Help the n00b (engine)

[Wozza]

Hey guys just thought I would ask for some help since I am a novice in all things engine. ops:

I have a 97 LXI EK Civic (1.6 SOHC - no v-tec!) (pictured in avatar) thats a manual and done just over 100k on the clock. Around town the engine is nippy as but when I'm wieghed down (often happens with mountain bike gear), taking passangers, overtaking, or going up hill on the highway - it just doesn't feel as responcive as I would like and I would be much happier with a little more pick-up when I put my foot down. For me a complete engine swap would probably be overkill so I was wondering what my options are - I'm not expecting my car to turn into a supercar or anything though lol.

I was considering one of these 'mini-me's' I have heard about to get a v-tec boost and also a few other mods such as intake - what kind of effect would this have on my ride, is it worth doing cost wide in comparison to a swap? Would I have to worry about any issues like certing? Is it even worth doing and what kind of costs would I be looking at? Oh andd is it even possible with an LXI?

Now I know I could just trade-in on a SIR EK (I do like my EK's) but I have alreadyput in my sounds - which wouldn't be hard to swap, but have also put in a very nice alarm which really would not be worth the hassle of swapping and I would have to buy another one. Oh and I'll probably have a towbar fitted soon for a bike rack too - that and I really like my car and know it's really straight, have recently done the big 100k service, new tires ect since I bought it - basically what I'm saying is I have spent too much on it now to justify getting a differant EK whoops.

Not something I want to do straight away, but I like to have things in mind for the future. Anyway, let me know what you think and make a few comments about what a n00b I am ( ). I did do a search but didn't find anything that seemed specific to my situation.

Thanks in advance guys and gals. Help my Honda.

[Trivium]

Doing your standard mods such as Intake, extractors and exhaust, maybe new injectors..might get you enough power to be noticable

But if your wanting that increase in grunt it'd make alot more sence to just swap in a b16a (DOHC VTEC)

Then again, its all down to how much you want to spend and how far you want to go

[Wozza]

An engine swap could be a possibility - depends on the differance on price between it and a 'mini-me'. I'm thinking my 1.6 with v-tec would be pretty nice, although obviously not as nice as a swap... :twisted: Oh there goes temptation again.

Yeah either way would get the standard mods done as well eventually.

[SQUERT]

Put a rotor in it au!!!I'm only joking mate but it had to be said.

As Trivium said do your usual mods, I/H/E and see how that goes.If it doesn't furfil your needs do what you have to.Be that bigger injectors, conversion to a different engine etc.
I'm sure you will be suprised at the difference I/H/E will make

[monsterbishi]

honda's dont have tourque bro. you better get use to it.

when most b16a powered hondas are full with people or trailer etc, they arnt quick.

[SQUERT]

Originally Posted by monsterbishi

honda's dont have tourque bro. you better get use to it.

when most b16a powered hondas are full with people or trailer etc, they arnt quick.

Haha that is so true!!!

[hontegra]

a Mini-Me is a SOHC non-vtec with a Vtec head...since yours is a DOHC it's more of an LS/VTEC swap which would be a B18a/B18b block and Vtec head...which can be done but take it from me, don't bother...just buy a B16a or B18c and put that in

[Wozza]

lol not hoping for miracles when I have people in but would like a little more pick-up even just when I'm on the highway anyway. Not going to be towing - towbar is for bikes only lol.

Anyways thought I'd post up a picture as the exterior is still stock too it's not worth making a new topic but as I'm new you might like to see it. Thats just a strap on bike rack for the moment, I'm paranoid using it for anything other than trips through town to Makara though so want a towbar.



Anyways back to my engine

[BurgerBoy]

Wozza means SOHC not DOHC.

Just slap a big fat turbo on it Sam, that will get you up those Wellington hills quickly haha

[Wozza]

Originally Posted by hontegra

a Mini-Me is a SOHC non-vtec with a Vtec head...since yours is a DOHC it's more of an LS/VTEC swap which would be a B18a/B18b block and Vtec head...which can be done but take it from me, don't bother...just buy a B16a or B18c and put that in

True?

Is that much of a mission in my car and how much would I be looking at? And what else would I need?

[Wozza]

Originally Posted by BurgerBoy

Wozza means SOHC not DOHC.

Just slap a big fat turbo on it Sam, that will get you up those Wellington hills quickly haha

Do I? Whoops thought it was DOHC for some reason

//n00b spank

[BurgerBoy]

Originally Posted by Wozza

Do I? Whoops thought it was DOHC for some reason

//n00b spank

no dohc for you. remember we talked about this a little when i was down there. oh this is Dirk in case you didn't work it out. 8)

[Wozza]

Haha yup I just didn't remember exactly what you said. ops:

I like your dogbite comic btw lmao.

[H1RISK]

yeah yours is a D16Y4, 1600 sohc non vtec fuel injected motor.
depending on what you really want, I'd say just get an intake, and exhaust, and that should go good, they react to breathing mods like that, and should be enough to carry a load. You also need to learn the characteristics of this engine to be able to drive it with the potential of what its got, not much but it does have enough balls to do what you listed above. Even just with an intake and filter, these things can go, just depends on how much of a driver you are.

but yeah, a small turbo setup would go great on this if you wanted to go to that next level. Conversion wouldn't be really worth it for you as you want just that little bit extra, and dont bother with 'mini-me' conversion because theres not much info here in NZ for doing minime swaps.. best to just change the engine if you wanna go down that route.

[hontegra]

I was wondering how it could be DOHC ...In that case the mini-me swap isn't to bad to do and not that expensive however, it still won't be fast...so just bolt a hair dryer on and that'll get you moving.

[Wozza]

Small turbo eh? Sounds interesting.

Wheres a good place to find out about this in welly?

[Trivium]

For the cost of a small turbo, all your parts needed for that, plus the zorst etc, wouldnt it just be cheeper to go with a b16a? or b18c for a little more "omph"

[hontegra]

Originally Posted by Trivium

For the cost of a small turbo, all your parts needed for that, plus the zorst etc, wouldnt it just be cheeper to go with a b16a? or b18c for a little more "omph"

meh you can build a turbo D for the same price and have more power then a B16a or B18c. Just gotta find the right parts for the right price :wink:

[Shadow Sol]

engine swap - i wouldnt bother spending money on the engine you currently have - if you dont want to go that far then you could try a basic low boost turbo set up

[CIVTEC]

Honestly, don't bother with I/H/E ...
Either turbo the D series or do a conversion. :wink:

[[QUIKdc2]]

Originally Posted by Wozza

Anyway, let me know what you think and make a few comments about what a n00b I am ( ).

Don't be so hard on yourself

[Horny_Devil]

Originally Posted by CIVTEC

Honestly, don't bother with I/H/E ...
Either turbo the D series or do a conversion. :wink:

i totally and whole heartedly agree with the above statement. and i know from experience

[David R]

If you want any noticable gain in "grunt" for moving heavy loads then turbo it. Can be done cheap and reliable if you do some reaserch, get some hook-ups and don't crank the boost up...

[americ_ian]

just chuck a jrsc kit on it,for the little more torque getting up a hill etc etc

:wink: less work than a turbo system, and more reliable i bet too
but big buck$ but wel worth it in the end :wink:

meh im in the realms of fantasy again

[H1RISK]

lets all remember that he states he wants a little more out of his engine, not a full race engine guys :wink: