Napa Engine Rebuild Kits? Any Good?

GeorgieGeorgie Wagonist
in Engine & Drivetrain
I am completely rebuilding a d15b2 bottom end with new rings, bearings, seals etc.
The head is good and will not be touched at this time.

I've always had good experiences with Napa "brand" parts before.
I've been checking parts prices and cost is a big factor. For example a new Napa water pump is half what a Honda one is.
What are some of the items I should splurge on and get Honda parts for? I plan to at least buy a Honda oem timing belt.

Any experienced engine builders care to chime in with what brands to buy and which to avoid.

Comments

  • GeorgieGeorgie Wagonist
    16 views, no comments?
  • cbothacbotha Band Wagon
    I pefer using the OEM Honda parts, but I have never had and issue with NAPA stuff I've used.

    Sometimes the aftermarket bearing aren't available in the size steps. color codes that the Honda ones are.

    Are you doing any machine work to the block or just a "home" hone on the cylinder walls?

    What is wrong with the bottom end that you need to rebuild it?
  • GeorgieGeorgie Wagonist
    The block is just getting decked at the machine shop. I will hone it myself before assembly.
    Nothing wrong with the bottom end per say. Bought the car with a blown head gasket.
    The mains and rod bearings visually look good. The motor has 200,000 miles on it.
    I haven't ruled out the possibility of just replacing the rings.
    This will be the first engine I've rebuilt. If the tolerances are in spec for the mains and rods can I just reuse the bearings?
    I don't want to have engine problems 10,00 miles down the road.
    I just want to be able to take long road trips with the family and know the engine is good.
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    There's nothing wrong with the aftermarket parts. Just get new standard-size bearings and rings.

    Spend the money you saved having the head rebuilt.
  • GeorgieGeorgie Wagonist
    bam-bam wrote:
    There's nothing wrong with the aftermarket parts. Just get new standard-size bearings and rings.

    Spend the money you saved having the head rebuilt.

    The head is next on the list. I can trade in my core and get rebuilts locally.
    Thanks for your opinions on it.
  • woodiwoodi Wagonist
    bam-bam wrote:
    There's nothing wrong with the aftermarket parts. Just get new standard-size bearings and rings.

    Spend the money you saved having the head rebuilt.

    I'm in the same spot right now getting parts for my engine rebuild. So you are saying to just go with standard size ACL or King bearings bolt it all together and hit the road? All the color matching of the OEM bearings isn't really necessary? I'd love to go that route since these bearings are so much cheaper. A set of NPR pistons, rings, and King bearings on ebay goes for about what honda would charge you for the bearings alone.
  • GeorgieGeorgie Wagonist
    I'm going to buy my rebuild kit from Napa. I didn't have any excessive wear on my mains, rods, or cylinder walls. I'm going with a standard sizes in my kit.

    They have a regular d15b2 rebuild kit part# KIT 2056160 for $183.49 and a premium for $212.99.
    I'm not sure what is upgraded in the premium kit. I've only complied my parts list from on-line research, I haven't actually talked to a service person at Napa yet.

    I made this list to help me. Not everything lines up after I copied and pasted it here, but you get the idea.
    Not everything was available at Napa.

    1991 Honda Civic Wagon DX Parts List

    Napaonline.com Tink's 435-526-3896

    Qty Part Part Number Price
    1 d15b2 rebuild kit KIT 2056160 183.49
    Premium rebuild kit (not sure whats upgraded?) 212.99
    1 water pump TFW 41040 31.81
    1 oil pump ATM 057205 65.89
    1 t-stat THM 543070 13.79
    1 timing belt tensioner BRG VKM 73000 46.36
    1 both rad. hoses RHK RHK8136A 20.99
    1 package of heater hose NBH H111 7.79
    1 clutch kit NCF 1108012 131.29

    Hondapartscheap.com 877-475-1145

    1 connecting pipe 19505-PM5-A0D 21.18
    2 o-ring ^^^ 91314-634-000 1.73
    2 timing cover bolts 95701-06022-08 .63
    1 bypass hose 19508-PM5-A00 4.00
    1 timing belt 14400-PM3-000 31.43
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    woodi wrote:
    bam-bam wrote:
    There's nothing wrong with the aftermarket parts. Just get new standard-size bearings and rings.

    Spend the money you saved having the head rebuilt.

    I'm in the same spot right now getting parts for my engine rebuild. So you are saying to just go with standard size ACL or King bearings bolt it all together and hit the road? All the color matching of the OEM bearings isn't really necessary? I'd love to go that route since these bearings are so much cheaper. A set of NPR pistons, rings, and King bearings on ebay goes for about what honda would charge you for the bearings alone.


    That's what I've done so far, with this caveat:

    CHECK tolerances. Buy a package of plastigage and follow the instructions.

    With the aftermarket parts, you're probably good for another 150k... that extra precision in the original engine accounts for the first 300K :shock:

    My current d16z6 build for the JRSC? King/NPR.
  • ak_ef9ak_ef9 Band Wagon
    Ive had no problems with the ebay rebuild kits along with acl bearings and npr Rings. I would switch to a OEM headgasket instead of the supplied ones that come in the kit.
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