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My 2005 Civic D17A1 has a leaking head gasket at 222,000 miles. I was recommend to choose a JDM motor instead of replacing the head gasket. All of the JDM motors are D17A2. The local JDM dealer said I can use the D17A2 and disconnect the VTEC solenoid ( or something ) and it would function normal. I
could fully convert to VTEC later.

Is this true? Can I use the D17A2 to replace my single cam D17A1 without wiring changes? Is the exhaust piping the same? What issues will I encounter?

The issue: After stopping at a store, the motor wouldn't restart after driving for 30 minutes at 90 F here in South Texas. The temp gauge was normal. After waiting for a few minutes, motor started and I drove to the Autozone and had them scan the codes. All was okay. But five minutes later a cloud of smoke came out the exhaust and the motor stalled on the freeway. Lots of honking cars. I then noticed the temp gauge was pegged at 'H'. I let it cool for about an hour and added 2/3 gallon of windshield washer fluid that I had in the car. I then drove home five miles with no issues, but there was so much smoke on my clothing from when it had stalled, that the smoke detector in my house alerted! And then it set off again 30 minutes later.

I attempted using the OEM brand block tester but water continued to spray out the radiator cap and contaminated the test fluid. I didn't see bubbles in the coolant. I have the tools to do a leak down test. The radiator coolant isn't oily and the motor oil is clean and its not blowing steam out the exhaust. But when I let the motor cool down I can't see coolant level with the cap removed. I add maybe 4 ounces of water to top it off. Normally the coolant is at a visible level.

 
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Moved to correct section. Check out some threads in this sub-forum, this has been covered a few times.

Basically, yes. You can swap a D17a2 head or the entire engine and run it with your original harness and ECU, you won't have VTEC but it will run the same as the original engine.

 
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Thanks, I might do the D17A2 swap as the A1 motor has 222,000 miles. I could do the extras later needed to activate the VTEC.