DIY engine conversion

[Project-EG]

Hey everyone, i hope im allowed to post this here as i dont know where else to but i have/am in the process of buying Rkds eg project car & was wondering if anyone could tell me/point me in the right direction of what im looking at to put a B16a in it from a used/wrecked car & how complicated is it to do?

I dont want something that expensive, it will only be a daily, not a monster lol, just wanted something vtec really, could even go a used SOHC one, but i dont know how much each engine would go for? what am i looking for like a SOHC vtec? i havent set a budget yet but was going to get an idea of average prices for different engines then just pick one that i know id be able to afford..

hope to get some feedback, thanks guys :-)

[Giraffe]

sohc prices d16 vtec go for around $1k-ish, should incl gearbox , loom, etc
b16a's from wrecked crx or eg6 go for around 2.5k-ish for a full conversion.

for your car gotta get engine mounts for the conversion of a B series and ecu.
d16 should be a straight swap, plus ecu.

so you gotta take these figures into consideration, plus getting it engineered, labour, registered.
etc, so gotta calculate the prices for these and take into consideration.

[Project-EG]

Is the rest like engineer cert, etc heaps costly? a ball park figure would really help..

[xntrik]

From a D16 to a B16 or B18 no need for engineer certificate just get the motor blue slipped
and hand in the papers to RTA saying that you've changed your engine number.

If you do the B16A yourself, you just have to source the running gear.
AFAIK if your budget is tight you can still use the OEM mounts, but you will end up changing it later.

Hasport/Hybrid Racing mounts are $400-$700 depends if used/where you buy it.

Your ball park figure is roughly $5,000.
I'm sure it'll cost less than that for a B16A transplant.
Even B18's nowadays can be around that price for the total cost.

[Lukey]

if engine capacity doesnt increase by over 15% you dont need an engineers cert

[GSi_PSi]

you can pick up a b16a for as little as 1500+ these days, some dreamers want 2500, but you would rather a B18C vtir which goes for the same price,

[Project-EG]

Thanks mate, anywhere you suggest to pick up an engine bout that price? how much would i be looking for the 1.6 vtec engines out of a normal honda? i dont know what model they are but i definitely know they aren't a B16A.. they should be cheaper right?

[GSi_PSi]

the single cam vtec is just going to leave you dissappointed trust me, are you in sydney?

[dougie_504]

If you're in VIC you will need an engineering cert for any B-series engine.

If the engine was not originally available in your car in stock form, Australian delivered, then you'll need a certificate.

Only way to do a swap without cert is if the engine is same as your original one or if the new one was optional in Australia.



If you want entertaining VTEC then go B series or H series :)

[Project-EG]

the single cam vtec is just going to leave you dissappointed trust me, are you in sydney?

ye im in sydney

[Project-EG]

If you're in VIC you will need an engineering cert for any B-series engine.

If the engine was not originally available in your car in stock form, Australian delivered, then you'll need a certificate.

Only way to do a swap without cert is if the engine is same as your original one or if the new one was optional in Australia.



If you want entertaining VTEC then go B series or H series :)

is this just for vic? Thanks for your help mate :-)

[pablos8]

is this just for vic? Thanks for your help mate :-)

To my knowledge I think its in NSW as well, so the only way you can register an engine for your car is if its the same year or newer than your model which all of the B-Series are I think.. I wouldn't bother with going just VTI, you won't really be satisfied, your better off just going b16a, much more power, loud cross-over, it'll keep you happy :)

[dougie_504]

Yeah go B16A it's not too expensive. You can get one (installed) for like $3500 easy. Engineering on the other hand is generally a pain in the ass. Ride height, sussy stiffness tests, brakes, mounts, exhaust etc. They don't make it easy.

[niiCk]

yeah and also he has to change fuel tank, lines, rear brakes..
his car is a twin carby..
people sell b16s for like 1k nowadays..

[yellows2k]

i applaud u for taking on the challenge of the project car that rkds was selling, but imo, u could have bought a working and rego'd b16a for about $6k.
im guessing u didnt fully do the maths on this project.
good luck anyway

[Project-EG]

Not really obviously lol.. But I know it will be a learning car & in the end I am building it for my gf so she has to be happy to.. That's why I suggested a sohc vtec as it's not my daily but hers so I don't really mind. & I also don't have $6000 & at the price I got the civic for I thought I may as well give it ago & if it doesn't work no real harm
done, I know I'll take a lot more away in knowledge than I would forking out $6000+ & just buying someone elses hard work..

[yellows2k]

i hope ur gf is a patient person then.
im guessing the car cost u around $300-500, cos rkds had it for ~$750 to start with.
while im all for learning about stuff, i dont really buy the whole negativity towards "buying other peoples work". hell, im not a builder, so i bought a house. icant make clothes, i buy clothes. same with shoes, electrical appliances. i trust others more when it comes to stuff i dont know

[pablos8]

people sell b16s for like 1k nowadays..

where? Lol

[pablos8]

people sell b16s for like 1k nowadays..

where? Lol

[Project-EG]

i hope ur gf is a patient person then.
im guessing the car cost u around $300-500, cos rkds had it for ~$750 to start with.
while im all for learning about stuff, i dont really buy the whole negativity towards "buying other peoples work". hell, im not a builder, so i bought a house. icant make clothes, i buy clothes. same with shoes, electrical appliances. i trust others more when it comes to stuff i dont know

No i understand your point & its completely correct i agree with you to, but im also not passionate bout cloths or making my own fridge or anything like that lol, & if im going to cruise round in something i call my own i want to have done it on my own, its either i modify from a stock vehicle like i have my own car & now in this case build it back to stock then modify it from there, ill never buy someone elses car that they have put there own personal touch on & try & call it mine, just would never satisfy me enough. Weird? YES definitely.. & i wasnt trying to be negative so sorry if you took it that way.

[jdm_b16a]

Two things only before the haters wade in.

Firstly, saying the VTi will leave you disappointed is a RELATIVE thing.

If you drive a 350 Chev and then jump in a Commodore, sure you will be disappointed (with the power).

But, hey, I've got news for you all. Power isn't everything, and in the long run, may only get you in trouble.

There's more to a good project car than just power per se. Now, if you've only ever driven a twin carby Breeze then a VTi will actually impress you with its economy, comfort and power.

It's all relative.

Secondly, I'm concerned that the OP has little or no knowledge of what's involved in such a swap.

It will consume your time, a lot of your cash, and put a strain on your friendships (if you are struggling).

You need a full workshop manual for both the donor vehicle and the base vehicle - for mechanical info, wiring, and parts servicing.

Having said all that I applaud the OP's willingness to learn and take on such a project. A full list of replacement parts is available on the net, and a half cut would be the best way to go as you also need axles, suspension, shifter mechanism, etc.

Buying just an engine, or engine/gearbox still leaves you with lots of parts to buy, and this can become expensive and consume more time searching. Anything you have to buy from overseas can add to the cost, mostly the postage/freight can be very expensive even if the parts themselves are cheap.

As for engineering, in NSW,

- you don't need an Engineer's Certificate, just a Blue Slip from an authorised inspection station (for this swap)
- the only two tests the Engineer conducts are a brake test and a noise test; everything else is by observation and interview with the owner/modifier
- Emissions is conducted as a free service and is organised by the owner/modifier
- Weighing is done at an authorised weighbridge - this is to check the weight distribution usually only for commercial vehicles and major changes to vehicle

Peter

[Project-EG]

Two things only before the haters wade in.

Firstly, saying the VTi will leave you disappointed is a RELATIVE thing.

If you drive a 350 Chev and then jump in a Commodore, sure you will be disappointed (with the power).

But, hey, I've got news for you all. Power isn't everything, and in the long run, may only get you in trouble.

There's more to a good project car than just power per se. Now, if you've only ever driven a twin carby Breeze then a VTi will actually impress you with its economy, comfort and power.

It's all relative.

Secondly, I'm concerned that the OP has little or no knowledge of what's involved in such a swap.

It will consume your time, a lot of your cash, and put a strain on your friendships (if you are struggling).

You need a full workshop manual for both the donor vehicle and the base vehicle - for mechanical info, wiring, and parts servicing.

Having said all that I applaud the OP's willingness to learn and take on such a project. A full list of replacement parts is available on the net, and a half cut would be the best way to go as you also need axles, suspension, shifter mechanism, etc.

Buying just an engine, or engine/gearbox still leaves you with lots of parts to buy, and this can become expensive and consume more time searching. Anything you have to buy from overseas can add to the cost, mostly the postage/freight can be very expensive even if the parts themselves are cheap.

As for engineering, in NSW,

- you don't need an Engineer's Certificate, just a Blue Slip from an authorised inspection station (for this swap)
- the only two tests the Engineer conducts are a brake test and a noise test; everything else is by observation and interview with the owner/modifier
- Emissions is conducted as a free service and is organised by the owner/modifier
- Weighing is done at an authorised weighbridge - this is to check the weight distribution usually only for commercial vehicles and major changes to vehicle

Peter

So you reckon this is just way to big to do??

[ICYOIL]

where? Lol

x2 haha

[jdm_b16a]

So you reckon this is just way to big to do??

If its your first one then I would suggest you get someone who's done it before to guide you, even if you do buy a halfcut. It is relatively straightforward but there are things to look out for along the way to make it a success. When I did my first one I transplanted a B16A into a 94 VTi so it didn't require any rewiring or EFI conversions. You will need to do this if you only have a carby at present. That means fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel lines, etc. Buying a halfcut will also give you the wiring which is a big bonus.

Peter

[quangsuke]

So you reckon this is just way to big to do??

no job is too big. the best way like jdm_b16a said is to get a donor car. simply remove everything from your car then replace it accordingly from the donor.
you need to make things easier for yourself by knowing/learning what every cable does and label it.

with this conversion the main head f*ck is the wiring. read up on diy articles, you dont necessarily need to change your carby fuel lines, you can alter them so they can support the extra psi. this is a good thing :)

try to find someone in your area to give you a guiding hand, thats the best way to learn.

goodluck op

[Project-EG]

Thanks for all your help & guidance guys really appreciated.. we will just sees where this goes from here then i guess lol