Car Decision Help Please

[Euro838]

Hi all,

I'm just trying to decide what to do with my car. Here is the scenario. I'm by no means a mechanic so bare with my description. I have a 1991 Honda Civic Hatch, it's no longer running. I was driving it one day during the winter and I heard something go on it. The engine continued to run but I couldn't move. I haven't tried to start it this spring yet. I had blaskin and lane check it out for me and they said it was the timing belt and said to fix it would probably cost me $700. They also checked the engine compression and said it was also very low. So my understanding from their diagnosis is that even if I do end up spending this money to fix it. There's no guarantee that it will run well or for very long.

As for the condition of the car, it's in decent shape, interior is good, exterior has some rust around the wheel wells. There is a small steering leak but liveable. Obviously the car is not in perfect shape and does have some quirks about it. I do enjoy driving it and would like to have it as my daily driver. Here are the options that I have come up with:

1) Engine swap - I'm not sure what the cost of this is so if someone has some experience, please comment on this option for me.

2) Minimal fix - Try to see if I can get it back running for a few hundred bucks by doing some research and fix it myself (or with some help), I guess this would be a chance for me to be more mechanically inclined. I do have an interest in doing this.

3) Try to sell the whole thing for parts. i.e. $300 or so.

Any comments or feedback would be greatly appreciated. Or if you have any other ideas, please send me a PM and we can discuss. Thanks.

Some co-workers of mine suggested going to Speedtech and discuss some options with them, good/bad idea?

Thanks.

[KenP]

JDM engine swap.. I don't know prices for Honda engines but I am going to assume they are cheaper than any others. Also I think it's safe to bet you can find someone on this website that will sell you an engine and install it for less than $2000.00!
Good luck with your car!

[teggypimp95]

I would personally sell it and buy something to start freash with.

But if you wanted to go an engine swap, i have done that and its good too.

b18b the stock integra motor, would probably be around somewhere of 2500 to get put in your car.

b16a (sir vtec motor) would be around 3500 to get installed. 160hp

b18c (gsr integra motor, vtec) would be about 5 grand and 178 hp.

If your interested in more, call jdm source and he will be happy to help you out.

[teggypimp95]

Originally posted by KenP
JDM engine swap.. I don't know prices for Honda engines but I am going to assume they are cheaper than any others. Also I think it's safe to bet you can find someone on this website that will sell you an engine and install it for less than $2000.00!
Good luck with your car!

Actully honda engines are much more expensive then nissan engines etc.....

plus your car is a 91, not really worth puting money into. you will never get it back when you go to sell it.

[Euro838]

I guess Option 1, I'm looking at putting in at least $2000. Looks like that will break the budget for this car and the shape it's in.

[QuasarCav]

Originally posted by teggypimp95
I would personally sell it and buy something to start freash with.

But if you wanted to go an engine swap, i have done that and its good too.

b18b the stock integra motor, would probably be around somewhere of 2500 to get put in your car.

b16a (sir vtec motor) would be around 3500 to get installed. 160hp

b18c (gsr integra motor, vtec) would be about 5 grand and 178 hp.

If your interested in more, call jdm source and he will be happy to help you out.



Get your numbers straight.

A B16a (160hp 111tq) should cost about 800-1200 for the motor and about 500-800 for install. No more that 2K for this swap. It would make your hatch pretty quick but you would have to rev above 5K to go anywhere even with a 2,000lb car.

A B18C1 (170hp ~128tq) Will cost around 2-3K for the motor and the same price for install. You may need to pay more for install using a cable clutch but the price should not exceed around 4K for the swap.

But I do agree that you should call JDMsource to get the most accurate numbers for your application.

[teggypimp95]

Originally posted by QuasarCav




Get your numbers straight.

A B16a (160hp 111tq) should cost about 800-1200 for the motor and about 500-800 for install. No more that 2K for this swap. It would make your hatch pretty quick but you would have to rev above 5K to go anywhere even with a 2,000lb car.

A B18C1 (170hp ~128tq) Will cost around 2-3K for the motor and the same price for install. You may need to pay more for install using a cable clutch but the price should not exceed around 4K for the swap.

But I do agree that you should call JDMsource to get the most accurate numbers for your application.

I do have my numbers stright. Those are from JDM source. Into an intergra is 4400 for a gsr. BUt into a 91 civic hatch should be a bit more ticky. Look on jdms web site, 178 hp for a gsr motor.
Yours numbers are also way off on the b16a. I priced this out myself a few months ago. IM just passing along the information.

[teggypimp95]

B16A G2 (SiR II)

Year: 92-95


Valve Train: DOHC, VTEC, 16 Valve


Transmission: Hydraulic


Displacement: 1595cc


Compression: 10.4:1


HP: 170 @ 7800rpm


Torque: 116 lbs-ft @ 5200rpm


Redline: 8200rpm

Price: $2,632.50 CAD
Engine
Transmission
ECU
Alternator
Air Conditioning
Power Steering Pump
Distributor
Intake and Exhaust manifolds
Down Pipe
Alternator
Starter

Add $75 for Axles and Shiftlinkage


B18C (GSR)

Year: 94-01


Valve Train: DOHC, VTEC, 16 Valve


Transmission: Hydraulic


Displacement: 1797cc


Horsepower: 178 @ 7600rpm


Torque: 128 lb-ft @ 6200rpm


Compression: 10.0:1


Redline: 8200rpm

Price: $3,712.50 CAD


Engine
Transmission
ECU
Alternator
Air Conditioning
Power Steering Pump
Distributor
Wiring Harness

Additional:
Axles and Shift Linkage add $100






This is stright from jdm source's web site. That price is just for the engine. So plus install and any needed parts along the way.

[QuasarCav]

Cool, give me 3500 per swap and I'll quit my job and install B16s for a living.

2500 for a B18 in a civic hatch!! Give me a break, the motor can be found in great shape with everything attached for no more than 500 dollars. The going rate to swap is around 500-800.


Edit: You've quoted a B16II which makes 170hp and is more expensive. Motors on the open market are usually a lot cheaper.

[teggypimp95]

Well here is the b18b prices and specs if your interested.JDM B18B Complete

Year: 94-01


Valve Train: DOHC, 16 Valve


Transmission: 5 Speed Hydraulic


Displacement: 1834cc


Compression: 9.2:1


HP: 142 @ 6300rpm


Torque: 127 lbs-ft @ 5200rpm


Redline: 6800rpm


Price: $1,822.50 CAD


Engine
Transmission
Alternator
Power Steering Pump
Distributor
Intake and Exhaust manifolds
Down Pipe
Alternator
Starter
Intermediate Sh

[Euro838]

Well, I'd only do a swap if the total cost was $1000-1200. Anymore and it's not worth it. Is this possible? Any one care to take on this project?

[teggypimp95]

Well good luck with what ever you choose.

[gpomp]

Originally posted by QuasarCav
Cool, give me 3500 per swap and I'll quit my job and install B16s for a living.
3500 for a b16 swap? lol, where do i sign up?

this has been said a billion times but people who don't know what they're talking about shouldn't be giving advice.

[hoamic11]

if you think about a swap there's some ppl selling their motors or full swaps in the marketplace, one person being a jdm b16a for $800, i think it comes with the tranny as well but i'd double check that.

here's the link:http://forums.beyond.ca/st/176782/fs-b16a1-800obo/
this is an early obd0 i think and this jdm more had 160hp

here's what's included:
B16a1 w/approx. 87,000kms
non-lsd tranny
new water pump
new timing belt
new axles
new clutch
new hatch lifts
and probly more im forgetting.

for any more info please dont hesitate to ask.


as for install prices theres some guys on here that would do a motor swap for like 500 or more, 78si is one of the reputable guys on here, heard he's done great work, clean job but dont' know the price.

[Euro838]

Anyone here willing to do an engine swap for $500? Or can anyone recommend anyone I can talk to? Thanks.

[KenP]

L2Read


PM 78si