Its time to start ordering parts for my D16z6 swap. I already have the japanese engine and I am going to order a ton of the usual parts, water pump, thermostat, gaskets, etc. I was wondering if it makes a difference whether I go Honda OEM(expensive) or Aftermarket(cheaper but not no name junk). The price difference for everything is at least $150-$200 which could be put to better use. If I go aftermarket I'm not necessarily getting the cheapest I can find, just name brands that are cheaper that Honda. And a few of the key parts like the head gasket, timing belt, and internal seals are definitely going to be Honda, I'm just asking about the other miscellaneous stuff. Or should I just stick with OEM all the way and not take any risks with aftermarket? Just curious to see anyone's opinion.

 

For the most part, OEM is the way to go! If you want to cheap out a git, i guess you could save on some of the rubber gaskets.

The parts you want oem for sure:
- timing belt and water pump
- thermostat
- head gasket

 

how necessary is it to change all the gaskets on a jdm low milage engine? im getting an sohc zc tomorrow.

not trying to jack...

 

^ i'd do it just to make sure it doesnt blow.. how do YOU know it has " low miles "

just saying.

 

true, dont most of these importing places have paperwork showing the results of the compression, leak down, and pressure tests?

thats all i caare about...i just dont want to seperate a "good" engine if i dont have to, especially since the zc will have that messy composite HG in it.

 

From what I've read if you can afford it, replace it. I am on a pretty tight budget so by buying a few of the parts non oem its going to help a lot. For example, an AC Delco Timing belt/Tensioner kit is $58 vs oem $82. But, does anyone have any bad experiences with non oem? It is my daily driver and if oem is the only sure way to go, I'll spend the money. But if it doesn't matter then I'm definitely going to try to save a few bucks.

 

true but, yet again you get what you pay for..

 

if you plan on changing the parts on the zc then get a timing belt kit like the one i showed you at my house from Ricks engine parts...i only paid $75 shipped for the timing belt,timing belt tensioner,water pump,valve cover seal set,cam and crank gasket...!!!

 

i will only trust oem, or gates belts(gates makes oem honda timing belts). tensioner you could get away with it. water pump, definitely oem, and noting else. ive seen a napa water pump screw up on a Z6 before, not a good site.

alternator, and ps belt go aftermarket. head gasket, as long as it's a multilayer metal head gasket you should be good.

and like post ^ said, you get what you pay for.

 

well, i put my b16 in my ef and i didnt replace anything. not even the timing belt. now i know i should have but i didnt have the cash and my engine came from a previuse us ownder (ordered if from japan and ended up needing cash before he installed it), so i wasnt sure if all that was already been replaced or not. it all looked good/tight to me so i went with it. and i know alot of people that use aftermarket parts, and personally i worked at a garage for 2 years and the only complaints for cheap parts was the cheapo brake pads.

 

so ur jdm turned out to be usdm? or u went with usdm instead?

 

Thanks for all of the info, it's really helpful. Another question, what about the motor mounts. I know mine are shot. Oem or no? The price difference is huge.

 

www.rockauto.com

 

no, my b16 is jdm. i just baught it from someone in the us instead of getting it through a dealer myself. they baught it and got hard up for cash. so i grabbed it up for cheap.