What do you guys think??

I've been looking at buying a new car (WRX) for a while now, but i can't afford to pay $4-5000 more than what i paid for the car i have now on a new car.

I was wondering what you guys think of this idea....i found a 2.5L H-4 turbo w/ a 6 spd from the STi for $6000 and i was wondering if i could swap that into my 97 EX coupe.

Seriously though.....what do you guys think of a B16 SiRII swap or would you recommend a B18C1 (GSR) instead. I want power, but i want reliability, fuel economy, and the future possibility of a turbo. I plan to do the swap myself with the help of some friends. If i do this, i won't do it until next fall (2006).

I'm really hoping to set up a budget and a list of all of the stuff i'm going to need in order to do the swap. If anyone that has done either of these swaps would comment on the parts they needed or how they like/dislike the results, that would be appreciated.

My basic plan is to take my 97 EX coupe and make it into an Si....basically. I want to eventually buy a carbon fibre hood and trunk as well as up-size to 17" rims. Here is my project car........

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v285/Schister66/1997HondaCivicEX008.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v285/Schister66/1997HondaCivicEX003.jpg

I was thinking B18C1 personally, but i does anyone know how difficult that swap is?? I haven't ever done a swap, but i've rebuilt engines. Any info is appreciated.

the b18c1 engine is a very popular engine among tuners so finding one could me diffulcult and a little pricey. swapping an engine couldnt be too hard, just disconnecting everything and then reconnecting them. but be sure to make sure the new engine will mate up with you engine bay perfectly before ripping out your old engine. the most important thing to do is research. it cant be stressed enough, find out everything you want to do before going out to serach for a new engine. talk to people that have done it before. talk to a local mechanic, dont rush into a swap before you checked your list twice.

Keep in mind that you will need new mounts; and yes, I would also opt for the c1 over the b16.

Is the C1 a better choice for boost too? I want to eventually put some kind of turbo on it if i don't get an engine with loads of power NA. I was looking at a K20A w/ 220 hp for $5300 and that is too much to spend all at once, but in the end i bet i'll spend more than that on the engine and turbo.

I was thinking a GSR swap w/ a T3/T04 .42/.48 ar turbo or a GT28. I would only run 8-12 psi and that would be enough to put around 250 to the ground.

The main questions i have are:
1. Are there conversion kits for motor mounts?
2. What fits and what doesn't fit? Axles, harnesses, small stuff like that
3. Since the GSR is an OBD2 engine, what type of changes will there be if any? (97 ex Civic)
4. Approx price for a budget

The main questions i have are:
1. Are there conversion kits for motor mounts?
2. What fits and what doesn't fit? Axles, harnesses, small stuff like that
3. Since the GSR is an OBD2 engine, what type of changes will there be if any? (97 ex Civic)
4. Approx price for a budget
1. They make mounts for the conversion(rear and driver side i think)
2. harness is ohk, axles dont, need gsr axles
3. no your civic is obd2
4. complete swap?$3500-depends on your conex.

if your just looking to boost, any b series will do it .42/.48 and GT28 will get you there and fine, assuming you are not looking for much room to grow.

I know my car is OBD2, i was asking more like....would it be an easier swap because of that? I don't know if i want to turbo right away if ever because i want my car to be reliable for now. I'm thinking all motor for at least a while.

You don't need a motor mount kit with a B16A, B18B1 or B18C1 swap. A combination of stock civic and integra mounts can be used (as long as you use a hydraulic tranny, which if you're buying an OBD-II swap it will be hydraulic). On some 96-00 engines you may need to change the mount under the timing belt for one of the apporperate year. You can use either 94-97 Del Sol Vtec mounts or 94+ Integra mounts...they are the same mounts execpt for the A/C bracket. If you want to keep your A/C, use a 96-97 Del Sol Vtec A/C bracket.

If you opt for the K20A2 you will NEED to use the Hasport mounts...period.

If you seriously want to consider this swap check out the hybrid how-to from the July 2004 Issue of Sport Compact Car.

In case you havn't read it, here is a link to a post in this forum where the article has been posted sans pics.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=2879991&postcount=10

If you want new/upgraded mounts, Hasport should makes some, but as said you don't need a mount kit for a b-series swap by any means.

For axels for all the listed motors abov, you have serveral options. You can use 94+ teg axels, 94-97 Del Sol Vtec axels, or 99-00 Si axels. You can also use 90-93 teg axels, but on the left side of the transmission, the imtermediate shaft seal is different. Depending on the axel/tranny combo it may have to be changed. I'd just run one of the other listed axel combos.

For hoses, if you have a B16A or a Type-R, you'll use a 94 Del Sol Vtec upper radiator hose. For the GSR, you'll use a 94 GSR upper hose. For the B18B1, use a 94 Integra LS upper hose.

For the lower hose, use a 94 Del Sol vtec hose for all 3 of them.

For shift linkages, use a 99-00si linkage. For the throttle cables use 99-00Si or 94-97 Del Sol Vtec throttle cables for a B16A, fir B18C1 motors use a 94+ GSR throttle cable.

Assuming you do the legal thing and buy an OBD-II motor/tranny/ecu combo (actually,the motor/tranny/ecu combo have to be the year or your chassis or newer), of course it will be user than trying to shove a non-OBD or OBD-I motor/ecu into the car which is OBD-II (which is illegel to boot).

As for boost, I'd say one half dozen the other. If you run 8psi of boost for daily driving you should be fine. Some people have run a little more on stock internals and been fine, but it gets more tricky and tuning has to be much more exact. IMO stick with 8psi boost. Lots of people feel the B16A has a better flowing head than the GSR, but the GSR should give you a little more torque, plus it has about 202cc's more displacement. Also, the GSR has a lower compression ratio than the B16A, @ 10.0:1 The B16A's c/r varies depending on USDM, JDM, generation, etc...but it has a higher c/r than the GSR. I'd go with the GSR myself due to the greater displacement and slight edge in torque. The B16A may be alittle cheaper though. Also, for trannys, some JDM B16A & B18C trannys have a LSD, but the JDM motors will also have a higher c/r (for example, 10.6:1 for the B18C versus 10.0:1 for thr USDM B18C1).