So here is my dilemma. I have a 2002 D17A1 non Vrl5ec motor with a knocking bottom end but it has a great shaped head with about 50k miles on it. I also have a 2002 D17A2 Vtec motor that is missing the head but decent miles and the bottom end is good. Can I use the A1 head on the A2 shortblock and install in a non-vtec civic without any issues?

 

Bottom ends (short blocks) appear to be identical. I see no problem swapping the VTEC's A2 bottom end into your non-VTEC car with its A1 cylinder head --provided you keep your existing harness and ECM/PCM.

D17A1

• 2001–2005 Honda Civic DX/LX/VP
  • Displacement : 1,668 cc (101.8 cu in)
  • Bore and Stroke : 75 mm × 94.4 mm (2.95 in × 3.72 in)
  • Compression : 9.5:1
  • Power : 122 hp (85.8 kW, 124 ps) at 6400 rpm
  • Torque : 110 lb·ft (15.2 kg/m, 149 Nm) at 4500 rpm
  • RPM redline: 6750 rpm
  • Rev-limiter : 7200 rpm
  • Valvetrain : SOHC (4 valves per cylinder)
  • Fuel Control : OBD-2 MPFI

D17A2

• VTEC
  • 2001–2005 Honda Civic EX (US only)
  • 2001–2005 Honda Civic LX (Europe)
  • 2001–2005 Honda Civic Si (Canada only)
  • 2001–2005 Acura 1.7 EL (Canada only)
  • 2000–2007 Honda Stream 1.7 (Japan)
  • 2004-2007 Honda FR-V 1.7 (Europe)
    • Displacement: 1,668 cc (101.8 cu in)
    • Bore and Stroke: 75 mm × 94.4 mm (2.95 in × 3.72 in)
    • Rod Length: 137 mm
    • Rod/Stroke: 1.45
    • Compression: 9.9:1
    • Power (North America): 127 hp (95 kW; 129 PS) at 6,300 rpm[19]
    • Torque (North America): 114 lb·ft (155 Nm) at 4,800 [20]
    • RPM redline: 6,800 rpm
    • Rev-limiter: 7,200 rpm
    • Valvetrain: SOHC VTEC, four valves per cylinder
    • VTEC Switchover: 3,200 rpm
    • Fuel Control: OBD-2 MPFI