1.8 Engine Replacement. Should I or Shouldn't I???

[Diniman58]

I have a 93' LE with a 1.8 with 192K that is really beginning to burn oil and recently has had a significant power loss. Compression tests show that there is quite a bit of blow-by. The car itself and tranny are in very good shape with everything working down to the sun-roof. The rotors, brakes, tires and power steering pump have all been replaced within the last 12K. I have been researching the prospect of replacing the engine with one that has supposed to have come directly from Japan. The engines are only supposed to have 40-60K on it because of the strigent testing and fees associated with cars that have more than 60K on them. I can purchase the engine for 750.00 US, have it shipped for another 185.00. The cost of pulling the old and installing the replacement is going to run between 450 and 550. Has anyone purchased any of these engines from west coast suppliers and other than a few emission modifications, are there any draw-backs with this type of project? Any imput would be appreciated....

[forpinks]

Just buy the Silvertop 4A-GE or a Blacktop should run you 799-1200 dollars on 30Kmiles engine...

[Flashmn]

Honestly I'd rather have an AE101 4A-GZE than a 20V...

[vibebreaker]

you should get an engine with about 30-40k miles instead.

[streetracero1]

and will the silvertop or black top drop right in or will there be more things to be done which equals more money

[retiredat44]

isn't there an engine rebuilder with shortblocks somewhere nearby , like through a local auto parts store? how about just rebuilding yours. Pull it, have it bored over .030 put hew bearings, pistons and rings, and send the head out for a rebuild.

check for a used engine, with under 50,000 mile sthrough the online auto-wreckers...

You have 100 options..

If you are not pulling the engine yourself, is whoever R&R'ing the engine, asking for a specific replacement, or they will not do the work or wil not warranty the work?

A little mor einfo can give better answers,,,

will the car be a transporation car? or a project to make it fun?

Too bad we have crappy smog laws...

now is the time to do all the fun things... if you save enough money and do it right, you can take the extra cash and make some of the extras more fun..

[Diniman58]

I'm not looking for a street racer, just a reliable and dependable car for my daughter that I know what has been done or needs to be done.

[94_Rolla_Guy]

i wanna add something here, with the 93-95 1.8L oil burning (7A-FE) your not alone i think every single 93-95 1.8L burns oil, i replaced my engine with a low KM engine and its right back to its old tricks burning 1L every 750 - 1000 Km's

If i were you i would do 1 of 2 things:

1. Buy a used engine from a 96 or 97 they are better and seem to have fewer problems..but you will have to transfer all sensors & distributor from the old engine over and remove the EGR valve and block the ports. The problem is it could still burn the later engines are better but not exempt from bad rings

2. Haul the engine out of there and have the bottom end rebuilt with oversized pistons, new rings, bearings the whole bit. you can probably just reuse the head without any work being done. (to me this is the better bet the engine will be like new and last a good life)

BTW if you buy an engine with problems there gonna wanna see it running with the problems then expect the engine returned for a exchange. I personally went through this and got fucked so bad my ass still hurts...

[Diniman58]

What do you estimate the cost for option #2? Sounds like a better idea than taking a chance on an internet engine. If it could be done for less than 1400.00 US it might be worth it. i really don't want a sore ass over this deal.............

[94_Rolla_Guy]

well im looking at around 1200 CDN for just the rebuild (parts, machine work, labour) for you it would cost a little more for removal and re-installation. Go find a few engine re-builders in your area and see what they say price wise...

BTW the engines will run forever evem burning like 1quart every 500-600 miles. The reason im even gonna bother is because where i live we have Emmission testing and mines not gonna pass this time around..

[Piloter]

Look into your local laws. JDM engines may have different/missing emissions equipment/sensors. If there's any kind of emissions test, see what they do...tailpipe and visual or just diagnostic hookup, that'll give you an idea of how much leeway you've got.

So, does anybody have a non-rebuilt 7AFE that DOESN'T burn oil? =)

[Flashmn]

Problem is the JDM imported engines have alot more than 35k miles. They dont know the mileage so they slap something on there.