b16a vs. ZC vs. Sohc Vtec?

[QuickSilverEF9]

Well I know we have a new post on the forum everyweek for the ongoing debate of which engine is better... However I am still trying to figure out what to go with.. Right now it is looking like a rebuilt ZC with new pistons and rods.. + many more mods.. However I am still considering the b16a.. But even more have come to a tough decision between the ZC and the SOHC vtec.. I cannot find price quotes on the pistons and rods.. But I am figuring they will cost $800 with a new head gasket and rings... Is that right? Anyone know where to get cams for the ZC? I know the SOHC VTEC has lots of aftermarket support because it is an Si engine.. I was quoted yesterday on the swap price for the b16a into my car was $5250 I do not want to drop that much on a stock engine.... If it was cleanly rebuilt that would be cool, with a port and polish and 3 angle valve job.. I might understand but that was just to swap the thing in... They said it looks factory installed after the swap though... The labor on the ZC would be $600-$700... $300 without rebuild and port and polish labor... How much would it cost to port and polish a SOHC VTEC head? Anywayz just wanted to see what every1 I mean every1 had to say on the subject.

[amy@af]

i say d series... the d16a6 (-vtec) or d16y8/d16z6 (+vtec). i'm not a fan of the ZC because it needs to be rebuilt. i personally went with the d16y8 because it came out of an '00 Ex with only 12,000 miles. i wanted more hp than the a6 but also wanted something reliable for the long haul. i had a 300,000 '90 accord that ran better than any car i have ever owned. if i treat the y8 right...i'll be able to use it for the next 15 years

i really don't think you need to go all crazy with rods, pistons, and port & polish. get a thicker head gasket...build the turbo set up correctly...tune it up...and you should be good to go. check out: turbo link to read about the set-up on a 230,000 mile d series.

it really depends on if you want a daily driver that could be taken to the track...or a serious race car you're trying to squeeze every last hp out of.

ami

[QuickSilverEF9]

You wanna tell me where I could find an SOHC VTEC with little mileage?

[amy@af]

Originally posted by QuickSilverEF9
You wanna tell me where I could find an SOHC VTEC with little mileage?

first off, QuickSilverEF9, i'm sorry. that post was more for anybody who read your post with the same question in mind than for you. i know that you know my view point . sorry i forgot to mention that in my reply.

the place i'm gonna suggest is also the place i'd suggest for a b16 swap, zc swap, or any hybrid tech info. thedropshop

i originally contacted him for a ZC myself. he gave me the choice between a 48,000 ZC and 12,000 y8. my deciding factor was that all the previous places i called for a price quote suggested i rebuild the zc before i drop it in. i know from previous experience 12,000 miles is a newborn baby when talking USDM honda.

[QuickSilverEF9]

I just finished a nice long email asking the drop shop what the best route for going turbo would be . If i drive out to cali to have him install my turbo system you should come by and show me your hatch :sun: .. That won't be for awhile though. I think I will just not but si front seats, JDM rear seats and upholstering them. Thats like $1000 right there. So I think I will do that last along with the power windows... by october I hope to have...

1JDM front conversion $950
2.Hood, Fenders, Filler, Front, rear bumper, side moldings painted, lip $400
3. Jsracing lip spoiler $200
4. Kick Panels $40 shipped
5. JDM rear spoiler $100
6. JDM rear Lights $110
7. JDM fog lights and switch $50
8. H & R OE springs .75 drop $149
9. Bilstein front shocks. Rear struts. $350
10. Suspension installation and alignment $250

So pending the SOHC vs. ZC decision I could have it in by december and tuboed by march....
Also what suspension work have you done to your hatch? I am trying to figure out what shocks and struts to put on. I heard tokicos suck.. I want either Bilsteins or Konis... Any suggestions on that would also be helpful.

[4G4D Store]

I'd say do the B16A1. I'm doing that swap hopefully begining of next year. I've been quoted $3400 for the basic swap with new everything except the engine which will have less than 40,000 miles on it. The B16A1 has so much more potential than any of the other d engines. But it also depends on how much power you want. I'm hoping for 350 HP when I'm done, and that would take a ton of work to get a D series up there. So it depends on what you want. But the B16 already starts you at 160 HP instead of 135 and less.

Nick
4G4D Store

[civickiller]

yeah ive been quoted $3000 for a b16 swap. and thats everything.

but yeah you start out with 160hp adn thats more than you can get out of you sohc vtec. but if you cant go b16, get the sohc vtec. like whoever said before the aftermarket for the sohc vtec is endless. by be honest idk why anyone goes with the zc

[QuickSilverEF9]

It is dohc and there is more potential in the head tuning. I would go b16a but the only place that will do it in kansas charges $5200 thats a basic swap with new everything, all fluids, lines, hoses, belts, clutch assembly. They do great work it looks like honda orignally intended that engine to be there. I would go b16a but I am not gonna break my wallet when I could produce more horse and especially more torque than the b16a for less. A turbo b16 with the drag turbo put out 283 horse and 190 torque.. the d series with the on it put out 173horse 152 torque..... The b16a does not have any torque... you want b series go ls vtec or a crv block with a vtec head.. Then talk about 350 horse.. You are going to have to drop alot of money into that b16a to get it to 350. Me i just want a daily driver that can spank mustang GTs and older 5.0s.. Not to mention the cheap ricers around here. neons, cavaliers, probes... etc etc etc.. + hondas that have been mistreated by having every cheap rice part on it. I saw b16a swaps going for $2800-3000 in cali but I can't just go to cali for a few weeks while they swap it in..

[QuickSilverEF9]

I guess I could go out to cali and have the drop shop swap it in they only charge $3000 for a basic swap but like I said I am in highschool I don't have that kind of time. Plus my boss would kill me.. The money I make to pay for my modifications would not be possible at a job that is blue collar. The swap would end up at about $3700 after taxes though because I also need to be converted to 5spd manual.

[ci5ic]

I found a D16Y8 from a '98 EX at the local salvage yard, with less than 8000 miles on the clock. Apparently, someone bought the car and wrecked it shortly thereafter, and it's been sitting on a shelf for 3 years. All for $900. So that's the route that I'm going.

My reasons are:
1.) Found one with low-milage for relatively cheap.
2.) Bolts directly in without having to modify the mounts, crossmember, etc.
3.) Allows me to use my existing headers/intake, etc.
4.) I don't have to mess with axels or tranny or any of that.
5.) I don't have to have it shipped.
6.) I can use the opportunity to learn by doing an easier transplant and then later, swap a B16 or something. (most likely, I'll just turbo though)
7.) Due to the low milage, it'll be like owning a whole new car.
8.) A little bit of extra horse power/torque.

My 2 centz

[Marc-OS]

I would do the SOHC VTEC just for the price. I mean, I can get a b16 swap for $2700, or I can get a d16z6 swap for less than $600. Sure you won't have as much HP as the b16, but you'd have $2,000 more to spend on that d16. There's a lot you can do with $2,000 and there's plenty of aftermarket support for either engine.

[amy@af]

Originally posted by QuickSilverEF9
I guess I could go out to cali and have the drop shop swap it in they only charge $3000 for a basic swap but like I said I am in highschool I don't have that kind of time.

ummm, dropshop is in NH! i'm in OR, you can bring your car to me for 2-3 days you'll have a fun trip home!

ami

[MyFirst4G]

Originally posted by ci5ic
I found a D16Y8 from a '98 EX

Hey, i have a question, the d16y8 from 96-98 does not come with vtec rite? because my friend has a 98 EX and the head does not say Vtec. i thought vtec only came in the 92-95 ex and Si and the 99-00 ex. Please correct me if i am wrong!

[amy@af]

Originally posted by MyFirst4G


Hey, i have a question, the d16y8 from 96-98 does not come with vtec rite? because my friend has a 98 EX and the head does not say Vtec. i thought vtec only came in the 92-95 ex and Si and the 99-00 ex. Please correct me if i am wrong!

i have to correct ya my valve cover doesn't say vtec. i have to point it out to people who think i'm full of shit all the time. if you would like, i could post pics :hehe:

[QuickSilverEF9]

Na I am not going b16 its between ZC and SOHC VTEC... If I can find a low mileage d16y8 I will deffinatly do it.. I found one for $1000 on ebay but it has 50k on it..... If I swap a d16y8 it has to be low mileage. But for now I am thinking ZC..... the LSD sounds minghty good so does the DOHC factor.. No offense but I can sqeeze alot more power out of a DOHC head than an sohc head.. Although the Vtec would be nice for higher RPMS.. I think I should test drive both and give my 2 cents from that. Hmm decisions decisions....