Mini-Me Discussion

[Jay eS Iye]

I know this has been discussed so many times, but i've searched and found conflicting answers and such so I'm just going out on a limb to ask some, and also people can give their opinions on this so all the newbies who are wondering the same thing will find it all here.

I have a deal on a complete (head, intake, tb, dizzy, engine part of the wiring harness) head for a Z6 for $100 bucks picked up and also a complete (just said everything is there like intake, tb, don't know about dizzy or wiring harness but an A6 dizzy will hook up) head for a Y8 for $130 shipped. I know the Y8 intake is the best D-series manifold, but everyone seems to do the Z6 mini-me swap.
Would I be better off going with the Z6, Y8, or not even wasting my money. Which full swap would be better, y8 or z6, b/c these deals are really good and if I can find a cheap block for either I'm set too. Also, would I be better off just taking that 100 dollars and putting it to something else? If so, what?

Converse, talk, flame, whatever, let's get everything out on the table...

[Killa_CRX]

The mini-me would be more of a waist of your time and money than getting a full swap to start out with... if you can get ahold of the full swap for cheap. Doing the mini-me swap you'll need the Z6(or y8) head, Si intake manifold, Si distributor, and Si ECU... I personally wouldn't wire it up for the OBD1 ECU, because the OBD0 Si ECU would be easier for you to work with and convert over to (also cheaper).

Here's a quote though you might want to read though while deciding on your engine to put in.

Originally Posted by Rice-Rocketeer

D16Z6, D16Y8, D15B7: If you have one of the lower and cheaper civic models, IE The Cx, Dx, Lx and If you're looking for a cheap power increase while still maintaining stock gas mileage then the possibility of swapping in one of the higher model civic engines is right up your alley. The D16Z6 is the SOHC 5th Gen. Si and Ex engine pushing 125hp @ 6600 rpm and 106 lb.-ft of torque @ 5200 rpm. The D16Y8 is the 6th gen. SOHC Ex engine pushing 127hp @ 6600 rpm and 107 lb.-ft of torque @ 5500 rpm. These are extremely easy to find since allot ppl swap them out in favor for more expensive engines. They bolt in like stock and the whole package could be had for hundreds (You might even find someone who’s recently swapped who would basically give away their engine). Let's say you want something cheap but you could work on for possibly turbo or nitrous? The D16Y8 is cheap and the pistons are the exact size of TT Supra pistons. They could substitute for forged versions and work just as well for a turbo upgrade. Be warned though as the D16Y8 has a particularly bad Rod to Stroke ratio at 1.52. I also suggest the B15B7 which is the 5th gen. Dx and Lx engine pushing 102hp @ 5900 rpm and 98 lb.-ft of torque @ 5000 rpm. If you have a 5th gen. Cx and you’re in need of the cheapest upgrade, this motor could be for you. Again you could probably find it for less than $500.

[bambam89lx]

do you have a dx,std, or si?

[marked001]

..not gonna get into a discussion on the feasibility of the mini-me..


....I would go for the y8 b/c of improved intake mani and improved combustion chambers...plus the fact that the 88-91 dizzy bolts up to it if you're gonna go that route...

[91civicDXdude]

I will comment on this..

The best possible setup you could have utilizing stock parts (IMO) would be a D16A6 block, a D16Z6 head, a D16Y8/D16Z6 intake manifold, and OBD0 PM6/PS9/PR4/PR3/PW0 chipped ECU.

The D16A6 block has pistons which yield a higher compression ratio than that of the SOHC VTEC longblock, whether it be D16Z6 or D16Y8. The D16Y8 intake manifold, "the type r of D series" isnt that impressive to me. If you look at specs, The D16Y8 has a better designed exhaust manifold, the cam has a higher lift and duration than that of the D16Z6, but it only makes 2 more hp.

The D16Y8 head does have smaller combustion, thus heightening compression even moreso than the D16Z6 mini-me, BUT, the D16Y8's ports are designed to flow better at lower rpm and provide smoother torque curve and better fuel mileage. THE D16Z6 HEAD OUTFLOWS THE D16Y8 HEAD IN HIGHER RPM. this is a proven fact.

with the availability of the SOHC ZC engine at under $500 shipped to your door with 30,000 miles, and the market for SOHC ZC heads/cam on ebay or other forums like honda-tech, it would be a deal to buy the block, sell the head and intake manifold for atleast half of what you paid, and have a brand new block for around $200. couple that with your D16Z6 head (preferred) or D16Y8 head, and you have basically an endless supply of engines, as it is usually the block that goes bad.

Mini-me gets thumbs up from me.

These pictures were taken from D-series.org forums...

The D16Z6 is the SOHC 5th Gen. Si and Ex engine pushing 125hp @ 6600 rpm and 106 lb.-ft of torque @ 5200 rpm. The D16Y8 is the 6th gen. SOHC Ex engine pushing 127hp @ 6600 rpm and 107 lb.-ft of torque @ 5500 rpm.

thumbs up to the D16Z6 for making peak torque lower and peak horsepower equal to that of D16Y8..wider powerband

[bambam89lx]

dammit.......I was just about to post those same pics from the d-series.org....I was searching for them on my computer and then I found them...by the time I get back...their already posted..lol

go here for all minime help:

http://d-series.org/viewtopic.php?t=2709

[Jay eS Iye]

i have a d16a6 right now (gotta love the EX). From what i'm hearing the z6 is the better way to go, but there is one thing i have a questions about. I hear that you cannot use the z6 dizzy in a mini me, is this true? Also, would it be benifitial to even get a Y8 intake and mate it to the Z6 head?

basically is 100 bucks for a complete head/intake/all that a good dal and would i easily be able to hook this up, or should i save this to a turbo or new cam or something to that nature?

[91civicDXdude]

$100 is a great deal for a complete VTEC head assembly and manifolds.

You can use the D16Z6 distributor, but only if you've converted to OBD1. If not, you have to use a D16A6 (Si/EX) or D15B6 (HF) MPFI distributor and notch the top and front distributor legs to retain timing adjustibility.

The Y8 intake manifold is said to be better and is called the "type r of the D series manifolds", but the runners are longer than a D16Z6, but it does have a larger, shorter plenum. You decide foryourself if its good for your particular application.

[Silent Runner]

What if you have a D16y7 Engine and Want to alter it to a D16Z6 without doing a complete swap is it cost effective and how is it done

[marked001]

Originally Posted by Silent Runner

What if you have a D16y7 Engine and Want to alter it to a D16Z6 without doing a complete swap is it cost effective and how is it done

..pretty much the same way you'd do it with any other sohc non-vtec..