Swapping engine questions, 96 Q45.

[MarkZ28]

Could not find anything online or fb.

Have a question about the VH45DE in my 96. The 96 does not have the variable valve timing that the pre 96 has. Also first and only year to have OBD2 in the G50 generation. If I need an engine or heads, will a 94 to 95 engine work? Is the 96 cam timing the same as a pre 96 with the cam timing turned off or not functioning? Is there still the parts in the cam on the 96 so that I can add a controller, like the Honda VTEC guys use? Can I add the timing phasers or whatever they are called that bolt to the front of the head and have it work once a controller is hooked up?

[3Q Jay]

The cam timing is unique on the 96. it was tuned for more low end grunt, which may make the 96 the most desirable setup for everyday city driving.
nit pick: while the 96 does support the OBD-ii port, it is still not yet a full OBD-ii protocol. Kinda like obd-1.5..... the '97s (FGY33) were full obd-ii, but also still had the consult-1 interface.
i believe the head castings were the same from 94-96.
all 90-96 blocks are the same, balancers etc may be different.

[MarkZ28]

So I could swap the 95 back heads or complete engine and get a controller of some sort?

[3Q Jay]

for clarity: the 90-96 shortblocks are the same. the heads are physically different between 90-93 and 94-96
i suppose if you had 94-95 heads with the variable cams and solenoids you could rig up a way to on/off the VTC solenoids.
What I don't know is if the fuel injector mapping considered VTC on/off, and adjusted injector durations. so your 96 ECU might not work well with an earlier engine/heads.