So, I am contemplating a swap for my EK coupe, and have settled on either an LS/VTEC or a CRVTEC. Either way, I would like to eventually boost it, so I thought that it would be a good idea to build the bottom end up a little to increase the longevity of the engine and decrease the compression a little.

Anyway, I was wondering whether it would be possible for a basic car n00b to actually build an engine, or would it just be better to send it off to a shop or get a crated one from importbuilders? I have free access to a shop that has all of the tools that I think I would need. I would really like to build it myself as a pretty killer learning experience, but I would also like the motor to run well, last, and not burn oil. Plus I don't really have the downtime to be pulling the motor in and out of the car to "fix" things.

I am comfortable with bolt-ons/suspensions, and am pretty sure that I could perform my own swap, but I have no idea about the intricacies of building a motor.

What do you guys think would be best for my EK? Also, other than shelling out the cash to buy the parts and build my own motor, what is the next best way to learn/prepare to do it?

 

if you have the right books, tools and your really smart and patient..and do your research

 

My first engine work was a complete engine rebuild. Engine has 13k (3k turbo'd) and compression is good. No smoking on startup either. So yes a complete noob can do it. Get a Helms, tools, and a second car

 

i've built my LS/VTEC from the ground up by myself with no engine building experience in 2 weeks. everything works fine....all you need is proper tools, books, and common sense to attempt this. BUT RESEARCH FIRST!!! or all that money spent can go Kabooom!


[Modified by tnbigdawg, 8:05 AM 12/3/2002]


[Modified by tnbigdawg, 8:05 AM 12/3/2002]

 

What would you consider the "right" books? I have a HELMS for my car, and plan on buying the HELMS for the Integra LS once I get closer to getting the engine. What other books/reading would you recommend?

Also, what tools are an absolute necessity? I have all the basics like torque wrench, sockets, spark plug gapper, etc, but what about the big stuff (drill press)? Along with that, what did you do yourself and what did you leave to a machine shop/specialist (if anything)? Like crankshaft balancing, drilling the hole for the VTEC oil, sleeving, P&P, etc ...

 

I did my own drilling and tapping. I had a machine shop press the pistons onto the rods. you will need a piston ring compressor, and ring plier.....plastiguage....feeler guages...and your basic tools. Air tools are Highly recommended! some bolts are tough as hell to remove (crank pully bolt)

I did the build using an integra repair manual, cant remember which one....and it had vtec specs in there as well.

However I didnt balance my Crank with the new piston/rod setup....I only balanced the rods and pistons combo on a digital scale to get them close to even balance.

for resleeving, P&P take it to the shop...Vtec oil lines can be done by yourself.