input/opinion needed...engine rebuild or swap out.
 

So basically I have a 98 civic si daily driver that needs new piston rings, timing belt and valve adjustment.
Is it worth it to get the work done to the engine or swap it out completely?
To get the work done I've gotten quotes from places ranging from $1700 all the way up to $4000!

If a swap is the way to go, can you recommend a place to get buy the engine/get it installed. I'm a little weary of going to a place like Ralphs and ending up with a engine with possibly the same or worse issues.

Current engine is bone stock, 203xxxkm No other issues as far as I know

Thanks for the input

Buy the k20 swap that was on here, a whole type a for 2700 and even includes the seats i think.

/thread
Posted via RS Mobile

garage five specializes in hondas exactly like yours. ask them. they were very helpful when i was asking them how long it might take for installing some parts i have.

they quoted me up to 5 hrs. but it actually took them half the time.

Why do you have to have the piston rings replaced - is it just burning oil? I would have the timing belt change and valve adjustment done and would not do the piston rings if that's the case. I would not consider swapping or rebuilding.

i need the rings replaced because I'm going through oil like BP's cracked well. And I know that is where the issue is.
As for the timing belt and valve adjustment, I want those done because I'm certain they haven't been checks/replaced for the life of the car.

I want a fix that will be reliable but cost effective because I plan of getting a new truck towards the end of the year anyways and just use the civic for to and from work.

Maybe just swap to a B18B1 motor from an Integra. They're pretty cheap and plentiful. They have more horses/torque than your stock SI motor as well.

Some food for thought:

1. How long do you plan on keeping the car for?
2. Do you plan on modifying it?

Side question: Are you comfortable in taking the risk of swapping in a different motor? I ask because a friend of mine (who is on RS) swapped in a motor on his Civic. Months later, the head gasket blew, despite the engine vendor being reputable and had excellent compression and leak down numbers.

Another thing to consider is resale. Some people would prefer to have the original engine that came with the car and the peace of mind that it was rebuilt and documented as opposed to an engine swap. Lots of variables and things to think about, but again, just food for thought.

Sorry, didn't mean to over-complicate things. I'm getting old. :)

Based on this I would just get the motor work done. Keep everything original.

Does the car has sentimental value? If not it might just be easier to upgrade to a newer car.

no love? no care
spend y our money wisely

Hate to say, but you can pick up another '98 Civic for pretty damn cheap nowadays. Unless you've got sentimental attachment to your car or have the mechanical aptitude to do the work yourself, it might be ultimately cheaper to simply buy another car.

^^^ This. Sell it to someone like me who wants a project and then just buy a new car. You'll come out ahead.

the amount you're paying to rebuild/swap/replacing parts is about the same amount as what you car is worth

just sell it and use the money towards another car

Just throwing some numbers around...

Say $500 for your car, as is and you can get a 5spd EL for $2500 or less. Out of pocket $1750ish.
1998 Acura el, 5speed, grey

B swap incl. labour, mounts, w/p, tbelt, and fluids fluids is going to be around $2k.

Used Y8, labour, w/p, tbelt, and fluids is probably around $1500.

Rebuilding your current engine will probably cost around the same as a Bswap, once you factor in machining the head, honing block, rings, shells, HG kit, w/p, tbelt, tstat, fluids and labour.

when you buy a used engine your buying someone elses problems or some unknown problems. yours you know. if it in the cards fix yours

+1

And factor in time/opportunity cost.

Swap out or buy a new car, rebuild is not worth it!
Posted via RS Mobile

I'm just wondering how easy or hard to put K20?

I know it's been done million times, but in the end '98 civic was not designed for K20.
Does he need a kit? new tranny, new ECU, wiring, other fabrications, etc?

found it

K20 Swap Kit by Hybrid Racing (88-00 Civic/CRX & 93-97 Del Sol & 94-01 Integra) | Hybrid Racing

Leaning towards just fixing the current engine.
but at first I couldn't justify swapping a better motor since the plan is to get a new car towards the end of the year.. but if a B swap is going to cost only a little more.... hmmm

and I wasn't even considering selling and picking up a new car...
Damn you guys!

Putting in new rings, timing belt and valve adjustment is something that you can totally do yourself. There are enough people on revscene/google that don't default to paying some mechanic that can guide you in the right direction. Also, rings and a head gasket don't cost that much and you can usually rent a cylinder hone from Can Tire. Furthermore, if you can pull the oil pan off while the engine is still in the car, then you can do this with the engine still mounted in the car. Depending on cylinder wear, a re-ring may not last you forever but if you get another 50,000k out of it before it starts burning oil again, that will give you the time to save for a b-series cause it's true, it is not worth it to do a legit full rebuild on a D16.
Posted via RS Mobile

No a re ring, valve adjustment etc isnt something just anyone can do. The amount of tools needed alone, make something like this difficult. Its far more then goin to canadian tire and buying the 250 piece mechanics set. Agreed its not a difficult prospect for someone experienced and with the equipment to do so but average Joe is gonna be a little overwhelmed.

This isn't a theory, I rebuilt my 7MGE ground up with a $250 mechanics set and their rental tools in my driveway. 100,000 km later it runs great. Also have a b-16 swap and a ground up SBC 400 under my belt and I learned everything by reading and trying stuff out.

Regards,

Your Average Joe
Posted via RS Mobile

I'm like you but also have friends that are so scared to even change there own oil, let alone do a valve adjustment. I guess all those commercials by budget/Midas have done there job in scaring people to work on their cars. I no longer do work on peoples cars, I advise people on what to do while I drink beer that they brought over.
Posted via RS Mobile

If he's asking, he either doesn't know, doesn't want to risk it, doesn't have the time or doesn't have the space to do it.

Maybe he has more money than time and wants a shop to be responsible for any screw-ups.