Can I upgrade my header to VTec?

[Anarchi]

Hi all,

I have a JDM 92 Civic Si with a D16A8 (Japanese ZC) Engine and I am thinking of installing a VTec header. I am kind of a n00b when it comes to engines so I need a low-down of what is involved in a header conversion.


Firstly, how expensive would this conversion cost?

Secondly, would I need to source original Honda parts or are there aftermarket conversion kits available?


More car details below:

 

[Sound Streamin']

Im not really sure what you mean by a vtec header.

A header is a header. If they call it a vtec header, it's just a name to get you to buy it. A performance header should work the same whether you have vtec or not.

 

[Anarchi]

What is replaced when you replace the header? Does it involve the cams?

 

[Shiznit]

the header it the piping that connects your block to your exhaust. its those four pipes that come out of the front of people engines. the header is not the vtec. vtec is completely different. while all cars have at least one header. not all cars have vtec.

 

[Rick James]

Originally posted by Anarchi
What is replaced when you replace the header? Does it involve the cams?

No the cams are not part of the header at all. and vtec has to do with the engine and when it gets to a certain RPM

 

[Bangin' HB]

i wonder if terms are being confused and he is talking about doing a mini-me swap?

 

[Team 4R]

Originally posted by Bangin' HB
i wonder if terms are being confused and he is talking about doing a mini-me swap?

ya, sounds like he wants to do a head swap........

 

[Sound Streamin']

If you do indeed mean a Vtec head conversion it shouldn't cost too terribly much.You should be able to find an SOHC vtec head for relativly cheap. Then it's really just getting a new gasket, swapping the head, and wiring up the vtec.

I have heard from a few people that head swaps can be leaky in the long run, but I've never experienced this myself.

 

[Anarchi]

Sorry yes, Bangin HB you are right, for some reason I was under the impression a header swap was the same as a mini-me swap.

Since SOHC VTECS have similar HP to a DOHC non vtec, it would be a waste of time.

Looking at the list, there doesnt seem to be a D Series DOHC VTEC
Is it possible to mini-me a B Series (B16xx) DOHC VTEC into my D16A8?

Here is a list of B series engines I found:

B16 1.6 16V DOHC VTEC PGM-FI 1595 158hp@7600rpm 112tq@7000rpm '90-'93 Integra XSi/RSi (JDM)
B16A 1.6 16V DOHC VTEC PGM-FI 1595 160hp@7800rpm 111tq@7300rpm '89-'91 Civic SiR (JDM)
B16A 1.6 16V DOHC VTEC PGM-FI 1595 170hp@7800rpm 116tq@7300rpm '92-'95 Civic (EUR)
B16A1 1.6 16V DOHC VTEC PGM-FI 1595 160hp@7600rpm 111tq@5200rpm '90-'91 Civic SiR (JDM)
'90-'91 CRX SiR (JDM)
B16A2 1.6 16V DOHC VTEC PGM-FI 1595 160hp@7600rpm 111tq@7000rpm '99-'00 Civic Si (USA) >
B16A3 1.6 16V DOHC VTEC PGM-FI 1595 160hp@7600rpm 111tq@7000rpm '93-'94 DelSol VTEC (USA)
B16A4 1.6 16V DOHC VTEC PGM-FI 1595 170hp@7800rpm ?? '96-'00 Civic Si-RII (JDM)
B16B 1.6 16V DOHC VTEC PGM-FI 1595 185hp@8200rpm 118tq@7500 '98-'01 Civic Type-R (JDM)


And the D Series:

D16A1 1.6 16V DOHC PGM-FI 1590 113hp@6250rpm 99tq@5500rpm '86-'89 Integra (USA)
D16A3 1.6 16V DOHC PGM-FI 1590 118hp@6500rpm 103tq@5500rpm '88-'89 Integra (USA)
D16A6 1.6 16V SOHC PGM-FI 1590 108hp@6000rpm 100tq@5000rpm '88-'91 Civic Si
'88-'91 CRX Si
D16A8/9 1.6 16V DOHC PGM-FI 1595 137hp@6800rpm 108tq@5700rpm '88-'91 Civic/CRX Si (JDM) '90-'93 Integra LS/RS (USA)
D16Y5 1.6 16V SOHC VTEC-E PGM-FI 1590 115hp@6200rpm 104tq@5400rpm '96-'00 Civic HX (USA)
D16Y7 1.6 16V SOHC PGM-FI 1590 106hp@6200rpm 103tq@4600rpm '96-'00 Civic CX/DX/LX (USA)
D16Y8 1.6 16V SOHC VTEC-II PGM-FI 1590 127hp@6600rpm 107tq@5500rpm '96-'00 Civic EX (USA)
D16Z6 1.6 16V SOHC VTEC PGM-FI 1590 125hp@6600rpm 106tq@5200rpm '92 - '95 Civic EX/Si (USA)
'93-'95 Del Sol Si (USA)
D17A1 1.7 16V SOHC PGM-FI 1668 115hp@6100rpm 110tq@4500rpm '01-'02 Civic DX/LX (USA)
D17A2 1.7 16V SOHC VTEC-II PGM-FI 1668 127hp@6300rpm 114tq@4800rpm '01-'02 Civic EX (USA)



Also, what parts are involved in a mini-me swap?

 

[Sound Streamin']

Definitly not a waste of time.

My brother has a JDM SOHC Vtec ZC in his 95 hatch. His friend has the DOHC non-vtec ZC in his 92 hatch. After doing all the possible mods on both engines, aside from forced induction and or nitrous, my brother runs 7 tenths faster in the quarter mile.

Ask any true drag racer, and they will tell you that 7 tenths is a lot.

And also from what I've seen a B series head wont fit on a d series engine.

 

[civicvtecD16]

Originally posted by Anarchi
Hi all,

I have a JDM 92 Civic Si with a D16A8 (Japanese ZC) Engine and I am thinking of installing a VTec header. I am kind of a n00b when it comes to engines so I need a low-down of what is involved in a header conversion.


Firstly, how expensive would this conversion cost?

Secondly, would I need to source original Honda parts or are there aftermarket conversion kits available?


More car details below:

You Mean "Head" right the valves, camshaft etc. I've been wondering that myself cuz well I've got a vtec but my friend doesnt

 

[Anarchi]

Yes thats right. Whats the engine code of your vtec?

Does it say VTEC on the top of the engine?

I am quite certain the ZC's are only DOHC non-VTEC.

 

[Mr. Lin]

Originally posted by Anarchi
I am quite certain the ZC's are only DOHC non-VTEC.

Are you only talking about civic motors? The Integra has Non-VTEC motors as well.

 

[Anarchi]

It doesnt matter really, the ZC was in Civics, CRX's, and Integras (and some rovers as well from what I gathered).

 

[Mr. Lin]

I was just wondering because I'm pretty sure that the B18B was Non-VTEC

 

[SiGSR]

Originally posted by Anarchi
Yes thats right. Whats the engine code of your vtec?

Does it say VTEC on the top of the engine?

I am quite certain the ZC's are only DOHC non-VTEC.

Actually, I've seen a SOHC VTEC ZC... I assume it's just like the d16z6. There's many varients of the ZC. And the one I saw just said ZC and nothing else. Doesn't help much in distinguishing the differences if they are all labeled ZC and nothing else.

 

[buzzbombtom]

i thought that jdm motors didnt have numbers at the end of the code?

 

[95civichatchcx]

the vtec head would help with acceration...the 92-93 ludes dont have vtec either but there dohc....how hard would it be to put a h22 head on a f22 block?

 

[Martin Racing Design]

Originally posted by buzzbombtom
i thought that jdm motors didnt have numbers at the end of the code?

yup.

I don't believe DOHC block will fit with SOHC head.

And the header is technically "behind" the motor, except Honda rotated their engine 180 degrees so it appears to be in the front. All relative, and just a tid-bit of knowledge for ya.

 

[Tom]

dohc zc motors all all non-vtec, sohc zc motors are v-tec, if im correct im not sure that i am, you canot use a sohc vtec head on a dohc zc motor, im not even sure if you can use the dohc vtec heads on the dohc zc motor either.