I have a 98 hx coupe. Its strictly my commuter, and i bought the hx for its gas mileage. Its got around 230k on the original motor. Still runs great, gets great mileage but burns a fair amount of oil. It also clatters a bit on cold starts like maybe a rod bearing is getting loose. It acts like the oil consumption is due to worn rings. I have been looking around for a low miles d16y5 to replace it, but they are hard to come by. I was thinking I could maybe use a low mile d16y8 block under the original d16y5 head and retain the amazing mpg that the car currently gets.
I have no issue tearing into motors, built plenty over the years, but i just dont know hondas to well. Is this a sensible plan?

 

i dont know alot about D-Series motors, but i have heard of people swapping heads on the D16's.

 

Many people opt for low mileage JDM engines to swap because low mileage USDM engines are hard to come by.

 

from what i understand is that the heads will swap back and forth for sure....just more wondering is the bottom ends are effectively the same. (same compression ratio....etc....)

 

for the bottom ends i have'nt got a clue. someone knowledgeable on D's should eventually chime in. while your waiting it wouldn't hurt to wander the forums for this info. sometimes the info's there you just gotta find it.

 

ive found a few d16y8 motors around with less than 100k for cheap. I am only looking to spend a few hundred. Just wondering if my y5 head on y8 block theory will work.

 

Get a Y8, have your Y5 head reconditioned and use it. If I'm not mistaken those are rare roller rocker heads with vtec too right?

 

i believe so yes.

 

I'd keep that gem and rebuild it. All OG status. Great motors.

If you do decide Y5 on Y8 block yes it will work, not sure of the timing components needed but probably nothing drastic as theyre both D16's with the same deck height.

 

im really going to show my ignorance here...but do these things have cast iron liners? I might end up just rebuilding what I have if the cost is similar to finding another motor. There are a couple good shops that i would trust around here to do bore work.

 

It's all right, aluminum block with cast iron sleeves yes. And cost will be similar. No matter what condition a used motor is in you always want to the important stuff, timing kit, etc etc, things you have to do to a rebuild anyways. Imo, rebuild the Y5 good Sir.

 

for some reason i was thinking they were aluminum bores, and thus would need replating. I suppose i would rather rebuild it myself in that case. Seems like parts to rebuild these are nice and cheap.

 

Yup! D Series for the win.