SOHC Performance?

[texwill]

I was wondering if there is any cam or bolt on performance mods I can do to my 89 Civic 4dr. 1.5l, I understand the fact that an engine swap is the best thing to do but I am stationed overseas in Germany and have not had any engines come my way. I have all the regular bolt ons, intake, cat back exhaust, MSD ignition and all suspension mods. I want to keep it somewhat streetable but just looking for some extra power. I just aquired an MPFI intake, wiring and ECU and downloaded the directions. I just figured there are things you guys are doing that might help, like cam or something. Thanks

[Kven]

Put a VTEC head on there? It's pretty straight forward. As far as cams go; If you stay non-VTEC, there are Delta regrinds that cost like $60(you send them the core).

[Exempt]

Originally Posted by texwill

I was wondering if there is any cam or bolt on performance mods I can do to my 89 Civic 4dr. 1.5l, I understand the fact that an engine swap is the best thing to do but I am stationed overseas in Germany and have not had any engines come my way. I have all the regular bolt ons, intake, cat back exhaust, MSD ignition and all suspension mods. I want to keep it somewhat streetable but just looking for some extra power. I just aquired an MPFI intake, wiring and ECU and downloaded the directions. I just figured there are things you guys are doing that might help, like cam or something. Thanks

Honestly bro, for the price u paid for all that you could have had a D16A6 swap, which would net you more power than tha D15B with all the bolt ons... Its just not worth investing in for the few ponies u may (but probably wont) gain...

And the fact that your in Germany hell, just makes it easier for you to find a swap... They have the D16/A8/A9/Z5s (DOHC ZC) and B16A stock there, and im sure theyre much cheaper than you can get them here for... Plus you get a discount in shipping (being in the Military), im sure u could find a way to get it brought back to the states for much cheaper than it would be to buy one here... Just a thought...

[turtlecrxsi]

Get an underdrive pulley set and lightweight flywheel.

[Tony]

I agree, getting an A6 would be better, but your bolt on's shouldn't be a waste either, most of it should swap over to the a6, so it wasn't a waste of money. But if your gonna get another cam, i would go ahead and do a Mini-me swap and go ahead and change the head on it. As for a underdrive pulley set, make sure you get a reputable brand that has done their research and makes sure its all still balanced, otherwise you could end up with one that isn't balanced and does more damage than its worth. Ive heard Unorthodox makes good pulleys, don't know about the rest, ive just heard a few horror stories about un balanced ones. But a lightweight flywheel is always a good idea.

[duffman868]

while some might disagree stay with the head you have it is the same as an a6 with a crappy cam. now go get an a6 cam and send it to delta for a regrind and get some head work. get some d16a1 pistons and throw them in a d16 block. then swap out bottom end and throw on an aftermarket or ported intake manifold. this should net roughly about 120-130 whp maybe more depending if you tune it alot. comparing it to the roghly 60-70 you have now it would be a fun little car

i just noticed you are in germany so i dont know how much shipping would be to delta and get d16a8/a9 pistons(i think)

[Tony]

And after you put those A1 pistons in....go get it tuned because your gonna need it. Those pistons will up your compression big time, and you will need it tuned and on the best pump gas you can get.

[1990civicdxhb]

well.......
by the mods these guys told you,you should be set & ready to go,lol
gl

[Kven]

Originally Posted by duffman868

get some d16a1 pistons and throw them in a d16 block.)

The D15 crankshaft wouldn't work in a D16 block(different journal size); so you would have to use a complete D16 block.

The P29/PM7 pistons with a 2-layer HG will bump your CR to 10:1 though.

btw, to get it tuned means you need to socket your ECU or get a piggyback system.

[Tony]

Originally Posted by Kven

The D15 crankshaft wouldn't work in a D16 block(different journal size); so you would have to use a complete D16 block.

The P29/PM7 pistons with a 2-layer HG will bump your CR to 10:1 though.

btw, to get it tuned means you need to socket your ECU or get a piggyback system.

Is it only 10:1 with the P29? All the calculators I have used have read higher than that. Ofcourse I'm working on a z6, thinking of using P29 pistons, and I'm not too sure which caculators to believe, since some give me a reading like 12:1 and then others give me 14:1. I'm hoping just 12:1 because for my purpose, thats pushing it as it is.