Hi all,

I posted some time ago talking about how I needed to rebuild my engine. Well, a time has come where I really have to do something about it. On my way down to Portland from Seattle, one of the cylinder lost all of its compression.

Anyhow, I now have to decide what to do:
1. Sell what's left for whatever I can get and buy a new car.
2. Rebuild the engine.
3. Put in a used engine.

At this point, I'm wondering what it's like to put a JDM Integra Type R into the car. I searched around a bit but I wasn't able to find straight answers regarding these:
- How will it behave with WA smog test? They connect a computer to my car to check, so I'm thinking that if I have a USDM ECU around handy, I can just use that.
- How will my car perform with JDM Engine, but a USDM ECU (perhaps for smog test reasons)

I found a shop in Cali JHP that can sell me an engine/trans/ecu combo for $5000 with shipping. They sound reputable, and it seems like they have been around for a while. With labor and all, I'm guessing it'll cost me about $6.5 to get my R up and running again.

I'm aware that with the JDM ECU, my car will perform better. But it's pointless if I can't pass smog. So, I'm wondering if swapping the ECU just for smog test reasons is good enough? I'm also wondering if the JDM engine will perform fine (at least the same as a USDM engine) if I use a USDM ECU.

Thanks for your help and opinions!

 

that's overpriced for a jdm R swap. one of our forum shops is selling 96-97 spec swaps for $2900. even 360 imports down in vancouver would give you a better deal than $5000. you also don't need a swap since you already have the transmission. jdm engines corp in texas is selling long blocks for $2600 shipped. i'm running one now. it came in perfect shape with great compression. all you will need to do in order to run one on the usdm ecu is switch your intake manifolds for the evap. change the oil pump to usdm spec so you can run the cfs sensor. and...that's about it. a jdm p73 will also plug in obd2a cars and run just as is.

ps. i HATE JHP USA, the sell stuff they don't even have in stock and give you the run around.

 

If all you need are new piston rings, then just have the block honed, and slap in some new ones. Much cheaper than throwing in a whole new engine with an unknown amount of mileage. You know a USDM R motor will pass smog...

 

Thanks for your inputs. I should get the details when I drop by Acura tomorrow, but they said a bunch more work is required.

Of course this is Acura talking so their quote of $9k to get the engine rebuilt is way too much, but I assume that they think that quite a bit needs to get done besides just changing the rings, block honed, etc.

I'll update the thread with what they think is required.

 

I would say rebuilt your motor.

Look around and be patience.

 

Btw, another reason why I need to take care of this soon, rather than later...it's my daily drive.

 

whatever ******* Acura dealership you are dealing with who gave you a 9k quote should be turned into the BBB.
here is a NEW shortblock:

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...layCatalogid=0

this is an OEM Brand New 0 miles shortblock, it includes block, crank, pistons, rings, oilpan, etc. it is 2500.00. (shipped by the way) and it is fully assembled.
rent an engine hoist (50.00)
jack up the car, pull the motor and trans. (2 hours)
swap trans to new shortblock, swap head, intake, etc. if you want to get crazy, buy a new clutch while you are at it, Exedy is good, whole kit will cost you 250(maybe)
you will need a head gasket, an intake mani gasket (get a hondata $50.00)
reinstall motor, fill trans(syncromesh, 11$ a quart), fill oil, start the bitch up and drive it. (4-5 hours)
I will even bet there are people on this board that will help you and can get it done in a day, ****, I will do it if you fly me out.
total cost about 3k (plus my plane ticket)

 

So with a busted engine, I wonder how much I can sell the shell for?

 

current market value minus about 4-5k...as long as it is complete otherwise.

 

if he's down to zero in one cylinder. there is more than just rings needed. personally i'd sell the 18c5 and use it toward the jdm itr, IF you knew what you were doing, had the tools and could do it all yourself rebuilding would be cheaper. however. i doubt this is the case. buy a jdm engine, do a one weekend change job and start driving again. if you could get your car to portland i would be glad to do the whole swap including pump and sensor changes in return for your bad motor. that's a total cost of $2600ish to get it up and going on a JDM ITR. i've done these before. know the ins and outs & am driving a swapped car that looks 100% factory under the hood right now.

oh, almost forgot. the vtec has to solenoid has to be switched between the two as well for it to run on the usdm ecu.

if you're interested, click on my website link below and give me a call

 

X2

 

The best bet would be rebuild the engine. or at least the block.
That way the vin and serial# matchs to the car.

 

if not sell me the block,and if you did the work yourself the rebuild be around 1500 tops,with new valve seals,rear main seals,oil seal,etc....thats with the overbore machine and bearings and installation.

 

Yeah, i completely agree. It should also be a little cheaper for you too. Rebuild the engine.

 

I was able to find an acura dealer that sells the itr shortblock for 2400 which is a very smart way to take car of this since its oem,honda built and installed,done alreadty-ready to drop,comes with a proper warranty and name,comes with many new parts that are crazy expensive normally and that do not come with a rebuild such as the crank

however the dude above has a great point about the vins matching.

 

Thanks for the great responses!

Here's an update on what Acura thinks happened:
- One of the rings gave out, resulting in zero compression for one of the cylinders.
- Since I didn't stop immediate (I prob drove about a mile before the next exit/gas station), the compression leaked into the head and burned the exhaust valves. That's why they claim that I need a new head.
- Block needs to be replaced (I forgot the exact reason why here tho)

The reason why they quoted me $9k or so is because the head + the block parts are about $6k to start out with (and then other misc parts + labor).

If I drop a new engine in as idrivesideways suggests, how much then can I sell the car for? I'm wondering if it's better to sell the car as in, or if I should swap it, then try to sell it (if I were to sell it).

You guys have been great. Thanks so much!
K

 

the forum would need to know the year and condition of your car. it's likely that the car would sell for more with a solid engine. probably thousands more

 

Car info:
2000
Black

Condition is I guess good, besides the shot engine. I've done regular maintenance, including transmission rebuilt and clutch replacement sometime ago.

Some minor dents and scratches all around since it was my daily drive. It's at 158k miles.

Have extra set of Type R rims (uses JDM ITR rims normally) with snow tires.

 

you could get 9k, maybe 10k out of that with a clean title if you did the engine. see what others think as well price wise.

 

Buy some new High performence Pistons, some cams and rebuilt it, CHEAPER AND BETTER!

 

 

Buy a GSR longblock for $1700 (Hmotorsonline.com price) and swap it in to get yourself a running car. Then have the ITR longblock torn-down & rebuilt by someone that knows what their doing. Swap it back in and sell the GSR longblock locally on Craig's list for the same price you paid...

Now your car is a full "numbers-matching" ITR again!!! All it cost was the price of the rebuild and shipping...

 

actually a sound idea BUT you can now get ITR engines shipped from other places with compression tests for mid 2's, only a couple hundred more than the GSR and easier to sell on craigslist. plus he can easily run them correctly on his p73 ecu

 

Acura did claim that I need a new head as well since the valves are burnt....

So if I can sell my car with a clean title for $9k-$10k, and if I can sell it with my current condition for about $5k, I guess it's worth the fix if someone can fix it for $3k or so.... Hm. I may just let it sit in my garage and find someone to fix it locally. I'm thinking more and more that since I don't need to rush fixing it, I may do that. Or if someone comes around and offers a nice price for what's there, that's probably ok too.

I guess I'd have to find someone around the Puget Sound to do it though.

 

i wish there was some way to get it down to portland. i have a shop it could sleep in the whole time too.

you probably could find people over at SIR who know what they are doing & would give you a decent deal on the swap. i know jdm engines corp is a decent seller and will do $2600 shipped for a long block. it's just the installer needs to know what has to be swapped out and a few of the ins and outs of the jdm vs usdm ITR