Hey guys, this is my first post here and I was hoping for a little feedback on my situation.

I have a 96 coupe ex with almost 200k on the car, I have been blowing smoke from my exhaust and after a little research and a compression test i found out that my piston rings are shot, With that being the situation i have decided to attempt my first build in my garage on the same motor that is in my car, the d16y7. I found a longblock for sale a few towns over, managed to borrow an engine stand and I have tools. The reason I am coming to you for a little help is i plan on doing the gaskets, belts, plugs, and wires. I would like to go a bit further and maybe have the block machined because the one i am picking up has almost 125k on it.

Do you guys think i should shoot for anything else that should be done, forget about having the block machined, any tips on my first build, etc.

I was also thinking about maybe putting higher compression pistons and rods in, but i am not too sure if i can just drop them in and not expect to have any problems leaving everything else stock in the motor? should i do anything else to it if i do the pistons? is it a bad idea?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

First pick which route you want to go...if you want a nice little reliable motor i would just shoot for one out of a dealer. if your going to rebuild go ahead and buy the motor a few towns over. but DO NOT expect to buy that motor, throw it in, and have it running like butter. it just dosent happen. every body hates to hear do it right the first time, but hey, it is what it is.

 

I figured that, that's why i am planning on fixing it up a bit. I was hoping to get the daily driver feel, but with a few bolt ons, the pistons were just an idea ive been throwing around with myself.

 

Dont waste the time/money on a single....just my opinion and I'm sure someone will argue with me about it. You can find an LS/B20 swap for almost as cheap as fixing up and re-building the single and have TONS of potential and room to grow.

 

well i was considering upgrading to another motor, but that means I have to do wiring, i am just looking to salvage what once was my reliable, not smoking every time i hit the gas car. so its just going to be the exact same motor that's in the car now

 

Also i forgot to mention, i am getting the complete motor and trans out of another 96 for 300$, friend of mine is parting his out.

 

buy his and drop it in!

by the time you spend $$ on pistons/rods and machine work, you can either buy his engine or get a replacement to drop in for less.


If your wanting more power, then throw a bottle on it or look to boost it. A swap will get you more power, but boost will be better then that.

 

VERY debatable...

 

For about the same price, maybe a little more, you can get a low mileage imported jdm engine and feel better about dropping it in with no issues...
Personally I wouldn't bother upgrading pistons unless you were going forced induction.

 

so after a little more research, i found with the d16y7 i found the stock ratio is 9 to 1, however, putting in higher compression pistons require some computer work and the hp to $ ratio for rods and pistons dosent seem worth it. so i tore down the motor, and im having new main and rod bearings put in, as well as the head being tested for warpage, pressure and the valves looked at, total bill is about 450$ for assembly and all. and after sleeping on it for a few days, im not going to dump a ton of money into this block, ill have the usual bolt-ons, and maybe in the future run a turbo at 5-8lbs to keep it safe and daily driver esque.