RadTad

Hey guys I'm new to this forum and have a few questions, but first let me shine some light on my situation. I picked up an ek with with a bad d16y8. The previous owner ran it out of oil, so he says, and it sounds like there is a spun rod or crank bearing. Anyways, I have had experience with honda's in the past (close to 10yrs now) and figured that I could pick this up and rebuild it to sell and make a little extra money for my time. I am now, however, considering swapping out the d series since I figured for a little more I could put in a b series or something similar. I figure I would spend around 1k for the entire rebuild including machine work and parts to get the d series up and running, and I would spend maybe a bit more with the swap. I figure I could ask a little more for a swapped car and not have to spend time breaking in a new rebuild. So I was searching on Craigslist and found a b20 vtec that someone had build and is trying to sell. Here's the listing http://reno.craigslist.org/pts/3828503249.html He has almost everything for the swap except for shift linkage, and the mounts. I would do a compression test and make sure that it spins freely etc, and I would also offer a bit less than he is asking like around 1200 or so. So my question is whether or not to do it. There is a chance that this could blow up in my face and I would be stuck rebuilding someones project and out even more money essentially eliminating any profit I could potentially have, or it could work really well and be a fun b series ek. I personally would rather swap it, but I don't have much experience with b20 or ls vtec's, although I understand the principle of the build, and have heard that there are reliablity issues? Well that's where I'm at. Let me know what you guys think or if there are any questions.

Miguel613ekb18c

For that price u could find a gsr engine for 1500
Or go b20b for 600 that's how much they go for in my town from my experience I'd never buy a built motor because their probly at the end of its days

Miguel613ekb18c

For that price u could find a gsr engine for 1500
Or go b20b for 600 that's how much they go for in my town from my experience I'd never buy a built motor because their probly at the end of its days

RadTad

I couldnt find a gsr with tranny harness and ecu for that price here in reno or even sac. I think for everything I would be getting it would be a good deal if it all works well. I'm definatly going to ask about the build more to see if the bottom end was put together with arp, etc. I am still on the fence about this and would appreciate some more feed back because Im going to take a look at it tomorrow and make a decision. Lets say I bought it, and installed it. Is there going to be issues with a cel using the gsr ecu I assume its a p72, if my memory serves me right, in my ek? I wouldnt think that there would be an issue (and if there was then maybe I could just chip it) but Im not completely sure so hence the question.

Miguel613ekb18c

Well it's a lot better to get a stock motor so u can build it yourself more fun that way and keeps u outta trouble, by way u don't need a wire harness all swaps keep the harness that came with the original car

doood

iTrader: (1)

i would personally never buy someone's used project. whether it be an entire car or "built" engine because you never know what exactly was done to it or how it was built. was it done the right way or did they just throw parts together?

sure they may tell you, but how do you know they're not just bullshitting you? would you be able to tell if the guy was giving you legit info or blowing smoke up your ***? you admittedly dont know much about b20vtec's so that puts you at even more of a disadvantage.

but go ahead, roll the dice. you'll probably buy it anyway.

RadTad

Wow, I finally got some feed back. I decided not to go with it. I guess I'm not much of a gambler. I bought the ek to fix, sell, and try and turn a small profit. I have built many engines in the past most not Honda, but some were in my earlier days, and it is just hard for me to keep something stock because its, well, boring. Anyways, I'm just going to stick with my original plan. With the B20vtec I had weighed the pros/cons as well as the additional costs if things didn't go perfectly as they never do, and it just made more sense to stick with the y8 and rebuild it.

NVturbo

AGREED. When it comes to used motors, always....ALWAYS buy one from a car that is butt-naked stock. At least you know the motor has never been molested or worked on.