Honda help (Swap)

I'm looking at an all stock (except for engine) 1990 Civic Si for sale that is owned by a certified mechanic, or so the ad says anyway. The said engine swap is a Jdm dohc zc. I'm wanting to know if those are a good engine as far as reliability and for fun, daily driving. Also, is there anything I should ask about the swap? I've never swapped out an engine and always look for stock condition cars, so I'm a little nervous. Any help/advice is appreciated.

It's basically a twin cam version of the stock engine, although not exact. It's the simplest swap you can do on these cars. I wouldn't let it stop me from buying it.

Not a huge upgrade, but should add a little pep compared to stock. Also, should check off the fun and reliable boxes, depending on how much power you need to have fun.

Just get it checked out by another Honda mechanic. Even if it's a cheap car it's worth the potential headaches later. I like the independent shops, as they are usually more familiar with the older stuff. The dealership techs rarely see anything much older than an finished lease. YMMV.

IIRC, not all ZC's have the same HP. I think they range from like 112 to 130, but I may be wrong. Maybe someone else knows better. The 130HP engines make a pretty noticeable difference, but the lower HP engines not so much. Those were/are used as a replacement because of the availability of lower mile Jap engines, whereas the D16's are pretty used up here.

In reply to bravenrace:

Thanks for the heads up. The seller sent me a link to the one that had 130 hp. I'll have to confirm. If true, that's 22 hp increase without any modifications. Not bad. If I do get it, I'll have to get a hold of you at some point and talk suspension since he said it would need shocks down the road.

In reply to Fletch1:

Sure. I can be of more help with the suspension!

I don't know why someone would swap a ZC motor that wasn't the 130hp version, so it probably is. If the the original Civic was an EX/Si with the D16, then it is pretty much a direct replacement. If it was originally a D15 (dx) then there was also some wiring changes and new components to get the MPFI to work. Pretty easy stuff (hey, I did it once) but look for crappy wire splices just in case.

Suspension has more options than you can imagine!

In reply to pinchvalve:

I think people have swapped the lower HP versions, and SOHC versions because they are available with relatively low miles (if you believe that). Finding a comparable D16A6 is getting pretty hard. If you don't want to rebuild, and don't want to spend the money for the DOHC 130Hp version, one of the others may make sense....Although I wouldn't do it.

In reply to pinchvalve:

The entire car has the Si seats, so that's a good sign. Although they could have been swapped too. Many times something is advertised as something it's not. Hopefully it is a true Si.

In reply to bravenrace:

I would appreciate it. I'm not getting too excited until it's sitting in my new garage. I looked back through my e-mails and e-mailed this guy back in April when I first found it...then passed. He never did send pics I requested. I don't know what's worse, going through the homebuilding process or trying to find a clean EF Si.

Si's have a sunroof, you can't swap that so it's a good sign of a true Si.

In reply to DaveEstey:

Yup.

In reply to DaveEstey:

I did know about that... but work/homebuilding has taken away some of my brain cells. Thanks for the reminder Dave.

I'm surprised he still has it - they get snatched up pretty quickly.

bravenrace wrote: In reply to pinchvalve: I think people have swapped the lower HP versions, and SOHC versions because they are available with relatively low miles (if you believe that). Finding a comparable D16A6 is getting pretty hard. If you don't want to rebuild, and don't want to spend the money for the DOHC 130Hp version, one of the others may make sense....Although I wouldn't do it.

That is what the PO did with my car. The SOHC VTEC ZC is basically the same engine as the Z6.

I wouldn't be to worried though about buying a swapped car if it is in otherwise good shape.

In reply to Hasbro:

Odd thing is, this car was posted on a Honda board back in 2009 when it had the original engine. Why he still has it I have no idea. I also e-mailed him several times back in April and when it came to me asking if it had a clear title and requesting pics, he never did respond back. So I guess there could be a problem. By the way, nice black EP3. I have debated trading my '04 Civic coupe for one for years. But I like the idea of having an auto and stick. This said black Si would match my current Civic.

I have had very good luck with my DOHC ZC Swapped si hatch, it has gone from daily to autocross car to track car and is not spitting distance from Honda Challenge car. The body has 330k miles and the engine over 100k and it's going strong. The swap is as simple as it gets same engine mounts and the wiring harness requires one re pin of a conector to get the Si harness to work. You have to play around with parts compatibility on the JDM DOHC as it was very actually for sale in the US, thanks to Honda parts bin enginering alot of USDM parts interchange, timing belts are from an 85 prelude Si for instance. The Si trans can be used and retain the un-equal length factory axles or if the JDM ZC tans is used you need the intermediate shaft and can use 1993 era intega axles. All this interchangeability is documented on the net, just have to wade through it alla nd figure out what is accurate and what is not quite right. I would not to shy to buy a well swapped car as it is more a matter of looking at overall car condition as if it were a normal used car purchase rather than having to look for obvious problems with the swap.

If the ZC has a stock base model civic transmission in it, it will feel extremely slowwwwwwwwwwwww and boooooorrrrrrrrrrring.

If it has the d16a6 or other similar transmission... well damn. That transmission could make a lawnmower feel like a formula one mill!

Fletch1 wrote: In reply to Hasbro: By the way, nice black EP3. I have debated trading my '04 Civic coupe for one for years. But I like the idea of having an auto and stick. This said black Si would match my current Civic.

Thanks, but it took a lot to get it to handle well. My goal is 2175 lbs., which is what your '90 starts at and it zigs on a stock set up, not to mention how they zig zag with mods and weight loss.

Thanks for all the input guys. The ad is still posted, but the seller won't get back with me.

Taiden wrote: If the ZC has a stock base model civic transmission in it, it will feel extremely slowwwwwwwwwwwww and boooooorrrrrrrrrrring. If it has the d16a6 or other similar transmission... well damn. That transmission could make a lawnmower feel like a formula one mill!

4.11 final drive helps a ton.

Finally got some pics! It looks pretty good. Now to negotiate the price.

Fletch1 wrote: Why he still has it I have no idea.

Perhaps because he doesn't respond...

The seller sent alot of good pics. It looks very solid with no rust in sight. He said there was one small spot he fixed. All original except the Dohc Zc swap and the original hubcaps are missing off the steel wheels that are on it. Clean title. Many new parts (I asked for receipts, haven't heard back yet). If it checks out o.k., is $2500 a decent deal? He was asking $3200 and pretty much agreed to my offer of $2500. He's also willing to bring it to me 45 minutes away. Remember, this if Ohio and hard to find clean Jap cars.

Saaaay, Fletch, where exactly is this car.... Hey, If you are wanting to keep the car real stock, I think I might have a set of those wheel covers. Jim