My Poor Car

JESSE209

MEMBER
HONDA PRELUDE

Hi my name is jesse and I own a 96 honda prelude si.A couple of months ago my timing belt broke on the way home from work. I had it looked at and as it turns out it bent some valves in the head. I dont have the money or I would dump the car but I have invested a lot in to the car. I have been told that since the engine has 140000 miles on it thats its more cost effcient to replace the engine.I found a place that sells used low-mileage engines for $900. So I have two questions. First since im young and proned to speed I was curious if I could put the v-tech engine in and still pass cali smog laws and second. Since a total engine swap is out of my mental grasp I have'nt found anyone to do it. The couple shops I talked to said $1200 labor $200-$400 parts since I would want all new belts hoses on the new engine. Please help any advice I would appreciate

2 Replies

BRUCE HUNT

MECHANIC
3,754 POSTS

Personally, I would put the engine in with a friend. Got a friend that could use a hundred bucks and a couple of beers? Check on ebay and they are unloading hundreds of engines that come over from Japan. They have around 30000 miles on them and everything is usually in pretty good shape. They seem to surface out of Texas. Look into that. The VTEC question is not one I am good at when it comes to California emissions, but I can't see why it would not work.

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Tuesday, June 13th, 2006 AT 9:54 AM

JOUGH626

MECHANIC
55 POSTS

1 - If the pistons/cylinder walls are not damaged, just have the head replaced. You can buy new/reman heads with all the valves and stuff in them ready to go. Super low down time and it would cost way less than 900 bucks.

2 - Get a new/used engine that is the SAME are you have right now. It will save you from having to buy all the new/different stuff.

3 - Get a personal loan and get a VTEC. You'll need different motor mounts, new computer, new complete wiring harness, radiator hoses, slight exhaust modifacations, and a few other things that I'm sure I'm forgetting. But you will still pass the smog test, so that's a plus. :)

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Saturday, June 17th, 2006 AT 8:20 PM