Engine Help!!!

[CivicEx97]

I have a 1.6L engine which the performence isnt great but it does the job for now. My valve seals are gone and to replace them isnt cheap. I was thinking about just finding a new head which would include the valves and all. I found Vtec head on ebay for $250 and its off a 97 civic. The Vtec was only a 1.6 so i was wondering if it would fit. Any suggestions would be great.

[bluevp00]

It will fit directly, and give you 20 extra horsepower over your old engine. You'll need to buy a vtec chip for the car's computer though, so look for that.

[CivicEx97]

ok you know how much the chips are?

[bluevp00]

I don't know how much they are exactly, but check ebay and parts websites. Also, you might want to check out a junkyard to see if they have any 97-00 EX civics, then pull the ECU, but Civic's usually a rare sight in many junkyards, so it might be hard to find.

[CivicEx97]

k thanks

[wheel1856]

whoa whoa whoa Miss Lippy... you'll also need to wire the solenoid and a whoop load of other stuff.

When you re-shop for the head (or talk to the current seller) you should get the ECU for the head along with it. If not, call a junker, then get on-line for a wire diagram for the solenoid. I'm pretty sure you can search this forum and find the diagram, I'm just too lazy to do it.

have someone install it for you if you aren't into the technical side of tuning. replacing the cylinder head isn't your standard bolt on.

[C2Z06]

I thought all EX's had the VTEC?!?

[wheel1856]

Yes, all EX's are v-tec (SOHC). It sounded like this guy was describing a non-vtec, that's why I posted that. At a second look, you are correct, he has his car in his signature listed as a 97 EX, hence, v-tec. In that case, disregard my previous post.

Although, chipping a v-tec seems almost silly, unless you are looking to seriously pimp the motor and need to un-do the electronic governor and rev limiter. In which case, the chip is the start, then tuning the fuel management, timing, throttle body, cylinders, valve springs, etc etc etc to get the most out of the changes to the computer without smokinig your engine. And if that's the case, why not drop a B series or a K? Unless you're a SOHC purest, that's a lot of money, time, and work to make a bitching SOHC that would do what a DOHC would do with just some moderate tuning. Just my opinion, there are some really fast, very well built sohc's out there that would whoop the pants off of many dohc's.

[C2Z06]

Personally I'm a fan of OHV. Ironically OHC motors were created in 1912/1913 by a German company to eventually be bought out by Audi? (History Channel) and the OHV motors came out in 1932? The SOHC and DOHC doesn't thrill me much. However what I want, the Chevy 308ci which revs to 8900rpm is my fav motor followed by the LS7.

With all that said. Economics rules the day. I have a Civic that's paid for and saving for the purchase of this house and my son's college wins out and thus the rebuilding of the civic. Roughly 1/2 the price of a new car and far cheaper on taxes and insurance. What can I say? She still a fun little car to drive.