This has been going on for about 2 years now, and i finally have the funds to replace the issue (still not 100% sure what it is, but its something in the top end)(, would it be easier to replace the head(s) or just replace the engine. I can score a low mileage one locally for like $700 which i thought is a great deal since mine currently has 120k on it. The situation I posted in another thread about a year and an half back: Any suggestions? Thanks

Oh and from an old thread, here's what happened. This all happened with about 75k on the car

I ripped the car good on the highway one night and got the cel. Checked codes and it was a random misfire on all cylinders. It was knocking very loudly. I had an acura tech that I know a few hours away look at it. Turns out I had destroyed a rocker and he overnighted one and installed it along with new t-belt and water pump (90-100k maintenance). The car runs and drives great now except if I ever rip it i hear a noise at about 6500 rpm that sounds like a grinding/vibrating noise from the top end. I'm pretty sure I have a bent valuve It really suck cause I still drive it every day but can't rip on it over 6k or whatever cause I just hate that god awful sound. Sometimes it throws the random misfire code also (but only when I bring it past 6500 it) Yesterday I brought it up to 7k by accident on the highway and the cel and vsa stayed on. I just clear them via battery disconnect, very annoying

PS- if anyone is in the area or within driving distance I'd appreciate it if thy could help me out!

 

engine swap is a lot easier, but a head swap is cheaper if ur doing it yourself. or u can get new valve guides and valve and change them out instead of teh head. thats even cheaper. but labor will cost more

 

gotta be a bit more careful.

I'm in the same boat as you but with a different issue. I think I'm going to replace the heads because they can be removed without the engine coming out

 

Change the head it will be cheaper, you have plenty of life left on the motor

 

Build the heads and get some gains out of it!

But as others have said, if doing it yourself, it will be easier to just swap the motor out.

 

what's wrong with your car?

 

As the other's have said, just replace the head. This way you can still have a car with an original engine

 

it eats oil. but ive been trying to troubleshoot it. we found a LOT of oil in the intake manifold and it burns more when i have the IMRC butterfly open.

im thinking its valve stem seals

 

i'm gonna be pissed when my car starts to burn oil.... lol ifff

 

hey its honda if you rip it then it always eats oil...

 

I would swap the engine instead of changing the heads, bc your going to spend money on the head gasket kit plus I would change the t-belt n waterpump plus you have to take the heads to a machine shop. Plus you could build your engine for boost little by little or part it out and probaly get your money back.

 

Yea I guess i'll go with an engine. What's the fastest someone's done a swap heh? Through reading other posts, i've heard its not that bad if you disconnect the knuckles and drop the whole assembly, but we'll see

 

If you swap the engine it is easier as a DIY and then you could sell the one you took off to recover part of your investment (who knows, there might be someone willing to take that engine as is, they might have good heads and be needing rest? or for a project). Replacing the engine is more of a "plug and play" option.