New to the Eco mod territory... ('96 Civic hatch with HX lean burn engine swap)

[Outlaws69]

The name is lawrence and my story.

Driving to work one day in my 1996 Honda Civic hatch back dx with a d16y7 SOHC with about 125000 miles on it. I was mining my own business crusing in the back country road, BAM! traffic, BAM! Upper radiator hose blow car over heated, head gasket started leaking internally my Vic is now a steam train all the way home... I parked the car have started doing research on what to do next...

After about 3 weeks of Internet/ forums/ pros/cons... The decision was made... I am going to look for a D16Y5, SOHC VtecE and swap everything out!(Thank you craiglists) found a complete swap.

Long story short, the swap is completed and I am on my break in period, I would load some pix but I need 5 post first! Will show pix once I get there!

[ron]

so what was the cost of the used engine verses the head gasket replacement cost. dont count the hastle factor

[Outlaws69]

Originally Posted by ron

so what was the cost of the used engine verses the head gasket replacement cost. dont count the hastle factor

A head gasket job would have cost me less than $100. But I will have to change out a lot of gaskets and fix a few other leaks, properly about $300 in parts total.

With what I did
The used D16Y5 with TRANNY, ECU, LINKAGE, DRIVESHAFTS $400.
Machine shop for cleaning, decked, and a valve job $300 (local)
A rebuild kit with new water pump and oil pump $280 (eBay)
A wiring harness because I wanted a factory complete look $130 used (eBay)

I sold the D16Y7 as is for $200 on CL. So a total cost of $900 was the cost to have this swap done plus about 40-50 hours of work! (mostly cleaning and monkeying rusted parts)

[Outlaws69]

Also, I should mention that I commute to work 35 miles each way, with the Y7 I was getting 36~mpg vs this Y5 that should gets 44+ on a bad day. I have never really cared for gas prices, but the more research I do, the more I think this is a chanellege to me. I am aiming for 50 mpg which I think with a few mod, judging by what I have been reading, it is durable!!! I think I have just found a new hobbie!!

[ron]

Thanks for that I am discussing a used engine verses a new head gasket with my son and his 1996 accord 4cyl 2.2 . these real world costs will help (Him) to make his a choice

[Outlaws69]

Originally Posted by ron

Thanks for that I am discussing a used engine verses a new head gasket with my son and his 1996 accord 4cyl 2.2 . these real world costs will help (Him) to make his a choice

Accord engine is dime a dozen on CL, if you can build them, they are dirt cheap. However, in some cases, it is cheaper to buy a JDM import because you can just pull your old one out and drop the new one in, it save a lot of time and labor. I don't mind doing to work as I like hiding in the garage. But it would have cost me about $700 to swap a JDM engine.(note: $700 would be a replacement engine not a conversion to a diffent type engine) hope this help you!

[Outlaws69]

Post just to post pix!!! Lol

[ron]

Its a big help. the only problem I find with the jdm.s is the fact that while they may have 30to40thousand miles on then that does not really reflect the run time/ Idle time.the time spent in traffic and maintenance preformed, and you still should pull the head and pan of an unknown engine imho.

[Outlaws69]

Originally Posted by ron

Its a big help. the only problem I find with the jdm.s is the fact that while they may have 30to40thousand miles on then that does not really reflect the run time/ Idle time.the time spent in traffic and maintenance preformed, and you still should pull the head and pan of an unknown engine imho.

Agreed, I will never put an unknown engine in my cars. On the accord, you could just rebuild, $600-$800 you would have yourself a new Honda that would go for... Well until you want to get rid of it!!!

[ron]

post away