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I just picked up a 97 Civic LX as a daily driver after a 3 year break from Hondas. I miss the reliability and fuel economy, and my RHD Subaru is pretty much track dedicated anymore, now that there are NO luxuries left.

Anyways, the Civic I bought, has the stock D16y7 in it, I have no plans on modifying this car, other than maybe a decent stereo, and some wheels. The car is smoking (I got the seller to drop the price a lot for this) and I'm looking into getting a rebuild kit off eBay. Pistons, rings, bearings, and all new gaskets. I also plan on replacing the water pump and all the belts while i'm at it. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the eBay rebuild kits. Like I said, I have no intentions on modifying the performance aspect of this car, I just want it to run like a top and be reliable as possible.

I am in the Army, stationed about 2,000 miles away from home, so I like to drive home a few times a year and visit my family and friends, I don't really want to risk buying another 10-15 year old engine that may be just as close to death as this one, when I could pull this engine and rebuild it in a weekend. I'm just hoping to get some feedback on the quality.

Thanks in advance Honda-Tech, I look forward to getting back into the community, I miss Honda-Tech.

v8killaz

pistons rarely go bad
smoking is probably caused by valve seals or rings

just grab a set of rings valve seals get the head checked and buy all oem stuff
its not that expensive

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Rings and valve seals are being replaced, I just figured for the price, while the engine is torn apart I may as well replace the pistons as well, once less thing I have to worry about.

I planned on replacing the rings, bearings, pistons, all the gaskets, water pump, oil pump, timing belt, tensioner, and all the accy belts.

ekhatchologist

if you buy any ebay rebuild kit look for japanese parts not cheap chinese parts. quality does matter. use name brand gaskets. if you plan on having a bullet proof engine do things right the first time and you will be a happy camper. imagine blowing your engine during a cruise on a visit to said location: / i also suggest replacing the y7 for a y8 head while you're rebuilding it so you can pick up some extra horsepower. this wont sacrifice your mpg really, you spend a small amount, PLUS you have the neck snapping vtec. it is a mod but i'd think of it as extra hp to help haul the slightly heavier LX while adding a little fun factor. I'm also a returning Honda owner/honda-tech thugnasty yo. shop wisely, good luck!

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Thanks for the input, and welcome back. I'm going so far in depth with this rebuild for exactly that reason, I don't want to break down half way across the country, and I know my luck, thats exactly when it would happen, not when I was closed to home. I may do a mini-me swap eventually, but i'm not too concerned about how fast the car is for now, I have a 300awhp Subaru for when I want to go fast, lol.

v8killaz

lol at y8 and y7 hp difference

who would waste their time and money to do that. i mean get real 130hp even to the wheels is like nothing
neck snapping vtec wow get real dude

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I believe that comment was sarcasm bro.

SeanK325

just go oem and you'll sleep easier.

JarvisW

Thanks for your service!

Have you thought of getting a JDM engine? They have low miles, and come as a full longblock, so you would have extra parts.

I'm torn myself between rebuilding or replacing my 300k mile D16Z6, so I'm looking for opinions.

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You're welcome, but its just a job

And i've thought about it, but i'm really trying to look at the most cost affective method. I mean I can rebuild this engine with fresh internals (not including rods and crank), seals, and all the pumps for less than $500, or gamble with another used USDM/JDM engine for $500-$1000. I can do all the labor myself, so thats not an issue, I think that if this rebuild lasts a couple years i'd be more than happy with it, I don't keep cars long anyways.

JarvisW

Well, its more, but its ok..

Yeah, I was thinking exactly the same things too.. But its for my dad, so I want to be sure it wont break down on him at a bad time. I think we could build it, and have a shop do the checking out and cleaning, and be around your $500 too. He is leaning toward a JDM tho, so I need to convince him.

Also, I agree with an above poster, go OEM for most of your parts, as they are proven to last. I'm doing most that way, except maybe a Gates belt.

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If you're dad doesn't care about performance, I know the d15b gets insane gas mileage, that is if you're looking to just do an outright swap.

JarvisW

lol he likes his VTEC. (and so did I)

It was his Del Sol, that he's had for over 10 years, that made me want to get one. Then his burned a valve with less than a couple tho from 300k miles! (dont take your heat shield off, unless you have a header)

ANd we could get another Z6 at a junk yard for $400, but aren't sure we wanna mess with something with 150k on it.

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d15b is vtec... vtec-e that is, lol

JarvisW

he'd have to test drive one to see. He likes what he had so hes reluctant to wanna change.

silverwrench

why don't you just get parts from your local store like auto zone, pep boys, etc? wouldn't that be easier than ordering off ebay and waiting for it to ship?

94EG8

Its probably cheaper to get it off ebay.

To the OP, a lot of times you can get away with ebay gaskets, but buy a honda OEM waterpump.

ekhatchologist

i was being sarcastic. i was just throwing that out there since it costs almost nothing.

ekhatchologist

thanks, and you're welcome