Hi, my name is Eric. I have a garage in Springfield Mo. I am doing an engine swap and something popped up. The old engine has a device bolted to the head , next to the distributor. The replacement unit does not have a place to bolt this on. There are two connectors and I think t looks like an oil sensor. Not sure. The car is a 98 civic and the motor is a 2000. What is this thing and do I need it? Will there be a check engine light? Is this one of those deals that shuts down the motor if no oil pressure is present?


Thanks.
thymekiller

 

that is the vtec solenoid

 

yes if you plan on using that head you are going to need that vtec solenoid

 

My plan is to install the replacement motor with the head already on it. The replacement motor/head does not have that device. Will this cause a check engine light? Perhaps I should have explained myself better. Sorry. I was in a hurry when I posted the first time. Thanks for the reply.

 

Yes, if you put the engine in as-is, you will get a CEL. The computer is for a vtec engine and you are swapping in a non-vtec engine.

The solenoid just engages the vtec system in the head. The other engine doesn't have/need it, but the computer will notice that it isn't there.

 

Yes, you will throw codes. The ECU is expecting a signal from the VTEC valve and oil pressure sensor. Your new motor doesnt have the VTEC.

Not sure, but you may need a different ECU, and maybe wiring too.

Most people swap from NON VTEC to VTEC, your going the other way.
One way around this is to use the old head and reinstall the VTEC stuff, but be carefull, I don't know if it's compatable

 

WoW ! Last time I let a customer pick his own engine. I noticed the intake was different when I first saw it. Didnt think much about it. Looked like it would bolt on. Figured it was just a different year model.

So if I just use the old manifolds, it still might not run right? Changing heads does not sound like something I really want to do.
Also, are there any other ways to tell if it Vtec or not? The customer was told by the seller that it WAS a Vtec.

Sorry to ask such dumb questions. Honda is not something I see very often except for basic maintenance. I buy my motors from a salvage yard that has not done me wrong in 4 years. He got this one from someone I dont know. I think he saved 50 bucks. He might have to get a different engine.

 

He ought to get his money back from the engine seller. The non-VTEC engine isn't worth as much. The best way to tell if you have a VTEC or not is to look for the solenoid.

 

Thanks guys. Now I know. I need to make a phone call......

I would like to thank you all for your speedy help. Cant remember who turned me on to this forum, but you all have been very helpful.

Thank you VERY much.

 

Honestly, this isn't so much of a problem, engine wise. The bigger problem would be the customer getting ripped off a little by whoever sold them the engine. If you swap the vtec head over to the new block and use all the old manifolds and computer, etc, it'll run fine.

The vtec engine is D16y8 and the non-vtec engine is D16y7. The blocks are pretty much the same. Swap over the head, move the knock sensor over too, and you've built what is known to the Honda world as a "mini-me". Basically, you turn a non-vtec engine into the equivalent of a vtec engine by just swapping the head.