STD

I haven't built one before, but I want an engine to put into my Civic, and this seemed like the place to go for opinions and suggestions. Tried to search but the feature doesn't seem to work. I'm looking for specific advice anyway. I figure if anyone's built something similar they'd probably be on here.


My goal: To build a reliable mini-me for daily driving.

Straight-line power is not a priority, I like cornering. I chose the mini-me because it's cheap, and it's been done before and proven to work.

From dyno charts I've seen, it looks like there's a bit more power after the cutoff point, so I'm planning on setting the cutoff at 8000RPM. As I said earlier, reliability is still a factor, so I'm planning on beefing up the internals to handle the higher redline and compression. I feel like the block and head could probably handle what I'm going to do to it, but I want it to be handling it for a while. I'm not going to be beating on it more than once in a while, so I think that if I do things right I could get 100,000 miles out of it if I'm careful. Not sure though.

Here's what I'm planning:

D16A6 short block.
Getting the crank balanced.
The stronger rods from the 1st gen Integra engine.
OEM pistons. Are there ones from another engine that would work better for this application?
Lightweight flywheel.
And I'm weighing my clutch options as well. I want something stiffer than stock, but not by much.

D16Z6 head
I'm going to want stronger springs to prevent that pesky valve float.
I assume I'm going to be running a cam eventually, but I want to get this thing tuned and running right before I worry about a cam. I'm open to recommendations though.

D16Z6 tranny.
Im going to be rebuilding the tranny as well, just to be on the safe side. The synchros will be replaced, but probably not much else except for the seals and ----, obviously anything damaged will be replaced though.

Engine management.
This is an area that I don't have much experience in. If anyone has any input I'd appreciate it.


PS.
Please don't flame the noob! I really don't want to have to join Honda-Tech or D-series.org.

ososlohatch

join honda-tech or d-series they'll care more

mike94se

******.

0b00st0

ALSO, this setup is not a mini-me. That refers specifically to using a VTEC head and a D15 bottom end.

Good luck.

EG-prince

I have a d16z6 head I will sell you. No intake manifold though, I'm using it. you can have my d15 one though?

Slo_crx1

The LS rod upgrade is probably the best bet for ultimate cheap d-series rods. He didn't mention it though, but just for piece of mind, get a set of ARP rod bolts for them...they have the same size bolts as stock d16's, and since they need a tiny bit of machine work anyway, might as well.
If you're looking to boost the motor, go with the vitara's. If staying n/a, just grab some d16a1 pistons and don't worry about the LS rods...could just use the entire d16a1 piston/rod combo and be done with it.
As for management (I'm going to assume an 88-91 ED chassis car, obd0), upgrade to obd1 and run a chipped p28 ecu, either Crome or Uberdata will work well and both are free programs. Like stated, check the Engine Management FAQ's and stickies for more info.

0b00st0

Spot on about the ARPs. I had them on the shelf and completely forgot to have the machine shop that did the rods install them.


Oh well.

STD

Takes one to know one!


Thanks for the info, this is really just about what I wanted. I was planning on the ARP studs, I forgot to mention that. I also forgot to mention that the car is a 91. I was under the impression that the mini-me was D16A6 w/ D16Y8 or Z6 head. Whatever it's called, I'm using an A6.

I'm going this route because I can use mostly junkyard parts, so no thanks on that head, I've got more than enough available at my junkyard.

I want the higher redline because I want some space for later when I'm running a cam and ITBs. If anyone thinks that it will still be unnecessary, I'll listen, though.

I'm not boosting it though, it seems like that makes Vitara pistons unnecesssary?

0b00st0

Ah, for no boost use A6 pistons, you could still use LS rods with APRs, but the stock A6 rods with ARPs will probably be fine depending on how hgih you are going rev.

Deck the head some to increase compression and get a nice cam.


All motor D is kinda weak, but whatever you want is what you want, but this is homemadeTURBO, so........

STD

Like I said, straight-line power is not a priority, just balance. If I can get 150whp with the cam and ITBs I'll be overjoyed beyond my wildest dreams. I'm just shooting for 120+

It's the reliability I'm looking for here, not just power. If I wanted power I'd boost an LS block, I could do that with mostly junkyard parts as well.