Knightmare69

So I just found out my friend's 98 Civic Ex has a partially blown headgasket. This finally explains why all this time the car has been randomly overheating. So, what to do? Besides the obvious of replacing the headgasket, I was told the head would be sent out to be machined and checked for cracks and the valves checked. The engine has a lil over 90g on the clock.

Engine transplant is too costly cuz I was thinking about swapping in a auto LS engine, but there are no funds unless someone knows the cost for that.

So if we send the head out to get machined, is it worth it to do anything else to the head while it's out? And the block while it's apart? The car has Fake J's intake, DC Header, Random Tech Cat, KTeller 2.25 Mild Steel Cat-back and custom Trust Muffler.

Recommendations are welcomed. TIA.

jolt-tsp

Headgaskets not a had change, nor costly. I just did it on my d16. I'd say do that, and see if that fixes the problem. If it doesn't, then take it to be machined. Or if you have the extra money, just go ahead and have a shop check it and machine it while it's out. Saves you time, but may cost you more money.

kleanlscivic

just gave my crx head to the machine shop, had it check and shaved b/c it was warped, cost a total of $60. only thing was they didnt tightin **** down

Knightmare69

Just made an appointment with http://www.RPMNYC.com to get the head job done. We'll see how it goes.

Knightmare69

Well now I've got an offer for a pre-prepped head from DH-Racing This includes worked over milled valve jobbed swirl polished valve and assembled with springs.

He's also got a custom cam that he would sell to me. So with this stuff, what kind of tuning do I need if any? Do I need a cam gear? I'm still waiting for him to reply to me about these questions so we'll see how it goes. So as of right now, if I get this head then I won't have to get the current one machined which should bring down the cost significantly no?

What kind of gains can my friend expect with this along her Fake J's intake, DC 2pc header, RT high flow cat and 2.25 piping with a baffled muffler?TIA

EJ1 wilcox

Are you planning on staying NA forever?

If not, I would replace those shitty head bolts with some head studs. Even if you are going to stay NA I would install head studs, they are cheap insurance and will hold the head on there much better.

Knightmare69

Well, there are no plans for extensive motor or FI work in the near future so I'm not sure about the head studs, while I do think it's a good idea, my friend can't justify the cost for them right now for an essentially stock engine with bolt-ons. When we finally get around to doing motor work and/or going FI then I would have the head studs installed.