock for now !

 

so u got a Z6 and want a Z6? i know i know u have an A6..

i just put a Z6 in my crx... wasnt that bad... though u plan boosting so i went all out on V-AFC, OBD1 wiring, P28 Ecu, etc... if i were you id get a Y8 Newer engine, your older obd0 Distributor directly fits perfect with no riggin, the engine of course might have lower miles, around the same price.. and well you have VTEC!!!! and can make noise with a short ram intake all over town like an *** clown.. its great!

 

well it looks like you still have a lot of reaserching to do!
-if you have an SI (D16a6) then you can keep everything even the ecu! This swap will be easy as pie! EVERYTHING should bolt up and plug in the same.
*the z6 or y8 will need to do some wiring changes. but simply about the same about a work..... maybe take you about 1-2 hours longer to for the wiring.

Which one is better you say.......
**Well if you just want somthing to replace you stock motor and have nothing major done to it(FI) i would go with the ZC!
If you plan on turbo-charging it, making it all motor D16 or nos, then go with the z6/y8 because it will be easyer to find aftermarket parts for. Also if i was swaping that in i would do it right the 1st time and convert it to OBD-1 with a P28

Good luck and hope it works out

 

the z6 has vtec too. but id get a y8 cuz its newer and will be easier to find probly

 

I'm assuming you currently have the A6....

If you did a ZC swap, you wouldn't need an ECU. You can use the stock Si ECU with a ZC. An integra or ZC ECU would be a big improvement, but you wouldn't have to do it.

A Z6 would probably have less miles and be cheaper to replace if you blow it up 3 months from now. You know, once you spend the money on the swap and things needed for the swap, the actual motor shouldn't cost much to replace if something goes wrong once everything is in place (vtec control, wiring, etc). I would imagine you can find a used Z6 for $350 or so if you look hard. The inital swap would probably cost more than a ZC though....

A ZC will have higher miles but would probably be cheaper to do if you seek out a cheap motor. You'll need to buy nothing major to make the ZC work. Ideally you'd buy a new t-belt and whatnot, but you don't have to do all of that. Most parts that fit one will fit the other. Don't worry too much about that.

Personally I've driven both and I like the ZC better. I just think its a little more fun to drive. There are a million topics on which is better, so you can search those.

As for reliablity, I've been driving my ZC really hard for about 4 or 5 years and have had no significant problems. My Z6 is also really reliable. There really aren't enough differences between them for one to be significantly different than the other.

IMO ZC will be a cheaper inital swap. Z6 will be cheaper and easier to replace/maintain.