newb questions- 1995 Civic VTi

[joneblaze]

hi guys,

i've just purchased a '95 Civic VTi hatch... I'm completely new to the mods scene (previous car was an 88 celica sx) and I was wondering if some of u Honda gurus could impart some knowledge about my ride. I read that my civ's got a D16y? engine, and i wanted to know a little bit more about that, what its capable of and what can be done to it (I'm not interested in turboing or engine swapping or anything fancy... budget is quite tight currently.. damn university!). Also, is my civic a DOHC or SOHC? The specs i've read say its a DOHC but someone told me different.
I've been reading up on air filters and exhausts and CAI's etc etc and have got a rudimentary understanding of these basic mods now. Basically i just wanted some input on this particular model of car, and what you all think i should do to it first off (and how), and any pros and cons performance/handling wise that comes along with this model. Maybe some of u have owned this car before and know of any inherent faults, etc. I'm going to put in security-alarm/immob. first thing, then i was thinking sound (like my music.. lol), then performance/rims/kit. I'm in sydney btw.


cheers,

J.

p.s: i kno this sounds kinda ricey but im interested in throwing a remote start into the civic somewhere down the track. can anyone fill me in on how they work? (after u START it and get in the car, where do u put the key? lol...)

p.p.s: im sure these kinda questions get asked all the time, but im already 21, so i gotta start somewhere.... ive been reading up on ur forums for the last wk and u guys have a wealth of info. thanks!

[Setanta]

VTi is a SOHC VTEC engine - it only runs VTEC on the intake. If it was a '96 VTiR (EK series, not EG) then it would be DOHC with VTEC on both intake and exhaust. D16Y is good for 128bhp - about the same as the ZC used in the early Si CRXs. A CAI is a wank for a basically stock car. In fact they often lose power if mounted in the engine bay. Put a re-usable filter from finer filter ot the like in the box for a fraction of the cost. A CAI will NOT give you any more power at the wheels without spending a fortune on other parts. The D16Y responds well to good header installation - steer clear of Hurricane., but opening the exhaust up to 2 inches will help as well. Get a High-flow catalytic convertor and muffler - stay clear of the ricey fart tubes that all the wannabe's use - you will see no improvement with an engine in mild trim.

The EG is a great base to work on - think about doing a B18 or B16 swap into it. That's a minimum of 30bhp simply by changing tthe motor. You will be running an OBD1 ECU already, so swapping in the respective ECU is a nice touch. The SiR EG6 ran a 170bhp B16A in Japan - getting to that state is expensive, but a lot better than throwing away money on a CAI etc. The other option is to turbo. At 9lbs boost the D16Y is an animal

Cheers

[Spunkymonkey]

Originally posted by joneblaze
p.s: i kno this sounds kinda ricey but im interested in throwing a remote start into the civic somewhere down the track. can anyone fill me in on how they work? (after u START it and get in the car, where do u put the key? lol...)

I think Pete has answered most of your other questions

but I'd thought I'd pop in and say hello since its been a while since I posted.

In regards to the remote start - I used to have this function on my car. They just hook up your wiring. You press the start button it starts the car. (You have to remember to keep the car in neutral, otherwise your stuffed if you have it in gear, and it bunnyhops when you start -well it will either leave your power on, until you turn the alarm off, or you'll probably hit something lol.)

you just put your key in the ignition silly..otherwise how are you going to turn the steering wheel? you just don't crank it. Oh, and most are setup that when you let go of the hand brake, it will switch off the engine, if you don't have the key in the ignition.

I don't use mine any more because I needed the fuel immobilisation for insurance, so if I remote start it, it will cut the fuel line within a few seconds.

[joneblaze]

hey spunky,

what do u mean u need the fuel immobilisation for insurance? can u explain abit more? are u saying that having the remote start affects ur insurance in some way? like voids it...?

[Spunkymonkey]

Originally posted by joneblaze
hey spunky,

what do u mean u need the fuel immobilisation for insurance? can u explain abit more? are u saying that having the remote start affects ur insurance in some way? like voids it...?

nah..doesn't void it.....

My car is insured by a specialist company that looks after modified vehicles, and one of their requirements was 3 point passive immobilser by one of the recommended companies.

In order for that 3 point immobiliser to be fitted, they had to add fuel immobilisation...so because when you start the car with remote start, without the keys and the (immobiliser chip) near by, then it will start, but will cut out pretty quickly..because the fuel immobilisation comes in, because the immobiliser chip isn't near the ignition at the time you started the car.


I just needed the 3 point immobiliser for insurance purposes....if your car is insured under stock you won't have to worry...

[joneblaze]

hmm... interesting. thanks for that. u guys really kno ur shit.... too much time on ur hands.. lol. i havent actually purchased the civic yet... i'm waiting for a mechanical check on a 95 teg gsi this afternoon... if its ok ill buy that, if its a no go ill get the civic vti. the tegs going pretty cheap thats why i can afford it, so im hoping itll come thru good.
i've got a mate who's buying a '93 silvia Q s13...auto. somehow he stringently believes that it''ll eat both the Teg gsi and the civic vti (hatch). Now as i previously mentioned i dunno much about cars, and i realise the s13's a sports car... but umm... is he right? like i mean i was under the impression the civic vti's fairly light and with 96kw its not shabby.. and i drove the teg yesterday and i loved it.... cant twist my head around to see how a poofy lil auto s13 would burn me.... lol...
anyone wanna back me up/put me down??? got any links for comprehensive car specs? (1/4 times, 0-100 , power, etc etc...). Cant seem to find specs for s13s and normal hondas... only ever itr's...



j.

[Setanta]

The GSi is crap, don't waste your money on it. You want the VTiR version or an EK4 Civic VTiR. The EG VTi is ok though - I'd take one over a GSi. The Silvia runs a SR20 and isn't running a turbo. If it's auto, he'll give you a run for your money in a VTi or GSi, but you should be able to get away from him. If it was a real S13 with SR20DET he'd smoke you twice before you hit the finish line in any car you've mentioned so far

[joneblaze]

hmm... u dont rate the teg gsi? i know its not that powerful and all, but im not after a 180ish sports car.... i just want something that looks good and i can muck around with. I really prefer the teg to the civic.... can you fill me in a bit more about why the civic would be better than the gsi? i've driven both now, and while the vti seems very zippy, the gsi seem to drive very well and im happy with the shape, handling, etc etc.


j

[Setanta]

VTi is lighter and only down about 10bhp tops on the GSi - that says it all. If you get the GSi you'll be wishing you got a VTiR a few weeks up the track.

[Spunkymonkey]

its always best to get the top of the range model for whatever shape your buying.

There is nothing wrong with the gsi as more of a everyday driveable car, but I wouldn't be able to stand auto....

besides..I was originally looking at a gsi, and I thank god someone talked me into getting the vtir.