Honda Car Forum

My D15B7-to-D16Z6 swap (fairly recently discussed in this group) has
proven worthwhile, as the car is still going strong with only minor
issues.

What I have now is:

93 Civic CX -> Original AT -> Original ECU -> D16Z6 engine.

Since the original engine was the D15B7, I presume that the ECU is a
P06.

It's a given that the existing wiring harness has no provision for the
VTEC capabilities of the Z6 engine. The P06 also doesn't have a clue
about the VTEC.

I would very much like to get the VTEC going, to some degree.

1. Considering that this is a non-racing (ricing?) car, and the
intention is to get *some* performance gain - would the most
reasonable means of achieving VTEC be replacing the ECU with the one
intended for the Z6 engine (which I believe is the P28)?

2. Does the Buddy Club V-CON (cheap controller) provide VTEC control
when paired with a non-VTEC ECU? Many of the articles describe this
device as being able to 'modify the profile', implying that a profile
(i.e. VTEC capabilities) must exist as a prerequisite.

I don't want to spend hundreds on a more 'advanced' controller that
most likely wouldn't give any sort of tangible gain for me. (I don't
mind spending more to get an OEM ECU, of course)

madmanguruman@gmail.com wrote:
> My D15B7-to-D16Z6 swap (fairly recently discussed in this group) has
> proven worthwhile, as the car is still going strong with only minor
> issues.
>
> What I have now is:
>
> 93 Civic CX -> Original AT -> Original ECU -> D16Z6 engine.
>
> Since the original engine was the D15B7, I presume that the ECU is a
> P06.

don't presume, check.

>
> It's a given that the existing wiring harness has no provision for the
> VTEC capabilities of the Z6 engine. The P06 also doesn't have a clue
> about the VTEC.
>
> I would very much like to get the VTEC going, to some degree.
>
> 1. Considering that this is a non-racing (ricing?) car, and the
> intention is to get *some* performance gain - would the most
> reasonable means of achieving VTEC be replacing the ECU with the one
> intended for the Z6 engine (which I believe is the P28)?

it's best to replace the ecu - it's mapped for that engine.

>
> 2. Does the Buddy Club V-CON (cheap controller) provide VTEC control
> when paired with a non-VTEC ECU? Many of the articles describe this
> device as being able to 'modify the profile', implying that a profile
> (i.e. VTEC capabilities) must exist as a prerequisite.

it simply means picking the rpm's at which it switches.

>
> I don't want to spend hundreds on a more 'advanced' controller that
> most likely wouldn't give any sort of tangible gain for me. (I don't
> mind spending more to get an OEM ECU, of course)
>

spending money on a controller if you don't have a sufficiently well
mapped ecu seems pointless to me. the b7 head is only 8 valves iirc,
and that's WEAK. i'd get the correct ecu. it'd take care of everything.