My 1997 Honda Accord LX Sadan has a leaking head gasket & has become hard to start.After filling the radiator in 5mins. of driving it's empty & overheating.There is some water in the oil also.I wanted to swap the engine for a used low mi. vtec.At this point I can't afford a new rebuilt engine.I see used vtec engines on Ebay which company say they stand behind them for 6mos.My question is,what mods I need to make to run a vtec (2.2)engine in a non vtec Accord 2.2?Should I try to stick with finding a non vtec?Does anyone have any subjections as to where to locate a good low mi.engine?This is my frist import and only had it for 3mos.I'm off to a bad start! Thanks in Avance

 

there are many diff 2.2 vtec motors, engine codes would help, f22b1, h22 etc, a f22b1 will swap right in, h22 will require some work(google search: h22 swap).

 

www.car-part.com will have a large selection of accord engines from numerous junkyards.

Your original engine (F22B2) will be pretty simple. The V-tech (F22B1) will require some additional work. You would need a new ECU to control the Vtec. I think that you would have to wire up the vtec to the ecu, because the wire harness will not have those connectors.

 

PAhonda said what I was going to say. Swapping to vtec = ecu from an Accord that had vtec. If you can find one in a junk yard, good. If not, a new ECU will be expensive.

 

what about just replacing ur head gasket? much cheaper way to go, just if u do make sure ur head isn't warped. if u got the ability to swap engines, esp for non-vtec 2 vtec, then replacing a head gasket should be easy. whats ur mileage on the car?

 

Very good point!

 

Thanks for your replys!My Accord has 124,000mi.I only wanted to go with the engine swap because aco/worker said the block could be warped.So if I were to replace the engine,I thought a engine with more power was the way to go.However this vtec swap seems more expensive.As the last reply seems more easy & less expensive.If I were to replace the head gasket & the head(rebuilt head) would this solve my problem?Could this(failed head gasket)have caused other damage?By the way, I'm paying to have this done I'm no mechanic Again, Thanks For The Help!

 

yea i would stick with the same engine esp since i thought the vtec in ur gen is eco vtec not power vtec-i think... And with only 124k on that engine if the head aint warped i think with another gasket u could get another 100k out of that engine,i just rolled over 218k on my accord last week

 

Thanks for your replys!

 

Most likely, the head itself is fine and you just need the gasket. If it's a little warped, you can get it decked at a machine shop for about $100.