Engine swap considerations/compatibility

[Kanned]

I've done my research, but I'm having a hard time piecing it all together in my head. So how does each aspect come into play when deciding what would be a good replacement motor for your honda with minimum fabrication?

What engines/transmission would fit on the same mounts? Would the same series motor from another chassis still drop right in? Switching from one OBD to another only effects the electric aspect(switching out the ECU, harness, sensors and etc) right?

My reasoning behind this is I've spent my passed two weekends getting rid of all of my father's failed projects and after one or two more weekends, I'll be ready to start up another one of my own now that I have the room and funds. I'm not in any rush to get a boosted motor in my car, but I'm looking for one to slowly build up and do it perfect. I just figure that I might as well do this on an engine that I can drop into my car fairly easily if my plans ever change or something comes up.

My car is a 2000 civic LX sedan with a D167y. Feel free to make suggestions that you know will drop in fairly easy, even if you can't answer my questions. As of now, I wouldn't mind raising the compression a small amount and adding a small amount of boost. Considering a SC, but a small turbo setup may smother that idea. Leaning a bit toward the turbo, but I have plenty of time.

Cliffs(still long, sorry)
Searching for a new motor project to tinker with that could replace the D167y in my 00 LX sedan with ease if I ever decided to drop it in. Preferably nothing more than replacing mounts and switching from OBD2(that too much to ask?). I'm not just looking for suggestions (even though they're greatly appreciated), but looking to learn how to decide for myself.

I may have to edit this and make just 1-5 questions for you after all the bashing . Sorry for the long ass post and let me know if anything needs clarification.

 

[ejclide]

If you don't wanna worry about fabrication, Buy a complete swap from some provider (tons of them that sell complete swaps), then get a mount kit from HASport if you have deep pockets, or something like Innovative mounts, and you're set pretty much from there. The big thing is making sure the "complete" swap comes with everything, such as axles, half shaft, harness, ECU, blah blah blah. I just ran into an issue where a place shipped me a transmission. I asked for the shift linkage. Dumbasses only sent me the one shift rod and didn't leave the rear bracket on the transmission. It's little things like that that really make things annoying. Just make sure it's ALL there before you start, and any B series will really be easy as pie. No fabbing, no nothing. Just nuts and bolts.

 

[Kanned]

I'm familiar with the complete swaps, but I really appreciate the info. And I hear ya on missing parts, it gets you at least a few times on each project.

I'm just having a hard time clarifying my question. Let me try to rephrase.

1. Ok, let's say I have a complete swap with harness, ECU, sensors etc. All I have to worry about to get that in my car is buying the engine/tranny mounts and shift linkage?

2. After that everything will line up/fit including the shifter?

3. This goes for all B and D series?

4. I assume it would be a pain in the ass to setup a turbo with a DOHC in a SOHC bay if you want to keep power steering and a/c, huh?

 

[AHHVTEC]

yes it will go in with motor mounts and shift linkage and ecu and everything will line up, but i would just use your stock harness and add the missing wires to it

 

[Kanned]

That goes for any B and D series? What about F or H?

Thanks and sorry for all the pain in the ass questions.

 

[AHHVTEC]

b and d yes but f and h no it will take some mods

 

[Kanned]

Thanks a lot, man. Wish it would let me rep ya =(

 

[AHHVTEC]

no problem just dont forget later lol, but just make sure you dont get a b series from a prelude or old school accord there way different

 

[Kanned]

Oh, I'll come back and spread my rep love all over you.

So going back to your custom harness idea, if I were to switch from one OBD to another, wouldn't I practically have to make a completely custom harness? I don't understand how that would be more convenient.

 

[AHHVTEC]

no you just buy a jumper harness there like 80 bucks if you swapping obd but if your not you just use your stock harness and add a few wires to run vtec

 

[Kanned]

Oh, I thought all the sensor connectors and such changed with the OBD. Shit, it was like learning another language when going from older trucks to this honda when I first got it. An easy one, but still another language. Not that I'm an expert or anything, but you catch my drift. I can manage a few wires for the vtec solenoid.
I know all this info is out there, but I'm having a rough time absorbing it all in the different ways that some people explain it. You're helping me out a ton man, thanks.

 

[AHHVTEC]

whats your main goals for this car,

 

[Kanned]

Just read the bold to skip all my bullshit ^_^

My car is a 2000 civic LX. It's my daily driver and I love the thing. I bought it from a wholesaler with a blown motor.

The story is that I started building up another SOHC and with the help of my ex < 13 second honda owning brother, I got too far ahead of myself. I don't know as much about forced induction as him and he had me getting into things that started burning a hole in my wallet. It all started hurting when he talked me into lowering the compression. Anyhow, I sold my failed project for as much as I put into it and had a motor professionally built because I was making decent money and working lots of overtime. Was a friend of a friend that gave me a quote of $700 completed that I couldn't turn down. Fucker ripped me off for double, but it all turned out ok. Still worth the money, imo.


I just have an itch for completing an engine and seeing it in all its glory. I'd like one compatible with my car because I can drop it in if something ever comes up or I really get into it. My plans are to raise the compression a bit and get it setup for a small turbo or a SC. About 8 lbs. I'd imagine a z6 head + y8 block mini-me may be in my best interest if I plan on getting into it. If you didn't catch it, I'd prefer to pep up a SOHC lol.

 

[AHHVTEC]

if your just gonna boost i wouldnt worry about a vtec head just build up your stock motor it would do great on boost

 

[anthrax718]

Idk But i NEed Help

i really havnt figured out how to post my own question yet but i need some help can n e one help

 

[Kanned]

if your just gonna boost i wouldnt worry about a vtec head just build up your stock motor it would do great on boost

That's actually what I was thinking about doing, but I thought I'd be gaining a lot of opportunity doing a mini-me. I do suppose I can always add vtec at a later point if I please. Gotta keep posting on CL and checking junk yards. A local one that's owned by an asshole has 3 of my exact same motor(D16y7) and is asking 400 each. They've been sitting in the rain and I wouldn't like to pay anymore than 250 for those mangy looking things.

 

[AHHVTEC]

yeah to me adding vtec to a turbo project is just a waste you could use the money you spend on a head for some of the build up get a better oil pump and rods those kinds of things and put down 200+ whp easy

 

[njsktr145]

question

guys i had a question. i have a stock 94 civic hatch with stock motor but i wanna swap it out with a b18 . i'm sure you've all heard of the edelbrock turbo kit that seems like a perfect match for this civic, and i was just wondering if it's smart to do the swap and add this turbo, or any problems i'd be facing or other things im going to need to do to see this happen. im looking to boost 10 or higher and see horsepower anywhere from 400-500. any helps greatly appreciated

 

[AHHVTEC]

dont thread jack, do some searching then make your own thread if you can not find a answer after searching

 

[njsktr145]

sorry. how do i do that. first time on site and i have no clue how to make new posts