Big question...B18b (ls teg;$2200) or b16a2($2350)
(source: hmotorsonline). Car: 97 Civic cpe dx Plans: Build engine and turbo next summer. Most people are saying go with the B18b, because it's supposed to be the best B series for turbo. But b16a2 (jdm) has 30 more horsies and vtec (I've heard the vtec's over rated stuff). I just wanna hear what you guys think. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

so far your right. you can even built up an ls v-tec. either route you go is good.

b18b. better for turbo, more displacement to work w/, better torque numbers outta the box. yes, vtec is over-rated.

Originally posted by KrNxRaCer00
b18b. better for turbo, more displacement to work w/, better torque numbers outta the box. yes, vtec is over-rated.

better for turbo..... yes, more displacement.......yes, better torque.......yes, Will you beat a B16A with it stock for stock or N/A fully built w/ out VTEC........NO. :lol2:

Originally posted by B16EJ1


better for turbo..... yes, more displacement.......yes, better torque.......yes, Will you beat a B16A with it stock for stock or N/A fully built w/ out VTEC........NO. :lol2:

very tru. stock for stock tho, it'd all come down to driver. i really think the b18b is a great motor to work w/, it jus lacks top end is all. but yes, build both up, an the b16 WILL come out on top (all comes down to money tho).

so...word :o

i think the b16 is better, it give more range so u can use a bigger turbo and it can rev higher so u get power longer. i would rathre not push a piston through the cylinder walls on the ls

if you're going turbo then i say ls. cuz it has longer gears for turbo and it would be able to spool a bigger turbo up quicker. you should get blockguard or sleeves. and i would get better rods. maybe shotpeened if you were going to raise the rev limit.

if you're going with the b18b, it's better to just get a b20, since it's the best non vtec engine that has 160hp with the match up of the same amount of torque, i guarantee you, no b16a will beat you from the line until the end of the race if you drive right. 2200 seems kind of expensive for a b18b, you can actaully get those engine for 1500.

well the b20 is a good choice only if you know what you are doing. you must understand that because of the bigger bore of the b20 the distance between cylinders is very small. this can mean very bad things for a turbocharged motor. if i were you i would go b18b only because its cheaper. if i had a choice though id go b16.

and why is vtec overrated? i must say that now that i own a vtec powered car, that it does make a big difference in how it pulls on the top end. with this mugen computer making the kick come in at 6200 (i think) it feels so strong. the tone of the engine changes and you instantly feel a burst of power, like nitrous or something.

so why is it overrated?

I've heard that B18B's are pretty cheap, but I've yet to see a cheap price for that motor on the net...am I the only one? I mean, if the LS swap was more than $500 (not even that much) less than the B16a2, it'd be a no brainer, but I can't seem to locate that engine around that price.

As for vtec being over rated; it seems to be a notable consensus among Honda folks. Truth be told, I've never driven a car w/vtec, so I can't say either way.

B16a2 or B18b; the journey continues...

edman24, i understand where u are. when i 1st got my gsr, i'd love gettin on freeways, or jus rev'n up high to feel/hear vtec scream. nitrous compared to vtec? no comparison. sit in a car w/ a 50shot an then u'll see wut im talkin bout. im not dawgin on vtec (i still enjoy it), but it ISN'T something to rely on.

jus drove a rx-7 tt, an u have no idea how nice it is to feel that type of power THROUGHOUT the rpm range. (unless u've driven a car w/ that type of power before).

not hating on honda's, i still am a great fan, but VTEC IS overrated.

i know where you are coming from too. i have been in some of the fastest cars in the world and i know what insane power feels like when its throughout the powerband. but i must say that for such cheap and small motors, the vtec is quite an invention. and yes i will compare my car to my friends integra(ls motor) with a 50 shot. i can kill him anyday in my car even when he uses nos and the nos just doesnt seem to give that much of a kick. im sure a 100 shot or more would but thats not what i was talking about. and i know vtec wont exactly make the biggest difference in a race but it helps a lot.

hehe now i can actually beat my cousins bmw 540. he still cant believe how fast this little rice rocket can go without a turbo.

Originally posted by edman24
i know where you are coming from too. i have been in some of the fastest cars in the world and i know what insane power feels like when its throughout the powerband. but i must say that for such cheap and small motors, the vtec is quite an invention. and yes i will compare my car to my friends integra(ls motor) with a 50 shot. i can kill him anyday in my car even when he uses nos and the nos just doesnt seem to give that much of a kick. im sure a 100 shot or more would but thats not what i was talking about. and i know vtec wont exactly make the biggest difference in a race but it helps a lot.

hehe now i can actually beat my cousins bmw 540. he still cant believe how fast this little rice rocket can go without a turbo.

u also have to remember that u have an ls/vtec. so u have the great lowend of the ls, an the strong top-end of a vtec motor.

i completely agree that VTEC is a GREAT invention (anything that can get 240hp from a 2.0 liter motor is doin something rite), but i do think that some ppl over-play how big of a difference it makes. when u compare it to turbo's spooling an feeling that, it is nothing...nor even to a shot of nitrous IMO (an my gsr pulls hard for being jus i/h/e when i hit vtec)

when i mention about getting a b20, i'm not talking about putting on a turbo, i rather have a good even ratio between hp and torque instead of the span you see on vtec motors. since honda created their best car with a N/A engine, i blieve there's no reason why a turbo is needed for a honda motor.