17 replies to this topic

[87d16a1]

hi guys i new to this forum i live in hanover, pa. I just bought and 87 si hatch from my buddy has had a d16a1 swapped in already. Im curious on some other things i could to do better the performance of it. Few things im wondering on is how hard it is to take the exterior fuel pump and convert to internal fuel pump? Where is a good place ot find parts for these cars and motors? Thanks in advance to anyone who does help its greatly appreciated.

[cbstdscott]

... and you need a new fuel pump because...? The stock fuel pump has all the volume you will ever need.

The aftermarket for these old cars is getting to be pretty thin these days, you will need to do some internet searching (the classified section of this site is good place to start along with eBay and your local junkyard). Summit Racing still carries some stuff as well.

Basic automotive theory/physics works on these cars. Concentrate on improving flow through the head.

Scott

[rally25rs]

Welcome to the forums!

As mentioned, parts are getting harder and harder to find. When I started my project 6 or 7 years ago, you could still order performance parts from a few companies. Now almost no one sells stuff. Fortunately, we have a talented bunch of folks here and periodically someone will make a batch of adjustable camber/caster plates, or adjustable panhard bars, etc... Otherwise, keep an eye on the classifieds.

Engine performance wise, the D16A1 swap that you already have is really the easiest and best "bang for the buck" upgrade for straight-line performance. You can also get motor mounts to swap in a B16, if you felt like doing another motor swap.

If you want hours of enjoyable reading, go right for the Projects sub-forum and see what others have done. It's always a good place to go for inspiration, especially the "Kakabox" build.

[NWClassicHonda]

Hi.

[87d16a1]

The reason for the new fuel pump is the one in now just went out seems like i fix one problem and there is another i did get the advice from a very reputable mechanic to keep the pump outside of the tank for easy change if need be. how boost friendly are these motors i was thinking maybe running a t-25 around 7-8psi? or maybe some nitrous is this an idea that would end in disaster?

[rally25rs]

From what I've read, if your aiming for around 6 psi, all the motor really needs is some ARP head studs and a better head gasket. The real problem is the ECU. You need to get something like Hondata or solder a socket into the existing ECU to chip it, or convert to OBD1 and use an ECU from a newer car.
There is a whole turboing subforum over on http://www.g1teg.org/ that has a few stickies you should read.

[Rampage]

I've made and in-tank pump setup.

Completely one-off hybrid frankenstein setup. Welded an EF pump module and bung to a 3G tank.

Its not perfect, and may never be better than an FI pickup and external pump.

But the EF module is cheap to replace and if I can iron out all the kinks in the third itteration it may be a reasonable solution.

No one but a proper mechanic can even attempt such a mad idea.

[zakats]

Keep your life simple and easy- just order a stock replacement on rockauto.com or your local parts retailer- they're cheap enough.

The D16a1 is fairly good with boost but I'd focus on working out the kinks, cleaning up the interior/exterior, and suspension first- you can kill yourself later, trust me- the more time you take considering and planning your power additions, the better.

[Grant Bailey]

Keep your life simple and easy- just order a stock replacement on rockauto.com or your local parts retailer- they're cheap enough.

The D16a1 is fairly good with boost but I'd focus on working out the kinks, cleaning up the interior/exterior, and suspension first- you can kill yourself later, trust me- the more time you take considering and planning your power additions, the better.

Yeah mine and probably 99% of Hondas are on their original fuel pump. Don't try to outengineer Honda on this one. The stuff works.

Probably the single biggest performance upgrade you can do parts wise is to put good tires on the car. I would also advocate the Energy Suspension master bushing kit. It's not expensive and if the car has factory bushings in it they're dead. You will know the car a lot better after you put all that jazz on it too.

Grant

[C8V6C]

No need for an in tank pump. When I upgraded, I went with an Aeromotive A1000 that easily supports more than my near 500hp.



As far as the best parts sources go, you're here already

Welcome to the site

[87d16a1]

Thanks everyone. My first intensions were suspension i do work on cars for a living so i know the importance there thats alot of peoples problems around where i live they slam a car and just build the piss out of the motor. i have been lookin for energy suspension stuff and also a nice set of kyb shock and struts.

[rally25rs]

i have been lookin for energy suspension stuff

Summit Racing caries the full kit for <$80. Word on the street is that the red colored ones squeak and the black ones don't, but I can't seem to find the link to the black kit. Here is a like to the red kit though.

Edit: I found the black bushing kit.
Enjoy!

Edited by rally25rs, 17 August 2010 - 08:54 AM.

[cbstdscott]

Replacing the bushing should be your #1 suspension mod. After that, add the largest rear sway bar you can find. Addco makes a good one.

Scott

[87d16a1]

thanks for the bushing links appreciate it very much one question i just replaced the fuel pump and now after all that trouble i found that the ecu took a crap my friend said an SI ecu out of 88-91 will run the d16a1 will this hurt the motor or are their anythings i may have to change in order to do so my friend that suggested this said he has done this same thing before but in a for a zc and it ran just fine any help on this issue would be great.

[Grant Bailey]

thanks for the bushing links appreciate it very much one question i just replaced the fuel pump and now after all that trouble i found that the ecu took a crap my friend said an SI ecu out of 88-91 will run the d16a1 will this hurt the motor or are their anythings i may have to change in order to do so my friend that suggested this said he has done this same thing before but in a for a zc and it ran just fine any help on this issue would be great.

From what I know the 88-91 Si was a D16A6. Maybe they're similar enough, but I would think you'd want an ECU from a car that ran the same motor...?

Grant