A couple months ago, my D15B8 blew a headgasket and I had a D15B installed. When the mechanic installed it, he used my CX tranny and I believe he removed my VTEC solenoid. The reason I believe he did so is on the back of the head there is a threaded hole which is covered by a shim (a thick piece of something I have no idea what it is), and the shim is secured with two bolts. My question is when I replace the VTEC solenoid, when I find one, will I have to find a VTEC oil pressure switch as well, or is that internal/integrated with the solenoid?

TIA
Mark

 

Why in Gods name would he remove your vtec solenoid?

 

The JDM engines don't have a VTEC oil pressure switch. If you're using a USDM ECU, you will have to ground that pin.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jdm_loser &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Why in Gods name would he remove your vtec solenoid?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Because he's cool like that. Honestly, I think he was trying to keep the car as close as he could to its stock form. It is a CX with no VTEC, so he disabled it.

Now, can I just use a USDM VTEC solenoid and a JDM ECU and be done, or do the USDM solenoids require the switch?

Thanks again,
Mark

 

id make that fokker cough up another Vtec solenoid. mechs are supposed to consult you upon removing or installing anything- @ least here in CA. otherwise that is theft of your property

 

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

The way to use the JDM VTEC solenoid with a USDM ECU or any ECU that looks for a VTEC pressure switch is to run the wire from D6 (VTEC Pressure Switch) and tap it into A4 (VTEC Solenoid). This connects the pressure switch and VTEC solenoid circuit together which fools the ECU so it won't throw a CEL.
The first setup that I wired this way was a friend's car (95 DX with 98 JDM B18C + JRSC). It has been running flawlessly for nearly 2 years and sees it's fair share of abuse. There have be no side effects from this that I have seen nor have I ever heard anyone else that has had problems.</TD></TR></TABLE>

here's the thread too
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=686379

 

Thank you sir. I think I'm going to call him soon, and when I get another solenoid, or the original, I'm going run an EX/SI ECU (P28 I think). That way the JDM ECU won't be confused looking for EGR valves instead of O2 sensors.

 

to reinstall vtec to a non vtec, i thought u had to remove the oil jet thats between numbers 3 and 4 cylinder? thats if u have the vtec head btw

 

He also removed the JDM throttle body. Is it the same size as the EX/SI throttle body?

 

bump

 

Talked to the mechanic yesterday ... Well my engine isn't what I thought it was. Apparently there are two versions of the D15B, one with VTEC, the other without. Mine doesn't have it ... . The place where I thought the VTEC solenoid goes is actually where the fuel pump mechanism goes. Apparently, in Japan, fuel pumps are/were driven off the camshaft, and that's where the mysterious shim comes in to play. For those interested in the D15B, make sure the one you get says VTEC on the valve cover, or you will end up with basically a JDM DX motor like me ... goddammit. Oh well, time for a swap then. Thanks to everyone that helped me out in this thread.

Mark

 

Now that ******* sucks.

 

bump so others don't get screwed like me