HCF Project Section - EJ8_Man's B18C ITR EK swap

I've been so busy with taking the motor apart I haven't found time to start a project thread. So the basics first:

My Car: 1999 Honda Civic EJ8 chassis
Donor Car: 1999 JDM DC2 B18C ITR

Parts coming in the mail:
Yonaka head gasket kit - not sure too sure about this kit... Seemed mid-range price wise. Some people say its okay, some say its not. I'll check it out when it arrives
ARP Head Studs
OEM Timing Belt
Oil Pan - the previous owner was an idiot...
Timing Tensioner
Water Pump
B series EK axles
B series motor mounts/brackets
Low Temp Thermostat

I have another list of parts I still need, I can provide that later.

I pulled the head off last night and had a look inside. It looks like the #3 and #4 had more carbon build up then #1 and #2. I also noticed a lot of hard carbon deposits on the exhaust valves. The only reason I took the head off was to make sure the internals were in good shape before dropping it into the car. Better safe then sorry...

I need to find a honest shop in the Los Angeles area to inspect and mill the head before I put it back on. Anyone know of any?

Since this is my first real motor build I was wondering what you all think based on the pictures. Does anyone see anything obviously wrong that I am missing due to my ignorance?

I'll keep the posts coming on any updates. I have a ton of pictures, but HCF says I'm out of space to post them :(

I put the pictures in my album here:
http://www.hondacivicforum.com/forum/album.php?albumid=1067

use photobucket and you can post them up

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/unholy_mitch/headej8.jpg
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac91/unholy_mitch/headej81.jpg

Right on! Thanks! I knew about photobucket I just never got around to creating an account. Now is a good time :)

See the heavy carbon deposits on the #4 exhaust valve? Does that indicate a problem? The rest of the valves seem to have similar levels of deposits. Uniformity in mechanical components is normally a good thing. Is there a safe way to clean that junk off there?

It about time I got around to dumping 20 days worth of pictures onto photobucket. To add insult to injury photobucket rearranged them all in completely random order and wont save my arrangements. I'll continue to tinker with it until I find the way to fix it.

So for parts here's where I'm at:

Swap Parts:
1999 B18C ITR w/ECU w/S80 LSD Transmission
ITR Shift Linkage
Wiring Harness off my 99 EX + some plugs off the ITR harness
P/S Pump off Honda CRV B20
A/C Compressor off my 99 EX
JDM Intake or the AEM off my EX. (The JDM intake has a crack)
Jasma Header
Iridium NGK spark plugs
Exedy Stage 1 Clutch
OEM Distributor Cap + Rotor
PCV Valve
Driver side mount bracket from the 99-00 Si:* 11910-P30-000*
Rear Tranny mount from the 99-00 Si:* 50827-S04-N10**
96 del Sol AC bracket:* 38930-P54-000*
Machined head gasket + flywheel + block
OEM Timing Belt
Head Gasket Set
400 HP Axels
ARP Head Studs
OEM Thermostat
OEM Water Pump
Oil Pressure gauge
OEM Oil Pan (old one was smashed)
OEM Oil Strainer Part # 15220-P72-000 (smashing the pan smashed the pickup...)
Dual Core Aluminum Radiator
Hoses
Belts
Magnetic Oil Drain Plug
Magnetic Transmission Drain Plug
VTEC Integra Fuel pump 1.8L OEM
Energy Suspension Shifter Bushings
10 JDM Hamp Oil Filters
OEM VTEC solenoid Gasket

Misc Tools and Accessories needed for the Swap:
Pneumatic Impact Driver, Socket
Cleaner. Lacquer Thinner, Paint, 24mm socket
Head Stud Tap
Transmission Bracket Tap
JB Weld
Paint + Paint Remover
Rear trans bracket bolt and Timing Tensioner bolt
Engine Stand
T Handle 1/2" Breaker Bar
Hex head sockets and polishing compound
sand paper and wire brushes
Chain and carpet for motor
Stripped bolt sockets
4 bolts for the engine stand

And the URL to all the pics:
http://s926.photobucket.com/albums/ad103/Mr_Jimbo/Motor%20Build/

If it doesn't work let me know and I'll post direct links to the images. So far its coming along nicely.

After doing some reading I figured the low temp thermostat was a mistake. This is my daily driver, not a track car, so I went and bought a OEM thermostat from the Honda stealer ship. I learned something from the guy selling me parts, a tid-bit of useless information:

Honda created Acura, Toyota - Lexus, Nissan - Altima to get around import taxes. By creating a separate "division" or company they don't have to pay the higher tax from importing so many cars from the same company. I initially thought creating Acura, Lexus, etc.. was a marketing tactic against us stupid Americans... Could be BS... Oh well, I thought it was interesting.

Hmm... never knew that. Nice fun fact.

I just got done reading your build and looking at all the pictures. Looks like alot of work, but you seem like you know what you are doing. Keep it up.

I've been wanting to do something like this for about 16 years, since I was about 13... And I've been reading about it for years. Even after all that, actually doing it I find I am still learning. Reading manuals and holding a chunk of machined metal are two very different things. I must say this has been an enjoyable experience. Hopefully it wont blow up when I swap it in :)

I decided to blow all my funds on college first ;) I'm glad I did