vtecing a non-vtec ek?

[steve88]

is it really worth it? im not keen on the whole engine swaps since i only have this one car and i really need it to work for 2 jobs/uni. i got a d16y4, wanted too basically "add vtec",
is it easy?
what sort of costs?
how long would it take with my + experienced friend of mine whos done nissan rebuilds?

i did a search but wasnt sure what too enter, my searches where too broad

[Dy_]

type in engine conversion, conversion, swap..along those lines.

there are heaps of conversion threads here. gl!

also depends on your budget etc

[Jamezy]

is it really worth it? im not keen on the whole engine swaps since i only have this one car and i really need it to work for 2 jobs/uni. i got a d16y4, wanted too basically "add vtec",
is it easy?
what sort of costs?
how long would it take with my + experienced friend of mine whos done nissan rebuilds?

i did a search but wasnt sure what too enter, my searches where too broad

well u cant just "ADD VTEC" u say u dont want 2 do engine swap but if u want vtec you have to buddy .. vtec is not a bolt on like turbo if thats wat u are finkin of ..

[1996ek1]

yes it is, mini-me....
Lol...


Search mini-me conversion its rather hard to understand it all though..

[Zdster]

well u cant just "ADD VTEC" u say u dont want 2 do engine swap but if u want vtec you have to buddy .. vtec is not a bolt on like turbo if thats wat u are finkin of ..

As stated above you can bolt on a vtec head.

[ACTI0NMAN-1]

there is just as much work in an engine swap as changing the head.
As to which one is easier to someone who is inexperienced, i'd say the engine swap.

[steve88]

thats the word i needed! lol found heaps of threads
http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=735196

that looks pretty straight forward, y8 head and a new ecu

why was he replacing pistons/rods though?? wouldnt you just basically remove the head, change gasket, put y7/y8 head on then rewire?
i would feel more confident doing this when i have bit more detail on the rewiring


there is just as much work in an engine swap as changing the head.
As to which one is easier to someone who is inexperienced, i'd say the engine swap.

yeh but i dont have $2-3k for a b16 let alone b18. im helping my friend with a k20/k24 anyway, once he's finished or i gain a lot of confidence of engine work from that i will probably have the balls too engine swap. but to me, a head swap isnt that hard cause ive seen it done

[xtercii]

for all the hassle and money you go thur, you get like 6 kw and you probably can't even feel a difference...

[dc2dc2dc2]

i agree don't bother doing it urself
just sell your car
and get a vtekked version
save you so much hassle.

[aaronng]

Putting in a d16y8 head on would be a waste of money as you only gain in drivability and not much in outright power to be able to even keep up with a b16a.

[est1989]

i agree don't bother doing it urself
just sell your car
and get a vtekked version
save you so much hassle.

couldnt say it better myself

[beeza]

That sounds correct but I know on D-series.org they are always talking about doing mini-me conversions... maybe cause the parts are a lot cheaper though.

[narchi]

do what i did.
Rang around finding the cost of doing engine conversion and modding my engine. Found out it was way way way cheaper to buy one with what i wanted already done on it.
Found a mildly worked 97 civic VTIR (suspension, cams, powerfc, extractors, Exhaust and intake) brought that for 14000. Sold my civic CXI for 14000 (2000 model with 40000kms). And there are cheaper Tekked cars out there. just got to look around.

[blahZ]

bolt on a turbo and ull prob beat a b16a and im pretty sure it would be heaps easy for your nissan friends too

[beeza]

^^ Both ideas are Best for more power options.

[narchi]

but u got to look at value for money.

may cost him 2-4k depending on how much he finds and sells his car for.

going turbo will cost about 7-10k. from previous quotes ive gotten.

[wp89]

well u cant just "ADD VTEC" u say u dont want 2 do engine swap but if u want vtec you have to buddy .. vtec is not a bolt on like turbo if thats wat u are finkin of ..

LOL bolt on vtec

[Zdster]

going turbo will cost about 7-10k. from previous quotes ive gotten.

7-10? Geez, I hope you getting a decent kit for that money.

[narchi]

that was manifold, exhaust, turbo, intercooler piping and intercooler. plus aftermarket ecu. installed.

[nvmee]

oh course u can vtec in a non vtec. u use 75 percent gas and then wen u hit 4800 rpm floor it. =) and thats wat vtecing in a non vtec is, its wat all non vtecs do, sounds good too =)

[steve88]

yeah guys the car i have has a bit of chips of paint on the right hand side + 175xxx km, manual, its a EK1 98 i wont get that much cash for it :( i am arguing with parents too get me a prelude VTi-R gen 5

[JasonGilholme]

get your own job and get the money to afford a descent engine swap/car.

d - turbo aren't that great for the money you put in. you'll still get beatin by a camry lol

[sleeper]

IMO i'd save up some money and buy myself a car with 'vtec' saves you time and money and is much more reliable..

[beeza]

get your own job and get the money to afford a descent engine swap/car.

d - turbo aren't that great for the money you put in. you'll still get beatin by a camry lol

So True.Just wish the parts were as cheap and redily available as in the states then you could build a D-series monster for a decent price :(
I've almost done with the Bolt on Mods on mine and have decided not to put any more $$$ into it.Not worth it.If I really want more power I'll do an engine swap,Turbo or buy another car,probably the later when I'm sick of mine.Saying that aTurbo would be fun.I just hope I don't want any more power,I'm happy with the amount of power mine has or dosen't have :)

[steve88]

i cant turbo btw, on Ps

[Boban]

Vtec head: ~200-300 (i bought a y8 engine for 250)
p28 ECU ~150-200 (p28 is the most common but you can use others)
wiring (depends how good you are) if not PM Edgeauto, he's selling harnesses already made
engine oil, head gasket and headstudds (maybe depending on condition but i would change those when doing the swap) Doing just the head is easier but if you don't want to mess with head gaskets etc..... just put in the whole engine

[beeza]

^^ Sounds cheap and easy...

[kraiye]

grab a cheap Y8, whack in some pistons, rods, flywheel and do a complete swap.

[aimre]

but u got to look at value for money.

may cost him 2-4k depending on how much he finds and sells his car for.

going turbo will cost about 7-10k. from previous quotes ive gotten.

lol..

[Nikki]

not worth it imo.. you will just be like.. did vtec just kick in?... y0?...

[1996ek1]

thats the word i needed! lol found heaps of threads
http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=735196

that looks pretty straight forward, y8 head and a new ecu

why was he replacing pistons/rods though?? wouldnt you just basically remove the head, change gasket, put y7/y8 head on then rewire?
i would feel more confident doing this when i have bit more detail on the rewiring


He changed his pistons for a higher CR. Yea you basically swap heads like normal, swap a few wires around, add 2 or 3 wries and you have vtec. The benefit to this is more that you dont have to take your engine out and the rest of it for engine conversion, and you dont have to pay someone else to do the labour. Can all be done by yourself, in a day probably ?