How difficult is a B-series swap?

[dnunit]

I have very little automotive experience and the only thing I know how to do is install a CAI lol
Anyway, I'm thinking of swapping a B16A into my 5th gen Civic and I have never done an engine swap before and I have no idea how to do one. Anyway, if I read an instruction manual, bought the right tools, and carefully followed the directions where the parts go, etc. can it be done or would I have to go to mechanic school or do lots of research first?

I know this might seem like a silly and stupid question for some of you guys out there, but hey, everyone has to start somewhere.

 

[BRAK54]

its cake man

 

[Going-West]

It depends on your experience. For someone who just knows how to install a CAI, yeah it might be hard. For someone who installs parts and works on their car all the time, not so hard, just takes some time. My advice is to get someone with mechanical experience to help you. A shop would charge you out the ass to put it in. Just get some friends, a couple days, and a 6 pack and go at it

 

[RedLine42]

Yeah a swap by your self with no knowledge or experience of swapping motors is going to be difficult.

 

[JohnS.]

For someone with little knowledge, it will probably be quite difficult.

But if you understand the basic concept of an engine bay, what's inside and how they're all connected, how to do a swap in general, and have the tools, I'm sure it would be easy.

 

[slowhatch]

if you do go through with the swap, try to memorize what wires go where, or better yet label them. its pretty straightforward because the plugs will only plug into their counterparts. the only thing you will need is time, 10, 12, 14, and 17mm sockets and an engine hoist.

 

[GoDave!]

if you do go through with the swap, try to memorize what wires go where, or better yet label them. its pretty straightforward because the plugs will only plug into their counterparts. the only thing you will need is time, 10, 12, 14, and 17mm sockets and an engine hoist.

get those sizes in swivel as well

No matter how experienced you are, it is highly recommended you have someone with you for the swap. Not just for helping get certain parts in/out but for being as safe as possible. It's always nice to have some extra eyes and hands nearby.

 

[slowhatch]

get those sizes in swivel as well

swivel!? shoot i did it old school, sockets, wrenches, and busted knuckles lol

 

[GoDave!]

swivel!? shoot i did it old school, sockets, wrenches, and busted knuckles lol

haha... and skin like the grand canyon

 

[Inigo Montoya]

if you do go through with the swap, try to memorize what wires go where, or better yet label them. its pretty straightforward because the plugs will only plug into their counterparts. the only thing you will need is time, 10, 12, 14, and 17mm sockets and an engine hoist.

forgot the axle socket 32mm yo

if you can do an axle swap, you know about 80% of what you need to know for a swap.

Youll need to run 3 more wires for vtec (if ya dont have it already), a couple mounts, a linkage, and a motor and youre gtg.

 

[slowhatch]

forgot the axle socket 32mm yo.

bah screw the axle nut! i broke 3 breaker bars and 2 sockets before i got mine off.

 

[fitbmx1986]

just make sure you have a friend you are going to need it when dropping the motor in and lining everything up plus its nice to be working on two things like one person wiring the other doing axles or whatever stage you are at. as long as you have ALL the tools and parts its no problem, it took me fri morning from like 8am till sun evening but we were spending all day looking for flywheel bolts saturday and a header so it could have only taken us one day if we had the parts all together. its a great experience though and gives you a ton of knowledge. just don;t get too stressed out over it. we were pretty beat by the end of it but thats because this car was my DD and i needed to get to work monday morning but we pulled it off.

 

[classickid]

its not bad me a my dad put a b16 in my 96dx friday and we got it done quick to never have done it b4 but make sure u have a impact gun for those axles bolts and its all easy after that

 

[xxsenceo89x]

f**k what they say. its easy just time consuming. it wont get done in a weekend if its your first time. i swapped everything twice by myself. only problem i had was lining up the mounts and tilting the motor cause i didnt want to take off the intake mani.

also need a 19mm

 

[12.8:1 Ls/vtec]

I put mine in in 2 hours with a cherry picker and simple hand tools. Easy when you do it a lot.