I have a 94 civic dx hatch. It smokes at higher rpm's. I replaced the head. people tell me it's the rings that are causing it to smoke. The rings and bearings and everything would cost me around $150.00. a friend said he would give me some dome shaped pistons that would fit for free. I could get a 1.6 ported and polished head for almost nothing.

My question is how had is it to tear down the motor and replace the rings and install the new pistons? What troubles would I run into?

Or for $435 I can get a 1.6 SOHC non-vtec and use my tranny and still have to buy a ecu and wiring harness.

I guess I am just asking if the 1.5 would be worth replacing the rings and doing that stuff to it. And if I done all that to it would it be better than getting a 1.6. I'm not really wanting to spend a lot of money on the motor. Speed isn't all that to me. Would rather have soemthing dependable and maybe a little peppier.

Thanks for all the help,
Bradley

 

go for a D16 SOHC VTEC, it will be worth the trouble. You will need a new (P28) ecu and have to add 2 wires to the engine wiring.

Also try to find a EX/Si tranny, that is a big help!

Nothing wrong with the 1.5L, just not worth it to rebuild.