Dohc Zc

[kingmike]

Just swapped out my stock Si motor w/a ZC. Anyone else? Just trying to gather as much info as possible. We completely re-built the motor and bored the block .5 over. Used Integra pistons with stock si rods (they are good up to 200hp so why not?). I'm pretty happy with it.

I do have two problems, one is that a cloud of white smoke poofs from my exhaust whenever I first start my car. Once the car is running it stopps unless I rev my motor. It's not a lot of smoke, just one cloud then it goes away. Any suggestions?

My other problem is that I'm lacking an ECU. Well, accually I have my stock Si ECU but would like an '89 Integra's for the more agressive fuel maps. If anyone has one for sale, or knows where I can aquire one please let me know. BTW - Yes I have checked all the junkyards around me and every one that I came across was heavily corroded or was already removed.

[marked001]

my guess w/ the puff of smoke is that your valve seals are bad and the puff of smoke is the oil burning off that has leaked down onto the piston while its been sitting....

check on www.thepartstrader.com or www.hondaclassifieds.com for the ecu....I usually have good luck w/ a 'wanted' ad on partstrader....

[90CRXZCSi]

Actually just using the stock ECU can create that cloud of smoke or like marked001 said it's the oil being burned off. But definitley get a 89 LS ECU because right now your sitting at a rev limiter or 6800 and your car redlines at 7200. it will make it run better also.

[kingmike]

For sure. I connected my friend's ECU up to my car (he also has a ZC swap) and the car felt so good especially above 5000 rpm. I forgot to check and see if the smoke was still there. It was also suggested to me on another thread that it could be water vapor.

[90CRXZCSi]

Very well could be but like i said...definitley get the 89 LS ECU. Your car will love you so much more.

[shatshadarach]

ive heard really really good things about the zdyne zc ecu, gets rid of all the annoying little things honda factory ecus are known for (ie stalling, flat spots and not starting), people ive talked to have said their car runs alot better with that than the zc or the 89 teg ecus. i have yet to try it.

[shadowboy]

Originally posted by 90CRXZCSi
Very well could be but like i said...definitley get the 89 LS ECU. Your car will love you so much more.

you do not specifically need the LS ECU, the RS one will work just fine as well... there is zero difference between the LS and RS drivelines -- this includes the ECU

[Fishcat37]

it's possible that that white cloud of smoke could be related to your head gasket. but, when my friends was leaking on his 95 civic DX, there was tons of white smoke, and he was going through a lot of coolant. you dont lose coolant do you?

[sastanley]

yeah...if it is blue looking smoke it is likely oil burning..marked001's description was perfect..if it is white, then it is more likely steam (water vapor), and it is hard to tell where that is coming from... - if you just rebuilt the motor there shouldn't be any coolant leaking into the cylinders from anywhere - sniff the exhaust (i know, kinda gross) but it might give you a better idea whether it is water or oil that is burning. Have you torqued and re-torqued things like head bolts??
I just bought a used ZC with the Zdyne ECU - As someone else mentioned and from what I have heard it will make your car run better than the Integra ECU. Once I get it in I'll let you know, but that is a couple of months away. But the Teg ECU will still be much better than the Si ECU. I have heard peeps using the Si ECU to help the ZC pass emissions cuz it runs the motor lean. I have seen plenty of Integra ECUs at the partstrader.com and similar places. But if you have the $$ I would get an ECU re-chipped from Zdyne.

[kingmike]

I've checked exhaust and it doesn't appear to be blue, just white. It does have a unique oder to it but it's not oil.

Thanks for the info on the ECU's I'll check out thepartstrader and grab one. Maybe some day I'll get the ZDyne but for now I'll have to settle for an Integra's. I've also heard of another company called Hondata or something like that, does anyone have any info on them?

[sastanley]

Oh dude....one other thing..make sure it is a 5-speed...the auto Integra ECU doesn't work...you probably already knew this but just thought it a good idea to confirm.

I personally don't have any info about Hondata but I am sure you can research them...they have a website www.hondata.com as does Zdyne www.zdyne.com

I just went by what I have read myself and also I was offered a great deal on the stuff I bought..I suspect I will be happy.

[91zc]

Hondata only does the non-OBD VTEC ecus. This includes the PWO and PR3. I would go with Zdyne. Had one on the ZC I just sold and it was great.