Let me start by saying that this is my first post, and I'm very new to the import scene, so much or all of what I say / ask may be clueless. So small words would be appreciated I did check the archives & didn't see anything, but I may have missed it...
I just bought a '93 del sol s with the D15b7 motor (126K miles), automatic transmission, and a busted A/C. It's my new daily driver, and I'm getting about 33 mpg going 75 miles @ < 25 mph and 25 miles at 70 mph per day. That's quite a bit better than my ford explorer on the same trip...
Anyway, it's going to cost me close to $1K to fix the A/C -- about $300 in parts & $700 in labor. So I think to myself "Gee, for another $900 in parts, I can get a JDM B16 with <60K miles and an A/C compressor that works, and for another $500 in labor, there's a shop in town (Baltimore) that will put it in".
I'll be staying with an auto tranny (please don't yell at me -- see the part about 70 mi / day at < 25 mph). I'm not looking for a 12 sec car, just one that merges & cruises comfortably.
So, my question is, what would a D15 -> B16 swap do to my mpg? Would the car still be sensible as a commuter car? I'd prob look to de-tune it enough to run on 87 octane, if possible, to save $$. Or should I just fix the A/C and leave it alone, at least until the D15 dies, if it ever does.
All comments appreciated.
dave.
I just bought a '93 del sol s with the D15b7 motor (126K miles), automatic transmission, and a busted A/C. It's my new daily driver, and I'm getting about 33 mpg going 75 miles @ < 25 mph and 25 miles at 70 mph per day. That's quite a bit better than my ford explorer on the same trip...
Anyway, it's going to cost me close to $1K to fix the A/C -- about $300 in parts & $700 in labor. So I think to myself "Gee, for another $900 in parts, I can get a JDM B16 with <60K miles and an A/C compressor that works, and for another $500 in labor, there's a shop in town (Baltimore) that will put it in".
I'll be staying with an auto tranny (please don't yell at me -- see the part about 70 mi / day at < 25 mph). I'm not looking for a 12 sec car, just one that merges & cruises comfortably.
So, my question is, what would a D15 -> B16 swap do to my mpg? Would the car still be sensible as a commuter car? I'd prob look to de-tune it enough to run on 87 octane, if possible, to save $$. Or should I just fix the A/C and leave it alone, at least until the D15 dies, if it ever does.
All comments appreciated.
dave.