zc vs. b16a

i have a 90 civic hb std with a engine that doesn't run. I am currently saving up money to do an engine swap. I was originally planning to do a zc swap but after gathering information about it I was considering doing a more complicated b16a swap. After all, there are more aftermarket parts available for it. I need you experts opinion on it. is the zc swap a good, well worth it swap or should I wait and do a b16a swap. Thanks for the help.

What are your plans, all motor, nitrous, or turbo? Just wondering. Me, i am a different person so i would say fuck VTEC and get the ZC. Add turbo and cook till a 13 second 1/4 mile

probably just the basic intake/exhaust for right now. I just want a reasonably fast car. I only have about 300 bucks right now. The zc is way cheaper and better fits my budget, plus is simpler. I read that the zc isn't that good of an engine so I am having doubts about it. Is the zc engine good and reliable?

try the search function for this. this question had been asked a dozen times.

Originally posted by turbcivic
What are your plans, all motor, nitrous, or turbo? Just wondering. Me, i am a different person so i would say fuck VTEC and get the ZC. Add turbo and cook till a 13 second 1/4 mile

it really does depend on your future plans. i wouldn't say fuck Vtec....but i agree with the add turbo and get 13's...EXCEPT, i would do a sohc vtec.

sohc vtec is just as easy to swap in as the zc. i personally went sohc vtec instead of zc because:
a) more aftermarket parts avaliable
b) usdm engine = maintenance parts easier to find (zc has a wholelist of parts from different cars you need just to do a tune-up :bloated: )
c) the d16y8 comes out of the 96-00 civic ex. i was able to find a y8 out of a '00 civic with only 12,000. it was basically a brand new engine that saw no shelf time.

when you choose an engine there are some things you should ask yourself.
do you want an engine that is quick for daily driving?
do you want an engine that you plan to race?

a b16 would be great to just drop in and daily drive. no messing around with it....just drive. some people don't want to hassle with hybrids. if you have the resources, time, and patience then a turbo zc or sohc vtec is a good way to get to 13 sec

I work with a guy at honda hell bent on prelude motors and VTEC is the greatest thing in the world. He still doesn't belive me how much potenial a SOHC Vtec engine has or even the LS or ZC motors.

don't get any h series motor unless you hate turning.

a b16a will be a reasonable fast car, well i guess it depends on how fast u think resonable is. a b16 hatch would probably go like low 15 or high 14s. zc about a sec less, so around high 15s or low 16s. umm a b16a total swap can be purchased for around 2000, if your doing it yourself, a shop would charge u around 3000 for a complete swap. zc would cost u around what 700, plus like 300 ? for installation. so around 1000 if u have a shop do it. i mean do u wanna be carless till u have 2000 or do u wanna be carless till u have 700.

i agree with ami, i would go sohc vtec, its alot easier to go usdm pats wise

Originally posted by LadyNRedSi


a) more aftermarket parts avaliable
b) usdm engine = maintenance parts easier to find (zc has a wholelist of parts from different cars you need just to do a tune-up :bloated: )
c) the d16y8 comes out of the 96-00 civic ex. i was able to find a y8 out of a '00 civic with only 12,000. it was basically a brand new engine that saw no shelf time.

when you choose an engine there are some things you should ask yourself.
do you want an engine that is quick for daily driving?
do you want an engine that you plan to race?

a b16 would be great to just drop in and daily drive. no messing around with it....just drive. some people don't want to hassle with hybrids. if you have the resources, time, and patience then a turbo zc or sohc vtec is a good way to get to 13 sec

I know I'm biased. I agree with all these points but from a b16 stand point. Replacement parts are a dime a dozen when it comes to b series. When it comes to NA you have so many more options than a ZC or SOHC VTEC. You can choose from Type R parts, JDM and USDM aftermarket. As far as boost goes boost all motors the same and the B16 will still come out victorious. I think these are all great swaps and yes the B16 costs more but I assure you you will not regret it.

u can also use other honda parts for N/A SOHC tooD Series Forum (http://pub143.ezboard.com/bhondadseries) try that for more SOHC and ZC info

Originally posted by B16EJ1
Replacement parts are a dime a dozen when it comes to b series. When it comes to NA you have so many more options than a ZC or SOHC VTEC. You can choose from Type R parts, JDM and USDM aftermarket.

i think you misunderstood me....my points A, B, and C were for zc vs sohc vtec. not vs b16. those were my personal reasons for buying sohc vtec instead of zc.

FYI...my car is a daily driver and not a race car. this is why when my a6 crapped out on me, i went with the cheaper sohc vtec which dropped right in rather than spend more on a b16 and hassle with the install. we'll probably start a track car soon....that will most likely start out b16 and end up ls/vtec by the end of the summer :devil:

Originally posted by LadyNRedSi


i think you misunderstood me....my points A, B, and C were for zc vs sohc vtec. not vs b16. those were my personal reasons for buying sohc vtec instead of zc.

FYI...my car is a daily driver and not a race car. this is why when my a6 crapped out on me, i went with the cheaper sohc vtec which dropped right in rather than spend more on a b16 and hassle with the install. we'll probably start a track car soon....that will most likely start out b16 and end up ls/vtec by the end of the summer :devil:

Oh I understood, but those were also the same reasons I got my B16 except for C of course. I hardly ever race and my car is most definitly a daily driver. :D

Ami will be the next Lisa Kubo

Originally posted by 91civichatch2571
Ami will be the next Lisa Kubo

will never happen unless i'm Queen of the AT's. i have broken my left foot & toes twice now. my middle toe is permanetly fuXor...it heeled set back into my foot a little. i can't put pressure to my toes or the ball of my foot. it's hard to explaine but sometimes i forget and i go to shift quick and i end up scratching it because i can almost feel where the bones didn't heel right poking out of the bottom of my foot...which causes my foot to give out :(

the track car will be jer's toy. i'll probably cruise it around every now and again for the fun of it...but i'll never take it on the track looking for a good timeslip ;)

cut it off and get a wooden one :D , and why not save money then just go straight to ls/vtec??

Originally posted by yalvonne
Is the zc engine good and reliable?

The ZC is reliable if you aren't some dumbass who buys a 12 year old engine from the internet and then drop it right in into your car. Sure the seals, bearings, belts, and all that are going to crap out on your when they are nasty and rotten from age. Replace all the important stuff, than put it in the car, you should be good to go.

I currently have a ZC in my car, and am gonna swap in a B16. not because i don't like the ZC.

My reasons are

- My transmission blew cost of rebuild 1100$
- wanted more power
- wanted more aftermarket support
- wanted something different