I will be ordering my GSR motor for my Eg towards the end of January 03.
People are saying do it yourself it's nothing / drops right in! I have thought for the past that I would go ahead and try the swap along with some other friends. All of us have no experience with engine swaps, just the basic mods (suspension, intakes, axle backs, headlight housings, tail lights, stereo systems, mirrors and gauge clusters).

I had problems changing the tails on my Eg hatch and some minor problems when changing putting my Spoon mirrors on. This makes me wonder why I am even thinking about doing this swap. I looked at the engine and all those wires / parts which I have no idea what most are

I looked at a web site that has step-by-step instructions to install the motor and it looks pretty easy, but I know it won't be. I don't want the car sitting around for months because of problems and not enough time to work on it (I work 40hrs. a week)

There is someone on this forum that offered to do the swap for $300 that is down in Tampa, FL (5 hours from me - I have family in Orlando 1 hour away) and can knock it out in an 8 hour day. I am thinking about going down there and letting him do it and just help out / watch & learn.

I guess I would like comments from those who was in the same boat as I am and tried the swap. What kind of problems did you run into? How long did it take you and what kind of help did you have. I know I can take pictures of the problems I run into, but I am thinking some of the problems I just won't be able to solve on my own......

Do/Try it myself or pay someone

Another thing if I try it myself and can't finish it. Then I have to get a trailer to put the car on, borrow a truck or rent one and tow it to someone who can finish it.

 

Everyone will tell you "You can do it!" but sometimes people just are not good with working on cars and should leave it to someone who is more comfortable with doing the swap. I'd have a good shop do the swap. If you start a swap and get halfway then alot of places will not want to work on the car. There is no shame, have a shop do it

 

Well, it depends on a few things I think that are key.

1. Is it your daily driver? Because while it is easy, and if you have all the parts you and a few friends could easily get it done in a weekend, possibly in a long day. But something always goes wrong... there is always a glitch. And while it may be easy to over come, you might need to order (or get) a special part, get a frozen bolt out, or a new bolt to replace a stripped one. And in that case it my delay the completion of the swap for a few days and you won't be able to get to work or somelthing.

This happend to me. Two weeks ago, I just swapped my engine in.

Glitch number one: I was suppose to use my A/C Comporessor, powerstearing pump and everything from my old engine, it was suppose to bolt right up to my new engine. Well, on the power steering pump, the top braket bolts to the head, the bottom one bolts to the block. Well the bolt holes on the vtec head were different than the non-vtec head, so they did not line up. Well, by the grace of god, my friend, for whatever reason, just happend to have an extra top steering pump braket for a vtec head laying around. And waa-la.... it glitch number one = FIXED. But if he hadn't, I would have not power steering. And while that is not a major problem, that shows you the type of little things that could cause a problem.

Glitch number two: I got a Hondata to use with my new engine. And I got an OBD1 ECU. Well to have it work on my OBD2 car, I needed an OBD2 to OBD1 Jumper harness. Well, I was sent the wrong one, the plugs didn't fit correctly. So, I had to wait a few days until I was sent the correct one. missed two days of work because of that. Because of a stupid little adapter plug. That was it. Otherwise it would have been done in about 16 hours or so (with two friends helping me). The rest of the swap whet very smoothly (however, they had done a swap before... an Si into a Civic HB). And also, if you run into any problems you can always post here, I'm sure you will get some advice.

2. If you have the finacial resources to throw out $500, $600, or more (depending on who and how much someone around you will charge)... go for it. It is a lot less headache. And there is know shame it in.

But if you have the time, try to do it yourself. It really isn't hard. But overcoming any minor glitches like mine may cost you a few days... ya know.

If I were you.... I would just try to research it as much as possible a head of time, know exactly what you have to do, where every wire goes, make sure you have all the parts needed, and do it myself. You'll learn a lot... and if you like working on cars, it will be more fun than it is a pain.... and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you worked on it, you got it running.

If I did it all over agian, I would still do it myself.

But you'll have to decide for yourself which you would rather do, pay some one to deal with it. Or save the money and take a chance it won't be done in the time you expect... but on the other hand, you will learn a lot.


[Modified by PSU-TEG, 1:59 PM 12/12/2002]


[Modified by PSU-TEG, 2:01 PM 12/12/2002]

 

I would recomend having someone there with you at your home or wherever that understands the process. As far as you getting a comlete swap done in 8hrs without a whole lot of experience is questionable. Plan on a weekend job with someone who can help direct you on the process and technique so you can also learn from him and that will save you allot of $ in future repairs or projects.

 

if u have the time, then do it. if ur serious then do it. if u want to be faster do it.
saves you money to be fast.

 

A man has got to know his limitations.

There is no shame in that. If you are uncertain of it, then I reccomend the $300 deal. that way you can learn at the same time.

 

why dont you take a day off work, take your car/engine to the shop, have them drop it in for you, and you stay there an watch/help so that you can learn how to do it for next time around, that way if you realize you couldn't do it, you still have your car running right

 

-- I appreciate all the info you guys posted!! I would really like to do it myself. I have my dad here who was an aircraft mechanic for many years and used to be into cars back in the 60's. He's helped me with my suspension and has done repairs on previous cars for me/friends. I know he'll be right there in the garage with me trying to get the GSR in and going. I also have 2 other friends that want to help who have basic knowledge. But, between all of us and posting pics / my problems here on the forum I'm sure it can be done within a few weeks. I would rather take the drive and work with someone who has first hand experience with the swap, but like you said may need new parts which can cost you days. I don't have like 3 days to wait for parts if I drive to get this done. But, with the swap taking place in my garage I can drive the 98 Lx to work for the time the Eg is down

So, I'm going to research the hell out of this swap. Take notes on what can go wrong and just the process. Probably print out the instructions and give it a try. I think I can get this done with patience / time / my dad / and help from you guys

I can't imagine the feeling working long hours on the swap, turning the key, and hearing it start up

 

[QUOTE
I can't imagine the feeling working long hours on the swap, turning the key, and hearing it start up [/QUOTE]

I like the feeling of my neighbors yelling at me cause the exhaust isn't hooked up yet and we are test driving it around the block, hehe