My 97 Oddy's timing belt snapped on the highway. At 380,000 but besides a siezed engine, it's pretty rust free and well maintained (besides eating oil but that's normal for a high mileage car). It hurts to scarp it after putting so much into parts in the 8 years that i've owned it, so i going to get a japanese engine in it. Now the problem is that i've got two choices. Either go VTEC for $500 extra or settle of the stock engine? My machanic is my brother-in-law so labour is very minimal. Is the extra cost worth the enhancments? I'm planning on keeping the car for another 4-5 years and I've got a big family (heavy load to carry) so will VTEC extend the life of the car?


I'm not sure if my mechanic has any experience installing a VTEC (in an none VTEC car) so if someone can help me with the extra steps (for VTEC to work), i'd really appreciate that? Can I just put a VTEC engine and but the computer (for VTEC car) later on or does it need to be installed at the same time (with engine)?

Other parts that need changing is the Oxygen sensor B1S1 (front one) and the EVAP Pruge canister selenoid (both a broken). Are these needed for the VTEC computer to function propertly or can change them later (when I find them at a scrap yard)?

Thank you