Does anyone know of a buyers guide type thing that would tell me what to look for in a car with a swap.
I'm looking to buy an 89 civic hatch with 1st gen b16 and ITR cams and an LSD transmission I think a y1 but the owner doesn't know. Also the motor was rebuilt about 5000 miles ago because he "stuck a rod" what should I be leary of in this case. Thanks for any help you can give me and also for any links you can send. I did a search but came up with nothing.
Also he's asking 4500 for this car and the chasis has 168000 on it how much should I offer.

 

IMHO I think it would be best to use your 4500 to build your own civic. I mean you have no idea how he treated the car and if it did need a motor rebuild.....something should tell you he was either kinda ruff with it or the engine is in a bad state of tune. Plus, if you build your own car....youll feel more loving toward it.

You dont want anyone's sloppy seconds do you?

 

nah, look for a high milage ef, and get a b16. it would be about the same price, wouldnt it?

 

Yah.. you could probably get a decent 88-91 civic for 1500 and get a 1st gen b16 swap for 1500. (Maybe cheaper from people here on Honda-tech.) and BAM! A pretty quick low 15-high 14 second civic with 1500 more dollars to play with.

 

i agree with everyone else, do your own swap. especially if the engine is rebuilt, that should be a red flag. 4500 seems really steep for a rebuilt engine and an old chasis.

 

Thanks everyone you are all right I've decided to buy a car and do the swap myself. I'm going to look at a real clean 89 si hatch with 184K on it today and then as soon as I sell my EJ6 I'll start building my EF.