Blown Civic

[CamMitchell]

Originally Posted by sarguy01

The VTEC has a different cam and head. It also has a VTEC solenoid. I am not sure if you can run a VTEC engine without a VTEC computer. If you get the computer, the wiring harness is different. I think it's only the VTEC wire. I was looking into what it would take to swap mine over to an HX.

Yeah, I thought it was something like that. Been a while since I researched it. HX does sound better.

Originally Posted by sarguy01

Did you check car-part.com Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market for a non-VTEC engine?

Cheapest price on car-part.com is $250 from Brooklyn. Shipping is prob $150-200.
eBay is $450-800.
Locally my salvage yards don't have any.
craigslist has a VTEC for $600.

[THINKING OUT LOUD] Is it possible to properly repair a damaged block? Either casting new material and welding onto the hole, or repairing the hole in some other way? I'll have to replace the broken rod and maybe piston, and check and make sure there's not other internal damage, but if the hole is fixed, shouldn't the engine be OK? Or are there stresses that will flex and break the block even if repaired?[/THINKING OUT LOUD]

Just trying to avoid spending extra $$$ if I don't have to.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by CamMitchell

Thanks Daox! GL on yer fix-up. My car had been pretty good to me, until the engine blew in the mountains in winter. That sucked. Oil everywhere, nice hole in the block.

OK, just found a craigslist D17 for $600 OBO. Though it's a VTEC and mine's not. I don't remember what it takes to make that work.

Note that there are two VTEC engines. The D17A2 VTEC found in the EX, and the D17A6 VTEC-E found in the HX. The HX is capable of lean burn which is nice for economy.

Gear ratios are best for efficiency in the HX tranny, worst in the EX tranny. Finding an HX tranny might be a good idea. Regardless which tranny, be aware that the Input Shaft Bearing is a common point of failure and you may want to replace it while you have it apart.

[Daox]

You probably could repair the block, but it would be way more time and money intensive than just swapping in a different engine. That, and it probably wouldn't hold up as well.

[CamMitchell]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Your D17 will bolt-on a D15 transmission, but there will be some shifter linkage fabrication (you have cable whereas 5th and 6th gen had rods). I don't know if the older engines will swap in, and there is a security immobilizer to consider in the 01-05 Civic.

Other thoughts... you could get the whole D17 Civic HX engine and bolt it in, needing the wiring harness, ECU, and HX transmission. That would give you a learn burn "HX/LX" or "HLX." Increase the complexity of that idea further and get a 1992-1995 CX/VX trans.

More simply, bolt in a new D17 LX engine, keep your current harness, ECU, and then decide if you want to keep your transmission or buy an 2001-2005 HX transmission for its taller gearing. A 2001-2005 HX trans will bolt right onto your "new" 2001-2005 LX engine.

BTW, I compiled as rigorously as possible a variety of transmission specs for these cars: ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/honda-manual-transmission-specifications-gear-ratios-26279.html#post378478

Welcome to "the fold."

james

Thanks for the welcome, and for that link.

Cool as I think a VX engine in the LX (LVX? VLX?) would be, I think at this point a direct replacement D17 is in order. I could, but don't want to fab custom mounts/linkages/wiring.

What's the (assumed average) mpg savings for the HX tranny? The gearing looks different enough to make a real impact on mpg. I'm interested in exploring this option, seeing as I'll have the engine out anyway.

All that aside, however, I did find some VX engines for $200-300. And if it will bolt up to a LX or HX tranny...that would be sweet.

[sarguy01]

Originally Posted by darcane

Note that there are two VTEC engines. The D17A2 VTEC found in the EX, and the D17A6 VTEC-E found in the HX. The HX is capable of lean burn which is nice for economy.

Gear ratios are best for efficiency in the HX tranny, worst in the EX tranny. Finding an HX tranny might be a good idea. Regardless which tranny, be aware that the Input Shaft Bearing is a common point of failure and you may want to replace it while you have it apart.

Yes, but is it possible to use the EX engine as an HX engine with the HX ECU? I think the pistons and cams are different, but otherwise the motor is the same.