So me and the buddy are driving his 96 dx (d16y7) yesterday through a gigantic thunderstorm, hit a huge puddle, (should've had a name it was that big) (w/ a low CAI) and next thing you know BOOM! clank clank clank....Hydrolock.....more like hydro-break-every-thing-water-wants-to....

There is a 3" diameter hole in the front of the block near the #1 piston, and two 1" holes on the backside near the #1 as well. We'll hey, at least it went loud on the way out....I'll get pictures up as soon as possible.

But anywho, we have 2 weeks to figure out a solution and get this car back on the road by May 16th. I started thinking of options. We could scrap the current y7 for a y8 from the same years, but my questions are these:

Is the d17Y8 a direct replacement as far as bolting up to the transmission and mounts because we'd like to keep the cost down by keeping the tranny (which is in good shape). He's not running any power steering or a/c, so I don't have to worry about that.

Also, besides the Vtec solenoid and other small wiring changes, would the sensors from the y7 be carried over to the y8 or is it a completely different wiring scheme? What needs to be done for the VTEC solenoid anyway? Would the Y7 ecu carry over to a y8 ( I can't imagine it would)?

What about a JDM d16y8 or it's equivalent ( I think it's a d15b or something like that)? I was looking at a website that does nothing but JDM motors and ships them everywhere for a decent price. Would that be a reasonable alternative because I think it all runs OBDII?

Is this a reasonable replacement? We're not looking to upgrade to a b16a or b18 right now because time is of the essence, but it is still an option if we could get a great how-to with pictures. Otherwise, how hard is it to swap a d16y7 to a d16y8 in a 1996 Civic DX with a manual? Thanks for any help, but hurry with responses!!!!

I don't believe there's such thing as d17y8. You're thinking of the d16y8, which is from usdm 96-00 ex's and canadian 96-00 si's. Also, the d15b is a jdm motor. The d16y8 will be a basic drop-in swap, and I believe vtec is the only thing you'd have to wire up. I'm not sure about the sensors, but I believe they'd tranfer straight over... also, I'm not 100% sure, but I've heard there's slight differences in the 96-98 and 99-00 y8's.

The d16y7 and d16y8 have the catalytic converter in different places, but i don't think that would make a difference. Just leave the d16y7's exhaust manifold and exhaust components in there.

You'd need the d16y8's ECU because of VTEC.

Hey thanks for the quick responses....yeah I meant d16y8.

Would the JDM motor work as far as bolting in and wiring (if I have the y8 ecu)? Or should I stick with a USDM y8 and just drop that right in and find out what to do with the wiring?

Also, the exhaust manifold for the y7 is cracked from whatever went boom. You can noticeably see when you look at it. So I'll probably have to get an EX manifold with cat....but will that bolt up to the Apexi WSII exhaust he has on there now (its for a DX)? It makes sense that it would because the only differences I see are from the cat foward...

Does the manual from the y7 also carry over to the y8 seeing that is they're both the same block?

Thanks again.

I say just find a usdm y8.. check craigslist and the local traders guides. You shouldn't have too much trouble finding a cheap one pretty easily. Anyway, I don't think an ex header and cat will bolt right up to a dx exhaust.

But the transmission will bolt right up

The ex exhuast manifold should bolt up I believe the exhuasts are sold the same for all the 96-00 civics well at least my b16 header bolted right up to my dx aftermarket exhaust so I shouldnt see the problem with that. As far as wiring you just need to wire to the vtec solenoid to the correct ecu for your engine eg (y8 engineto y8 ecu, d15b engineto d15b ecu). Companies can do that for you if you dont know how. Sorry about the y7 though.

i want pictures....

O believe me man...you want to see these pictures. We have to get a new engine first though so we can pull the old one and get a better shot at it....you can't really see it from looking down...