engine dilema
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 
engine dilema
hi guys my motor on my 03 civic lx sport is nearing the end of its life. so now iam trying to figure out what to due with it.. i am keeping the car so the motor issue needs resolving.. due i
1.) complete rebuild ,2200 bucks
2.) go to wrecker they have one 56000km on it for 1000 installed
3.) go to a different honda engine with more power
4.) do a short block on mine then swap out the head.
any ideas guys i will spend up to 3k to get here back to gold...
1.) complete rebuild ,2200 bucks
2.) go to wrecker they have one 56000km on it for 1000 installed
3.) go to a different honda engine with more power
4.) do a short block on mine then swap out the head.
any ideas guys i will spend up to 3k to get here back to gold...
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 20
From: NV
Rep Power: 812 
Re: engine dilema
rsx motors. but for $1k installed, i would just go with another civic motor. you could prolly get a k20a3 (base rsx with 140whp) for around $4-5k installed and it would have 40hp over the civic motor.
Re: engine dilema
k20 is a K-series engine made by honda that comes standard in high-er performance vehicles. Acura RSX type-s, some Si Civics etc...
K20A2 has near 200hp. Much better than the D17a2's 115ponies(off the top of my head I think)
K20A2 has near 200hp. Much better than the D17a2's 115ponies(off the top of my head I think)
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 Re: engine dilema
ok i will look for a k20,, now what yr was the best for that motor.. and if i buy one is it smart to rebuild befor putting in.. what would be acceptable miles for this motor to just buy and drop in befor a rebuild is necessary.
Live for the Twisties
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 8,580
Likes: 5
From: Langley, BC
Rep Power: 285 Re: engine dilema
if it's low enough miles there is no need to rebuild the engine, anything below 100k miles should be safe.
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 20
From: NV
Rep Power: 812 
Registered!!
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,662
Likes: 2
From: Funkytown, Tx
Rep Power: 235 Re: engine dilema
The japanese aren't allowed to drive engines more than like 60K. Google JDM engines for sale, there are SEVERAL companies that import JDM engines with 60K or so. They're mainly in soCal. Look for one that will sell you the whole package (engine, trans, harness, ECM, axles) AND has a warranty (usually if the give any kind of warranty it's good). The engine alone is usually $2-3K while the whole package will usually run $4-6K. Sometimes you can find a deal on craigslist, there was one around here with trans and harness- no ECM or axles for $2200 with 102K miles. Also try here for Nationwide salvage listings: http://www.car-part.com/
Live for the Twisties
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 8,580
Likes: 5
From: Langley, BC
Rep Power: 285 Re: engine dilema
Yeah, anything under 100K is probably ok. I believe the best are the K20A1 out of a RSX-S but, they don't take turbo as well as the other K20's on stock internals- don't quote me tho.
The japanese aren't allowed to drive engines more than like 60K. Google JDM engines for sale, there are SEVERAL companies that import JDM engines with 60K or so. They're mainly in soCal. Look for one that will sell you the whole package (engine, trans, harness, ECM, axles) AND has a warranty (usually if the give any kind of warranty it's good). The engine alone is usually $2-3K while the whole package will usually run $4-6K. Sometimes you can find a deal on craigslist, there was one around here with trans and harness- no ECM or axles for $2200 with 102K miles. Also try here for Nationwide salvage listings: http://www.car-part.com/
The japanese aren't allowed to drive engines more than like 60K. Google JDM engines for sale, there are SEVERAL companies that import JDM engines with 60K or so. They're mainly in soCal. Look for one that will sell you the whole package (engine, trans, harness, ECM, axles) AND has a warranty (usually if the give any kind of warranty it's good). The engine alone is usually $2-3K while the whole package will usually run $4-6K. Sometimes you can find a deal on craigslist, there was one around here with trans and harness- no ECM or axles for $2200 with 102K miles. Also try here for Nationwide salvage listings: http://www.car-part.com/
There is no k20a1, the title is just k20a and it comes in the RSX-R, it does not handle turbo well because of the very high compression ratio.
Japanese people are allowed drive cars past 60k miles, there are a couple reasons why there are so many JDM exporters; 60k+ mileage cars are required to undergo costly annual safety inspections making owning older cars impractical and to Japanese people buying a used car is very shameful so once a person wants to upgrade to a newer vehicle there is a very limited market to sell theirs outside of the domestic tuning scene.
Registered!!
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,662
Likes: 2
From: Funkytown, Tx
Rep Power: 235 Re: engine dilema
^^ That's why I said don't quote me. lol.
Shameful to buy a used car? Crazy. What do the poorer people do, live in shame? I guess diff culture diff rules. Like today I heard a guy on the radio say that arabs don't buy cars with red interiors 'cause it's bad luck.
Shameful to buy a used car? Crazy. What do the poorer people do, live in shame? I guess diff culture diff rules. Like today I heard a guy on the radio say that arabs don't buy cars with red interiors 'cause it's bad luck.
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 15,180
Likes: 1,606
From: TN
Rep Power: 368 Re: engine dilema
contry customs and mentality differences are monstruously complicated... I know, have been an expatriate for years in several different countries...
Last edited by sdaidoji; Mar 20, 2011 at 01:39 AM. Reason: not in here... mebbe in off-topic...
Live for the Twisties
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 8,580
Likes: 5
From: Langley, BC
Rep Power: 285 Re: engine dilema
People with lower incomes just take transit and ride their bikes, Japan is a small country with a much more sophisticated transit system than anywhere in North America don't forget.
**On the JDM note, anyone reading this forum who has friends or family living in Japan or who live there themselves, our thoughts in Vancouver are on what your enduring right now and we hope that the recovery process begins as quickly as possible.
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
