Rebuild D16 or go ZC?

ksconekiller · Rebuild D16 or go ZC?

I've only been driving my 90 EX for a couple of weeks, but I noticed it started losing power and there has been more smoke from the exhaust, especially on acceleration. I did a compression check today, and the rings are shot. I need to decide what course to take, so I'm asking for opinions. Here are the options:

1) Rebuild the D16A6 that is in the car, which has 173k on it. This would include a full teardown of the block and head, with machine work on everything to make it like new. The car would be out of service for probably a month, and I'd have a fresh stock engine when it was done. Down the road, I'd want to modify this for more power.

2) Buy a freshly built D16A6 that is ready to be installed. This would minimize downtime, as I could drive the car until the engine arrived and then do the swap. This option would have the same result as the first, but the downtime is less though the cost is more.

3) Screw the D16A6 and drop in a ZC. This option seems the most appealing from a performance standpoint, but the engine would have some miles on it, as opposed to one of the first options with a fresh engine. The upside is that I wouldn't feel as much need to modify the ZC since it starts with more power anyway.

From a cost perspective, option 1 would be the cheapest at about $500, but the car would be down for a while, which would be inconvenient (though I do have another daily driver). Option 2 would cost about double but would be quicker, and the end result would be the same as option 1. Option 3 would cost about the same as option 2 but with more power and mileage. One other perk to the last option is that it would leave me with a spare D16A6 that I could use for parts or a rebuild for my STS Civic if I needed one. That alone may make my decision.

What are your opinions?

Thanks,
Mike

immorality

I'd just buy another used engine (in known good condition) unless you are looking for some more performance, then I'd suggest a z6 or maybe a B series.

Mattes

I'd buy another, new/used engine. The costs are to high to repair the old one.... Confused

88Dark_CivLude

1+ on what immorality said! Cool

z6 its a pound for pound good swap with more options in the area of aftermarket support parts than the ZC's

hondacivicdx

Find a japan motor with at least 40 thousand miles on it, and find
on that will give you at least a six month warranty on it.This is what i did.I hate to say it look on e-bay. I havent had trouble out of mine.Running like a champ.CALL Unitex Trading company. There
out of webester Texas, i will give you the number if you send me a private e-mail? (That's a good company) six month's warranty on the motor. Talk to vincent he's good.we talk now about once every
other month. That's where ive got my motor from for around $595.00, but i could have gotten a vtech from them for around $650.00 Just check them out.

~Sp33~

What kind of ZC where you looking at, most have the same power output as an a6.

ksconekiller

hondacivicdx-- check your PM

Steve-- I had considered the DOHC ZC (129 hp) when I wrote the first post. I have since added the Z6 to my list of candidates, as the ZC doesn't have as much aftermarket support.

BLKEF4DR

I WOULD STAY AWAY FROM THE DOHC ZC its known for the timing belt jumping,an its heavier with the same horse power as the sohc
an if you put a stock sohc against a dohc in the same type of car. sohc will win

~Sp33~

Type-S EF

i would have to go with option3 but because of aftermarket support, go with another engine, like the d15b, they are cheep, vtec and lower milage than any used engine you would find here in the states. Only down side being the requirement of going OBD1

ef9racer

me i would go with a z6 with a y8 cam and intake manifold

lxKruzer

loss of power, white smoke. sounds like blown head gasket. i know on stock motors the gaskets are pre MLS. equals crap gasket. just thought id drop that in case it was someone who told you it was blown pistons.

personally id choose rebuild for the learnin exp especially if you have another daily driver. i just rebuilt my motor from the head up for 150 bones. seein how pullin a motor is a breeze, you could bore the motor (can you on these? im used to 350's) update your pistons, update your valve train and cam and be happy with the turn out. thats my plan at least....we'll see how it goes.

ThurmanMerman

Have you thought about building it for boost? Eagle/Vitara piston set ups are getting sub $500 and have been proven to hold. Just a thought.

ksconekiller