i bought this car off of a guy who said the car (engine) started making funny noises, he took it to dealers to find out what was wrong with it but no one knew, he just drove it until it pretty much stopped running. I bought it for parts purposes, but i would just actually like to get it running. My dad and i looked into it last summer, we figured it was the vtc solenoids or whatever, so we rolled it into the garage to mess with it, the car actually started up, but was making a really loud knocking noise, so we cut it off. then my dad found a way to supposedly short the vtc out all together, and when we started it up the knocking was still there, but it was much quieter.

could i please get some opinions, do you think the engine is too damaged cause the dude ran it with this problem, how much damage could be done, should i try to rebuild the units, replace them, or just get a new engine if anything. Its a beatiflul white on black leather, and its a 5 spd. sorry for the life story, and i would appreciate any opinions or ideahs, thnx

 

Rod or main bearings are soon to show themselves to you

 

If you do a little research and make some phone calls around your area, you can find a JDM engine for less than $1k. That does not include labor costs. Labor will usually run in the neighborhood of another $1k. In the stickies at the top of the page, there is info on doing the swap.

There are places all over the country that can get JDM engines. I bought one from a place in the Seattle area. It cost $950 (+ tax) with free local shipping. It also has a 1-year, unlimited mile warranty. There are cheaper options out there, but I was in a bit of a pinch.

VE 5-speeds are the most sought after 3rd gen. I don't know how much you are into the car for (I am assuming less than $1k), but if you can get an engine for $1k and pay another $1k for labor, you would have a nice running, driving ride for under $3k. That's less than most of the decent ones sell at.

 

Have you changed the oil yet?
find the condition of the oil, and ammount.

A compression test can in telling you if the motor has anything left in it from a compression stand point. If a bearing is going, start finding a new motor, as it is cheaper than rebuilding the current one unless you know someone with a machine shop.

 

Kind of what i figured, ill start looking around for an engine,
thnx for the replies guys, i appreciate it!