Civic-EG.com Forum 3.3.1

- Mon Apr 18, 2011 5:31 pm #250981 Firstly I want to apologise if it seems that I've started up too many threads, I just want to be accurate in what I'm asking in order for me to get things done properly!

As some of you may have read from my 'Possible head gasket problem' thread, I've taken the head off (engine: d16z6) and it's now ready to be skimmed.

I've been advised that a good thing that I could do, to gain better efficiency + a bit more power, would be to get the head gas/port flowed, cleaned up etc.

My original plan was to get it up and running whilst I save up for a 'K swap', but the more I come on here, the more I want to freshen up and keep my D series and get more out of it

So, I've been thinking to keep it, replace my rusty old manifold with a 4-2-1 and a nice exhaust system.

The guy who said will gas/port flow the head, buff up and clean up all valves, skim it etc, said I could take my intake manifold in and see if he can do anything with that.

My questions are;

1. Is doing this a good idea?
2. Could I replace the cam? If not now, at a later stage without taking the head back off? Also would replacing the cam be a good thing to do to get more out of my engine?
3. Would doing that be worth it, then tune it etc?
4. In the future, would I be able to perhaps supercharge/boost it reliably?

I think by doing this would be more productive, less hassle (as far as doing a K swap goes), and money better spent. Plus the d16 will be cheaper to run.

Just would like your opinions regarding my situation with the D.

Thanks for reading.
Paul

- Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:41 pm #251014 I love my D and fully advocate keeping it. It's a robust little power plant and for a DD you really couldn't ask for a better engine.

On you your questions.

1) Yes I don't see why not. As long as the head is off you might as well see what you can do to get it to flow better.

2) You could, but it's really not a big deal to swap the cam out with the head on. I would wait on that until you figure out a build plan then you can more accurately select a cam to go with your planned setup.

*Gurus chime in here. I'm not sure what sort of effect the head work will have with a stock cam. Is it possible that it could hurt performance if there isn't a better cam in there to take advantage of the increased flow?

3) See #2

4) Yes. These little engines can take quite a beating even in stock form. I'm currently boosted and using a d15b7 bottom end with 200k miles. And it's taking the abuse like a champ. Just remember the reliability is all in the tune.

Straight lines are for sissies.

- Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:53 pm #251019 Thanks for your response, I hear what you're saying and thanks for the tips. There's a lot of love for the D's in the US than the UK. It's an inspiration to see what you guys can do with them.

Suppose it makes more sense to spend less money on obtaining a good power output of 150-200bhp (which would suit me fine) using the D than spending ££££'s on a Kswap.

*Gurus chime in here. I'm not sure what sort of effect the head work will have with a stock cam. Is it possible that it could hurt performance if there isn't a better cam in there to take advantage of the increased flow?

If this is the case, then I won't spend my money...can anyone shed some light on this?

Thanks AutoX for your reply!

- Tue Apr 19, 2011 3:34 am #251085 my research says it dont make much of a difference unless you pretty much rebuild the head

info from honda-tech

I have cleaned up/port& polished a bunch of sohc VTEC heads and fitted them with cam, cam gear and upgraded retainers and valve springs. Most were put in 92-95 H/bs but I’d like to see one on a mini-me setup.
Let me know if you need some guidance on your buildup. I have my self a daily driven 13sec all headwork motor in a crx(stock clutch too!). I have been working with these motors for the past 5 years. I personally don’t like Gude stuff, because they are old technology. I talk to Bill G himself once in a while and he is still stuck in 1997. He hasn’t changed anything since they came out with those cams. I doubt he is continuing R&D on his stuff.
Zex cams are pretty good but the disadvantage is the price. I use JG Engine dynamics cams since day one and I have the numbers to prove it. 138hp to the wheels with 117 lbs of torque(stock is like 96hp to the wheels). That’s more torque than a stock b16. b16 torques are only like 104-109lbs.
I understand the different budgets of different people. And there is a combination of parts out there to fit your needs and how much you want to spend.

EJ2 FoReVeR. My car is a whore

build thread http://civic-eg.com/viewtopic.php?t=18655
#1 COUPE CREW MEMBER

- Tue Apr 19, 2011 6:47 am #251119

my research says it dont make much of a difference unless you pretty much rebuild the head

info from honda-tech

I have cleaned up/port& polished a bunch of sohc VTEC heads and fitted them with cam, cam gear and upgraded retainers and valve springs. Most were put in 92-95 H/bs but I’d like to see one on a mini-me setup.
Let me know if you need some guidance on your buildup. I have my self a daily driven 13sec all headwork motor in a crx(stock clutch too!). I have been working with these motors for the past 5 years. I personally don’t like Gude stuff, because they are old technology. I talk to Bill G himself once in a while and he is still stuck in 1997. He hasn’t changed anything since they came out with those cams. I doubt he is continuing R&D on his stuff.
Zex cams are pretty good but the disadvantage is the price. I use JG Engine dynamics cams since day one and I have the numbers to prove it. 138hp to the wheels with 117 lbs of torque(stock is like 96hp to the wheels). That’s more torque than a stock b16. b16 torques are only like 104-109lbs.
I understand the different budgets of different people. And there is a combination of parts out there to fit your needs and how much you want to spend.

Headwork is useful even without rebuilding the head. If the valves and the stem seals are in good condition there's no reason to replace them. The only thing I would be worried about is the how the air going into the cylinder would be affected by the porting. I know that you get the most out of a bigger cam or a turbo head work is needed, but the stock honda head will flow fine to make 400 whp (good head work just makes it easier). It would probably be fine, but this is a part of engine building that I don't know enough about yet.

Also out of the three companies in that quote only one of them is really has a good reputation and that's ZEX. If the OP want's a cam Exospeed, Crower, Delta, Bisimoto, Zex and there are a few other I can't remember, would be good one's to look at ... it all depends on your budget.

Straight lines are for sissies.