DEL SOL - How To ID Models ?

I am planning to buy a Del SOL Very soon.

I want the VTEC model rather than the SI model or the SI Model.
I Want the xtra HP.

I am looking primarily on Ebay.

I am unsure how to be sure I am getting the right car.
The motors seem to have identical specs other than the xtra 40 HP.
To top it off the SI has a Vtech engine.

One site I read said that only the VTEC models have ABS Brakes.
Yet I see people selling DEL SOLs on EBay stating that they are SI Models
with ABS.
I'm guessing some people probably don't know which they have.

Is this true re: the brakes..That only the VTECC Model has the ABS ?
Does the SI model say VTEC on its badge ?
Does the VTEC Model say SI on its badge ?
Are there any other ditinguishing marks ?

Other questions :
Where does the xtra HP Come from ?
They are bothe VTEC motors.
Extra compression ?
Is the 160HP motor less dependable ?

Pls also let me know if you know where to get a low mileage DEL SOL VTEC.



Thanks,
Neil

 

Go to http://tinyurl.com/3hhuq (Edmunds.com) and do some research.

Fundamentally, the Del Sol was available as model year 1993 through
1997. There were 3 models, "S", "Si" and "VTEC", although the "VTEC" was
not available in 1993.

The "S" had a 1.6 l 16 valve engine with 102 or 106 BHP.

The "Si" had a 1.6 l 16 valve VTEC engine with 125 or 127 BHP.

The "VTEC" had a 1.6 l 16 valve VTEC engine with 160 BPH.

The extra HP of the "VTEC" model over the "Si" (which also had a VTEC
engine) comes mostly from the engine spinning faster. The "Si" had peak
HP at 6600 RPM, the "VTEC" at 7600 RPM.

For availability of ABS etc. you need to go to the above link and check
the specs for the different styles and model years.

 

I owned one of each. The other poster is close in his explanation.
The 125 HP engine in the Si models is Single Overhead Cam SOHC.
The 160 HP engine in the real VTEC is Dual Overhead Cam DOHC.
The DOHC does get an extra 600 RPM but it is much more powerful feeling at
lower RPM's because of the better airflow through the heads. Higher
compression also - you have to use mid or higher grade gas in the DOHC.
The 1.6 engine in the SOHC Vtec is totally different from the engine in the
DOHC VTEC. Not just the heads.
The Si car is slightly different than the VTEC also.
The VTEC has heavier anti-roll and sway bars, and the VTEC has the anti-roll
and sway bar on the rear end too (the Si doesn't). Also the VTEC has a
front shock tower strut and the Si doesn't.
The DOHC and SOHC are equal reliability wise. Mine is a 94 and it doesn't
have ABS and I don't miss it.
My DOHC VTEC is now for sale listed on autotrader.com. I am located in S.
Indiana if you're interested. The stuff on ebay is a joke. They've all
been modified and tricked out by idiots - mine is 100% stock and original.

 

I forgot to answer the most important question - you ID the models by serial
number. The DOHC VTEC has the following digits in position 3 thru 6 in the
serial number....MEG2. That is the engine code. I think??? the SI is MEH6
but I can't check it because my Si is sold.

 

Good point. Don't know why I missed it.

 

No man, holy crap. I know you guys have good intentions but stop
spreading misinformation. All of your original questions about Si/VTEC
engines on the del sol can EASILY be answered by doing a quick google
search. As a buyer you seem confused about the various engine
configurations avaiable on this car. I think it's simply because you
don't understand how engine's work. Head over to howstuffworks.com and
read all the major articles about how cars function. You will find out
the B16A3 in 94-95 del sol, and the B16A2 in 96-97 outperforms because
of 1)slightly higher displacement 2) higher compression 3) higher rev
limit but most importantly it's a dual cam engine meaning intake and
exhaust stroke has seperate lobes on the camshaft. Please stop spelling
it vtech. Vtech is a phone. VTEK is a spark plug. VTEQ and every other
bastardization of vtec makes me roll my eyes when i see it posted.
I own a isle green 95' del sol VTEC.

but to answer your original question. the only way to ID for sure is to
run the VIN. Even then, people very often swap out the D15's and drop
in B16/18 etc. Don't go by the valve cover it can easily be replaced.
Look at the engine block stamp. Don't buy a car from ebay if you want a
daily driver. Use autotrader. And don't buy a swapped car unless he has
receipts proving the work was done professionally. Too many kids in
garages think they know how to slap in H22's in EG hatches.

VTEC models had ABS. Some Si's did as well. Honda varies the car
specifications by region. For instance cruise control was not available
in canada etc. ABS in my opinion is pointless in the hands of a good
driver. Learn proper threshold braking. That's the way.

 

Is that so?

Exhaust and intake valves *always* have separate lobes on the camshaft.
Dual cam means intake and exhaust lobes are on different cam shafts (for
an in-line engine, anyway).