Okay, so about three weeks back I sold a ford explorer that was on my lot for 1700 and bought a 91 civic hatch. I'm not a wiz when it comes to vehicles so I didn't spot the issues it had. So a few days later my jdm'er buddy looks it over gives it a full diagnosis and we come to find that the bit*h is only runnin on three cylinders! This may be due to a blown exhaust valve, or a few other things but I'm not sure what. Also, the exhaust is cut and its a pretty jenk job, I had a specialist look that over and tell me he wants to re do the whole thing. Now here's my dilemma.. Should I tough it out with this rig (she definitely has potential) or should I sell er for about 1300, put 900 down on that and get a much better civic? I know its my decision but I'd like to hear some opinions.

 

Valves are pretty easy to do, and pretty cheap. The exhaust also isn't too expensive, if you go with walker or another cheaper brand.

When you do the valve, it isn't that much more work to do rings also. If your mechanically inclined fix it, and you will have a good beater. You can get a complete engine rebuild kit for less that $300. Otherwise, it might not be worth it to pay someone to do it for you. You can get a lot better condition one for probably not that much more.

Lesson: Just make sure you have someone that knows about the car look at it, before you buy one.

 

I was actually planning on swapping the engine anyways, since the one in there now is a weak d15. So if I were to do so, I may as well get a new exhaust system?

 

Not sure about the hatch, or sedan, but with the CRX and a b-series you have to trim a few inches off. Doesn't mean you need a completely new system though.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong. I ordered a motor online and it came without headers. D and b series headers aren't interchangeable so if he went b series and didn't get the exhaust manifold with it you would have to buy one anyway and the b series flange won't mount to to the d series flange anyway. And the muffler would probably be too restrictive so I'd change that out. The rest of the piping should only be 75 installed (where I'm from). But we need more info since he just said a swap and he appears to be worried about money. To go b series just check out how much mounts are, shift linkage, and since i don't know if its an si or not nor his mechanical skills so throw in a dpfi to mpfi harness. That's alot of money not including the motor. If he was to keep it stock I'd say go for it. But if not if he can get 1300 out of it then sell it. You can get a descent body with a b18 swap where I'm from for around 1800. I hate saying this but he screwed himself. Motor swaps ain't cheap especially if he can't do the work himself. Just my. 02

 

If it were mine, and I was seriously planning a swap, I would be getting junk yard parts for the current set up.
Go the cheapest route and just get it running again.
I wouldn't even consider rebuilding the D15 - just pull the head and inspect the cylinder walls to make sure the bottom end is still usable.
A used D15 should be cheap so maybe even a complete used engine replacement would be something to hunt around for.
The exhaust I guess you could put some money into now, but if you could get a used one for cheap then that's the route I would go for now.

Save up $ for when you get the swap motor.
Then you can rebuild that motor and be happy with the peace of mind in a rebuilt swap for many years.

 

Thi
Yeah I think this guy doesn't realize the b series parts(from a reliable source with warranties) is going to run him 3k just in parts and he doesn't seem to be capable of doing the swap himself. And thank you for pointing out the d15. He will need the conversion harness. 4dr got the right idea though. Make sure the junk yard warranties their parts for 30 days such as a pick and pull. Otherwise you may have wasted time and money and still on the same sinking ship