Hi,

I am a long time visitor, short time poster. I'm looking to get some info from some people (can't think of what else to search for). I bought a 1994 Del Sol Vtec and I want to, like the title says extract every bit of power out of it as possible. I am starting to build up a parts list for doing a turbo build on this car and I want to stay simple and stock. If the engine does well after tune up I will turn this car to the dark side.

I am going to try to do the basic tune up, compression check, and leak down tests to see where the motor is at. I want to do a valve adjustment on it as well. It has around 110,000 miles and it is CHERRY. Stock from one end to the other and quite virgin. I haven't seen a del sol nearly as clean as this one, hence I bought it.

I hope to have some good feedback on this:

What else can be done before I tune this motor to see where its at and make sure it's running at an optimum level?

What in the hell can I do to rid the poor car of +/- 3500 rpm's at 60mph? It gets horrible gas mileage, hopefully tune up will solve some of this. (final drive, 5th gear swap, etc...?)

Thanks for looking,
Rob

 

First off, Congrats on the purcahse! I also Owned a 94 VTEC, and regret selling it every time i see one, they really are sweet cars and have the great balance between function and form.
I also Turbo'd mine and it was a blast.

You sound like you know what you need to do to make sure the engine has its proper maintenance. It was due for a timing belt service at 90k, some people skip on that because its expensive. Valve lash and compression check will tell you how it has been maintained. Might also want to check the clutch, make sure its not worn and slipping, that could cause loss of power.


Really without datalogging, or Dyno time to get a baserun, you wont have anything to judge your bolt ons or progress with the build, or to see if its running where it should be.

Typically people will swap in an integra LS 5th gear to help highway RPM's. I'm just used to my cars buzzing at high RPM's down the highway, but if its going to be a daily driver or taken on any roatrips you probably will want to take care of that issue.

If you really want to get a quick power fix, take your intake tube off and slip on a cheap conical filter, and then go hit VTEC.
The first time i did it, i had never heard VTEC so loud and i just about crapped myself and thought i had blown the engine up. I've been addicted ever since.

Good luck