2001 engine in a 98

[SolidCitizen]

I'm trying to have a dealership install a 2001 3.2L engine into my 98 (which suffered catastrophic engine damage). The dealership is claiming that there are excessive issues with doing this, e.g. the 2001 cylinders have a new air intake port and collector to meet new smog laws (which should be included in the unit anyways) and they claim that the ECM harnesses are different i.e. incompatible. Then they tried to claim that my 98 (6-speed) uses a 3.0, which is complete BS. How do I convince these guys (Los Gatos Acura) that a 2001 C32B1 will work fine in my 98? Or are there indeed prohibitive issues here?

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[Larry Bastanza]

I do not know the details, but if they are telling you your 1998 NSX has a 3.0 liter, you need to take it somewhere else anyway!!!

Run....Run....Run... You will go from "catastrophic" failure to "catastrophic" repair.


My $.02
LarryB

 

[Vytas]

I've been taking my NSX to LG Acura for the last five years and know the NSX tech on a personal basis. I'm quite surprised that the service people would say this. I sent an email to my NSX tech and will see what he has to say about this engine swap.

You can also inquire with Don Lam at Hilltop Auto Serivce in Daly City (www.hilltopautoservice.com). I'm sure he'd know.

Vytas

 

[matteni]

Originally posted by SolidCitizen:
which suffered catastrophic engine damage

What happened? Can you talk about it ?

 

[SolidCitizen]

Vytas, I definitely respect the mechanics at Los Gatos when I talk to them directly...they seem informed and competent. But my service advisor definitely didn't have his facts straight at the time. I can understand that they want to protect themselves, but the 3.0 comment made me feel that they're flailing away from anything other than assembling a new engine for me -- which not only is MUCH more expensive, but probably riskier from a reliability standpoint than a used engine. Hopefully I can get a final answer from Hopkins Acura, who is graciously contacting an NSX production engineer for me to determine what the risks/difficulties are, if any, to putting an '01 in a 98.

Originally posted by matteni:
What happened? Can you talk about it ?

My 98 engine, currently at 42K miles, had a rebuild done by (shop omitted for now) at about 25K miles due to a spun rod bearing caused by low oil (previous owner neglected the car). About two weeks ago during normal driving I noticed a slight coolant smell, then a few days later the car rapidly overheated and blew steam/white smoke from the exhaust. Towed it to Los Gatos, where the heads were removed after a coolant pressure test showed leaking head gaskets. The seemingly-intelligent mechanic showed myself and my engine-handy friend all the problems: Most of the head bolts were stripped (they came right out). Improper torquing is suspect since the heads weren't warped. So the block is practically unusable due to the stripped bolt holes (you'd have you helix an awful lot of them to try to bolt the heads back on). One head is quite damaged due to a misaligned cam
grinding into the head, and there's evidence that that cam was installed improperly from tool dings in the head. Some of the cylinder walls have lost the cross-hatching, which happened during the spun rod bearing incident, and apparently never resurfaced by (shop omitted for now). The pistons, rods, and crank and one head are probably still good. Everyone is suprised that the car ran for 17K miles since the crappy rebuild, and I'm suprised how well it ran.

Jeff

[This message has been edited by SolidCitizen (edited 12 September 2002).]

 

[matteni]

OMG!

I am so sorry to hear about your troubles. It is everyones worst nightmare to trust your baby to a shop to see it so messed up. What a nightmare you must be going through.

What scares me is a) I believe you b) someone else is having their car's engine worked on by this shop tommarow!!!

Please - take care of your situation but in the name of all that's good let us know who did this to your baby. Remember - someone else probably was screwed by them and said nothing and that is why you are in the position you are in. Don't let it happen again...

 

[len3.8]

Originally posted by matteni:
OMG!

I am so sorry to hear about your troubles. It is everyones worst nightmare to trust your baby to a shop to see it so messed up. What a nightmare you must be going through.

What scares me is a) I believe you b) someone else is having their car's engine worked on by this shop tommarow!!!

Please - take care of your situation but in the name of all that's good let us know who did this to your baby. Remember - someone else probably was screwed by them and said nothing and that is why you are in the position you are in. Don't let it happen again...

Nick up late Hungh.
It's Leonard I have 3 beautiful ladies in my bed. So I can't sleep. My youngest saw a spider so she and the oldest are bed-jacking.
email me. I have something to share
Len
N9S5X-T

 

[matteni]

Hey Len,

Yeh - got a line on some serious mods. Now I can sleep. Turns out I made so much noise sneaking out to the kitchen to check my email that my son took my place next to my wife in bed (Oedipus Jr.) - what's worse - he wet the bed where I sleep. Now he is comfortable in his nice dry bed and I get to sleep in his urine all night. Oh well...

------------------
Nick M

91' Red/Black with Many Mods
99' Honda Odyssey with Many Kids

 

[nsx1164]

Originally posted by matteni:
my son took my place next to my wife in bed (Oedipus Jr.)

Or Oedipus NSX ??

Watch out when Nick Jr starts putting Mugen adjustable swaybars on his Type R Radio Flyer.

- Manuel

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by matteni:
he wet the bed where I sleep.

Suggestion: Don't let him sleep in your NSX. We've never discussed what to do about urine on the NSX seats. Let's not start now.

 

[matteni]

Ha ha ha!!!

One funny thing I have noticed. Our Odyssey has a very luxurious ride and my son NEVER falls asleep in the car anymore. The NSX is fast, loud, and much tighter and he almost always falls asleep. Go figure

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

Jeff,

tow it to Don at Hilltop Auto Service. He will take care of the problem personaly, and I can guarantee you will be happy with the result.

On the other hand, Los Gatos Acura helped me before, and I believe their tech guy is really good. But you can save substantial amount of money by going to Hilltop. And trust me, it will not end up like the shop you went through before.



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<A HREF="http://www.tracknutz.com" TARGET=_blank>www.tracknutz.com
</A>
Join us Nov 24!

 

[Ko-nsx]

Hey, This might be the wrong spot for this but, I posted a question for you a few weeks ago about a 98 nsx in STL. You and Len were very helpful, like everyone else is. You also invited me to a weekend event a few weeks ago but I was unable to attend. Just wanted to know how it went??? Still looking for a silver nsx-t.
I found on in CO, a lot of comptech mods.
2000, 13k, comptech intake , supercharger and exhaust. Wants 80k. Lord!!!!!!!!!! very clean car. I also know of one ebay. Got a salvaged title, but seller claims that it's spotles. It's also in my price range. Interested in meeting you and len if I every find a car!!!

 

[Ko-nsx]

Originally posted by matteni:
Ha ha ha!!!

One funny thing I have noticed. Our Odyssey has a very luxurious ride and my son NEVER falls asleep in the car anymore. The NSX is fast, loud, and much tighter and he almost always falls asleep. Go figure

Read reply form Ko-nsx in stl.

 

[matteni]

Originally posted by Ko-nsx:
Read reply form Ko-nsx in stl.

Hi Ko-NSX - you've got mail!

Remember - we always post new plans under the Midwest section. Hope to see you on 10/6 wine country drive and lunch!

------------------
Nick M

91' Red/Black with Many Mods
99' Honda Odyssey with Many Kids

 

[SolidCitizen]

Originally posted by Andrie Hartanto:
Jeff,

tow it to Don at Hilltop Auto Service. He will take care of the problem personaly, and I can guarantee you will be happy with the result.

On the other hand, Los Gatos Acura helped me before, and I believe their tech guy is really good. But you can save substantial amount of money by going to Hilltop. And trust me, it will not end up like the shop you went through before.

I've been to Don's before and would go there if I had to. I have confidence that Los Gatos Acura can do the job right, and I like their 1yr/12K labor warranty.

I'm still waiting on the final word of what exactly is involved with getting a newer engine in a pre-LEV car, but I'm going with a 98 engine for simplicity's sake (i.e. I don't need any more labor charges!) and I happened to find a low-mileage one for a decent price.

Jeff

ps I corrected my previous post that it was one of their service advisors, not their manager, who mistakenly said my car has a 3.0.