Timing belt or engine swap?

[nickthaskater]

Serious business here. So from what I've gathered on the interwebs, a timing belt change will run me on the order of ~$600 w/ water pump.

Alternative: Run the stock D16Y7 until belt goes and replace with a B16A2.

Yes the cost would likely be twice as much, if not a bit more, but I'd also be gaining a hell of a lot more engine, not to mention could do the major servicing of it prior to it going in, versus the little things here and there that mine will need in the not too distant future (now creeping up on 125,000 miles).

Your thoughts?

[2.0T_Convert]

K20 swap.

[under the radar]

it's really that much for a timing belt on a honda?

[nickthaskater]

K20 swap.

I figured that the budget would be somewhat self-explanatory given the choices, but just to clarify, a K20 swap is about $3,000 too much, as much as I'd love to.

[nickthaskater]

it's really that much for a timing belt on a honda?

It is a bitch to do; a lot of DIY-ers end up just saying "f*ck it" and taking it to the shop.

[pho]

it's really that much for a timing belt on a honda?

Yes, you can also sell your healthy D-series, then get a JDM b16 swap.

[Numbersix]

Why let the current engine go until their is potentially serious damage done? It's a heap of junk at that point.

Why not swap it now?

[SVTDanny]

I'm assuming the $600 figure is to have a shop do the timing belt. A shop-performed engine swap will cost a hell of a lot more than $1200.

[volkstyle]

Why let the current engine go until their is potentially serious damage done? It's a heap of junk at that point.

Why not swap it now?

x2 How much money do you have ?

Swap engines now and sell the one that needs a belt after?

[pho]

x2. Swap engines now and sell the one that needs a belt after?

That sounds like a great idea.

[Korfu]

I needed to replace the spark plugs and wires on my 2.0 Golf. Needless to say its now a VR Turbo, if I was doing it again, I would most likely just put plugs in it, unless you talk to me when my is foot buried in the gas pedal.

[nickthaskater]

I don't have the expendable income to do the full swap at this point but yes that is otherwise the ideal route.

[Numbersix]

The reality is--as much as you'd like more powah! underhood, it sounds like what you really need is a reliable driver.

Upgrading the power level by 60-70hp will mean you really should also do the brakes/suspension/wheels/tires...not to mention all the 'while you're in there' items that should be done when you have a motor/trans out of the car (timing belt, water pump, all hoses, valve cover gasket, rear main seal, clutch, radiator, etc). That adds up to far more than even double the cost of the t-belt service (speaking from experience).

Just do the timing belt and keep driving it with the current motor.

[SVTDanny]

I don't have the expendable income to do the full swap at this point but yes that is otherwise the ideal route.

I think you seriously underestimate how much a swap to a B16 is going to cost in comparison to a simple timing belt job.

[ThreadBomber]

Nick, where in Vancouver are you?

My best friend is an ex Honda tech (left to start his own shop) located in Surrey, with very reasonable rates. Might be worth a trip out. He's probably done timing belts on these things at least a couple hundred times.

[nickthaskater]

The reality is--as much as you'd like more powah! underhood, it sounds like what you really need is a reliable driver.

Upgrading the power level by 60-70hp will mean you really should also do the brakes/suspension/wheels/tires...not to mention all the 'while you're in there' items that should be done when you have a motor/trans out of the car (timing belt, water pump, all hoses, valve cover gasket, rear main seal, clutch, radiator, etc). That adds up to far more than even double the cost of the t-belt service (speaking from experience).

Just do the timing belt and keep driving it with the current motor.

I plan on doing the brakes, wheels, tires and suspension (I'm looking at a '99 Si rear disc swap for $250 right now, tires are cheap for some Star Specs, am looking at getting some 15" Integra alloys, and finally Eibach Pro System Kit dampers and springs).

Then engine would just be cake on top of that.

And yeah, I know it'd be more than double, as I suggested in the OP, but like I also said my car is getting up there in miles and more and more things are going to need to be done, and they'll have to be done with the engine and trans in the car still which equates to more labour and more cost, so I was balancing it a bit in that sense. The swap will still likely be more, but yeah.

[WD-40]

Alternative: Run the stock D16Y7 until belt goes and replace with a B16A2.

If you're considering that option, make sure you think about what it actually means.

A) You're PLANNING on a major sudden breakdown, and not doing anything to prevent it. When will it happen? Probably at the most inopportune time possible.

B) Up until 'A' happens, and particularly the longer it drags out, you will have a car that you can't trust. Friends want to go on a road trip? Sorry, can't drive, my car might to explode. Family reunion out of state? Too many miles - statistically risky - better rent a car. Job interview or another event that you can't afford to miss? You'll start borrowing other people's cars "just in case", and of course, for obvious reasons, they won't want to drive yours in trade.


When you relegate a vehicle to "on its last legs" status, you end up driving it less and less- which prolongs its life. You end up with a car that you can't trust, don't drive, and years later, you wonder why the h*ll you still have it. But you can't get rid of it, because the darn thing just won't die!


Been there done that. Swap the engine now, sell your current engine to someone else who waited too long for their timing belt, and move on with life so you don't have to worry about it.

[roflingsam]

timing belt on a civic is usually less than $600

[sforsancho]

$100 in parts
$400 in new tools
$100 for your time

DIY. Timing belts are not serious business.

[karl_1052]

my car is getting up there in miles and more and more things are going to need to be done, and they'll have to be done with the engine and trans in the car still which equates to more labour and more cost, so I was balancing it a bit in that sense. The swap will still likely be more, but yeah.

How do you know the seller is selling you a good engine?
You could end up getting a worse running car.

Do the timing belt, save your money for an upgraded car in the future.

You can only polish a turd so much. Believe me, I have tried more than once.

[McBanagon]

The reality is--as much as you'd like more powah! underhood, it sounds like what you really need is a reliable driver.

Upgrading the power level by 60-70hp will mean you really should also do the brakes/suspension/wheels/tires...not to mention all the 'while you're in there' items that should be done when you have a motor/trans out of the car (timing belt, water pump, all hoses, valve cover gasket, rear main seal, clutch, radiator, etc). That adds up to far more than even double the cost of the t-belt service (speaking from experience).

Just do the timing belt and keep driving it with the current motor.

....and save up for a car with 60-70hp that already comes with better brakes/suspension/wheels/tires.