HONGERS! Honda Question| Grassroots Motorsports forum |

Mental SuperDork
11/21/08 2:27 p.m.

My 87 Si snapped a cam last night. I just got it in the garage and its turning the valves on the 1st cylinder only. Its got 200K on it. My question would be easy to research, but I figure asking you would get any additional input I would miss.

Is this an interference engine? Should I just lump the engine, or could I grab a junkard head and swap it out?

sachilles Reader
11/21/08 2:37 p.m.

It would be a good time for an engine swap

JmfnB SuperDork
11/21/08 2:46 p.m.

Northstar in the back Captain.

DILYSI Dave SuperDork
11/21/08 2:47 p.m.

It's interference. That said, damage isn't guarenteed. Still - I'd be inclined to throw on a junkyard head.

poopshovel Dork
11/21/08 3:15 p.m.

Mental wrote: My 87 Si snapped a cam last night. I just got it in the garage and its turning the valves on the 1st cylinder only. Its got 200K on it. My question would be easy to research, but I figure asking you would get any additional input I would miss. Is this an interference engine? Should I just lump the engine, or could I grab a junkard head and swap it out?

Yes, interference. Just got my head back from "the dude" last weekend after throwing the timing belt in my 87 snatch. It never even dawned on me that I had a freaking motor sitting in my basement. It was making what sounded like top-end noise when I pulled it, but you're welcome to it if you'll be down here for the holidays or whatever. It might have some good valves in it anyway. Sorry dude. I feel your pain!

...or...

Now might be a good time to start looking for 1st gen tegs.

Mental SuperDork
11/21/08 4:07 p.m.

OK. So a U pull it head is $30.00, and I am tempted to try DILYS Dave's input, but its sounding like that might not work.

As far as upgrading to the Integra engine (B16?). What is involved? Aren't the 1/2 shafts different? Will my ECU work, or do I need the Teggy one or some Hondata thing? This is my DD, and while I have some time over the holidays, winter is approaching and I can't ride in the snow (well not too much).

Given my track record on project completion, I don't want another peice of Japenese lawn art when I get too bogged down. If I can get a decent plan of attack going in, my odds for actually finishing this improve dramatically.

poopshovel Dork
11/21/08 4:29 p.m.

The teg motor (D16A1) is the easiest swap for the 1g. You'll need motor mounts from both cars (one of which will need a little modification via sawzall,) the ECU from the teg, driveshafts from the teg, front knuckle/hub assemblies from the teg, the shift linkage, and (according to some - not all) the throttle cable. Aside from that, there's a little bit of re-wiring involved. I'm half-way through the swap right now on the CRX, which will be a "fun" car. Unfortunately, all of the "not that fun" cars need work right now, so the rex is on hold. If you're super motivated, the swap could be completed in a weekend. I scored the whole teg. for $300 shipped, scrapped it for ~$180, and if I wasn't in such a hurry to get it the berkeley out of the garage, I could've sold the rear brake conversion for $100 or so.

I have the full article on the swap that all the redpepper guys say is super-accurate. If you'd like, I can email it to you.

Anyway, if you just want to get it back on the road asap, the junkyard head is probably the hot ticket. Rebuilding is bit of a pain in the ass, as the valve guides usually suffer when the valves crash.

Again, you're welcome to the head off the motor in the basement (free-duh) if you'll be in GA any time soon. Just not sure what kind of shape it's in, and don't have time to pull it right now as I have a yard full of my own Honda/Ford/Chevy art. I believe the motor has ~150k on it.

Mental SuperDork
11/21/08 4:45 p.m.

That article would be great, thanks evilmental at Gmail dot com.

After reading all this, I am thinking the junkyard head while I gather the parts for the swap and if/when this one goes Tango Uniform I'll be ready.

Thanks for the offer for the head (yeah you all read that right) but I won't be back home until after the first of the year. Normally I am there for the holidays and I would be in your garage like a homeless guy in winter, but no dice this time around.

Seriously, everyone who has posted so far, thanks a ton, I really appreciate it.

Sonic New Reader
11/21/08 5:16 p.m.

+1 on everything poopie said, I've done the swap and it makes for a really fun car. Get the Integra vacuum box on the firewall, makes for a much cleaner installation. Get most of the front suspension: the knuckles, axles, brakes, etc. If you want to do a rear disc conversion, grab the whole rear axle beam with ebrake cables too.

I have a head in mom's garage that I'd give you for shipping next time I am up at mom's, but it sounds like you're already turning down free Hong head.