Ask Me Help Desk - Honda Civic Engine Rebuild

I have a 2000 Honda Civic SI that has been out of commission for awhile. Long story short, when it was running it had a slow undetected oil leak and eventually it threw a rod and made a hole in the block. Can I please get some advice on the best route to go? My goal is to just get it running again right now for the lowest price but to do the right stuff so I can keep modifying it when I get more money. I don't want to waste money buying stuff twice when I could have just spent a little more the first time to get a performance part. There are a couple ways I can go. I can buy a low mileage JDM engine which comes with the transmission, wire harnesses, etc. for a couple thousand but I don't need all the extra stuff. Another way, I can get a brand new block that comes with pistons, crankshaft, etc. for about $3,000 through a honda mechanic I know who is helping me with this project. If I go this route I want to make sure I'm getting forged pistons and other upgraded performance parts with it. I want to set my car up so I can eventually put a turbo in it and I need to make sure I get the right parts to handle the pressure. So if anyone has some good advice to give me about which direction I should take this, I will really appreciate it. Keep in mind, I want to spend as little as possible right away to get it running again but want to make sure I get the right performance parts installed the first time to prep for upgrading later.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanmf

I have a 2000 Honda Civic SI that has been out of commission for awhile. Long story short, when it was running it had a slow undetected oil leak and eventually it threw a rod and made a hole in the block. Can I please get some advice on the best route to go? My goal is to just get it running again right now for the lowest price but to do the right stuff so I can keep modifying it when I get more money. I don't want to waste money buying stuff twice when I could have just spent a little more the first time to get a performance part. There are a couple ways I can go. I can buy a low mileage JDM engine which comes with the transmission, wire harnesses, etc. for a couple thousand but I don't need all the extra stuff. Another way, I can get a brand new block that comes with pistons, crankshaft, etc. for about $3,000 thru a honda mechanic I know who is helping me with this project. If I go this route I want to make sure im getting forged pistons and other upgraded performance parts with it. I want to set my car up so I can eventually put a turbo in it and I need to make sure I get the right parts to handle the pressure. So if anyone has some good advice to give me about which direction I should take this, I will really appreciate it. Keep in mind, I want to spend as little as possible right away to get it running again but want to make sure I get the right performance parts installed the first time to prep for upgrading later.

First off what motor to u have in it

I would consider a salvage yard engine which will come complete for less then a grand, usually. Would take you maybe a day to do the swap and your back on the road. Then, as your wallet allows, build your "spec" engine on the side... I do this every day, its cheap, easy and a lot of fun when you have a weekend with nothing to do.