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As the title says, I am new to the civic forum. Though I've been working on cars for most my life and am a fair hand at turning a wrench.

So, I purchased an 04 civic - used. Here are my issues:

I have no idea all the dumb crap the previous owner did to this car.

What I do know, is the block labels the engine as a d17a1 - which as I understand is non v-tec. Yet the head (which has a horrendous looking gasket job on it) states it is, in fact, V-tec.

It has an after market exhaust manifold, air plenum, and muffler.

The real issue with this car is that the previous owner apparently blew out the mount that attaches to the transmission. The allthread jackets are completely cracked open, and the transmission/ engine is only attached by one bolt. The torque from the engine resulted in cracking open the transmission case at that one bolt.

So, now I need to either replace the transmission (bmxa) or swap the entire engine/tranny. I have access to a few older honda engines (b16, k20, and one I am unsure of - 98 accord?)

Money is somewhat of an issue. I am not rich.

Any advice, or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Edit: Manual trans - Currently runs and drives, but will occasionally slip out of 5th gear on the freeway at 70ish mph.

 
Rep Power: 222

The k20 can be swapped in but that requires, all the associated parts to go with it (trans, axles, ecu, harness, etc, etc)
The PO could have blown the A2 block and just put the head on an A1 block, it will work no problem, provided it was done right.

Best bet would be to get another trans, from a junkyard or someone parting out a car. Any 01-05 manual trans will work, the ones from the vtec cars have "sportier" gearing. Probably $100-$150 for a used trans.

You can swap the trans in your driveway with hand tools, I did it on my old car. Should probably change the clutch and some seals while you're in there. And you'll need new axle nuts.

Check the fluid level in the trans, might be low

If you feel like paying the shipping from Canada I have an empty case, might be more work than it's worth though.

 
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if i replace just the case will i have to mess with gear ratios/differential shims etc?

 
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additionally, if i just drop the tranny in my garage, am i going to have to remove tie rod connections/ball joint, and sub frame to get the tranny out? or should i wench the whole engine out? i have an engine wench, so i can do either.

and thank you for your response

 
Rep Power: 222

Shouldn't have to mess with gear ratios, diff shims I'm not sure.

I pulled mine out the top.
Undo the bolts holding the struts to the knuckles,
Pull the axles,
Drain coolant and remove water passage (like 6 bolts),
Remove starter, shift cables,
Unbolt slave cylinder + line, move to side
Undo electrical connections,
Support the trans with a jack then remove/undo the mounts
Remove bellhousing bolts.
Remove trans, I think I probably had to spin the trans around to get it out

 
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wow. you kick ***, thanks man. appreciate the hell out ya.

 
Rep Power: 224

I have an entire manual trans from an '02 EX if interested. I'm in Ohio.

 
Rep Power: 222

No worries dude,
I've done it, I used this thread to help me has some good pictures:

https://www.civicforums.com/forums/1...h-install.html

I'd definitely recommend doing the clutch, I bought the excedy kit, it works great and wasn't expensive. My flywheel was fine so I didn't have to do anything besides wipe it down with brake clean