I'm looking at replacing my stock LS motor for a few reasons: 1) Motor is running on bent valves 2) 188K miles with oil leakage everywhere and 3) I have about $3,500 to spend on whatever I want for the car.

I've been browsing through hmotorsonline.com for a ball park estimate on what I can expect to spend. So far I've been eyeing to either purchase a complete 94-97 GSR motor/tranny or stick with my LS tranny and purchase just the long block for a bit lesser price.

Considering I have almost 190K miles on motor/vehicle. My gut tells me to buy the complete engine/tranny with around 40k miles on it. I'll probably have a bit more peace of mind knowing everything is original and 'fresh'.

On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with my tranny other than the high mileage. Therefore I am considering just buying the long block, which would save me a bit of money to use on other parts. Plus, I plan on getting a LSD tranny down the road.

Plans for the car before you guys ask is simply have a 'fun' reliable daily driven car in the mean time while I save up for boost :D. Obviously I won't be getting that from a stock ls motor, eventhough an extra 30-40hp i'll be getting from a stock GSR motor isn't nothing to be stoked about lol.

With all that being said, here are my questions:

1) Is it worth spending the extra cash to buy a complete change over? or just stick with my current tranny and buy just the long block?

2) Considering I have a very high mileage transmission, what are the common problems I should be expecting if I do use my current ls tranny?

3) After doing a bit of research, I read that using the engine harness from a JDM motor is useless since the battery/ECU are in the oppostie direction, so I was wondering if I can use my current engine harness as a replacement eventhough it's a non-vtec motor?

4 and finally, would I run into any problems during installation if I go with the GSR long block and my stock ls transmission ?

Thanks for any input/adive and help you guys can give me. There a few other motors I considered like a complete B16A SIR-II and just buying another low mileage LS since I'm going to boost it down the road, but I have my mind set on the GSR motor for now.

 

I do have a chipped p72 ECU with an OBD1 conversion harness that came with the vehicle when I bought it, if it helps any lol.

 

^ No help there boostedeh3.....WTF?

OP:

1. Buy the complete changeover. Your tranny is kicking @ 188k, but you will end up kicking yourself when your tranny does go out down the road if you end up buying the just the long block. If you buy the GSR, the LS trans will hook up, but not meant for the GSR. The GSR comes with a shorter final drive, and if you hook up the GSR to the LS trans, the motor will feel weak, and slower because you will take forever to get to powerband.

2. Grinding, worn dog teeth, worn syncros. Should I say more? Even if its not doing it now, later down the road, it will happen.

3. I don't know. LOL. I would assume(Don't take my work for it.) it would work with your current harness, you would just have to wire up for VTEC.

4. It is a pull out, hook up kind of deal. Have you ever swapped out a trans? Pretty simple I say...3hrs...If your good. I do it in about 4-5 hrs. But at the end, The GSR trans is a much better choice at the end. Good luck to you.

 

On the other hand, if the transmission you now have is not giving you any problems, and you are planing on replacing it with one with an LSD, [ITR transmission] then I would save the money, [if significant amount] and go for the long block. 94

 

I'm in a similar sitation. High (similar to yours) miles gsr motor currently. I'm going to buy a jdm b18c type r long block this spring to swap in. My trans is fine. I'll replace it when it breaks. I dont like the 4.7 final drive any way. I know the 96's spec has a 4.4, but its not worth the extra money when my current gsr trans isnt broken. Thats my plan. If its not broken dont fix it.

 

the only real consideration is the price. a 96-97 full itr swap is $3500 and a gsr swap is often around 2900 that's a lot of perks for $600,. the lsd, better gearing, better cams, bigger TB and slightly more compression. if you already have a chippable ecu a type r map would be an easy change.

 

I'd like to give you some conflicting information:
Buy the long block. When everything falls apart, purchase the whole changeover and be sure to say "****, I should have done that first."

 

Lol well after doing a bit more research, I've been reading that having long gears such as the LS transmission it's no good for mid range power. I guess they are good for hwy driving or for boost.

I'd just hate to buy the long block and be losing power/acceleration with my current trans, BUT I'd hate to buy the whole engine if I plan to buy an LSD trans. Such a difficult decision. :[

 

not really, if an LSD is in your future buy a full type r swap and install. if you have to save a few bucks you could do a gsr/lsd combo