I've already searched the forums and google but to no avail... Probably typing it in wrong but whatever.. Basically i have a thread in s2000 talk, talking about how my s2k blew up on my twice in a year costing me 6g's...If you want to read it My link..
So as i am debating on keeping my car after being through hell and back I've thought of selling and buying an evo... Test drove an evo and the interior was almost enough for me to say f no and the feel of the transmission shifting through the gears and motor wasn't as smooth or any where near and smooth as my S which why i love it so.. Well as much as i love it i would literally freak out if it blew up again, so i thought to my self maybe i should get a sedan Si 08... Test drove an Si and yeah they are fun i feel it is too much of a downgrade almost.. but the only thing is, well so I've heard, is that the K20 is so reliable and its ability to be beaten on and still keep trucking like it was new is remarkable.. That being said i just want to be able to drive my beloved S2K, which is all stock btw, and not have to worry about going to the canyons every so often and maybe tracking it once or twice a year and it going boom.. I know the retainers on AP1's are renowned for going bad.. Both of my motors that blew the head failed causing catastrophic damage to my cylinder walls.. I just want to be able to V-tec my car every so often and not have to worry about something giving another gigantic headache and putting holes in my pocket...

 

Put in an F22c with a MY01 ECU (or tune it safely/conservatively somehow). Keep (good/fresh) oil in it. Keep up with the maintenance/service. Done. /thread

 

The engines are perfectly reliable if you make sure they have oil in them and have not been abused.

 

Well i have a perfectly fine f20 in it at the moment, or so i hope.. if i had to fork over another 3 or so thousand i would've sold this ish a minute ago...

 

Did you over-rev the engine in either case? Even if YOU didn't, the previous owner could have on the first engine and who knows the real story behind the second engine. As you mentioned, the AP1 retainers are prone to cracking. If you get another engine, I would recommend switching out the retainers for some ap2 ones right away. Have the engine thoroughly inspected prior to purchase.

As long as you upgrade those retainers, change the oil, check the oil level (ap1's tend to burn more oil, especially in vtec), and keep from over-revving your engine, you should be fine.

Also, inspect your cooling system very well. inadequate cooling could be helping kill your engines rather quickly.

 

Appreciate the advice the motor is already in my car and running fine i just baby the hell out of it. I drive 2miles to work and back daily and that all she drives.. Only issues i can say about my motor now that in the morning or i should say on cold starts.. there is a loud ticking it almost sounds like piston slap but its not you can tell if from the head.. The head i have on right now was my mechanics that he got machined and put Bryan Crower Valve guides and lifters on so i was assuming that the lifters are just loud as balls until it warms up and its not noticeable..

To answer your question though the be perfectly honest i don't think ive ever hit 9k rpms on the car i've always being to scared and i shift at around 8.6 so no ive never over-revved and ive never mis shifted either..

 

How long does the noise occur? Is it consistent with engine speed (rev the engine and the speed of the noise occurs, or the same regardless of engine rpm?

Could be TCT.

 

You want a bullet proof s2k, then lets discuss the underlying cause that is particular to YOU.

What happened to your other engines? What failed? Were you dropping valves?

There is nothing special about a 2.2L engine. it can go boom just like an AP1. Both have equal reliability, as long as you go over the basic small upgrades.

 

buy domestic! i kid i kid

 

Well billman idk if you read my thread in s2k talk but I bought the car and it was doomed to fail. I rushed it and found out the car had been boosted and beaten down so the first one was not from me I rarely red line let alone mis shift. Now the second motor I babied because I just started driving to work and back which is two miles both ways. She was a driveway queen.. All of a sudden one day I get onto the freeway and put it into 5th hear at 4k rpm and boom a loud gargling sound like a bunch of rocks fell under my cAr. The valve cut into the head it looked as if I revved it to 13k oil wa never low i do that ever time I fill up I know my oil levels. Now onto the 3rd motor It runs great besides my high untrust in it. The first motor I can let slide I bought it messed up. The second is unspeakable I've never given that motor a reason to fail. Idk what the symptoms if seating a valve incorrectly are but the head on the second just had a valve and was polished so I'm not sure if the machine shop failed. I like to vtec maybe daily but I like to canyon run every so often I just lost faith in my car.