We bought a 96 lx, engine is f22b2 (SOHC, non VTEC). Well, the timing belt slipped a few teeth going really slow, and the valves bended, car has no compression, and when doing a leak test, it's definitely leaking air. Now, the question is... Do we get a JDM engine (they have a 2000 that supposedly is compatible) for $550, plus 300 installation, with a 90 day warranty)? It will be a DOHC VTEC, anybody has gone thru this? Pros? Cons?
I need the car to be able to run and last. I drive 100 miles a day (average), can't afford new car or payments. Had a 93 civic that blew a head gasket from a stupid leak, otherwise was a great car.

 

I have always been a little skeptical about the imported engines. The importers have no idea what kind of condition or how many miles are on the engines.

I would rather source an engine from a local junkyard where you can see the car it came out of, and usually come with a much better warranty.

 

And to add to what "Rice" stated.....how is the shop going to handle the vtec engine in a non-vtec car?

 

Well, we are getting an f23a1 (I think). They are changing the computer, wiring, engine, and doing the few modifications with sensors and I think one of the mounts. We will decide after if we want to keep the car, or re sell it, but this will get it running...
not many choices around, its actually hard to find a sohc non vtec motor for this car :/

 

the f23a1 is not a dohc engine so obviously something is wrong

 

No, its a SOHC VTEC 2.3 2002

 

If the shop is going to do all of that (the $300 in labor sounded strange) then you should be ok.

Just note I hope they are getting a 96-97 vtec computer (ECU) and not the PCM from the '02.

The F23 into a 5th, even 4th gen, swap is getting more popular. Good/used F22's are getting hard to find and since the F23 goes in with just a few minor mods

 

I don't know what computer they are using... I guess we'll find out on monday. They are working on the car now. Good to hear that the f23 goes in easily.
yeah, labor is cheap, but we know a bunch of people that got the swaps done there, and they are all very happy with the outcomes.
I know this motor supposedly is not good for turbo, etc, but we are not planning to do any of that. Biggest modification we might do is change the heads, and not on the close future. Kind if happy to get a motor that is newer

 

That's a good deal for installing an entire engine. How many hours of labor is it to swap out the engines? (Direct fit)

 

Motor is running good, vtec is running, in the week we had the car we put like 700 miles on it, it has a 90 day warranty, so, trying to see if everything is right. It definitely has more power than it used to.
Hondahonda, I think for them, irs like a 4 hour job, max. For us, it would have been an all day job, or a case of beer (we measure car repairs here according to how many beers it takes to fix it without braking everything around).