Skip the intro if you don't want to hear the backstory

Intro

My cousin just ran his 1995 Civic EX (D16Z VTEC) out of oil. He stopped by yesterday and when he was leaving, I heard a knock coming from his car as he was leaving. I waved him down and told him to pull back into the driveway. Sure enough, the oil wasn't even touching the dipstick. I drove him over to the auto parts store and bought some 10W-30 to remedy the situation. After adding two quarts, he's now half way up the normal range on the dipstick.

I'm not very familiar with the D16 engine so I don't know what lifter/rocker arrangement it has, but this morning when he tried to pass someone, he downshifted and lost lots of power (he says). I think he lost oil pressure and some of his lifters collapsed, hence the loss of power. Any way you slice it, his engine is toast. You can hear the rod knock at anything over 2000 RPM. Ouch.

The point

Anyway. He's located a JDM D15B motor in Miami (about 3 hours away) which he's interested in buying for his car. He's not responsible enough to keep oil in the car, so I'm not digging the idea of trying to "upgrade" the car with a swap. So I recommended against the swap to a different motor. Chances are, we'll (my father and I) be doing the work for him since we're the only mechanically inclined individuals in the family. We've pulled engines and such in the past, so I'm not sweating pulling and replacing a motor of the same type, but I don't want to get into a swap unless it's a simple one and it's worth while. After a little thought, I'm feeling guilty for denying him this motor out of Miami. He can get it for just $550.

The question is, is the JDM D15B engine anything special? The listing says it's rated at 130 HP, which I believe is more than the D16Z that was in the car. Does this engine have better internals, cams, etc? He was very dissapointed to hear me recommend against this motor. Is the swap simple enough that we should sweat the change? Should we go pick this thing up?

Follow up

I posted this same message at another board and I got a few recommendations to spend the money on a B16 swap. This is my 17 year old cousin who is still in high school. He can only work limited hours and doesn't have the cash for a B16 swap. As a matter of fact, he doesn't have the cash for any swap, but we're going to help him out. $$$ is a big concern. I put together these questions in response to the other thread to make my question as clear as possible.

Is swapping the D15B into this car as simple as putting in another D16Z, or are there differences?

Specifically regarding the ECU - His car has VTEC stamped on the valve cover, does this mean the swap will merely be a matter of plugging in the existing ECU, or are there modifications?

Any websites dedicated to this swap, or a list of things needed/expected as far as parts?

Are there any advantages to the D15B over the original D16Z that came in the car?

I'm on my "trial" membership here for two days, so I only get 5 posts until then. Please know that if you don't see me respond, it's because I'm waiting for some posts to build up so that I can get as much info as I can in 5 posts.

Thanks

 

Well that sucks... he needs to check his oil at least once a week.

The JDM D15B (92-95 VTEC) is the 1.5 L JDM Version of the US 1.6 L D16Z6. There are only a few minor differences.

--.1 L Difference
--D15B has better RS Ratio(Rod-Stroke Ratio)So good you can turn the crank or flywheel by hand no issue!
--D15B has a much 'Wilder' Camshaft Really Pulls
--D15B's Intake Manifold has only two Vacuum line tips (Brake Booster, FPR) while the Z6 and other have Three or so (BB, FPR, Purge-Control Solenoid)

There are a few other minor things I think. Distributors are the same.

If you get the D15B, use new parts from the 92-95 Civic VX (USDM) for "Block Parts" (Timing Belt, Waterpump, Seals etc) but use the D16Z6 92-95 Civic Si/EX for "Head Parts" (Valve Adjustment Specs, Distributor Parts, Valve Cover Gaskets etc)

I have this swap in my 89 CRX HF... I love it... these motors are good for Turbo from what I've heard.