trying to decide on a b series to get/boost

I am in the market for a 88-91 CRX, just waiting to find a good buy in my area. i'm getting everything worked out currently as far as stages and the swap goes. done plenty of searching/reading but i would appriciate help figuring out which engine would be best for me. the rex would be my extra car, so down time isn't an issue, neither is daily drivability.

i plan to boost a few months after i do teh swap along with moderate cams, etc.


i have a h23 in my garage.....but because of size and some missing pieces i decided against it
b20 is out cause it has less potential for boost.

so i am looking at
1988-1991 JDM B16A
1992-1993 USDM B17A1
1990-1991 USDM non-VTEC B18A1


best as i can tell these 3 would be best for me. almost all are in my price range, low compression, cable tranny and/or OBD0


if u can post any info u know on these engines/personal experiance/potential for boost/weaknesses would be great.


but plz no "b16s are overrated" "my stock d16 pwned this b20 swapped crx" flamming/random statement crap. at least this isn't hondatech, so there shouldn't be much of that stuff anyways

well my vote is for the b18a1. if your boosting you dont need vtec.

Being a b16 owner im going to vote b18 for boost. If you want to do some very simple engine work you can make an ls/vtec setup that will make it very reliable, and have PLENTY of power. otherwise itll still have more torque than the rather undertorqued b16.

The b17 will be near impossible to find btw.

Definitley B18a. Has the most potential for boost or a vtec setup. Basically the weaknesses of this motor is its stock connecting rods and rod bolts, both of which you should change for a turbo setup anyway. Its head is also weak in terms of flow which can be fixed by slapping on a B16 head. But right out of the box, you should have fun with the motor before saving up and doing any upgrades.

I will say that my b16 is a tough little bugger though..I doubt I could kill it without boost.

I will say that my b16 is a tough little bugger though

So are all other Honda engines.

So are all other Honda engines.
True, I raced a D16Z6 with bad rings all year and I swear it started running stronger toward the end of the year. It would smoke like a freight train until I hit the track and did one lap.

Oh yea, I would go for the B18 as well, shouldn't be that hard to find either.

i say use the H23

i say use the H23

Too many conversion/ wiring/ mounting/ fabrication/ and tranny issues, especially for someone who is new to swaps. Stick with either a B, like said above, or a turboed D.

Too many conversion/ wiring/ mounting/ fabrication/ and tranny issues, especially for someone who is new to swaps. Stick with either a B, like said above, or a turboed D.

not ture anymore...mabey about 3 years ago

but to start out i'd build and boost the D first

b20 is out cause it has less potential for boost.


I just noticed you said this and this is not entirely true. B20B's have low compression (like 8.8:1) and basically have the same head as an LS. They can be good candidates for turbo if you sleave them and build the bottom end a bit. You can use all the hardware and sensors from an obd0 b18a and throw it into a 4th gen. Just make sure you don't get a high comp B20z if you are looking to turbo.
http://www.ef-honda.com/ben/EFB20swap.php

They can be good candidates for turbo if you sleave them and build the bottom end a bit.


would rather not have to sleave and build the bottom end before i could boost. i want to be able to trust my engine, and if i didn't build the b20 first, i wouldn't trust it. not out of experiance...but from ppl talking about it. maybe u can talk me into it lolol


and i want to mention this. u guys are much more helpful friendly then the ppl on hondatech. too many ricer nubs, or ppl who have dealt with teh nubs so long that they are bitter and mean. and just too much activity to get the help u need. this feels more like my home ( CB7tuner.com )

quick side question. seen several post about VTEC and boost kicking in at same time...and that VTEC is wasted then. any truth to this? i don't see how that could be right.
since the B18 i am looking at is non-VTEC would be helpful to know. looking over ls/vtec info incase it would be a good thing.

and i want to mention this. u guys are much more helpful friendly then the ppl on hondatech.


Whats honda-tech? :icon16:


quick side question. seen several post about VTEC and boost kicking in at same time...and that VTEC is wasted then. any truth to this? i don't see how that could be right.


Its good to have your VTEC crossover point different than when you spool.

kk, so not that boost kills vtec(didn't think that sounded right), just need to have the power from them come at different times. got it

if you're boosting, then you don't need Vtec...if you're going to use the D series, check out www.turbod16.com ...think that's right...don't bother joining and asking questions b/c they won't answer...very helpful information section

Boost spools very quick, especially with smaller turbos. A small turbo like a t25 will reach max boost at 3,000-4,000k rpms. Vtec is usually set by the factory ECU to kick in at about 4,500 rpms or so depending on the engine.

Boost = good
Boost + vtec = better

Boost spools very quick, especially with smaller turbos. A small turbo like a t25 will reach max boost at 3,000-4,000k rpms. Vtec is usually set by the factory ECU to kick in at about 4,500 rpms or so depending on the engine.

Boost = good
Boost + vtec = better

hehe, thats the plan i was working on, but something bigger than a T25. smaller than T3/T4 tho.

i don't plan on doing any highway racing so a high spool is wasted on my purpose. curves are more fun that a straight line

hehe, i could always spray from 1000-3000, then boost spools, then Vtec after that lol

i don't plan on doing any highway racing so a high spool is wasted on my purpose. curves are more fun that a straight line


i believe that statement is backwards

I think he means high end spool up isnt what hes looking for.

I think he means high end spool up isnt what hes looking for.


correct. theres nowhere around here i can use high end spool without seriously breaking the law. hearing friends talk bout racing from a 50 roll to 120 on the highway is rediculous. thats one reason a friend is currently selling his 400hp+(on pump gas) boosted, squirting '97 eclipse. he can only use the power on the highway at extreme high speeds.

and "curves are more fun that(than) a straight line" means that i would prefer lower end power for curvy local/country roads near me. thats why i was leaning twards b18 over b16, but not b20 cause i will be boosting.

Even then, boost is terrible for high speed cornering as well..a surge of power in the middle of a corner is BAD thing. If you can drive it then you can deal with it, just make sure to use the power after the corner..youll see.

Even then, boost is terrible for high speed cornering as well..a surge of power in the middle of a corner is BAD thing. If you can drive it then you can deal with it, just make sure to use the power after the corner..youll see.

i personally think any engine would be good for what he'sw trying to do...just have to set-up and tuned for what he's trying to do :2cents:

If your looking for a crx swaped i'm selling mine, worth the drive. But I wouldn't boost a b16a1 if you ask me....I personaly would go b18 but if you must have v-tech and you want to boost it, I have a 88 crx b16a1 ys1 for sale.

oh yeah heres some ugggg pics

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/crxrookie/DSC00242.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/crxrookie/DSC00105.jpg

for sale thread anyone?

eat me anyone??????? just trying to help

Try the classifieds if your selling it. Not a bright idea to smart off to someone who has been on the forums as long as Blu Civic has.

Frodo proves a good point on the power. I'm more of a N/A guy myself, not as much power as Turbo, but its always there when you need it, no lag or surges or anything like that. Not saying turbo can't do it, but I just prefer N/A...plus I like going for the things you don't see as much ;)

hahaha, funny stuff.


thanx for teh pics, but i don't want to buy a CRX already built.

i want to take it apart, build it, do the swap, and put it back together. looking to get one with a body in good shape. Interior, paint, engine doesn't matter. going to do a swap, sand/repaint, and strip the interior anyways.

just trying to help

yourself, yes:nono:

If your looking for a crx swaped i'm selling mine, worth the drive. But I wouldn't boost a b16a1 if you ask me....I personaly would go b18 but if you must have v-tech and you want to boost it, I have a 88 crx b16a1 ys1 for sale.

WTF is up with this thread jack? Post in the classifieds, otherwise GTFO, this post has nothing to do with your b16 crx that looks like :puke:.

LMAO!!!! :popcorn: