Local "Upull" junk yard sells engines pretty cheap. I'll probably have to get an engine for 04 Civic coupe manual tr. VIN 2 (6th digit)
As far as I know it is non VTEC engine. What if I find VTEC there, will it work for my car? (I don't want to upgrade, I just need whatever will work)
Which year to which year will work? what about engine blocks? Maybe engine blocks are the same for vtec and non-Vtec.
Are manual and automatic trans. engines the same?
Thanks!

There are many 1.7 engines for that year, info from
Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

CNG, (1.7L), (VIN N, 5th digit, GX, SOHC)
gasoline, 1.7L, Base, Cpe (VIN 2, 6th digit, EGR, SOHC)MINE
gasoline, 1.7L, Base, Sdn (VIN 1, 6th digit, EGR, SOHC)
gasoline, 1.7L, VTEC, Canada market, (Si), VIN 1, 6th digit, Sdn
gasoline, 1.7L, VTEC, Canada market, (Si), VIN 2, 6th digit, Cpe
gasoline, 1.7L, VTEC, US market, EX (VIN 2, 6th digit, ID D17A2)
gasoline, 1.7L, VTEC, US market, HX (VIN 2, 6th digit, Cpe, ID D17A6)

It seems like all engine blocks are the same (Clevite catalog):

 

2001-2005 non-VTEC (LX or DX) engines will work the best for the direct swap.

 

base engine D17A1: head cast PMR, cam PLM
VTEC engine D17A2: head cast PLE7, cam
Cranks, bearings, connecting rods, piston rings, oil pump are the same (Topline catalog)
PISTONS are different.
So, if I use VTEC block, I'll need to transfer pistons.
Difference is in heads and pistons.

 

This is already covered information, bud. You don't need to change the head on the VTEC engine over to the non-VTEC head. You can run a non-VTEC ECU on a VTEC engine. Ideally, you'd like to run a VTEC ECU with a VTEC engine. But, you can run without.

As for the pistons, you do not need to swap them at all.

 

Thanks!
If I use block with VTEC pistons, will it change compression? Will I have to use premium gas?

 

No, and no. Even in stock trim, the D17A2 didn't use premium gas.

 

will a vtec transmission from a 05 civic lx work on my non vtec 01 civic lx?