Hey everyone, i posted this earlier on another thread someone had started and didn't get any response, maybe because of the title for the original thread was not so appealing...but anyways..any info on this would be great.

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=641848

My Original Post:

Hey are ZC motors real that bad as far as motor swaps for crx's go? I've been research HT and people are really drawn down the middle, (atleast those that know what they are talking about) I was thinking of putting a ZC in one of my rex's and turbo charging it. I figured no vtec really won't matter if it's turbo'd. What do you think? I had a 99 SI with a drag turbo kit...once the kit was installed, VTEC really didn't play a big role anymore..i mean once the turbo spooled, you couldn't tell when VTEC engaged unless you looked at the tack.. the sheer power of the turbo really overcame the crossover.

And if it's a matter of vtec cams being ground better therefore allowing more air to enter and exit, couldn't you just get cams that do the same for the zc motor?

Just looking for some info, i'm really considering a ZC just because it's cheap, and easy install. The only negative to it is there isn't alot of aftermarket support for it.

Also if anyone knows, are the cylinder bore sizes on the ZC the same as the B16's? What about the rods, are they the same length? What's the differences between the B16 and zc besides the obvious vtec, hp, torque. I'm looking for specifics such as block heights, crankshafts, rods, pistons,compression. If you got links that has this info let me know!

thanks!

 

thezcr.com has all the answers

 

Yea, I am a mod over the thezcresource, and as far as parts go I have been able to find everything from a completly upgraded valve train (Except for those damn rocker arms, I wich somone would make something more stable!) To Wisco/endyn pistons and eagle rods... You can get any part for the ZC that you could get for any other motor. The thing is, most of those big name flashy companies dont bother making parts for the zc, why would they when the know how big of a market the B-H-K series motors have? So alot of the time you gotta search around and feel out for the small guys companies to get the parts you need... If you have any questions on locating a particular part you may e-mail me at SethsZCBox@yahoo.com and I'll set you up, I am the all motor mod so if its a turbo part/electrical question I can point you in the right direction.
Seth.

 

Seth knows what he's talking about, I read thezcr.com all of the time & his build up is the ish. Listen to this man.

 

I agree its harder to find them, but with some due diligence you can find a lot.

 

my own opinion...(dohc non vtec ZC is the one you're talkin about...right?) they are great motors overall. My buddy has had a few and I have been impressed by all of them. They are a d-series oddball - VERY similar to the b18a. My firend put a turbo kit on his for fun (junkyard halfass setup) anf hit like 154 whp 153 tq, bone stock. I was impressed with that. With a decent turbo kit and some tuning to be safe (cause he blew his motor in like a month) you could throw down some VERY respectable numbers I think.

overall I think they are a good swap...worth the time it takes to find one!

 

Not to mention the fact a DOHC ZC weighes 100lbs les than a B16. with the difference in price you can have the ZC outdoing the B16 for the price of the B16. What I mean is even N/A I got my swap, $750 engine and trans. Recently got an OBX 2.5 inch catback (Stainless) for $275, and OBS stainless header for $117, a noname CAI for $20. THis car runs very close to a simularly equiped B16 on the but dyno. Figue $1,300 plus shipping for B16 $250-$350 for mounts, ECU odds and ends, right there you are way over what I spent. Plus you still need a cat-back, CAI Header etc. so you are way over $2,000. Bang for the buck and light weight, ZC has it hands down. The fact I have a 100lb weight advantage over the same equiped car with B16 makes up for the lower HP of the ZC. And the ZC reqally loves to breath, I would have gotten the Catback, CAI, and header 2 years ago it I had realized just how dramtaic the difference would be. It ran great before, but now, WOW is all I can say, night and day difference. Now if you want to put an extra $2-3,000 into the motor, the B series has a bit more potential, but if you aren't the ZC has a whole lot of advantages. Like even with my mods I still get 34 mpg, and most B swaps are in the mid 20's. THat adds up especialy when you consider the power difference really is not that great. ( Like I said I have driven both, and both were '89 hatch) but 20 some MPG versus 34 mpg is a big difference.

True I have never driven a turbo, but the potiential is still there, and the same 100 lb weight advantage. Try loosing 100lbs elswhere in the car. just for weight parity between the ZC and the heavier B16. ZC has better low end torgue than the B16 also. If they were both comparible in price then it would be a moot issue.


Modified by virginia_dude at 9:36 AM 10/10/2003


Modified by virginia_dude at 9:37 AM 10/10/2003

 

Honestly man I mobed my frend chrises hf/zc for a couple of hours and my *** was SOLD. I was going to get a B16 and do a full on NA buildup untill he let me drive his ****. He had the PG7 ecu, ZC transmition with SI final (Trany came LSD equiped) Some JG edlebrok extreme camshafts and a intake headr and exaust. His car is also gutted to hell and probanly weaghs a good 200 lbs lighter than mine (My dx hatch is GUTED) I smoked the **** out of zack's N/A SVT by about a car length and a half. Went home and ordered mine from H-motorsonline.com alond with some pistons rods and camshafts. I havent realy got to mob my **** due to break in and other issues but it seems VERY strong in the low end.

 

When properly built, and when people realize that just because the fuel cutoff on the pg7 ecu is 7800, that doesnt take the redline up to 7800, it still sits at 7200, they are fun little motors to have. The only problem i came across was when I researched it and found how hardly anybody makes any aftermarket parts for it. Plus, having my B16 now, I don't think I could trade VTEC for anything.


Modified by Hybrid Invasion at 9:34 PM 10/9/2003

 

How about nearly equal HP with 1200 less rpms? This alows you to be 1200 rpm's quicker to get your power. Like I said earlier, if you get off your "I own a B series honda engine throw aftermarket parts at me" *** and look around you will find there are TONS of aftermarket parts for this engine... **** man, name 1 Part that you can get for a B series motor that I dont already have on my zc... Go ahed, shoot.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HONDABOND &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How about nearly equal HP with 1200 less rpms? This alows you to be 1200 rpm's quicker to get your power. Like I said earlier, if you get off your "I own a B series honda engine throw aftermarket parts at me" *** and look around you will find there are TONS of aftermarket parts for this engine... **** man, name 1 Part that you can get for a B series motor that I dont already have on my zc... Go ahed, shoot.</TD></TR></TABLE>ok, hold the **** up. What in the hell is your problem, and where the **** do you get off yellin at me for expressing my opinion about ZC motors(of which I said i liked them)? You better calm the **** down and stop giving me **** just because I own a B16, and stop suggesting that i'm lazy because I wasn't able to find nearly 1/4 of aftermarket parts for a ZC than I was for my B16. Talk about being stereotypical; suggesting that all B series owners are lazy because they don't have to go to the ends of the earth to find parts for their motor. I'm sure any B series owner would bitchslap you in person if you said that to them.
Secondly, I could care less what you have on your ZC because you've chosen to be an *** and be all ******* defensive about ZCs when nobody was ******* knocking them. I was stating a fact: there are not as many companies that make aftermarket parts for ZC motors as there are for B series motors, so stop being a dick and drop the attitude. READ before you bash someone, *******. I was praising ZC motors, not bashing them.


Modified by Hybrid Invasion at 9:43 PM 10/9/2003

 

Um... Ok man, you need to calm down. Who's getting all defensive now? All I said is that you can find any aftermarket part for a zc that you can find for a B16 if you LOOK. Were the hell am I "Yelling" at you? If I were yelling I would have to be in your vincinity, there is realy no way of yelling on the internet, UNLESS YOU CONSIDER THIS YELLING which is just bold typing. So, i think you need to re evaluate your position before trying to slam me for no aprerent reason.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HONDABOND &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Um... Ok man, you need to calm down. Who's getting all defensive now? All I said is that you can find any aftermarket part for a zc that you can find for a B16 if you LOOK. Were the hell am I "Yelling" at you?</TD></TR></TABLE>
that would be right here:
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HONDABOND &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Like I said earlier, if you get off your "I own a B series honda engine throw aftermarket parts at me" *** and look around you will find there are TONS of aftermarket parts for this engine... **** man, name 1 Part that you can get for a B series motor that I dont already have on my zc... Go ahed, shoot.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Then you have the nerve to act like i'm jumpin on you when you go and ******* insult all B series owners by sayin the stupid **** you just said....who the **** are you to tell me to get off my *** and go search for parts, assuming I never did? Man, that's sad. Just sad.

 

fight nice kids

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sloorex &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">fight nice kids</TD></TR></TABLE>you know, i usually don't stoop to the stupidity level of those that like to bicker online, but jesus it's getting so ****** ridiculous on h-t lately. It's like everyone has a permanent stick stuck up their ***, no regard for anyone's feelings but themselves, like to rip on EVERYTHING that isn't theirs, and are so quick to jump all the **** over everyones opinions and turn it into a personal insult..... I didn't know there was such a little amount of things to do in the world that people are as ******* petty and self-centered as some of the people heres' comments. Every day is a test to see how many ****** can post comments on h-t without someone blowing up at another person. The most common reply to that is 'take it off the board, im the person" etc. I agree for the mostpart, but sometimes it just doesn't work out that way. Everybody has their boiling point. I'm just sorry that there's so many fucktards that have the mentality of that little kid that tries to see how many times they can say "are we there yet" before one of the parents turns around and bitchslaps the hell out of them.
Now that i'm done venting.....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hybrid Invasion &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you know, i usually don't stoop to the stupidity level of those that like to bicker online, but jesus it's getting so ****** ridiculous on h-t lately. It's like everyone has a permanent stick stuck up their ***, no regard for anyone's feelings but themselves, like to rip on EVERYTHING that isn't theirs, and are so quick to jump all the **** over everyones opinions and turn it into a personal insult..... I didn't know there was such a little amount of things to do in the world that people are as ******* petty and self-centered as some of the people heres' comments. Every day is a test to see how many ****** can post comments on h-t without someone blowing up at another person. The most common reply to that is 'take it off the board, im the person" etc. I agree for the mostpart, but sometimes it just doesn't work out that way. Everybody has their boiling point. I'm just sorry that there's so many fucktards that have the mentality of that little kid that tries to see how many times they can say "are we there yet" before one of the parents turns around and bitchslaps the hell out of them.
Now that i'm done venting..... </TD></TR></TABLE>

i definitely agree............ i love the ones that post obvious threads like "h22a and turbo, what do you think?"............. grrrr, that was just one of many the same dude posted......... another one was "turbo or super".......... i mean jeeeeezzzzasssss............ anyways i guess im venting toooo, i just bombed a stats test and im pissed as well.......... this has turned into a Dr.Phil thread........

hope u feel better now bro! lol

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sloorex &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

i definitely agree............ i love the ones that post obvious threads like "h22a and turbo, what do you think?"............. grrrr, that was just one of many the same dude posted......... another one was "turbo or super".......... i mean jeeeeezzzzasssss............ anyways i guess im venting toooo, i just bombed a stats test and im pissed as well.......... this has turned into a Dr.Phil thread........

hope u feel better now bro! lol </TD></TR></TABLE>lol, it's all good.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hybrid Invasion &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">lol, it's all good. </TD></TR></TABLE>


&lt;-------- thats where im headin right now......... dollar draft night at the ol' village inn of alloway............

 

Dude, how am I insulting B series owners by saying you guys have parts out the ***?
I meen, its the truth iether way you look at it. Go on the internet and type in HONDA PERFORMANCE PARTS and what do you get? A million B series parts up your ***.
So I dont think anything I said was out of line, I think you needed to vent and descided that I would be a nice fresh target... Sorry man, I just call it like I see it.
Seth.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HONDABOND &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Dude, how am I insulting B series owners by saying you guys have parts out the ***?
</TD></TR></TABLE>That's not what you said. You said "get up off your 'i have a b series honda motor throw performance parts at me' *** and search" for parts for a ZC. That's an insulting statement, completely directed at the fact that i'm a B series owner, assuming that I don't search for parts because I usually don't have to look far for B series parts. If you didn't mean it that way, you shouldn't have presented it in that way. Now that you've explained what you REALLY meant instead of typing insulting remarks, I know and agree with the point you recently were trying to make. You say you call it like you see it. So do I, hence this reply. What you type is all anybody can go by on the internet. Be specific in order to avoid misinterpretation, and choose your words wisely, and no i'm not pissed; it's all good. No harm, no foul.

 

Well I did meen it that way dude, I dont want to argue over the internet its, well its like...



Throw a rock three feet in any direction and you will hit a B series performance part.

 

was up?

 

Hey hondabond and hybrid invasion...

To bad this thing turned ugly,but i do appreciate u guys giving me your opinions on the two motors. we won't call it arguing, we'll just say you're passionate about your hobby!

but n e ways, I think i'mma do a little more research on the ZC and see if i can't find enough convincing arguments to sway my decision one way or the other.

take it easy,

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HONDABOND &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Throw a rock three feet in any direction and you will hit a B series performance part.</TD></TR></TABLE>

hahaha.....where the hell do i find this place?

 

I too have considered a ZC over a B16A, but am still debating. If you have heard anything bad about ZC's, and reliability consider this: Most people who buy a ZC and have a ton of problems, didn't do things that will naturally go out in an engine like that. If I go with a ZC, first on my list is a full rebuild..

A big plus-side to the B-series is (mentioned a lot already) is the massive part selection. The price isn't the most attractive, however.