Mini-me or Full D16Z6

D15, D16, D17 and Mini-Me swaps
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Mini-me or Full D16Z6

By EricM
- Sat Nov 28, 2009 5:20 am #158723 So I've got quite the dilemma on my hands. I can't decide whether or not I want to do a head swap on my 1993 dx (157k miles) or just do the full D16Z6 swap. I want to boost the setup by next March. I'm keeping stock internals and this will be a daily driver. So I want very good reliability. I'm shooting for 200hp (at flywheel). I would probably swap the dx tranny to an ex (eventually) if I did swap the heads. But I'm wondering if the compression would be too high to boost the mini-me and be a daily driver. What seems to be most cost effective and reliable on a turbo setup? I'm not wanting to spend over $1,500 on both the swap and turbo. Am I asking way too much here?
Recap:
d16z6 swap or mini me
reliable turbo setup capable of 200hp daily driving
All for $1,500

By dipdawg
- Sat Nov 28, 2009 5:39 am #158726 If it were me i would get a low milage z6. I see good deals on craigslist all the time, but a head is pretty cheap on their too. You could sell your motor and trans and have more money for your turbo build.
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By chrono404
- Sat Nov 28, 2009 6:00 am #158731 You would be better getting a JDM d15b(1.5liter version of the d16z6 with a more extreme cam) or a ZC VTEC(JDM Version of d16z6) as it will have much less mileage on it then a USDM D16z6,

Buying an engine on craigslist can lead to much misery when you have to rebuild parts, or replace rod bearings. I have been there personally, it sucks and isn't cheap. I would recommend a reputable retailer online like hmotorsonline and tigerjapanese.

By EricM
- Sat Nov 28, 2009 6:19 am #158736 What would be cheapest and best for hitting my 200hp goal with boost? A D15B or ZC. (Are fuel mpgs better on the 1.5 or 1.6?)
There's usually not many d16's for sale around my area (maybe 1 or 2 at local salvage yards with high miles) so going JDM would be more reliable and not as big a risk. If I do that though, there would be a rather large dent in my budget of $1,500, considering most D15B swaps are around $800. In reality, I wanted to spend about 500-600 on a full swap or even less for a mini-me. That way I could devote more cash to a turbo setup rather than a swap.
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By chrono404
- Sat Nov 28, 2009 6:51 am #158738
EricM wrote:What would be cheapest and best for hitting my 200hp goal with boost? A D15B or ZC. (Are fuel mpgs better on the 1.5 or 1.6?)
There's usually not many d16's for sale around my area (maybe 1 or 2 at local salvage yards with high miles) so going JDM would be more reliable and not as big a risk. If I do that though, there would be a rather large dent in my budget of $1,500, considering most D15B swaps are around $800. In reality, I wanted to spend about 500-600 on a full swap or even less for a mini-me. That way I could devote more cash to a turbo setup rather than a swap.


MPGs wont matter much as you will be getting a retune when you turbo your car. if you have a good tune you can make 200hp and still have the ability to get 30mpg. You wont want to with the extra power however its doable.

Either should be able to hit 200hp with any decent turbo. Peak Hp doesn't really mean to much, you should get a turbo that will give you a good power band of usable power. Such as if you want good throttle response a smaller turbo like a t25 will be better then bigger turbo such as a t3 or t4. However if you want higher hp #'s a t3 or t4 is a better bet. I would go with the t25 personally as it would spool quickly, thus giving quick response and will fit the power band of a D Series engine.

I would personally get the ZC VTEC if I had a choice, however atleast locally to me they are much harder to get then the JDM d15b.

By EricM
- Sat Nov 28, 2009 4:01 pm #158766 Yeah I wanted to go with a small turbo. I had a friend who can sell me a dsm 14b turbo for $100. Polished and no smoke and shaft play. I was thinking home-made setup, rather than a greddy kit.
So I will be ordering an engine from TigerJapanese.com
I'm thinking that the d15b will be easier to swap since its very similar to my engine. But I was thinking maybe just to buy the engine and keep my dx tranny. Would that be smart? Or should I spend more money and buy a tranny online?

http://www.tigerjapanese.com/index.php? ... &Itemid=26

or

http://www.tigerjapanese.com/index.php? ... &Itemid=26

Remember, the more money I save on a swap, the more I have to work with for a turbo.
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By chrono404
- Sat Nov 28, 2009 4:32 pm #158769 Dont get the ZC Tranny, Rather the JDM D15b Tranny. Reason being it has shorter gears like our USDM d16z6 "Ex/si" Tranny. Transmission will be huge.

Its unbelivable what a difference the transmission will make. Highly Highly recommended.
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By Greasedmonkey
- Sat Nov 28, 2009 5:30 pm #158780
dipdawg wrote:If it were me i would get a low milage z6. I see good deals on craigslist all the time, but a head is pretty cheap on their too. You could sell your motor and trans and have more money for your turbo build.


These do not exist.

Just nab a JDM d15b. So much better.

By EricM
- Sat Nov 28, 2009 6:44 pm #158784 would buying the d15b tranny be best or save money and locally get an ex tranny?
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By ikon
- Sat Nov 28, 2009 9:18 pm #158801 i bought a d15b for 585 and threw an 96-00 ex tranny on it. awesome setup.plus ill be pushing 13psi soon.

By EricM
- Sat Nov 28, 2009 10:07 pm #158806 can I match the d16y8's tranny with the d15B? The 96-00 ex tranny is a generation newer.
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By chrono404
- Sun Nov 29, 2009 1:31 am #158827
EricM wrote:can I match the d16y8's tranny with the d15B? The 96-00 ex tranny is a generation newer.

All 92-00 D Series Transmissions are compatible.

The 96-00 D Series transmissions have stronger shift forks making them a stronger transmission.

If you look on the front of your transmission you will see a lable saying "s-20" If its a 92-95 Transmission and an "S-40" if its a 96-00 Transmission. On the back of the transmission by the differential, will be a stamping. If it says "b000" its a Ex/Si Transmission, if its a "a000" its a longer geared Transmission.

Good luck, I would personally buy a JDM Tranny as I know I would be getting a good one, I have been screwed over to many times on craigslist.

By EricM
- Sun Nov 29, 2009 2:43 am #158843 Thanks for all your help! Hopefully I can get a good turbo setup with this swap.
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By Greasedmonkey
- Sun Nov 29, 2009 6:06 pm #158916 the 92-95 ex/si tranny will work, as well as the 96-00 ex tranny. I have a 93 Si tranny on mine.


The JDM d15b tranny is a very nice one, since it has a LSD in it. otherwise its just like the ex/si trannys we have.
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