93 Civic HB Motor Swap

[xxswtguy01xx]

Ok heres the scenario. Im purchasing an old junked 93 civic hb. I plan to completely strip the car in my garage and rebuild with the help of my dad. My dilemma is which motor to choose. There are 2 motors that i am debating about. THe first would be the H22A and the second being the B18C5. I know the H22A is cheaper and has more power but which motor will have more problems to install and maintain. I really want the H22 but i heard the B18 is much better to use in this scenario. After the motor swap i do intend on installing turbo immediately. I plan to use this car as an everyday driver while racing on occasion. What do you think i should do???????

[liquid8]

b18c5. that is one kick ass motor. and you wouldn't have to worry about your handling. also easier to install.

[sparq]

B18c5 is crap - H22 all the way, especially if you plan to go turbo.

[Frostbyte]

Originally posted by sparq
B18c5 is crap - H22 all the way, especially if you plan to go turbo.

You are saying that the type-R motor is crap? Whatever dude.

[sparq]

Yes, I am saying its crap...

He wants to turbo, the B18c5 is best used for N/A purposes - not F/I

So yes, crap

[Frostbyte]

Why can't you Turbo a Type-R I know a few people that have done it with no problem. Just because a Type-R has a higher compression does not mean that you cannot tune it correctly to turbo it. It just takes a little more time to tune it the right way. Probably about that amount of time and money that it take to drop in a H22 and Turbo it.

[maxspeedhonda]

I know a guy that has a turbo b18c5. Its quick as hell but yes there is a certain amount of tuning involved. Lowering compression isnt a terribly hard thing to do. I also know that h22a internals are very weak compared to the type r. If you search around the net, you will find various reasons the the h series is not recommended for 5g civics.

Check out this link, it will tell you some reasons.
http://hybrid2.honda-perf.org/tech/badidea.html

[YOUNGSTER]

all a type r is a gsr motor with higher compression mild port and polish better cams and higher compression ration save some money and just get a b18c instead of a b18c5 or maybe b20 straight or b20 vtec the prelude would be fine though actually more than fine.

[sparq]

Frostnuts, no one said you COULDNT turbo the B18c5... please point out where in my post I said that? Because im pretty sure I said that the motor was meant to be used in N/A applications, going turbo will probably cause you to have to either retard the timing back some (thus loosing power... which then would be stupid to spend all the money on the B18c5 vs. the standard B18c) or spend lots of dyno time and CAREFULL watch on things so you dont melt pistons.

No one said it wasnt possible, but why would you? Its like taking an alcohol burning drag car motor and just running it on normal pump gas. Sure you can do it, but why waste the money?

[94tegRS]

Id go with a LS if it was me and i was starting from scratch. I could find the complete LS swap for about 4k cheaper I think. for 4k you could strengthen the internals and turbo it for that price if not just a tiny bit more $$$

I would stick with a b series though, the H22A is heavy and big.


If you had the money though I say go for the B18C5 if youre gonna spend the time and do it right.

[jcrx]

Neither h22's or b18's were made for boost,it just so happens they are able to be boosted.Both will survive boost as long is the dude don't go crazy.From his post it sounds like he wants to achive a reasonable boost both motors are fine for that..
..Originally posted by sparq
B18c5 is crap - H22 all the way, especially if you plan to go turbo..
..B18c5 crap?Are you on crack?!

[sparq]

[i]I would stick with a b series though, the H22A is heavy and big.[/b]

Heavy and big? Yeah its bigger because it displaces more, and heavy? Dude its only 85lbs heavier then a B series

And I stick by my original statement, B18c5 is crap for turboing

[94tegRS]

I know it is bigger because it is a bigger engine. maybe somebody found out how to do it differently, but last time i read a post of a h22a in a civic, you needed to modify tons of crap and a B series sits in there fine with a few things done.

and as far as only 85 pounds more, I didnt know the figures but I thought it would be more. sorry.

[jcrx]

If you relocate your battery to the back,and upgrade your suspension,then your not going to have any problem with understeer and the weight distribution is better aside from mount kit and some searching for the right axles the h22 isn't bad many have done it and are happy.Now if you were putting it in a 4th gen you might have more issues,but your not.With the b18c5 clockin 195hp they're not that far behind in power output but are lighter and don't require mount kits.