New to Honda was looking for some advice. - HondaClub.com

dmonger · 04-19-2008, 07:55 PM

Hello everyone, I recently picked up a '99 Honda Civic EX and just had a few quick question. As far as I can tell I am running a D16 SOHC. My main question is how much work would be required to install a Vtec. After doing some reading I saw that some of the D16 engines come with Vtec so I am hoping it won't be too expensive and/or time consuming. I know I would have to find/buy a new ECU that registers the system but what else? Also where do you guys get your parts? The car had an off-brand WAI on it since I got it and was looking for a AEM or Injen CAI and a 4-2-1 header. I know Stillen sells parts but I have never liked buying from them since Steallin is overpriced on a lot of things. Any help you guys can offer me would be greatly appriciated. Thank you

**8695Beaters** · 04-23-2008, 09:33 PM

Yes, you can VTEC your D16. No, it's not worth it. As I have mentioned to a few people, you might as well find a wrecked Si and swap out everything. The B16 in it already has VTEC, bolts right in (if you got a full car or a clip) and will make much more power than any D-Series swap.

Where do you live? If it's anywhere other than Cali, then you have a lot of choices. Everything in Cali must be CARB legal.

93HondaSI · 04-24-2008, 01:45 AM

Correct me if i'm wrong but don't the 96-99 Ex's come with V-Tec?? And no he's right it's not really worth it. I have a 93 Si with it and on the SOHC it's not noticable at all when it kicks in.

**8695Beaters** · 04-24-2008, 06:41 AM

That's because SOHC motors (aka most of the D-Series) have very little head flow. There are a few decent D-Series swaps, but if you are going to swap an engine, you might as well move well up. The B16 is a DOHC VTEC and is nice and fast. You could even try a B18C from an Integra, but that's not as plug and play. The B16 comes straight out of another Civic so there is absolutely nothing more that you will need if you buy a clip. If you buy an entire junk car, then you can even swap the suspension, brakes, interior, wheels, tires, bumpers. Basically a DIY Si. I've told a lot of people to do this, but nobody has yet.

93HondaSI · 04-24-2008, 04:31 PM

Yea 8695Beater is right. If you're gonna swap don't use another D-series. Go with a B. Personally I'd go for the B18c1, but the B16 is a little less expensive if you're worried about your cash.

dmonger · 04-30-2008, 09:21 AM

What about transmissions would I have to pull one out from the Si that the b series came out of?

**8695Beaters** · 04-30-2008, 10:19 AM

Yes. Your old transmission won't work.

The B16 is a direct fit into your car. the B18 is not (it is also more expensive). Find a wrecked Si and strip it bare.

dmonger · 04-30-2008, 06:07 PM

I kinda figured I would have to grab the tranny. Oh well guess it wouldn't hurt since my second gear is giving me a real pain in the *** anyway.

**8695Beaters** · 04-30-2008, 08:04 PM

Hey all the more reason to have it done right?

If you can afford an LSD, now would be the time to get it installed. You will save a lot in labor costs.

**MugenEJ6AutoX** · 05-07-2008, 08:41 AM

Everyones reaction to a d-series is swap it. Its that thought pattern thats kind of fuc#ed up the honda tuning world. I have the same engine as you, the d16y8 v-tec. Mine however has been built by Mugen. But replace the cams, port it, give it some air to breathe and what you got is a 140hp engine with 135ftpd of torque. Thats the strong point of these engines, lot of torque in a light car. And a built d-series is much more reliable under boost, and guess what the torque is through the roof, i use it in autoX. It throws back in your seat. Don't swap, build, I've had 2 sohc v-tecs my last made 320hp + 260ftpd for 60k before it died.

04-19-2008, 07:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
dmonger Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3	New to Honda was looking for some advice. Hello everyone, I recently picked up a '99 Honda Civic EX and just had a few quick question. As far as I can tell I am running a D16 SOHC. My main question is how much work would be required to install a Vtec. After doing some reading I saw that some of the D16 engines come with Vtec so I am hoping it won't be too expensive and/or time consuming. I know I would have to find/buy a new ECU that registers the system but what else? Also where do you guys get your parts? The car had an off-brand WAI on it since I got it and was looking for a AEM or Injen CAI and a 4-2-1 header. I know Stillen sells parts but I have never liked buying from them since Steallin is overpriced on a lot of things. Any help you guys can offer me would be greatly appriciated. Thank you

04-23-2008, 09:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
8695Beaters Geek In Training Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,230	Yes, you can VTEC your D16. No, it's not worth it. As I have mentioned to a few people, you might as well find a wrecked Si and swap out everything. The B16 in it already has VTEC, bolts right in (if you got a full car or a clip) and will make much more power than any D-Series swap. Where do you live? If it's anywhere other than Cali, then you have a lot of choices. Everything in Cali must be CARB legal. __________________ "I really like going fast. Just go off and meditate in the wind, you know? As corny as it sounds it works and feels good. It's a good way to just let the weight of the world off every once in a while...is this a big pose? I mean, yes this is a pose! I mean am I driving down the street to not get noticed in this thing? I mean rebellious is what this thing is I would say!!!" -James Hetfield

04-24-2008, 01:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
93HondaSI Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 218	Correct me if i'm wrong but don't the 96-99 Ex's come with V-Tec?? And no he's right it's not really worth it. I have a 93 Si with it and on the SOHC it's not noticable at all when it kicks in. __________________ Imports before Muscle everytime. The same goes for women.

04-24-2008, 06:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
8695Beaters Geek In Training Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,230	That's because SOHC motors (aka most of the D-Series) have very little head flow. There are a few decent D-Series swaps, but if you are going to swap an engine, you might as well move well up. The B16 is a DOHC VTEC and is nice and fast. You could even try a B18C from an Integra, but that's not as plug and play. The B16 comes straight out of another Civic so there is absolutely nothing more that you will need if you buy a clip. If you buy an entire junk car, then you can even swap the suspension, brakes, interior, wheels, tires, bumpers. Basically a DIY Si. I've told a lot of people to do this, but nobody has yet. __________________ "I really like going fast. Just go off and meditate in the wind, you know? As corny as it sounds it works and feels good. It's a good way to just let the weight of the world off every once in a while...is this a big pose? I mean, yes this is a pose! I mean am I driving down the street to not get noticed in this thing? I mean rebellious is what this thing is I would say!!!" -James Hetfield

04-24-2008, 04:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
93HondaSI Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 218	Yea 8695Beater is right. If you're gonna swap don't use another D-series. Go with a B. Personally I'd go for the B18c1, but the B16 is a little less expensive if you're worried about your cash. __________________ Imports before Muscle everytime. The same goes for women.

04-30-2008, 09:21 AM	#6 (permalink)
dmonger Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3	What about transmissions would I have to pull one out from the Si that the b series came out of?

04-30-2008, 10:19 AM	#7 (permalink)
8695Beaters Geek In Training Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,230	Yes. Your old transmission won't work. The B16 is a direct fit into your car. the B18 is not (it is also more expensive). Find a wrecked Si and strip it bare. __________________ "I really like going fast. Just go off and meditate in the wind, you know? As corny as it sounds it works and feels good. It's a good way to just let the weight of the world off every once in a while...is this a big pose? I mean, yes this is a pose! I mean am I driving down the street to not get noticed in this thing? I mean rebellious is what this thing is I would say!!!" -James Hetfield

04-30-2008, 06:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
dmonger Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3	I kinda figured I would have to grab the tranny. Oh well guess it wouldn't hurt since my second gear is giving me a real pain in the *** anyway.

04-30-2008, 08:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
8695Beaters Geek In Training Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,230	Hey all the more reason to have it done right? If you can afford an LSD, now would be the time to get it installed. You will save a lot in labor costs. __________________ "I really like going fast. Just go off and meditate in the wind, you know? As corny as it sounds it works and feels good. It's a good way to just let the weight of the world off every once in a while...is this a big pose? I mean, yes this is a pose! I mean am I driving down the street to not get noticed in this thing? I mean rebellious is what this thing is I would say!!!" -James Hetfield

05-07-2008, 08:41 AM	#10 (permalink)
MugenEJ6AutoX Honda's are addicting Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 175	Everyones reaction to a d-series is swap it. Its that thought pattern thats kind of fuc#ed up the honda tuning world. I have the same engine as you, the d16y8 v-tec. Mine however has been built by Mugen. But replace the cams, port it, give it some air to breathe and what you got is a 140hp engine with 135ftpd of torque. Thats the strong point of these engines, lot of torque in a light car. And a built d-series is much more reliable under boost, and guess what the torque is through the roof, i use it in autoX. It throws back in your seat. Don't swap, build, I've had 2 sohc v-tecs my last made 320hp + 260ftpd for 60k before it died.

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