OK Doctor, here’s the patient I’m an old school, original owner of a 89’ Teg DOCH w/ D16A3 230K miles It’s been such a great car! Regular Maintained has been done. Engine Rebuilt 700 miles ago Complete with new injectors, Radiator, Hoses, Starter… Stock stuff. Was Running really good. (nice sounds) Still needed Throttle Body replaced, EACV + a Temp sensor (evident from the ruff idle and bad warm idle (runs low RPM and bounces)
Now showing all the signs of a Blown Head Gasket. i.e. Oil in Radiator, Bubble in reserve, dropping water levels and a little clean white smoke. It got in the Red for about 5 minutes. Compression test Shows 165-175 on all four.

Question: Should I have the head Gasket replaced (maybe with multi-layer metal) and have head grinded if necessary or do I Swap for a B16A or B16B. This is an OBD-0 Stock Teg. This is my daily driver but I can do the down time on my GSXR Bike. I have the about $4500, but need the wisdom of you Vets. And I would probably need to have it done. I don’t have a bud to help me in San Diego through it. I admire you guys who have made that plunge before. No, I can’t take back cause shop changed ownerships and basically screwed me without a kiss. Pretty sure it has blown head gasket. Bubble in the radiator and oil in water. Not sure why a brand new head gasket would blow from Commute driving with 700 miles. Suggestions?? Would love some HP but Reliable and Easy would probably come first. Maybe a Turbo later :+)

Thanks (forever newbie)

Jim

 

Could Really use some quick advice or suggestions here. What would you do?

Thanks

 

snatch up a b18a and bewst it...it can be done for 4500 pretty easily. Though I cannot lie and say I am super familiar with the 89 teg chassis I assume that HASport or the like makes a b swap mount kit for it. If you have a garage and some tools it is very easy to do it on your own if you have patience and a helms...

 

Do a B16A1 with/ hasport mounts & shiftlinkage kit. You wont spend $4500. I have a 91 Civic Si hatch w/ a B16A1 which is OBD0. You'll spend around $3000-3200 total depending who do the swap or if you do it yourself alot cheaper. You'll still have money left over If you decide on Camgears,headers,exhaust etc....You'll love the performance.

 

That's Hot that Hasport has those D to B Series Mounting Brackets (But the $599! Yikes) I saw some B16A complete swaps for around $1800 from H-motors I was begining to think it wasn't even done for the 89 Teg. All the Guides have the 90+ Teg's which had the B18. Why does the 89 not mention. I'd hate to start and find out it won't work because... Do you think it would be better to buy new B16a and get an ODB wire conversion kit? Basically 10 more hp and newer. The JDM's say less than 40K but I've heard that's not usually the case.