not here buddy! I got the same engien u do! I gotta do some tuning and i think i need a valve adjustment, knockin a lil!

Dave

 

Honda set it up so that the vtec engagment is very smooth. Who would buy a car that wasn't refined? it's just not marketable. If you weren't hitting vtec, the ecu should be throwing a code no matter what. It's a basica malfunction that the ECU should see. Honestly, your oil leak isn't that bad. I've had distributor seals that soaked the tranny before I noticed (2 days since the hood had been last popped).
I bought a del sol Si (d16z6) that was an auto. It was peppy, but nothing to write home about. I blew the tranny within a few months (long story) and ended up doing a 5spd swap. All I ahve to say is: THE AUTO TRANNY STEALS POWER LIKE A MUTHA! It's unbelievable the increase of power transfer.

 

ya usually a 5speed conversion on a z6/y8 can net you an extra 25hp on the average. some due to weight savings.

 

i hear ya! Thats a definite option down the road with this civic once i get it mechanically sound! How much did it all cost for the swap? approx.

Thanx!

Dave

 

a swap can run you anywhere between $20 to $500 depending on labor cost and parts. $20 swap is free parts and beer labor.

 

Update:

I have prepped the car for a valve adjustment because thats what i can do right now. I got the feelers gauge from a local Autozone.

I took the valve cover off and timing belt cover off.
I took the distributor off as well.

I have a small problem...FIRST...there was oil on the inside of my distributor cap! I know this cant be good, what is the reason and the fix for this? I have a link below with all the pics i took of this car. You find the folder in there about the appropriate subject.

I have another problem....i think my head gasket is leaking NOT my vtec solenoid(possibly both but i doubt it). The reason is this. I called honda(cuz autozone nor advance auto parts carried this part)about the vtec solenoid seal. He first asked me if i was doin some kinda engine swap and i said "no, its leaking". He replied "hmm...i have never sold one of those, its rare that they do leak". So that is what conviced me to look further. You can see from another folder in the link below i took pictures of the leaky oil on the block. Not sure if u can tell from the pics but i see oil all below where the head mates with the block. Not above so it cant be the valve cover gasket. But this still doestn explain the oil in the distributor cap.

I'd appreciate any feedback, thank you!

Link: http://www.davidbauder.com/misc/car_pics

Just click the link and navigate through the folders of your choice. These are high res pictures so beware!

 

500? thats kinda cheap! Or is it? It would definitely be worth it to me!

How much woudl a 5speed tranny cost?

Dave

 

as far as not feeling vtech in a D16Y8 i have to argue.. I own a 99 Civic EX with two D16Y.. 1 being the stock engine with a injen cold intake with some other small goodies and then the one I just had bored and stroked and my 3rd engine is being shipped out which I am getting specs from people on this forum.. anyways to the point with a stock air box you won't feel vtech or hear yet with a short ram cold airtake you will hear it.. and it sounds nice! especially in 2nd and 3rd anyways on a stock engine with a short ram you will hear...

 

I have a Turbo 99 EX and I've NEVER felt VTEC engage. We bought the car new off the lot. Also, you have an auto tranny, so it's not the most performance oriented car. The Accord SHOULD own a stock auto D16. Boost it or swap/boost it. Turbo's are the ONLY way to fly.