What model Del Sol to buy?

Hey everyone I'm new to the board, 17 yrs old, live in Canada, looking to buy a Del Sol soon. I am just wondering what model I should get. Obviously the Si VTEC would be the best choice but being 17 I am on a small budget. It seems like the cost diiference between the S and Si models is fairly high and the cost difference between the Si and Si VTEC models is even higher. With a stock S model what kind of cars will I be able to beat dragging from light to light or on a small stretch? I'm not worried at all about the other options that I would gain by having an Si or Si VTEC, I'm only worried about engine and performance. If someone could help me out or give opinions plz do.:smile:

sory i cant really go into details about Si or the VTECs cause i dont' have one.
I do have a 1993 Del Sol S which is pretty fun by it's self. Its not the greatest car (w/o mods.) to go out and start dragging with but after time and some money you can drag a little.
i just put in an AEM Cold Air Intake into mine and i beat out a first generation CRX. so that was pretty fun.
though one great thing about the S is 1) great milage City 30/31 Highway 35mpg
2) they're road huggers i take turns around 40 and i'll squeal but wont start slidding much.
plus (and im not sure about all the S's) but mine was pretty cheap for a sports car about 5k.
so that's what i can tell you
but look around and check different things out
I do suggest (if you really want to race everyone and kick some ass) then go for the Si VTEC
but im not totally sure on those models

The DOHC VTEC model is a blast, and not as expensive as you'd think. I bought my 1995 from a private party (not a dealership) for $7,500 with 70k miles on it. If you don't opt for that, I would suggest the Si model. Still got some power and lots of options for mod's but not as pricy. I've seen them for as cheap as $4,000 or $5,000.

you're 17 and on a budget... find a cheap S model and swap a b16 or b18 in. After all that, you'll be at about $6000 - $7000. A little pricey, but you only have S model insurance fee, because the VIN on that car says it's an S model... and there is a big difference there. Like almost $100 a month difference if the car is registered in your name.

hey thanks everyone, good info.... thats a really good idea 94solgrl... i never really thought of that!! :biggrin: you mentioned the B16A and B18... the B16A is what the VTEC model has right? and is the B18 from a CR-V? how much HP does it put out? thanks, later.

To find loads of helpful information about the sol, then go to www.teamdelsol.com Choose FAQ and you find years, models, options, etc.

93 and 94 sols have leaking issues with the rubber gaskets. The gaskets was revised in 95.

93 was the only year for single air bag in the steering wheel. No passenger bag. That was introduced in 1994.

S model seats don't have a colored strip. I believe it's just black or grey. Si and VTEC models 93-95 have colored stripes. Seat design changed in 1996.

1995 IMO is probably the most sought out model and year, because it was the first year for trunk release, low fuel light, and power door locks.
Only for Si and VTEC models. 93-94 did not have those options. It was also the last year for the aux lights in the front bumper. The bumper changed design in 1996-1997 with out the aux lights. It has been rumored that the aux lights blow out a lot, but I have owned my 95 sol new and have only replaced one bulb since I bought it.

The 94-95 VTEC models have a b16a3 with 160hp and 111lbs of torque. The computer is an OBD 1. Less emissions restrictive. Redlines at 8250

The 96-97 VTEC models have a b16a2 with 160hp and 111 lbs of torque.
The computer is an OBD2 More restrictive Redlines at 8000. The b16a2 is in the 99/00 civic si, so the b16a3 is a bit more rare.

S models have rear drum brakes. Si and VTEC models have both front and rear disc brakes. VTEC models have a mounting connection on the lower control arms to attach a strut/sway bar. S and Si models don't.

You would win in getting an S model for lower insurance, but you will loose out on options that are offer on the Si and VTEC models. You might end up spending more money adding certain features to an S model that you could already have if you bought and Si or VTEC. It all depends on what you intentions are for the car and if the features are important to you.

Power steering is standard on S Automatic sols, but is an option on S manual sols. Standard for Si and VTEC models.

97 is a rare year because there was only a little over 5000 made that year total. Only 750 VTEC's were made that year, leaving roughly 2500 S models and 2500 Si's for that year.

93 S model non VTEC 102hp d15 engine
93 Si model SOHC VTEC 125hp d16 engine

94 S model non VTEC 102hp d15 engine
94 Si model SOHC VTEC 125hp d16 engine
94 VTEC model DOHC VTEC 160hp b16 engine

95 S model non VTEC 102hp d15 engine
95 Si model SOHC VTEC 125hp d16 engine
95 VTEC model DOHC VTEC 160hp b16 engine

96 S model non VTEC 106hp d16 engine
96 Si model SOHC VTEC 127hp d16 engine
96 VTEC model DOHC VTEC 160hp b16 engine

97 S model non VTEC 106hp d16 engine
97 Si model SOHC VTEC 127hp d16 engine
97 VTEC model DOHC VTEC 160hp b16 engine

the B16A is what the VTEC model has right? and is the B18 from a CR-V? how much HP does it put out? thanks, later.

The B16A is what the DOHC VTEC model Del Sol has.

The B18 is standard in Acura Integra's. B18B is Integra LS - around 140hp. B18C1 is the Integra GSR motor - about 170hp. B18C5 is the Integra Type-R motor - around 195hp. The Japanese versions of these motors will have just slightly more horsepower.

The CR-V has a B20 motor. Not quite sure how much horsepower that one has.

sol with a b20 non VTEC block = torque like whoa. Check out Kelly's swap... this was originally an S model, but he swapped in a B20. I can tell you... my VTEC model couldn't keep up.

Yeah, the B20 and B18B motors have some crazy torque. My roommate's got an Integra LS (B18B) and I just can't believe how much more torque that thing has over my B16A. I believe the B18B motor is relatively inexpensive too... around $1,000 or less I think. Not sure about the B20 though.

1995 IMO is probably the most sought out model and year, because it was the first year for trunk release,

The guy that I bought my car from put a trunk release in mine. I disconnected it though :smile:

sol with a b20 non VTEC block = torque like whoa. Check out Kelly's swap... this was originally an S model, but he swapped in a B20. I can tell you... my VTEC model couldn't keep up.


Man I bet that thing is quick!! That is alot of torque in a sol.


Plastic_Fork: is this going to be our next project? j/k :biggrin:

Hehe... that'd be sweet, man. :biggrin: Maybe I'll get another Del Sol to work on that while I drive this one.

It'll have to wait until I find work again. Anyone hiring an IT guy in Atlanta? Being laid off sucks. :frown:

Hehe... that'd be sweet, man. :biggrin: Maybe I'll get another Del Sol to work on that while I drive this one.

It'll have to wait until I find work again. Anyone hiring an IT guy in Atlanta? Being laid off sucks. :frown:

Go Check out Global Payments :smooch:
Global Payments (www.globalpaymentsinc.com)

can someone please explain to me what torque is and how do I know if a car has a lot of torque. Ive been told what torque means but everyone gives me a different explanation. Can someone please help me thru this. Ok also i want to do an engine swap, by budget is around 2000-3000$$ and i want to know which will be the best engine to buy that has good torque and HP something that will be fast. ok thanks, you can email me at [email protected]

whoa.. newbie like anything.. :screwy:

Torque, in a most basic sense, is how much energy it takes to move the car. The b20 engine has enough energy to move a CR-V, which weighs probably around 1000-1500 lbs more than the sol. So needless to say, the same engine in a sol is very quick. Torque affects your top end speed, and also how much you feel the car pulling.

Considering that you don't know what torque is, you do NOT need to be doing your own swap. Get a shop to do it. I would go with the b18c5.. that's a JDM b18 engine. Powerful enough, and it's light enough that you don't lose maneuverability.

First, solgrl has a good point about the insurance. For your age I recommend getting the S model. I am 19 with a spotless record, and three different insurance companies quoted me at 1600 for 6 months of full coverage. It was quite a bit more for the Si and VTEC models. I don't know how insurance is in Canada but I'm sure it's very similar.

If you plan on doing work on the car, get an S model. I already found a junkyard that will sell me the entire rear suspension/brake system to put on my car for 300. I'm getting a SI trunk lid (with the OEM wing) for 150, perfect condition. And next summer I will purchase the engine to being rebuilding for a swap, though I haven't decided which one yet.

I got a 1995 Del Sol S with 190K miles, one owner, one minor accident, and minor dings and dents, almost perfect interior for 2900, 3300 after all fees. The car was missing two front light sockets? but got replacements at the junkyard. Yeah I replaced the auxillary bulb and it already burned out. Great fun car though.

he can swap it himself. just read up on how to do it. study. be ready to get pissed off, and it might take a while.
car work isnt hard its just a skill you have to learn.