Ask Me Help Desk - Hoda Civic DX engine- what type?

I have a 1994 Honda Civic DX, 4 door sedan with a four cylinder engine & automatic transmission. The sixth digit in the VIN is an eight (8).
What engines can I drop in it with out any/ many modifications?
Here is a little more info on the car:
Year: 1994 Style/Body: Sedan 4D
Make: Honda Engine: 1.5L I4 MPI
Model: Civic DX Country of Assembly: United States
I was told that a V-Tec engine would not work. Is that true?
When buying from a junk yard or an import dealer, what must I look for to get the right engine?
Any thought on where I can get one? The car is stranded in Burnsville, WV.
Thank all of you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosesgt

I have a 1994 Honda Civic DX, 4 door sedan with a four cylinder engine & automatic transmission. The sixth digit in the VIN is an eight (8).
What engines can I drop in it with out any/ many modifications?
Here is a little more info on the car:
Year: 1994 Style/Body: Sedan 4D
Make: Honda Engine: 1.5L I4 MPI
Model: Civic DX Country of Assembly: United States
I was told that a V-Tec engine would not work. Is that true?
When buying from a junk yard or an import dealer, what must I look for to get the right engine?
Any thought on where I can get one? The car is stranded in Burnsville, WV.
Thank all of you.

A VTEC engine will drop in, but you will need to add wires for the VTEC solenoid and pressure switch. You will also need the VTEC ECU (AT) and distributor. Your transmission has valving for the lower powered engine and the VTEC engine torque in the lower RPM range is not that great. This will make acceleration feel somewhat sluggish. On the otherhand, the non VTEC engine is known to have headbolt stretch problems which often result in blown headgaskets. The VTEC engine has a metal headgasket and is not prone to this problem.

Good comments, FixHondas.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosesgt

I have a 1994 Honda Civic DX, 4 door sedan with a four cylinder engine & automatic transmission. The sixth digit in the VIN is an eight (8).
What engines can I drop in it with out any/ many modifications?
Here is a little more info on the car:
Year: 1994 Style/Body: Sedan 4D
Make: Honda Engine: 1.5L I4 MPI
Model: Civic DX Country of Assembly: United States
I was told that a V-Tec engine would not work. Is that true?
When buying from a junk yard or an import dealer, what must I look for to get the right engine?
Any thought on where I can get one? The car is stranded in Burnsville, WV.
Thank all of you.

Essentially you are looking for a 92-95 civic DX or LX engine. I think it might be a D15B7. Just look at the engine serial code stamped on the exhaust side of the block, next to the transmission. If you are handpicking engines, remove the oil cap and look inside with a flashlight - it should be clean. If it is really dark (like dark brown or black) then look for another engine (a quick indication of oil change history). Also look at the plastic timing belt covers and make sure they aren't melted near the mouting bolts (a sign of overheating).

You may also want to reuse your original intake manifold and throttle body. The IACV tends to stick on junkyard engines, giving you idle problems. It is really easy to just unbolt your original manifold and leave it in the car while you swap out the engine. Engine drops out the bottom the easiest. Make sure you install a new timing belt and water pump (from Honda). Look at the cam and crank seal too, they usually leak some - depending on oil change history.