Hello all. I have a 96 Honda Civic DX. I am looking into the cost of replacing the engine and transmittion, because the one I have now has 240,000 miles on it. I am totaly new to Honda engines, and for that matter, engines in general. I don't have very much money to spend is the bad part. I don't care if its not the best engine ever made, but would maybe like something alittle better than what was in there. Something with alittle more horsepower. I mostly just want to see my options. My question to ya'll is this: where is the best place to get a cheap, decent engine? I would also maybe like a body kit, so can you point me in a good direction for those? Used is fine as long as its not too high mileage. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Bunkerboy5000

 

How much you got?

 

Well I'm not really sure right now. It all kinda depends on how much it costs. I probably want to try and keep it under 1000. I don't know anything about them so I donno if thats even possible.

 

I'm sure you could find a low mileage D16Y8 that would be a little better than the motor you have now, but still get good mileage ect, for around that much. Plus, the transmission you have now would work. If the tranny is an issue, you may want to look for a used one, they are fairly cheap as well w/ low mileage. The only tricky part about that swap would be to wire VTEC into your non VTEC harness. As for a body kit, I would save your money for your swap, there are always little things you need. For specific sights, just google honda engines or something similar and you will get plenty of used motor sights.

 

Thanks alot, your post is really helpful. I wanted a new trans because the one in there now is not doing so well. It kinda slips going 2nd to 3rd. Also, one more question, the car is an automatic, how much trouble would it be to change to manual and would it be cheaper to get a manual than an automatic trans?

 

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/878010

That link will show you every available engine swap for your car. It also gives you a heads up on the pros and cons of different motors.

 

Thanks for the link.

 

passwordjdm.com is selling b20 longblocks for $550 (not including shipping)

http://www.passwordjdm.com/prodtype.asp?PT_ID=464

theres the link, go check it out

 

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1337459

if you are up to the challenge and mechanically inclined then your can auto to manual swap. personally i think it is easier to just buy a new manual car.

 

oh, and about your body kit situation, you could try ebay.. or if that isnt for you, check out bodykits.com
they have ***-loads of kits!!!!!!!!!!! =O

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SleeeeepyDX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">passwordjdm.com is selling b20 longblocks for $550 (not including shipping)

http://www.passwordjdm.com/prodtype.asp?PT_ID=464

theres the link, go check it out
</TD></TR></TABLE>


If you're new to Hondas and car-tech in general, dont get into stuff like a B20 right now, IMO. Specially if you dont have the money. Go with a d16y8 for now, and save your money while you start to learn about cars and specifically Hondas. And please, do yourself and most of the people on here a favor and stay away from body kits! good luck.

 

try looking for a ctr lip instead of a bodykit.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ATEJ8FTW &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">try looking for a ctr lip instead of a bodykit.</TD></TR></TABLE>


yes, To me it sounds like if you more concerned with your body kit than the functionality of your vehicle, there are some problems.

1) Not trying to bash you, but it certainly sounds like you have some financial problems, not to mention poor choices in spending.
2) If it's your only car you should never put you're "mods" over the regular maintenance of your car. You need the car to get to work/school/life etc.
3) As far as the scene on H-T, Body kits are for chodes. The cheapest, IMO best looking way to get that "body kitted" look is to get an OEM front lip. The advantage of this is ease of install, inexpensiveness, and you wont get bashed by H-T users.
4) body kits are out, they were the 90's. And looking back now the only kits that were cool are the ones that flow with the cars OEM features. I.E. the black widow does not do this.

 

Craigslist.com and some luck definently a single cam though Way cheaper and more abondunt...

 

Call your local junkyard for the parts, you shouldnt spend more than $1800.00

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ek forever guy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yes, To me it sounds like if you more concerned with your body kit than the functionality of your vehicle, there are some problems.

1) Not trying to bash you, but it certainly sounds like you have some financial problems, not to mention poor choices in spending.
2) If it's your only car you should never put you're "mods" over the regular maintenance of your car. You need the car to get to work/school/life etc.
3) As far as the scene on H-T, Body kits are for chodes. The cheapest, IMO best looking way to get that "body kitted" look is to get an OEM front lip. The advantage of this is ease of install, inexpensiveness, and you wont get bashed by H-T users.
4) body kits are out, they were the 90's. And looking back now the only kits that were cool are the ones that flow with the cars OEM features. I.E. the black widow does not do this.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Regardless of what you do, security should be your first priority along with regular maintenance of the car. I don't know how many times I've seen threads on H-T of people reporting their cars stolen. I think it's safe to say that some kind of security would be one of the best things you could do for your car second to maintaining it properly.

Since you're new to Hondas, do a lot of reading and this site has a lot of info (not to mention a lot of smartasses and jackasses ready to bash you for even thinking about putting on a body kit or spelling VTEC like this: VTECH ).

 

I wouldn't spend a whole lot of dough on security. Some, but not much, Texas has one of the lowest car theft rates in the u.s. Probably due to the fact everyone can walk around with a gun.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ek forever guy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


yes, To me it sounds like if you more concerned with your body kit than the functionality of your vehicle, there are some problems.

2) If it's your only car you should never put you're "mods" over the regular maintenance of your car. You need the car to get to work/school/life etc.
.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good call brotha. Its a shame how few people realize/practice that. "Yeah check out my new stereo dude! sick right! but i can only listen to it in my driveway cause i cant afford brakes and my car doesn't stop. But at least i got this kick *** stereo!"

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ek gripper &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Good call brotha. Its a shame how few people realize/practice that. "Yeah check out my new stereo dude! sick right! but i can only listen to it in my driveway cause i cant afford brakes and my car doesn't stop. But at least i got this kick *** stereo!"

</TD></TR></TABLE>

More like, yeah I turbo'd my car and went bankrupt. Or I put my turbo on the card. Or I skipped a months rent for my exhaust.

^ **** like that is weaksauce ingredients.

 

Damn thatd just be outta control. But you went a little outta the park there, we're just talkin buyin random boltons and body kits when regular maintenance comes first. Not rackin up c.c. debt and skippin rent. Bad experience or something?

 

I've never done that, but I know a lot of people who do. It's very common for kids to get excited with their college kid interest rate credit cards.