Ive asked all sorts of stupid questions about motor swaps and stuff but now that Ive researched tons I would now like the advice of others.

I have an 88 civic dx for my daily driver. I just bought it off the original owner and Ive been cleaning it up and what-not. Its been a long time since it had a tune up and the timing belt needs to be changed soon, and I got to thinking...

Ive been reading alot about "mini-me" swaps. From what I understand its a SOHC VTEC head on a non-vtec block, correct? Ive read that it makes a decent power increase and its cheap, which is exactly what I am looking for.

Now this is where I ask the questions. PLEASE dont give me responces telling me to search, because there is ~150 or so threads on mini me swaps and I dont have that kind of time to read all of them . If you have info on the questions I am asking, please share.

1. Can I use my block that is in the car now, whatever that is??
2. What head EXACTLY will I use for the swap on my car?
3. What additional parts will be needed?

I plan on rebuilding the head with OEM honda parts before installation to ensure reliability.

Sorry if this is a "noob" thread but we all start somewhere, right?

Thanks in advance

 

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=554053

That should help. Either post questions there, or IM Bauley Civic if you need more.

 

Thanks for the link, that is very helpful.

One question, is that the same engine in my 88? It says its for a 92-95.

 

What do you see on the block numbers? You should be able to tell everything from those.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by libila &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks for the link, that is very helpful.

One question, is that the same engine in my 88? It says its for a 92-95.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It's virtually the same. Most of the info will apply to a d15 block of any generation. The things that may be different in your application will come down to OBD compliance.........

 

1. Can I use my block that is in the car now, whatever that is??
ok your block would be a d15b2, not the greatest for minime but it'll do fine

2. What head EXACTLY will I use for the swap on my car?
you can use either the z6(92-95 civic si) head or
a y8 head(96-00)

3. What additional parts will be needed?
dont quote me on this one but i believe if you use the y8 head you can use your stock dizzy
if your car is dpfi you need to convert to mpfi...also for vtec activation you can either do a rpm activation switch or else you can convert to obd1 or obd2

 

I cant see the block number, its dark. Where would it be located?

 

look at the front of the motor. On the left hand side of the heat shield/ exhaust manifold, you will see a stamp on the block that will give you teh engine code.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by libila &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I cant see the block number, its dark. Where would it be located?</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

I cant see, its too dirty

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by libila &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I cant see, its too dirty </TD></TR></TABLE>

sounds like you need to hire a maid to clean up after you then. j/k

just grab some de-greaser and wipe off that area.

 

c'mon buddy, i am 99% sure its a d15b2, its a pretty obvious number there

 

The engine bay will be getting a cleaning this weekend since the previous owner never touched it, since they day he bought it in 1988.