engine designation question

i have a question...my 97 civic ex has a d16y8 SOHC vtec engine...at least that what i understand. Heres the question tho, what is a ZC engine? is this another SOHC vtec engine or is it a jdm version of my d16y8?

the ZC engines can be found in 90-93 acura integra LS/RS. it's a DOHC engine WITHOUT VTEC. the ZC engine puts out 137hp and 108ft. lbs. or torque. unlike the D16Y8, the ZC reline is at 7200RPM.

thanks, i guess the zc is a jdm version of the b18a?

Originally posted by grncivicdhr
thanks, i guess the zc is a jdm version of the b18a?

ZC is actually a USDM engine. it's from the 90-93 USDM integra. it's not a JDM version of the B18. the ZC is a 1.6 liter engine:)

The ZC is NOT a USDM engine.

Its a HONDA ENGINE! :rolleyes: damn enthnocentric yanks


It was sold all over the world and started life in the 3g Civic Si, and was last used in the 5g Civic GTi. It was also used in the 1st and 2nd generation Integras.

As a result there are a variety of differnt versions, and Hp ranges from 120 to 135.

Its a good solid engine that makes a good honest amount of power and is very easily tuned.
They are basicly a standard 1600cc D series block with a Twin Cam head on the top. Altough swaping the head onto another D series engine is not possible as some of the oil passages and water gallerys where changed to accomdate the differnt head.
The head is a slightly redesigned version of the Twin Cam head found in the Si versions of the old 80s prelude, the B20a. It was this engine that the first VTEC B16a and later B18a and B18c were derived from, hence the very strong technical and visaul similarity between the ZC engine and the B series engines.

The ZC is now quite cheap especialy when compared to its more popular stable mate the B16a, and a $ per HP basis is a much better buy. Hence its a very popular swap into many 4g Civics and CRX's, as it offers quite a performance boost over the old D16/15/13 engine, but requires very little work as it will fit the cars existing engine mounts and gearbox, and requires very little extra wiring.

For the same reason if you have the time to carry out an EFI conversion its all an excellent engine for the older 3g Civic and CRX, and if you live in a state or country where OBD and emissions/compliancing are not a problem it can be easily fitted to a 5g or later Civic.

Not to mention the info I've read on it says it's a 1.7 liter engine

Originally posted by HonDork
Not to mention the info I've read on it says it's a 1.7 liter engine


WHICH IS ALSO TOTALY WRONG! :rolleyes:

Good lord guys, Moppie's your daddy so listen to him!


ZCs are 1.6L DOHC non-VTEC engines and make 127, not 137hp.

The 90-93 non-GSR Teg has a B18A which is a 1.8L DOHC non-VTEC motor. The 1.7L is the B17A which is a USDM engine and is DOHC VTEC and makes 160hp.

GSTeg, do more research because giving false information can really screw a guy up.

Hey Moppie! i'm a yank and i'm not screwy :)

Originally posted by VTEC_boi

GSTeg, do more research because giving false information can really screw a guy up.


:flipa: i was looking that up at hybrid honda.com, but they only mentioned the ZC on 90-93 integra so i went from there...god..who knows how many damn engine they made:finger:

I dont think Hybrid Honda has been updated since the day it was made.

Its not really the most accurate site.
And they are not even remotly clued up on JDM Honda's.


And VTEC_boi Your still a screwy yank. :D

The ZC came in a variety of differnt levels of tune, including a Twin Carb version.
So hp ranges from 120-135hp.
Generaly the older the engine the less hp.

Originally posted by Moppie
I dont think Hybrid Honda has been updated since the day it was made.

Its not really the most accurate site.
And they are not even remotly clued up on JDM Honda's.




so do i get the blame for being wrong?:D

I stand corrected :) so which car in the US got the 1.7...GS, RS, LS?

Actually nevermind...brainfart...LS is non vtec so is RS. DUR

Originally posted by GSteg


so do i get the blame for being wrong?:D


yes. :D


It just shows that you shouldn't always believe what you read on the internet.
especialy if its written by Americans and is about something only a VERY few of them have ever actualy seen, or had any real experiance with.

Originally posted by Moppie



yes. :D


It just shows that you shouldn't always believe what you read on the internet.
especialy if its written by Americans and is about something only a VERY few of them have ever actualy seen, or had any real experiance with.

so how do i know if it right or wrong?:bloated:

Originally posted by HonDork
I stand corrected :) so which car in the US got the 1.7...GS, RS, LS?

1.7L was in 93 gs-r

Originally posted by GSteg


so how do i know if it right or wrong?:bloated:


You dont. :D


You just have to have a read of all my other tech related posts, and check me for consistancy, and see how other members reply to my posts.

And you should be reading posts by others on similar topics and see if they agree with me, and you should also be looking at as many differnt sites as you can and see how much of the information agrees.


And then you just have to trust me. And believe me when I say in right 90% of the time.

Originally posted by Moppie



You dont. :D


You just have to have a read of all my other tech related posts, and check me for consistancy, and see how other members reply to my posts.

And you should be reading posts by others on similar topics and see if they agree with me, and you should also be looking at as many differnt sites as you can and see how much of the information agrees.


And then you just have to trust me. And believe me when I say in right 90% of the time.

well thanks for the tip..:finger4: :D

yea .... the older DA integs had a b17 motor....the new 7th gen civic's come w/ a d17 engine....comes w/ a respectable 120 something motor....but i'd just drop in a k20...the type-r version.....i saw a website selling one for 8200!!....daaamn

Originally posted by Moppie



And VTEC_boi Your still a screwy yank. :D




:D