1994 Honda Civic D15 3-STAGE VTEC TURBO 55+ MPG
 

For sale is my super clean 1994 Honda Civic EX. The car is very unique due to the fact that achieves 55+ MPG while still making 230 HP at the wheels. The engine is a rare D15 3-Stage VTEC motor that utilizes three different valve timing variations:

Stage 1: 12 valve intake (VTEC-E)
Stage 2: 16 valve short duration intake (VTEC “Low-Cam”)
Stage 3: 16 valve long duration intake (VTEC “High-Cam”)

Maximum fuel economy is realized when the engine is operating in Stage 1 at low boost levels. The theory behind turbo charging for economy was that by keeping the intake manifold pressure as close to 0 psi as possible (no vacuum), volumetric efficiency would peak because no work would done by the crankshaft during the intake stroke (no work required to pull vacuum). I was able to average 68 MPG this past summer in Arizona, but the all time running average for the car is 54 MPG. The fuel economy largely depends on driving technique and habits. Here are a couple links to some more info on the engine:

D15B 1.5l SOHC VTEC
3-stage VTEC - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Although the car was not designed to be fast, it does make 228 HP at 12 PSI of boost. The car was professionally tuned by Locash racing in Phoenix, and it has been my daily driver for over 9 months. Everything works fine (cruise control, pwr windows/mirrors, sunroof, ect...) and the car does have VERY COLD A/C! I am only selling to free up some garage space for a new project.

Please feel free to email me for specific pictures or with any technical questions about the car. To my knowledge there are less than 5 running D15 3-Stage engines in the US, and this is the only one that is turbo charged. Asking $6800.

Electronics
Hondata S300 (with boost control socket)
GM 3.0 BAR MAP Sensor
GM 1997152 Boost Control Solenoid
PLX Wideband
Autometer Boost/EGT Gauges

Engine
JDM D15 OBD2, 3-Stage VTEC (approx 30,000 miles on engine)
Professionally Tuned By LoCash Racing
Full-Race Turbo Manifold
Mitsubishi Evolution 8 Turbocharger (Twin Scroll)
Full-Race 3.0” Downpipe
Full-Race 3.0" Exhaust System w/ V-Band Catalytic Converter and Test Pipe
5.00” Thick Side Mount Intercooler
Tial Alpha-Q Blow Off Valve
USDM D16Y8 Intake manifold
Mitsubishi Evolution 550CC Injectors (balanced by RC Injectors)
Competition Stage 3 Clutch
HASPORT Engine/Tranny Mounts

Suspension
Koni Yellow Struts
Ground Control Coilovers
Full-Race Pro-Street Traction Bar
K-Sport Front Upper Control Arms
USDM Integra Type-R Strut Bars

Interior
USDM Integra GSR Seats
JDM Civic Si Front Accessory Console

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Man thats a real nice looking Civic, good job on the mpg&power combo, best of both worlds

Thanks! That is kind of what I was going for :-) I am happy to see that you are rocking the VX too! That was the first motor that I tried... it is a very efficient little engine!

I too have almost the same setup and need your help, I have the same engine with Turbo and an s300 bought from Joe at locash yesterday but he didn't have the map for your car on his laptop, you were the first Turbo 3stage running all stages correctly and hope you can help me out, I can meet you near locash or anywhere that's good for you

I love everything about this car! If you lived in Fla I would def want to buy this. I know that this car is made to support maximum efficiency, but I was wondering if you had any idea how well it performs? Do you have any idea what the 0-60 or 1/4 mile times are? Also is the computer set up to change boost levels for the different gears? Any information is appreciated! Thanks in advance

Awesome car. Do you know what the shop did to achieve max efficiency? What does the dyno graph look like?

I initially didn't believe the 55+ mpg claim in the thread title and all the performance mods, but then I read about that fancy D15B engine. This is the first I've read about that particular engine. Impressive - That's the kind of thing that would make me want to keep my car - anything with lean burn, and a taller transmission. My 98 Civic EX is the worst civic I could possibly have for what I'm trying to do, and I crank out low 50's in the summertime. It makes me wonder about.... I mean yearn for what I could get with a less powerful and less torque-y powertrain. This is the perfect car for someone who still has that need for speed, but the ability to lean burn it up at low speeds. Impressive car.

Is this car still available???

I have the very same engine and ecu in my car, Ecu also from joe at Locash here in Phoenix Az, i average about 42mpg at the moment till i get her tuned, im making all the appropriate changes before the dyno, i just put a larger throttle, k-series 550cc injectors, need a higher reading map sensor, just installed a new ported and polished turbo compressor housing, need a hondata intake mani gasget.

Omg man o man wat a build u did that's a legend on it on , I'm looking to get the same results u got or some where close to it I see the hard wear u put up but wat about the the cpu hard wear wat maps did u take in order to achevie this goal . Thankz in advance send me an email

How much would this setup cost? Are there any ways to tweak it and squeeze even more out of it? How hard is it to get one of those engines?

Very impressive!

is the car still for sale
 

you have had so many PM -- thought I'd ask. Pete (in Seattle)

question to FullRacePhil
 

I have a big question of the 3 stage vtec head, did you check the Combustion Chamber Volume (cc), if yes what was the cc of that head

Thank you!! :confused:

Does anyone know what ever happened to this car?

sick car man.

any other proof of this power and mpg?
 

Any other examples of the D15B engine out there?

I have 2 VX's stock but would love to have this 3-stage engine and maybe a turbo for nice performance, but great throttled back MPG..

looking for more ecomodder evidence of successful MPG improvements with engine swaps...

I'm guessing it only takes premium gas, right?
I guess you have to pay if you want to play though...eh?:D

Wow what a cool car! It lookds to be in immaculate shape too. Goodluck with the sale.

Who owns this awesome civic now?
 

Does anyone know who currently owns this civic? It's one of a kind. Not many cars are successfully set up with d15b 3 stage vtec.

I want to give the current owner of this car an offer he can't refuse.

Thanks!

3 stages of vtec aint too hard to attain on a boosted setup.. Its explained a little bit here with what this guy is trying to do.. Some really good info in there for anyone wanting to build a 88-91 civic/crx.


my boosted ef build - Page 8 - Honda-Tech

[QUOTE=02ws6;311123]3 stages of vtec aint too hard to attain on a boosted setup.. Its explained a little bit here with what this guy is trying to do.. Some really good info in there for anyone wanting to build a 88-91 civic/crx.


Thanks! But I don't have the skill or time to build my own. :P

really enjoy this car, nice ride bro

So do you know who currently owns this car?

Almost 29,000 views on a dead post. :p Sweet car tho for sure!

I own this car now

Wow, haha, I actually found the owner!

How's the car? Does it actually get like 55mpg? And how does it pull?

You interested in selling at all?

haha, just wondering. I was calling and trying to buy this car some time ago. And before I had a chance to make it to Arizona, Jessica told me that someone else had snatched it up. I'm assuming it was you? =)

Bumping up an old thread. In case you are interested in selling, ej1, please contact me.

Thanks.

i have the car now. the best milage ive gotten was 46mpg driving around town. i wrapped the header and rebuilt the turbo, and with it down to 10psi, it still pulls hard, torque steers, and spins the tires when you build boost. its a brilliant design, i would like to thank anyone that had a part in getting this car together

I know this thread has been dead for a while but I wanted to thank the OP for posting this on the forum. I was inspired by it and have built 2 lean burn mpg 3-stage motors because of this thread. The second one of which is almost done. It's a 11.5:1 3-stage d15b Vtec turbo motor using a small Gt25R for maximum effiency. I am so stoked to finish it. It will be in a very purpose built RT-4WD civic (I'm from Utah). CAN NOT WAIT for MPG results utilizing the higher compression.

I had not seen this thread before. Are you still missing the button on the steering wheel? :) I just thought it was funny, "Wait, Arizona? Wait, the new owner lives in Tempe?"

I may never update my location, but I live in Tempe.