I recently swaped a sohc vtec motor into my civic hatch before i put it in i built it (12.1:1 cr &shot peened rods)(list below) and now that its broken in i am happy about the results but feel it has alot more potential. I have never tuned a car before and i know it is a delicate process but i don't really know of ways of tuneing it myself without the use of a dyno (closest one is almost 3 hours away).

I have an air/fuel guage along with a fpr (fuel pressure regulator) and i know there not that accurate but i seem to have my car running ok as far as that goes. When im full throttle im most in the green (rich) and one or 2 LED's in stoich which i guess thats about where i need to be.

On the ignition side of things i am at stock timeing and will be playing with it a little after i have some info on what type of fuel to run.

here's my setup:

rebuilt d16z6 (sohc vtec) longblock
d16a1 pistons (12.1:1 cr)
arp connecting rod bolts
felpro gasket kit
d16a6 intake manifold
d16z6 fuel rail
d16y8 head gasket
adj fuel pressure regulator
full obd1 conversion
p28 ecu
JG throttle body
AEM cold air intake
airmass hedder
2.25 custom bent exhaust
revolution muffler
M&R short throw shifter
energy suspension shifter bushing kit
underdrive pully
centerforce dual friction clutch
si trans (soon to swap zc trans w/intermediate shaft)

iI don't have a clue on octane that i should be running i guess maybe around 110 if i advanced my timeing? How far can i go and what else can i do besides get an AFC to make it run a little better i know i can get it running better than its running now (mid to low 15's) without doing much i just need some direction i guess. ha

Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks -Larry

 

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i was thinking about the same thing....there are no chassis dynos even close to me. i was thinking about getting one of those gtech competition meters, but id have to do some research before i waste $250.

do you have an adjustable cam gear? i didnt see it on your list.

i know theres alot that can be said from an egt gauge, but again research would be key in how to tune with it. i dont know any good answer, so ill just blurt out some crap that comes to mind and give you a bump

 

How do you get 12.1:1 Compression ratio with D16A6 pistons?
That seems rather high.

 

z6 head d16a1 piston's y8 headgasket = 12.1:1 cr

 

since you went obd1 then get a Hondata.

 

the d16a6 intake manifold is choking your motor. i know that you probably don't want to spend any more but you'll probably see pretty good gains if you used a d16y8 intake manifold.

 

yeah im looking into getting one asap let me know if you know anyone sellin one

 

I know someone selling a y8 manifold, PM me if your interested....


Yager-

 

also im selling my jg throttle body from the a6 manafold if anyone needs one...
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As far as tuning goes the best you can get on your own would to use a wideband. Even better is a wideband along w/a EGT guage. I'm not positive about the address but search "tech edge" under forced induction.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by spun Vtec &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I don't have a clue on octane that i should be running i guess maybe around 110 if i advanced my timeing?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I'm pretty sure 93 is fine for 12:1.
Keep timing at or below 19*.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Eee Pee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I'm pretty sure 93 is fine for 12:1.
Keep timing at or below 19*.</TD></TR></TABLE>
sup eee pee


btw to add some info here i was told by a reliable honda tuner that one fo the secrets its to have the ecu and car be do and be at full timing advance right before or at 4k rpms....

 

Could you please explain the math behind your 12.1:1 compression ratio.
I have built several Mini-me's.
One of them which we are building now, has ZC pistons (domed) a D16Y8 head(higher compression than Z6) and D16Y8 head gasket. We get 11.2:1 compression ratio.
You are starting with a motor that uses low 9's getting to 12's with stock components is way high.
I am not dissing you or anything, just curious.

 

good sohc compression test

http://www.knology.net/~jediklc/D.htm

COMPRESSION RATIO
12.043446007730255 : 1cr
(i rounded up to be safe lol)
displacement: 1592.7255706705252

d16z8 block with a .050 overbore
a1 pistons
z6 head
y8-z6 headgasket (not y8 2 layer)
piston to deck height is oem zc (pistons)

-larry

 

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