Best bang for th buck engine?

sayurasemsayurasem New Wagonist
in Engine & Drivetrain
Hi guys what are some good engines for the wagon out there?

i've been reading about mini me swap but people seems to be on 50/50 on that. It's a good little swap and cheap but some people say better off go get a B series for a little extra.

yes I've been using the search button, but I just wanted each of your opinions on what engine should I get. And from my previous post I am new to driving and the car world.

why: I hate when people tail gating me after a stop sign or traffic light because I take off so slow.. Hehe also my budget would be around $1,000 ideally $800 and $200 for labor and etc.

Comments

  • 503Wagon503Wagon moderator
    You've left out a few details....are you FWD or RT4WD?
  • bkmc24bkmc24 Senior Wagonist
    ^^^^^^^^
    What he said.


    Also, for the price of a Mini-Me done right, you can just swap a Z6 if you wait and find the right motor. They are pretty cheap most places. And, another thing, what is your goal? Do you want to be able to actually be fast or just a little faster than the A6?
  • 503-Hill-Billy503-Hill-Billy Wagonist
    Though I have little experince with Honda I went with a DOHC ZC in my Rt. I picked it because it has 130hp and 130lbs torq which the z6 gets but only in vtec. I wanted consistant power and didn't have intentions of upgrading or turbo charging. Down side to ZC is that there isn't much for aftermarket parts and the info is pretty annoying. Zcr.com
  • bkmc24bkmc24 Senior Wagonist
    503-Hill-Billy wrote: »
    Though I have little experince with Honda I went with a DOHC ZC in my Rt. I picked it because it has 130hp and 130lbs torq which the z6 gets but only in vtec. I wanted consistant power and didn't have intentions of upgrading or turbo charging. Down side to ZC is that there isn't much for aftermarket parts and the info is pretty annoying. Zcr.com


    Parts are available. Just have to do a crap load of research. PM me if you need help with it. I am not crazy about the motor. For the price, a Z6 is a better options IMO. It was very sluggish for me...
  • truckslammertruckslammer Moderator
    What 503 said....but if it is fwd and you can afford a it more....B all the way. DAMN I love the B16 in my Del Sol! Or Supercharge a D, just as fun.
  • sayurasemsayurasem New Wagonist
    Sorry forgot to mention is a 5 speed fwd.
  • 503Wagon503Wagon moderator
    If your budget is $1,000 a B-series engine is out of the question. To do a B correctly you'll need at least $2,000. But you could swap in a Z6 on the cheap. Direct bolt in engine. Few wiring doodads and boom more power. That would be my suggestion.
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    Yep. Z6 or even a Y8. They're easier to find nowadays than the early Ds. Still going to be tough to get there for a grand, if you have to pay labor.
  • trx357trx357 Band Wagon
    It depends on your needs and budget. I'd say look for an si trans for better gears and go with d15 vtec or d16z6 for economy street power.
  • quartersquarters Council Member
    503: the ZC has 100ish ft/tq, not 130. You can easily do a B-series for less than 2k.

    B18a/b. more torque and power than a ZC, parts are easy to get, and they are dirty cheap.
    very little wiring involved in a b18 swap. you could easily get all the parts required to put in the engine for under $1k.
    Learn how to turn your own wrenches and do your own swaps, and save a tone of money

    d-series transmissions are LONG and have poo gears. Even an Si transmission is still not as tight as an LS trans. my custom ZC/Si trans doesn't hold a candle to my stock JDM b16 trans.
  • klumklum Senior Wagonist
    but you could also turbo a sohc for less and those long gears would be a blast
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