devtec

Hey guys,

Well, after a botched job by my Chicagoland mechanic (who CPC members are no doubt familiar with), my 97 SH is in need of a new engine. Currently I'm getting 15mpg, have failed a leak down test, and eating a quart of oil every few weeks.

Rebuild or swap? I don't know, which would be more reliable? My primary goal is reliability, with maybe a little power gain from either the swap or rebuild.

Right now, leaning towards the swap. After scouring the forums and talking to Thatpreludeguy, Gerhard, and Marcucci, here is the plan:


*Swap Parts*
- JDM H22A Motor with M2B4 Trans with LSD ~$2,400.00 (shipped from hmotors)
- Intermediate shaft/midshaft from 5g base/4g ~$200.00 (just guessing ???)
- Vibrant Header $600.00
- Carsound Cat (already have) $0.00
- Mugen Exhaust (already have) $0.00


*Maintentance Parts to Go In*
- OEM Honda Valve cover gasket kit 31392 $34.08
- OEM Honda spark plug seals ??? ???
- OEM Honda valve grommets ??? ???
- OEM Honda Rear Main Seal ??? ???
- STR Cam Seal (already have) $0.00
- OEM Honda Cam Seals (on timing side) ??? ???
- OEM Honda Balancer shaft seal ??? ???
- OEM Honda Front main seal ??? ???
- OEM Honda Crank seal (right side) ??? ???
- OEM Honda Oil pump seals 31475/6 $5.50
- OEM Honda Oil pan gasket 31527 $2.16
- OEM Honda VTEC Solenoid seal ??? ???
- OEM Honda Distributor O-ring 4459 $1.21
- OEM Honda Oil Cooler O-ring 31504 $1.63
- OEM Honda (IM) Bypass valve gasket 32026 $6.19
- OEM Honda Throttle Body gasket 31982 $3.35
- OEM Honda IACV seal ??? ???
- OEM Honda Axle Seals (2) ??? $20.00

- OEM Honda Water pump 32281 $67.38
- OEM Honda Timing Belt 31436 $49.63
- OEM Honda Balance Shaft Belt 31429 $30.20
- OEM Honda Master Cylinder 33645 $83.79
- OEM Honda Master Cylinder seal 22841 $2.72
- OEM Honda Slave Cylinder 33646 $50.76
- OEM Honda Front Engine Mount 34085 $61.53 (I have a ES insert I want to get rid of)
- Distributor Cap 32419 $15.48
- Distributor Rotor 20296 $14.14
- Alternator belt 32351 $16.24
- Power Steering belt 34074 $11.13

(all prices and part numbers above are from majestic)


*Swap Details -- Parts to go from USDM H22A4 to JDM H22A to keep things OBDII*
- OBDII engine wiring harness
- TDC & CKP sensor (attached to OBDII oil pump)
- Oil pressure sensor
- Manual timing belt tensioner conversion (already have)
- Timing and balance belt sprockets
- Knock sensor
- VTEC solenoid pressure switch
- Fuel rail and injectors
- USDM Intake manifold and throttle body, with Hondata IM gasket (already have)
- Distributor
- Alternator and alternator bracket
- Ignition coil
- Coolant thermostat housing
- Crank shaft pullies/gears, all of them
- Oil pan, pump, and baffle
- Oil pan/transmission stiffener
- Oil pump housing


Well, that should be about it. I'm told I'm ok to use my stock SH ECU, and that I can simply pull the ATTS module to get rid of the ATTS dash light.

Questions:
1. Mistakes? Miss anything? Overkill?
2. How much have other people spent on this swap? It seems people are always saying ~3-4k, but adding up all of the above with an estimated labor of $1500 I'm getting 5-6k (including the vibrant header, LSD). what am I missing?
3. Given this price again... rebuild make more sense?
4. Anyone used those Full engine rebuild gasket kits for the H22 that are available for $150-200. I assume they are non-OEM. reliable?

Well, hope this can serve as a definitive guide for others planning to do this swap, as the other threads have petered out... Thanks in advance for help, comments, etc.

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