dohc 1.6 zc mods???

[jimfai]

new to the board, hello all, looking for someone that is knowledgable on early 90's honda dohc zc motors. have a jdm version transplanted in a mini and i want to build it with more power, i have purchased a set of stage 2 cams, what else is recommended? have heard of using high compression pistons? 11 to 1? overbore or not? have already polished and port matched the head. how about lightened flywheel? any ideas or practical experience would be greatly appreciated. thanks, jim

[Ninja]

No matter what engine you are working with, with the exception of maybe a rotary or when dealing with maybe forced induction, the basic principles are all the same, more displacement = more power, in a nut shell...

bore and stroke, higher compression, more fuel, more spark, more air... they all contribute to a "stronger" motor, however, one is pretty useless without the other. On top of that, suspension, tires and gearing play a big part in actually putting that power to the ground.

The question is not "what can you do to make it faster?" the question is "how much do you want to spend?"

Here is how my buddy Mickee put it to me....

FAST
CHEAP
RELIABLE

Please pick two of the above options...

You can be cheap and fast.... but reliable is out the window

You can be fast and reliable... but it aint gonna be cheap

You can be cheap and reliable... but it damn sure aint gonna be fast.

Dont just start buying parts because someone on a message board said this or that was a good bolt on, you will run out of money before you can even get started, and you end up with a bunch of parts you dont need... dont believe me? check out the for sale section of every import message board you can find... you can tell who started what project then gave up because they ran out of money or didnt know how to do the work, or changed thier mind half way through.

On top of that, modified engine are already a risky thing running on the streets, but now your modifying a ZC motor which will never pass smog or reff if you get tagged.

But once you know what you want to do with your motor, it will be easier for the real 2NRS to give you advice on what to buy.

[jimfai]

okay, very sound advice, and i appreciate the input. soooo i want reliable and fast, not one to go the cheap route, as this motor is in a 1973 car i have no worries about smog, epa, etc. i have a lot of work done at a local sport compact shop and i like the guys and trust the owner but he has not a lot of experience with this particular motor and he suggested i do the leg work, ie this board, to see what is out there for this motor and what othrs have done that worked well, i still have a motor in the car running and i bought a low mileage salvage one to do the mods on and than just swap them out ina day, thanks again for the help. jim

[707_ViCiOuS]

If you are not one to go cheap...then why the zc???

[jimfai]

i bought the car off the track in germany with the drivetrain installed. the subframe is custom made for the limited space and to change to something else like a vtec would require starting over as the motor mounts are very different, not interetsed in doing that as i like the car and the engine suits a 1400 lb car very well as far as weight distribution and power, these motors are very very common in europe. i just want some advice from someone with hands on experience with this particular motor, thanks, jim

[Ninja]

Its tough to say in the US where you can get parts, although the ZC was popular here a few years back, it never really took off with the aftermarket parts companies.

I know for sure the B16 adjustable cams gears will work with the ZC. And if im not mistaken the D16 internals should work or be a very close match to ZC specs, so any aries or what not should work with the zc. so now its just a matter of deciding on all motor or forced induction.

there is also a B16 kit for the mini you might want to look into, i just cant remember off hand who makes it.

ps.. happy now ben =oP

[707_ViCiOuS]

b16 adjustable cams? I gotta get me some of these...JDM shit yo. haha, we all know what you meant...

[evo8chris]

www.thezcresource.com for more info on zc. i use to go there when i had my hb, they are very helpful.