I have a JDM type R swap in my CRX with around 60k on it. It still runs great and doesnt have a loss in power. No smoke at idle, or start up, or part throttle. The problem occurs under a load especially in VTEC. Thick white-ish to blue-ish smoke poors out until you let off the throttle then it goes away. The car is using some oil (10 30w) but no water that I can tell. I did a cold compression test than netted 210-215-210-210 at 5 revolutions. I switched from the OBD1 ECU to the stocker and that seemed to slightly help. I checked all the injectors and they are firing as they should be. No water in oil or oil in water.

When I remove the oil cap while the car is running there is a steady stream of air coming out. Oddly when I replace the cap the line that goes from the valve cover to the intake tube pulls a vacuum I figured air would be pooring out of that hose. I replaced the PCV valve which didnt help. If I revv the car for a while in neutral water will accumulate in the exhaust tip but it doesnt have any antifreeze taste to it.

I am semi-confident that my shortblock is fine and just the head needs rebuilt but I would hate life if I put it back together and it still smoked.

Any educated opinions would be appreciated before I start spending money.

Thanks,

 

Water is a natural byproduct from the chemical reaction in the catalytic converter. Also, are you using mobil one? It tends to burn in higher rpms.

 

I was using Royal Purple, I just switched the oil to Valvoline and it didnt help any. I removed the catalytic converter long ago.

 

do a leakdown test. that should give you some usable information.

 

I have decided to rebuild the shortblock and head.

 

Because youre burning some oil????? You're completely skipping the troubleshooting/narrowing down the source.

 

Its not the oil consumption thats the problem, its the smoke. Here is the deal. I had my B16S1 transmission rebuilt last year with carbon synchros and a Quaife LSD. I have had the car painted and restored. Now its time to rebuild and beef up the engine. I always planned on doing it sooner or later. Sometimes smoke is opportunity.

 

Beautiful rex man. My favorite honda of ALL time. First honda to ever come with vtec too.

 

Nice car

with my 2000 civic si i reached the same point....after the 3rd headgasket issue i basicly said f*ck it.....bought a b18c built the bottom end put the ported/polished b16 head on it and called it a day.
if you going to put money into something do it right and be done with it.

 

Thanks guys, I am thinking 82mm 12.5:1 Wiseco pistons with Manley rods and maybe some cams.

 

maybe some cams???

 

Anyone know what cams I could run with the stock valve springs?

 

Quit being a cheap *** and do it right, get springs n rets, at least STs

 

Any. As long as you don't go over 0 rpm's.
No really though. Don't skimp out on that stuff.
The 3 most catastrophic failure points in my mind are oil pump, timing belt, and valvetrain.
So I always go with toda t-belt, itr oil pump, and upgraded valvetrain. I like omnipower or supertechs.