Engine & Internal - Blown (melted) 96 ex civic - replace or repair

I just joined this forum. I just picked up my daughters 96 civic ex 5speed w/170,000 miles from the side of the road. She said the battery died. I towed it home and put the charger on it. I decided to check the oil, no reading. Daughter said no oil light came on. My father-in-law checked it and said it is frozen. It has the D16y8 engine and my research shows that a replacement engine is rather expenisive ( it is a commute car for my daughter in college). The D16Y7 can be fond used for $300-450 in my area. Should I replace the d16y8 with a used d16y7? Should I have someone revuild the current engine or take it to the junk yard and buy a different car. She will need a commute car for 3 more years while in college. Any and all input is appreciated

Tman

The D16Y8 can be had for realatively cheap too, you just gotta look. I dont think converting to a D16Y7 would be too much of a good idea. You will have to swap out the ECU for sure. Btw, just because the oil light doesnt come on that doesnt mean it didnt have oil. This (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/96-99-Honda-Civic-D16Y8-Vtec-Reconditioned-Longblock_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33615QQihZ019 QQitemZ290040650964QQrdZ1) is not too bad. But if you look you can find a used one for $600-700 easy.

Oh, rebuilding the current motor is going to be way more expensive. Along the lines of 1k in labor. We are talking about a completly reconditioned D16Y8 for $800

If it's just a commuter I'd get the cheapest thing I could. If law is not a concern in your state (inspections, emissions and such), you might look into older engines as well.

a y7 is a good engine and you can definitly use it. make sure you get a y7 ecu though. should be a direct plug in. You might want to use the y8 intake and exhaust manifolds.

ORIGINAL: Roto

a y7 is a good engine and you can definitly use it. make sure you get a y7 ecu though. should be a direct plug in. You might want to use the y8 intake and exhaust manifolds.


Actually, I agree 100% that is a way better idea. If you snag a Y7 make sure the ECU is for the transmission also.