Well the time has come for me to put a B16 into my car. I want to get the 1gen B16 so I can save money but I have heard a ton of horror stories about the trannies going out. Is this like a guaranteed to happen kind of thing? It also seems to me that these motors dont run as well as the obd1/2 motors. Am I just crazy? Ive got about $2500 to get my swap done. Should I be expecting to pay more than this?

I am also having trouble finding a reputable shop in So Cal to do the swap. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

you'll need more then that probally if its getting done at a shop. theres lots of good shops in so cal. i dont think you should worry bout the tranny. it only happens once in awhile

 

I would go with a first gen b16. Its an easy swap to do and any comprobale shop will be able to do it with no problems. Your other option is a 99-00 SI b16. You'll need more parts to do this swap and a shop will probally charge more to do it for you. Also if you are somewhat mechanically inclined you can do the swap yourself. Get some friends,some tools,a garage and a engine lift and you can prbobally get it done within 1 weekend. And you'll save some $$$

 

I think if you are going to have a shop do it you should be expecting to pay more. B16 prices are kind of high right now so that won't help you. Usually the clutches that come on swaps aren't great so you'll probably want to buy that at the same time. The axles that come with swaps are almost guranteed to have torn boots so if you want replacements there's another 150. You have to remember shipping on the swap and extra money for any parts you want to replace on the engine while it's out.

It's really all luck on what kind of tranny you get. If you know how to drive stick correctly and don't childishly beat the living **** out of it, any tranny will last. I've had my S1 tranny for at least 10,000 miles and running a lot more horsepower than stock and it has no problems. http://www.hmotorsonline.com has 27 complete swaps in right now and they have great service.

 

Well I plan on picking up the motor so that will save me the shipping cost. It's still making me sad how much it is going to cost. InlineFour told me $3000 for a complete 1 Gen B16A.

I dont plan on childishly beating it up but I do plan on Auto X and some hard driving.

 

i did a 1 gen 5 mill ser. just when you do it change the timming belt and clutch water pump and so on. it is just eaiser. the only problem i had with mine was the dizzy went out but that was after 1 year. the thing about the trannys is just take it easy on the 2nd to 3rd shift and use GM synro shift fluid.

Doug

 

Honesty, i would look into doing the swap yourself if you have the resources. ITs a basic swap, and can be done with the help of a knowledgable friend and h-t

I would stick with the b16a. IF you buy the motor from a reputable shop, they will give you some sort of start up guarantee, and replace the tranny if its fuxored.

Installing the motor yourself, the swap shouldnt cost you more than ~1800. Thats all the stuff you should need, new mounts, etc, and rental fees if you have to rent a hoist/tools.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IntegraTypeRice &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well the time has come for me to put a B16 into my car. I want to get the 1gen B16 so I can save money but I have heard a ton of horror stories about the trannies going out. Is this like a guaranteed to happen kind of thing? </TD></TR></TABLE>


Not at all, I have had my J1 tranny for 8K miles now and no problems whatsoever.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
It also seems to me that these motors dont run as well as the obd1/2 motors. Am I just crazy?</TD></TR></TABLE>


Yeah.....jk. They will run fine as long as your wiring is correct and you change some key parts, t belt, water pump, axles, clutch, cam seal (not necessary but I would recommend it) and two radiator hoses.

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Ive got about $2500 to get my swap done. Should I be expecting to pay more than this?
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You can buy a complete swap from hmotorsonline for 1500. Incuding shipping and parts you can do it for 2500 but if you are paying somebody to do the labor add another 800 or so to that.

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I am also having trouble finding a reputable shop in So Cal to do the swap. Can anyone point me in the right direction? </TD></TR></TABLE>


Nope, other coast

 

a friend of mine bought a 1st gen swap from HMO and never installed it , I ended up buying the dizzy off him and a j1 tranny . The distributer locked up after a couple of months and the tranny pops out of 5th gear basically means I have a 4 speed cable b16 tranny which sucks . So be carefull

 

I have already decided on getting my swap from Hmotorsonline. I think I am going to get just the motor, tranny, and ecu. Since I have to get different parts there is no point in buying the complete swap right?

I really want to do the swap myself so I know everything is all good. Im just a little bit afraid because I have never taken on such a large project.

Regarding the wiring for an 89 Si...does the harness just plug right in or will I need to modify?

 

The majority of it plugs into the b16. You'll have to add the 4 additional wires (secondary 02, vtec, vtec oil pressure, knock sensor)... do a search for a more descripitive procedure.

Really though, its not bad at all.