Questions about swapping motors...

[sebas32192]

Alright guys. I have posted on here before, and some of you may even be able to identify my screen-name by now as that of a true noob. But nonetheless here goes: I now have a 1989 Civic Hatch EF with a D15B2. Now, to the best of my knowledge, hatches didn't come with these motors originally. The car runs fine and all, and has a complete si interior swap; however i would like to make it V-Tech. This is where the swapping questions come in. Here in El Paso, I've seen certain civics running around with a head that belongs on a D16Z6 and a bottom-block that belongs to a D15y8 (I think that was it). Are there any ways to tell of compatibility with different combinations? I mean, locally on Craigslist there is someone selling a B16a head that i would love to slap on to the D15B2 bottom i have. Would that make my car V-tech, or does the V-tech mechanism lie in the whole motor overall?

I do understand that swapping motors will potentially demand different transmissions, ecu, etc...

Could i slap the B16a on the bottom portion of my D15B2 motor?
Would i then have a motor capable of V-tech (so long as I replaced the ECU)?

Thanks guys!

 

[emerican]

will not work you are tryin to put a DOHC head on a SOHC block
This begs the question if you could actually get your hands on a b series head and where ready to attempt this why not just swap to a beseries anyway but to answer your question again it will 100 percent not work nothing will line up right not possible sorry man

 

[emerican]

To answer the other question that i just saw vtec is in the head
so swapping a y8 head or z6 head onto it would make it vtec
if you do do a mini me swap you have to have a vtec ecu or the vtec will not engage
to be complely honest with you before you attempt anything of this nature please wait reasearch wait some more
and im not going to but misspelling vtec will get you jumped on by some folks

 

[sebas32192]

ah alright i see.
I had read that somewhere before; i guess not having much experience in these matters leaves a bit too much room for error.
Now, let's say i were to put a D16Z6 head on the bottom block of my D15B2. Since they are both SOHC, would that make my new build V-tech? Would it line up that way?

 

[emerican]

as far as i know it will line up d series.org will have a sticky on it i belive
it would make it vtec
you would have to have a vtec ecu for either an auto or manual whichever yours is
it is going to be alot of work and if this is your dd dont think it will be done in a short amount of time especially since this is going to be a learning experience
have you ever worked on or modded cars before if so what have you done?

 

[sebas32192]

vtec is in the head. cool.
and i haven't done any project before, but that's why i'm asking all of these questions that seem ridiculous (even spelling vtec incorrectly).
how should i approach the project? Time and money are no obstacle. I have a second car to move around in, and i don't mind waiting longer to fully inform myself on the process.

 

[d-proff]

Gotta start somewhere only way to learn is asking questions and reading up

 

[emerican]

Gotta start somewhere only way to learn is asking questions and reading up

thats exactly right
you need to start reading up on the swap itself and figure out your parts list i have never done this swap but ive pulled heads off to do head gaskets or send them to the machine shop so it isnt to difficult you just need to take your time and do not try and rig anything this is one of those things that has to be done right the first time
i cant give you the parts list of what you need d series.org or maybe even a google search can yield you that
do you have access to all the tools to do this ?
you also need to be careful buying the head itself there could be a million things wrng with it warped bent valves what have you

 

[emerican]

you will need a complete z6 head including dizzy/head/tb/intake mani
new head gasket
you need z6 head studs
the z6 and y8 head gaskets and timing belts are the same as far as i know so whichever is more readily available
there's a oil jet thats on the blocks deck on the firewall side in the middle. you have to take that out cuz the head has one in it and if you don't take it out it wont pop vtec. you can take this out with anything from a pick to a screw.
use the timing belt from the head you're using
Always use the water pump and tension for the block you have not the head since they both bolt to the block.
what ecu are you plannig on runnig
and if you cant do it you need someone who knows how to adjust timming to do it cause im sure you would hate to do this crank it and it all be over

i prolly missed some things im just trying to get you started so if i missed something or left it out i apolgize but like i said i dont know the whole parts list thats just from me sitting down and thinking for a few min

 

[DaOne]

BTW when you put a VTEC HEAD on a NON-VTEC BLOCK. Thats reffered to as a MINI ME.

 

[emerican]

i wrote that in one of my posts but i didnt want to confuse him if he didnt understand the term

 

[sebas32192]

alright. I see. I do appreciate the help guys.

 

[emerican]

you will need a complete z6 head including dizzy/head/tb/intake mani
new head gasket
you need z6 head studs
the z6 and y8 head gaskets and timing belts are the same as far as i know so whichever is more readily available
there's a oil jet thats on the blocks deck on the firewall side in the middle. you have to take that out cuz the head has one in it and if you don't take it out it wont pop vtec. you can take this out with anything from a pick to a screw.
use the timing belt from the head you're using
Always use the water pump and tension for the block you have not the head since they both bolt to the block.
what ecu are you plannig on runnig
and if you cant do it you need someone who knows how to adjust timming to do it cause im sure you would hate to do this crank it and it all be over

i prolly missed some things im just trying to get you started so if i missed something or left it out i apolgize but like i said i dont know the whole parts list thats just from me sitting down and thinking for a few min

that should get you started man if you have all that then your ready besides prolly odds and ends things that i have left out good luck with it if you do follow through keep us updated