N00b engine install question(s)

[Caplax40]

Hey all,

Time for annoying n00b question round 2. In an effort to save money and educate myself about engines and the like, I have decided (as noted in another post) to rip out the very broken engine in my '92 SE-R and install a new engine and possibly a transmission.....myself. Does anyone know of any good resources to do such a thing? It would be a swap of stock engine to stock engine. I've never done such a thing on a car before and am excited and very hesistant at the same time.

Also, what tools/equipment should I be looking at getting? I've got your basic sockets, ramps and the like but not much else. Thanks for your help!

[maxhopper]

Buy an Chilton's or Haynes manual. They should be a good guide on what you need.

[nametakennow]

You've got most of what you'll need.

An engine hoist would be real nice in order to get that thing out. Some air tools may be necessary to get some of those bolts out.

Pretty much you've got to disconnect everything that connects to other parts of the car, then get the engine stabilized (with said hoist), then drop the motor mounts.

I can't remember what engine you're getting exactly, but it may need a different wiring setup than what you've got for the ECU (it more than likely will, as I suspect it's from a different car than yours). That's also going to mean a lot of wiring afterwards to get it all right.

However, as far as swaps go, assuming the engine came from a B-chassis car, this should be pretty straight forward.

[Caplax40]

Since this is my first engine install ever, I'm going with the cheapest and easiest. I'm in the process of ordering a JDM SR20DE from Soko to replace the DE that's in there right now. Since it is out of a JDM only car what kinds of wiring issues will I be running into?

And I assume by your comment about "dropping the motor mounts" that I should not reuse the old ones correct? If not, where's a good place to pick some up?

[nametakennow]

Nah, the stock mounts should be fine unless they're beaten to hell.

On second thought, you shouldn't have to necessarily drop them, just unbolt the center bolt that goes through the mount that connects it to the bracket coming from the block and that engine will slide right out.

However, for extra fun, you might want to take this easy access to the mounts as a chance to throw in some Energy Suspension polyurethane mounts. They're pretty cheap (I want to say less than $50, but don't quote me on that) and will definitely add to the feel and power of the engine (less energy is wasted in movement of the engine on its mounts, basic physics).

I initially said dropping in that there's a crossmember running from the front to the back that holds the front and rear mounts in place. I was thinking that you'd drop that, but, as I said earlier in this post, you shouldn't have to.

Since it's JDM, it's designed to be wired to the wrong side (for ignition and such). However, I think you should be able to use your stock wiring harness, seeing as the stuff on the engine is still in the same place (or pretty close). However, I think it's safe to assume that this engine is from a newer and/or different chassis, so the ECU pinout is different. You'll want a pinout for both the JDM's ECU and the USDM one (regardless of which ECU you use) so that you can match the wires up correctly.

It sounds a lot more daunting than it is, just take your time and you'll be fine.

I'll try to find that link for the B13, 14, and 15 FSMs I saw one day, it'd probably be nice to have your FSM.

[nametakennow]

If you're strapped for cash and can't afford an FSM just yet, well...

FSM

You didn't get that link from me .

[RED_DET]

If you are swapping the us highport motor for a jdm high port motor, you will not re use the EGR. Everything else plugs up just like you unplugged it, you don't need the ecu for that motor. Your ecu will work fine. The only thing you will have to change over is the temp sensor, which is located underneath the intake runners on the passenger side by the idle adjustment. Now if you are going from a lowport to a highport, you will have to lengthen a couple wires, no big deal. One is the temp sensor wire I just mentioned and the other is the knock sensor wire that runs from the injector harness to the back side of the block. I to recommend the dogbone motor mount inserts(crossmember). They are like $37 from energy suspension. I recommend changing the clutch as well since you will have the transmission off the motor and resurfacing the flywheel. New belts, REPLACE the water pump on the jdm motor, trust me. They are like $40 and take 5 mins to change with motor sitting on the ground and like 4-6hrs if you had to change later on down the road after you already installed the motor. Just remember what and where you unplugged things from the wiring harness, so that you know what needs to be plugged back up after the install. If you have to label the plugs, use plastic baggies or stirofoam cups to label bolts and what not as well. I would highly recommend a air compressor. Axle bolts, transmission bolts are just a pain in the *** trying to muscle out.