Cracked Head "Now What..."

[Takedown]

Well its official... The head on my 1.8l 8v engine has cracked. What would you do if you had the decision to either replace the head by picking up one from a local JY and swapping that in or buying a whole 2.0l dohc non turbo engine and slapping it in there. Keep in mind Im having a personal mercedes pro mech working on my car for cheap "relative" for $45 an hour.

 

[gstryyder]

45$ an hour is EXPENSIVE for a guy doing some side jobs. I don't care HOW certified he is... Why don't you do the work yourself? It really isn't all that difficult to swap a head... or even do a motor swap...

 

[Takedown]

45$ an hour is EXPENSIVE for a guy doing some side jobs. I don't care HOW certified he is... Why don't you do the work yourself? It really isn't all that difficult to swap a head... or even do a motor swap...

It would be my first time swapping an engine. I dont know if I could do it.

 

[dylnwit]

Take your time, label everything in baggies, and spend that $45 on a few shop manuals and a case of beer if your of age. Patience is the key.

 

[dustinmp3]

it is real easy and like they said get a manual and take your time, you also will know how to fix something or check for leaks later instead of paying someone.
and go with the 2.0 swap N/T

 

[Takedown]

If I can find a 2.0l DOHC 4g63 w/ ECU, intake mani and exaust mani locally then I will for sure go for it.

 

[greg90gs]

even if you can get the 2.0 nt go with that less wiring and all that fun stuff, to do either of thos swaps the hardest thing to do is to get the timing right, but like was said before shop mauels, and also print out some pictures of the tic marks its easier to see and understand than the manuels, and make sure u have a friend with you for the just in case factor and yes a case of beer, always easier with two sets of hands

 

[Takedown]

Only 17 guys. I just hope that the swap will be worth it.

 

[woodnbronze24]

45/hour thats.... roughly 100,000 for the swap. jk give it a whirl. If you get stuck, get on here and do some reading.

 

[Takedown]

Ive been reading up on the 4g63 lately and it definately sounds like a solid/reliable/powerhouse of an engine. I also plan to turbocharge it later on when I get extra cash. But what I was still wondering is would i be able to turbocharge my 1.8 sohc? Would be so much easier and I wouldnt need to buy a whole different engine first, all I would need is a head.

 

[Takedown]

I just read up on this article- http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-turbo-system-intercooler/37967-turbo-4g37-1-8-sohc-faq.html

Really steers me towards keeping my 1.8 and turbocharging it.

 

[toofast82]

I just read up on this article- http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-turbo-system-intercooler/37967-turbo-4g37-1-8-sohc-faq.html

Really steers me towards keeping my 1.8 and turbocharging it.

Plan on doing this yourself?
If you pay the mechanic, you might as well just buy a GSX when all is said and done

 

[Lofer]

I was just wondering if u can run the sohc colt heads on the 1.8 8valve, i thought they were a 1.5 8 valve, maybe for more compression. I used to at this kid tho he had a 1.8 talon but he blew the 1.8 and swapped in the 1.5, that was the gutless wonder.

 

[DSM1G90]

There are tons of threads in the DSMTalk site along with this site on 4G37 to 4G63 swapouts. Big thing is that you have to change the entire harness and ECU to make it work.

Thus, either get another 4G37 head (which are tonnage available in yards), or get a DSM with a 4G63 already planted in it.

-DSM

 

[Takedown]

Plan on doing this yourself?
If you pay the mechanic, you might as well just buy a GSX when all is said and done

I would definately be doing this by myself. Just to get some experience. I do already have a haynes manual so that may help a little. And the mech said that my block looks great and he looked at all the places that cracks are typically found and some places were they can be found but arent commonly found there and found nothing so thats some good relief.