Mini Me VS. Chip
 

Recently I purchased my 2nd Civic stupidly I didn't check what engine it had in it. It has a D16y7 and an Automatic tranny its so slow that I sometimes think that mopeds could pass me. Ive been thinking of doing a Mini me with a D16y8 head but so far all that I see is that I would gain Vtec would an aftermarket chip not do the same thing or close? Any comments are appreciated.

An aftermarket chip is not going to give you VTEC. VTEC's operation relies on physical parts that the D16Y7 doesn't have. Also, you should stay away from any aftermarket chip unless it is a real basemap or tune from a reputable company. Also, watch out for fake chips. Don't buy one on eBay, for exactly this reason. Do a mini-me, it will gain you a little over 20hp. A chip will not give you 20hp.

what is a mini me?

when you put a JDM D15B, D16Z6, or D16Y8 head (VTEC) on a non-VTEC D-series block

alternatively, do this

thanks 2 more questions
 

I am gunna do the mini me and I found a place online that has the y8 head but I would need the wiring do you know where to get the wiring from? Also you said that you would have to get a chip from a reputable place well jet performance has two things that can be done the first one they "reprogram the vehicle’s existing chip or remove and replace the chip by desoldering it from the circuit board" which requires me removing the existing chip or they have a plug and play type. Have you heard anything about either?

^ here you go, i posted this on another thread as well: http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=735196. and don't buy any chip of any form when all you're doing is a mini-me conversion.

I am planing on doing more but the mini me is first on the list. Eventually I would like to do a Skunk2 intake manifold along with my current AEM cai I would like to get a header to go along with my current exhaust then there are several things after that but of course money is allways tight so it will eventually come one piece at a time:) so now what are your thoughts on a chip?

show me this chip you're referring to

http://www.jetchip.com/Shop/shopdisp...ppp=10&catID=1 its the Import ECU Upgrade Kit or the JET V-Force Plus Performance Module

Link doesn't work, but i'm willing to bet those are garbage.
If the chip isn't engine specific, I guarantee it is garbage. If the company sending the chip doesn't allow you to input custom attributes on the order form, it's also probably junk.

Check out phearable.net
If you're not very skilled with soldering, I would not attempt chipping the ECU yourself.