Turbo D16 or Swap for a B-Series

Topics that apply to all 92-95 civics
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Turbo D16 or Swap for a B-Series

By bigballing222333
- Mon Dec 13, 2010 3:33 am #227582 I have a 1994 Civic Coupe with a D16Z6, the motor has 193000. I have budget of 3000 and I cant make a decision on what to do. I want to get 200 to 250whp. My first option would be to turbo the current engine but it has such high mileage i don't know if it would be a good idea. My next idea was to build a ls/vtec but i heard they can be unreliable. Another option i was to swap a b18b and turboing it. I was also looking at a GSR but they are fairly expensive. I would any building or swapping my self.

What do you guys think I should do?

Is there any other things I could do that i haven't listed?
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By TrailerTrash
- Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:27 am #227590 buy a low milage D16Z6 or JDM D15B and throw some boost at that single jingle!
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By OleFolk
- Mon Dec 13, 2010 5:49 am #227596
TrailerTrash wrote:buy a low milage D16Z6 or JDM D15B and throw some boost at that single jingle!


x2 defiantly if you lookin for a daily driver to piss people off with
You can munch on random cars all day with keeping your reliability and gas mileage :thumb:
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By chrono404
- Mon Dec 13, 2010 6:10 am #227599 Depends on what you want out of your car.

If its your only car and you want 100% Reliability then a N/A Option would be a better route to go.

Turbo Setups, even with everything done right have Random oil leaks and you will blow gaskets. Look at Tealdx's and blacksilo build threads and the different troubles they have had. Granted their cars are fast and will beat a stock B series swap. However they are not hassle free.

Also if you do a Turbo D around 250hp is where the rods fail, some people say its after 200, but I have also heard closer to 250. Regardless you would need to build your D with Forged Rods/Pistons to make your power goal on a D.

You CAN build a Reliable LS/vtec. We have a DIY article on how to do it. If you get a 96+ block they already have the VTEC oil pump's on them.

I have a JDM 99 spec b20b(usdm spec b20z) with a 99-00 EM1 b16 tranny in a Heavy Del sol Si. Its faster then most of the turbo Singles locally, Shes also put down a GSR swap in a lighter eg hatch. I also walk away from b16 swaps like they are a D Series.

In addition to being darn quick, I can use 87 octane pump gas(all B vtecs have to use 92-93). I have no Oil leaks, I never blow smoke, I dont have to let my turbo cool down as their isn't one. Also if I need any replacement parts I can go to a Junkyard and get anything off a LS Integra.

I would recommend something like that over a Turbo D. I have though long and hard about doing one multiple times, However never have.

By Butterzz
- Mon Dec 13, 2010 3:29 pm #227629 You can put together a boosted D16 for about $2000 if you piece together your own kit. This won't be with brand name parts, and you'll only see about 8 psi or 200 whp. A lot of people will argue with me that no name turbo kit pieces are junk, but coming from someone that put together an ebay turbo D16Z6 setup for less than $2000, and beat the bag off it for a whole year eating cobalt SSs, SRT4s, and JDM B16 swaps for breakfast, it's cheap and fun.

However, I have to agree with Chrono on the issue of a daily driver. If this is your only car, go with something NA. The assembling and 'working out the kinks' on a turbo D is a long and tedious process.

By bigballing222333
- Mon Dec 13, 2010 11:06 pm #227669 If I went with turboing my current engine would this be a could kit to buy for building it for turbo. I also wanted to know if I would need to get it sleeved. This is my Daily Driver so I want it to be as reliable as possible.

http://fjdistributors.com/product_info. ... cts_id=564

Thanks for all you replies.
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By Classiccarsrule85
- Tue Dec 14, 2010 12:10 am #227685
Butterzz wrote:You can put together a boosted D16 for about $2000 if you piece together your own kit. This won't be with brand name parts, and you'll only see about 8 psi or 200 whp. A lot of people will argue with me that no name turbo kit pieces are junk, but coming from someone that put together an ebay turbo D16Z6 setup for less than $2000, and beat the bag off it for a whole year eating cobalt SSs, SRT4s, and JDM B16 swaps for breakfast, it's cheap and fun.

However, I have to agree with Chrono on the issue of a daily driver. If this is your only car, go with something NA. The assembling and 'working out the kinks' on a turbo D is a long and tedious process.


2k huh?? i mean i do understand where some of this number comes from but 2k thats alot i actually mixed and matched name brand and off brand and pretty much got everything even rods n pistons for 1k just never put it together lol but yea in all honesty id go with the single d turbo since in my mind d series are alot cooler then B series and if you want two camstheres always the dohc zc lol
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By dbrooks
- Sun Dec 19, 2010 6:17 am #228738 you can pick b20's up for fairly cheap as well. i have a buddy selling a fully built one with a b16 tranny for $1000. ive driven the eg its in and is fast as hell. youd be happier with that.
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By Honda4life
- Sun Dec 19, 2010 1:02 pm #228757 I'm currently working on my d16z6, but I also rebuilt it. I'm currently breaking it in and rebuilding the head as we speak. In all honesty a mild d series with just a cold air and headers can hang with a stock b16. If you go ls then you will have tq, but no v-tec unless you go ls-vtec which in my opinion is just over rated. I mean lsv can be quick and I've had some friends build them, but the majority of the time they don't last. It's depends all on your goals and how you drive. If it's your daily then rebuild the d series how you want it and d series is always overlooked and underrated. Also b series is more expensive if you break something , but cheaper than k series. If you do b series then go with a ls and turbo it or just a straight gsr. Like I said depends on your goals and as others stated about turboing a daily driver be aware that you can have many problems in the long run with leaks and such. Also you wanna be aware of the smog laws and if it will pass depending on what setup or build you go with. Good luck

By greengoblin
- Thu Jan 06, 2011 4:10 pm #231741 I boosted and built my d16 motor in a 92 civic sedan for about 1k and went 12.2 with very conservative timing on 18psi. If you dont count the car itself.

Full t3/t4 turbokit with rc440cc injectors and spare ecu. $400
Vitara pistons and scat rods $280
rc750cc $190
Walboro $80
Slicks/Wheels $250
Tuned by self crome

You have to have patience and look around in different classifieds and expecially friends if they dont want their stuff, you can get it for cheaper.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3140Uj0wSQ

Id say stick with Dseries much cheaper if your tranny or block blows and faster to find to replace.

B series expensive and takes time to find the trany. Everyone wants to hold on to theirs and not sell.
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