Newbie to engine mods

Hi everyone, I have a 97 crv (b20b?), and it has always been underpowered (126hp). I wanted to get some more out of it. I was going to goto the local "u wrench it" and take a b16 head off of a (del sol?), I read that the b16 is the best (pricetoperformace) for this. But I wanted to make sure of what I'm going to need to do before I go all out. I just want a head swap right now, nothing more. I can always get pistons/rods, and upgrades later. Right now im just looking for something to build off of. I just would like some input on what everyone here thinks I need to do, with regards to buying parts or getting stuff done.
I have read that you have to build yourself an oil line to the vtec oil supply (which I guess is not in the std version). I think I can reuse the gasket, and buff away some of the carbon deposits (its got 96000mi on it) and just plop the new head on it, Would I be correct or am I missing something else? Do I need a new ecu, header, intake for any of this? I thought asking in advance would be the best solution, becuase I might be able to take everything at once, And if I cant get it from a Del sol, is there another car I should be looking at?

Thanks in advance,
Buzz1167
Jon N

The b16 is the best head to use because it flows better than a gsr head, i have not done the swap before, and dont know all of the details off the top of my head, but i would not use the same headgasket, yes you need the ecu, and you can also get the head off of a newer Civic Si like a 99.

jay is correct, the b16 is by far the best head of the b-series motors (which are the only one's u'd be able to swap on, without spending WAY too much money and effort).

hey, if they used it on the b18c5 (ITR motor) then obviously its got something going eh?

If you're rich get a B16B (Civic Type R) head. They flow better than even the Integra Type R :)

Ok, so its settled. Ill find a 99civicsi or a del sol for the b16a head. Then Im gonna need to take the ECU from that car also. Do I need anything else? I know I can't advance the timing or do any mods until I get pistons, but will everything else bolt up? - except the oil line.

Thanks,
Buzz1167
Jon

you have to relocate the dowel holes also. Good luck finding the head at a pick-your-part though. most junkyards know what that is by now and if they do even have one, they'll rape you for it.

you have to relocate the dowel holes also. Good luck finding the head at a pick-your-part though. most junkyards know what that is by now and if they do even have one, they'll rape you for it.
Yup. A local junkyard here wanted $3000 for an Si engine... total bs.

that would be pretty sweet to have a CRV with CRVTEC tho. :biggrin: a Bump from 126hp to about 200 would be nice.

that would be pretty sweet to have a CRV with CRVTEC tho. :biggrin: a Bump from 126hp to about 200 would be nice.
Too bad it's actually going in a CRV though :disappoin

Ok, so its settled. Ill find a 99civicsi or a del sol for the b16a head.

If you get one from a Del Sol, make sure you go for the VTEC model. The S and Si models have D-series motors. They did not make the VTEC model in 1993, so you'll need at least one from 1994 and up. 1997 was the last year they were made.

'94 and '95 models came with the B16A3 engine, and the '96 and '97 models came with the B16A2 engine.

yea but i think it would be pretty sweet to see a CRV smokin somethin or hearin the VTEC blare. Just something you wouldnt expect out of a CRV.. :iceslolan