Here's where we act like we know something technical about cars. Feel free to ask us about your technical troubles. Write us at tech@superstreetonline.com or Super Street c/o Tech Support, 6420 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048. Feel free to include a picture of your project or tech problem.
Question Of The Month
Q I am putting a D16Z6 into my '92 Civic hatchback. It originally had a D15B1 non-VTEC and I am wondering if the motor will mount up to the D15 transmission and ECU without any problems or if I need to do something to make it work right.
Corey Ferrill
Via the Internet
A Well Corey where do we begin. To start off with, if you truly have a '92 it shouldn't have a D15B1 as that is an EF engine. If for whatever reason, someone decided to swap that into your car before you owned it you might have some concerns already as to wiring. If by the off chance you made and error reading or typing, and you have a CX or DX EG hatch it should have a D15B7 in it. As far as the transmission is concerned - you're golden, everything bolts right up. The ECU will still operate the car, but not properly as it is not intended for a VTEC engine and thus has no circuitry to engage VTEC, which will cause a MIL (check engine light) and poor driveability. The correct ECU to operate the D16Z6 is a P28. Unfortunately, in the late '90s- early '00s, these ECUs were highly sought after for aftermarket swap purposes and consequently can be harder to find and rather expensive. Another option is to have the stock P06 ECU (assuming your car has the D15B7) modified and chipped to mimic the maps of a P28. The last thing you'll need to do is run two extra wires, one for VTEC oil pressure and one for the VTEC solenoid to pin into the ECU. There are plenty of write ups and pin-outs available online. It might sound tough now, but it's really not that difficult. Best of luck.
Tech Support
Q First off, I want to say I have been a big fan of your magazine for close to a decade now and this is my first time writing in. My question is a little different. I've never been a big fan of nitrous. My philosophy is this, if your engine is built to support enough HP that the nitrous could provide, then there are better ways of getting that HP more consistently and reliably. Such as turning up the boost. However, I realize that nitrous has its uses. So, being a huge fan of Time Attack, I am curious as to why you never see any cars that have nitrous for the straightaway section of the tracks? I have a few reasons in mind, but I would like to know the true reason. Thanks for your time.
Joey Dickerson
Via the Internet
A To answer your question simply - there are cars that compete in Time Attack with nitrous, lots of them, you just aren't looking hard enough. Nitrous has many benefits, namely you can make lots of power for relatively low cost. Sure you could boost an application, but a decent turbo setup will run you roughly $4000 by the time you have everything necessary. Nitrous is nearly 1/10th that and can yield excellent gains and, contrary to popular opinion, is very reliable when a car is properly tuned for it. At the end of the day it's up to you as far as your build path.