Whats in a engine?

[Zyphyer]

I have a 94 Honda Del sol S I bought used. It's been through a few peoples hands and i want to know how i can find out what engine is really in it.

I know the Car origionally came with a 1.5 ( i think) but someone dropped a 1.6 Vtec into the car. And to make matters more interesting, it's still an automatic.

Is there somewhere i can find an engine number to tell me what car this engine was pulled from? Were Civic Vtecs from earliers models the same as what was put in the Sol?

Any info would be helpful.

[94SolGrl]

what makes you think someone dropped in a 1.6? They may have just done a head swap, which is VERY common... basically, there's a small flat square on your block right near one of the tranny mounts... kind of behind the edge of the radiator. Hard to explain, but look for it. It's on the front of the block, to the left. That space has an engine block code stamped on it. If it says D15B7 (which I'm willing to bet it does), someone did what's called a mini-me swap on the car. Bolted on a SOHC VTEC head to give a little extra power. If the motor says D16Z6 on it, they dropped in a whole new motor. If it is indeed a whole new motor, it either came out of a del Sol Si model or a Civic Si model from 92-95.. both came with the z6. It's still an automatic because doing an auto to manual conversion is a PAIN. If you're in a city that does any kind of emissions testing, then your motor is definitely newer than the car, because putting in a motor from an older car automatically flunks you on emissions. My theory in life at this point... if it runs, don't question it. Just smile and drive.

[Zyphyer]

took forever to find anything!

following the radiator hose to the engine directly to the right is a stamp in the metal taht says B2071 and like 4 more charachters i cant make out.

is this the right number to look fior?

[CivicSpoon]

The plate is right where the engine meets the transmission, like here: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...poon/plate.jpg That one is from an H22a (jdm, so it doesn't have any numbers after the "a").

[94SolGrl]

Thanks for the pic, spoon man.

You may have to wide some sludge off your motor to see it. Here's a link showing you a better idea of what you're looking for... and just so you know, it's the circled area on the block... don't go looking on the a/c hoses for a motor code.

http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/we...ZkMzF5NTQx.jpg

[Zyphyer]

never on the hoses! i found that number directly above the circle to the left of the arrow on the engine to the right of the hose.

It went in the shop this morning so when ik get it back i'll take a closer look.

thanks for all the help so far!

[94SolGrl]

just as an idea, when you get it back, run by a parts store and pick up some degreaser, then go to a carwash and spray the degreaser on, then hit it with a good bit of water pressure. Gets built up goo off.

[Zyphyer]

give solgrl a prize. looks like you were 100% right.

it is the stock 1.5 undernewath. major bummer.
Is this engine worth working on to make it fast?
once i pay off my other car cash wont really be an option, but i dont want to sink money into a car that will disappoint.

[iVteC_PoWeR]

If you have the money to get another motor than you can get a B series...other than that you can go turbo with the motor you have now...both ways will get you good power...if your looking for the cheapest route then turbo the sohc...they are a lot more limited in potential than dohc are...

[eurobeaner]

i would not boost a d15... thier rods are VERY small... prolly wont take more than 5lbs of boost... a d16z6 can handle around 8 lbs of boost.... if its already wired for vtec, it wouldnt be hard at all to swap in a d16 bottom end if you already have the head, if not its even easier to do itall at once, it took me and a buddie 5 hours to completely take his motor out, and swap a new one ... you can pick up a d16z6 motor from your local import yard/junk yard for around $500.... use the tranny you already have and itl be a nice little motor to boost.

[94SolGrl]

and the nice thing about D series (SOHC) honda motors is that there's plenty of them, and they can usually be had for under $500. Which means if you go boost happy one weekend and blow a hole in your motor, it's not a huge huge deal. Whereas if you blow a hole in a B series, it's usually upwards of $1500 to get a new motor.

[Zyphyer]

i Appreciate the help finding out what exactly i have. Either way right now it's damn quick to scoot back and forth to work (not to mention a lot nicer on gas costs right now) I have some work to do body first. It took a glancing vlow from a semi and that needs fixed. If and when i work on my sol i'll prob have lots of questions, but for now i'll prob dump any extra cash i have into my truck. too bad the titan section has almost nothing in it...

[superbluecivicsi]

Originally Posted by 94SolGrl

and the nice thing about D series (SOHC) honda motors is that there's plenty of them, and they can usually be had for under $500. Which means if you go boost happy one weekend and blow a hole in your motor, it's not a huge huge deal. Whereas if you blow a hole in a B series, it's usually upwards of $1500 to get a new motor.

yes, but, if your lucky like me, you'll only blow out the short block [knocks on wood] and have a salvagable head.

[Zyphyer]

After lots of deliberation between the spouse and me, it was unfortunately decided that the car isn't worth investing in. between 2000 in body repair needed, and a couple other quibbles, the lack of a true vtec just sealed it.

It's a shame. when we bought it it had a lot of body work done to it and was a great buy. then it was vandalized, and a run in with a semi (me and the car were both lucky to live)

The car will go the route of any good honda. it will be a dedicated work car for years to come while we save up for our next car (a high end sports car.)

so sad.

[94SolGrl]

lol trade sols with you. Mine needs $300 in repairs and it's good to go.