Time for a new motor Y8 or DOHC ZC

[mrchris1979]

The #3 piston rings finally gave up on my mini-me. After 15 -15IBS bottles with a 50 shot I was suprised it lasted this long. Anyway, I've decided to just get a replacement motor with lower milage instead of a rebuild and I'm stuck between a '98 Y8 motor or the DOHC ZC. Both engines have approx less than 40,000 on them so I've assumed that internally both engines have a lot of durability left in them. I also feel that the Y8 engine would be more reliable just cause it's a '98 comapred to the '89 ZC. I like the Vtec and I like the DOHC but I can't get both. Which one should I go for? I know the ZC has slightly more HP, but I've not seen real results for myself. If anyone sprays on the ZC, let me know what shot you've used and 1/4 times if available. By the way the Y8 head on the SOHC ZC got me a 1/4 time of 14.9 from a 15.5 here in Denver. Could have been the increased compression too.

[91civichatch2571]

Im always a ZC fan, but i think id go for the y8. New motor that you know for sure how many miles are on it. Lots of mods availabe....

[Hilikus Funkin]

Y8, its more dependable with more mods availiable

[Masta]

i would go y8..i have it, and i'm in love

[CR50HC]

I'm biased towards the DOHC ZC. To me, it adds that exotic appeal of owning a JDM engine. Not to It's been around for 15+ years for a reason. I'm sure the Y8 will be a legend as well. the Y8 on the other hand is more modern and has a large upgrade parts pool. Guess it really depends on what you want, how much money you want to spend and how long you want your car off the road.

[mrchris1979]

I also like the idea of owning a JDM engine, but now that I'm becoming more interested in high performance tuning, I've also been more concerned with reliabilty, especially when there is a budget. I suppose I could rebuild engines once they get worn down but time and money is an issue this right now. I guess the ZC will have to wait some other time.

[CR50HC]

Chris, it sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders. I too was concerned with my tight budget. I work two jobs to make ends meet. One full time, one part time. I ordered my DOHC ZC from hmotorsonline because my D15B2 was about to crap out on me. The Y8 I ran across was very appealing but required me to convert to a newer OBD setup. The parts I needed to do the DX-ZC swap were easily available to me. The Y8 was much more expensive in my area due to it coming out of a newer car, folks wanted "newer" car prices. As far as reliability goes, I've only had two issues with my swap. One being a loping idle which was fixed by simple adjustment and a bad alternator bearing on the ZC. (I'm currently checking to see if my DX alternator will bolt up to the ZC) . Other than those two issues, it's been flawless. My bud at my local performance shop did a Y8 swap in his civic. It too went smooth despite a little more wiring and tranny work that he had to do. Not sure what his swap cost but, mine was 850.00 for the engine, tranny and intermediate shaft. All sensors were also included as was a PM6 ECU from a CRX Si. As far as performance goes, the Y8 pulls strong and runs great, but the ZC can outrun it. Possibly due to MY CRX being lighter weight.