non vtec / vtec?

hey guys new to this forum. anyways i just got my car a month ago and havnt even driven it yet. (too busy fixin her head gasket) anyways i have 2 questions.

1. after changing the headgasket i still have a lot of steam / water coming out of the tailpipe. is this to be expected?

2. is there any way to swap on a different head to make her vtec? (sohc 1.5l) i luv the way the vtec drives. and ive heard its a rather inexpensive way to boost a little power.

pics of her can be seen at www.cardomain.com/id/mycyl_mods

thanks for the help in advance guys!

1.change the oil a coupla more times and use flushing oil or diesel(AT YOUR OWN RISK) to clean out all coolant deposits. I'd recomend using the old filter until your system is clean. Also flush the cooling system and be sure to bleed for air.
2. yes, a VTEC head from 92-95 1.6 EX or Si is an inexpesive way to wake up your civic.

how much roughly am i looking at for the vtec head? does it bolt right on? and will i need the ecu?
im not a car expert by any means but i do know my car. will i be able to install this without any/any major modifications?

I have to leave now, but try these links and i'll be back here tomorrow and try to answer any more questions you may have.

http://crx.honda-perf.org/articles/z6swap/z6swap.html
http://crx.honda-perf.org/articles/z6swap/z6swap.html
http://crx.honda-perf.org/articles/motorprimer/motorprimer.html
http://www.geocities.com/chacofgs/swap.html
http://www.geocities.com/c_rexboy/minime.html
http://www.geocities.com/chacofgs/chaco.html

vtec heads in good condition go for about 100bucks! You can use all of your parts. Just change over. You will also need to wire in a vtec controller. Costs about 40 bucks!

If your headgasket was blown, you should do a leakdown test to make sure the head isnt warped. But it is common for it to still smoke after replacing the headgasket because there will still be some moisture in the catalytic converter that needs to be blown out over time.

ok thanks guys for all your help. one more question about the vtec head.
i go to the scrapyard and pick up a vtec head. can i get the vtec controller out of that car or do i have to purchase an aftermarket controller? pretty much the only thing i know about vtec is that its an extra lobe on the cam shaft so any help is awesome!

Did you mill the head before you put it back on? If you blew the headgasket, make sure you get the head done before you just slap it back on! It will be warped.

oh and when we took the gasket off, it wasnt blown. but it was worn thin. no cracks or warps on the head (as far as we can tell)