B18c5

I'm debating on whether or not i should swap a b18c5 or an h22a into my 98 civic dx. i have the money for either one but which one should i drop in. please help!

It depends on what you are building it for. If you're going for the strip get the H22. If you're going for autoX go B18C(jdm Type R).

Do whichever one you want. Don't let your decision be made by the crap that everyone spouts about the H22 being 'heavier'. Theres something like 20-25kg difference. Balance it out with your sub box :D

My personal choice would be the B18 because it is an easier swap (no new mounts) and IMO a far technically superior engine. It is also more expensive (at least in Australia), so let the choice be yours.

Originally posted by Oz
Do whichever one you want. Don't let your decision be made by the crap that everyone spouts about the H22 being 'heavier'. Theres something like 20-25kg difference. Balance it out with your sub box :D



Yah okay. Go with the H22. Don't do anything to your suspension and see what happens. Let's see how a civic w/ an H22 does on the track compared to a C5 civic. Minor difference............I don't think so.:rolleyes:

There is more to the argument against a H22 than the weight,which OZ pointed out can be offset by a number of ways like CF hood,battery relocation etc...though dropping a sub box in the back defeats the purpose of bigging a more powerful motor if your going to weigh it down more.More to the point of why the H22 isn't a good motor for a civic is the geometry.It leans back instead of forward as the B series do and puts the axles in a non optimal to work with the cars suspension build.HAsport has fixed it somewhat with their newer mounts,but it still sits back.Are you going to feel it? Yes,is it going to make for a uncontrolable whale? No.It is still a streetable option and there are those that are intent on dispelling the rumors that it can't autoX,but as of yet I haven't seen it perform well on a course.I personally wouldn't do it,but that is because I don't like headaches,when there is the B18C5 which produces close to the same numbers and actually fits and works in a civic like it was designed for it.

i have been leaning over to the B18c5 only becuase of the good recommendations and im not trying to dis anyone who thinks i should go with the h22a. The thing is that i got a T3 turbo kit lying around my friends house that he gave to me.(for a favor he owed me). but the people down here in Japan spec said i would need to reduce the compression on the B18 becuase it has high compression as where the h22 can just be drop in(turbo). So, Would it be more of a cost on putting the kit on the b18 or the h22?now im trying to save time and money!what do you guys think?

C5's are good for N/A,but are way hard to tune for boost due to high compression,duration and overlap in the cams.If you want to boost and can get the turbo for free you said,go with a GSR,as it is going to end with better results,it is easier to tune.Boosting a H22 and putting it in your car are going to get expensive,since the kit probably isn't for a H and you will need a new manifold,and custom piping to get it into your car around the H.Tack on a slim fan and the mount kit,working the cable actuated shiftlinkage and the wiring and your in up to your knees already without the turbo.

Originally posted by jcrx
C5's are good for N/A,but are way hard to tune for boost due to high compression,duration and overlap in the cams.If you want to boost and can get the turbo for free you said,go with a GSR,as it is going to end with better results,it is easier to tune.Boosting a H22 and putting it in your car are going to get expensive,since the kit probably isn't for a H and you will need a new manifold,and custom piping to get it into your car around the H.Tack on a slim fan and the mount kit,working the cable actuated shiftlinkage and the wiring and your in up to your knees already without the turbo.

C5 can handle 7-10lbs of boost without any problems (with correct tuning that is ;) ).

when considering an h22. it's not just a $2300 engine. theres lots of hidden costs involved. in the end when doing an h22 swap you should expect to spend roughly 6k for the whole package. make sure this is not your daily driver as you will be disappointed when your going thru axles left and right till you find the best combo that works for you..

i would also like to ad the h22 pound for pound would pull a c5 motor all day long mostly due to the .4 extra liters.. but in the end there both hondas and both great engines.

sorry for the rant just sick of hearing that an h22 is the cheap way togo because it ISN'T :cool:

Originally posted by shepworldwide


C5 can handle 7-10lbs of boost without any problems (with correct tuning that is ;) ).

when considering an h22. it's not just a $2300 engine. theres lots of hidden costs involved. in the end when doing an h22 swap you should expect to spend roughly 6k for the whole package. make sure this is not your daily driver as you will be disappointed when your going thru axles left and right till you find the best combo that works for you..

i would also like to ad the h22 pound for pound would pull a c5 motor all day long mostly due to the .4 extra liters.. but in the end there both hondas and both great engines.

sorry for the rant just sick of hearing that an h22 is the cheap way togo because it ISN'T :cool:
Are you qouting me because you agree,since we said the same thing,or because you took from what I said as B18C5 isn't boostable?Just wondering.

The C5 can handle it - but you are detracting from what makes the engine truly great - screaming to 9k revs, most powerful producution (or close to it). If anything, go for some lumpier cams and tune it for higher octane fuel then lighten your car (an excellent way to go faster).

the c5 can not handle more then 10lb of boost and go more then one race. it would ping and detonate so bad youd end up with a big blob of molten engine after one race:bloated: unless you have some serious stand alone engine management that you know how to use which is not true in this case. and i wouldnt put more then 10lb of boost on stock internals either. you could do it but i wouldnt push the envelope that much especially on my only car
(a little exaggerated but you get my drift):o

Originally posted by edman24
the c5 can not handle more then 10lb of boost and go more then one race. it would ping and detonate so bad youd end up with a big blob of molten engine after one race:bloated: unless you have some serious stand alone engine management that you know how to use which is not true in this case. and i wouldnt put more then 10lb of boost on stock internals either.

so it cain't be done?



Originally posted by edman24
you could do it but i wouldnt push the envelope that much especially on my only car

or can it? ;)

Originally posted by jcrx
because I said as B18C5 isn't boostable?

i never said boost it. but it can be ..up to 10lbs not over edman

i say go with the gsr motor since you want to use the turbo. the c5 is more of an NA motor, rather than FI. even the b16 is a good choice if you are set on boosting. b16's are cheaper, built with a better R/S, and the extra money can be spent on getting the proper tuning tools to pull more power out of it. there are people pushing 10-12 lbs, and even more, into b16's with stock bottom ends.

using a c5 just seems like a waste of a good motor if you are going to boost, and the h22 is nothing but headaches and paychecks to get installed, so save the money and get a gsr or even a b16.

yes it can be done but it would require better fuel and ignition, and new low compression bottom end (pistons, rods)

and shep when did i say it could go over? what are you saying?

Originally posted by edman24
yes it can be done but it would require better fuel and ignition, and new low compression bottom end (pistons, rods)

a c5 can run 10lbs boost without a new bottom end.
of course for all the hardcore n/a people boosting a c5 is counterproductive. just buy a c1 if boosting. i know of people running 12lbs of boost on stock internals with just a hondata and have zero issues.

why not just get the c5 and just boost it only 7 or 8 psi. i mean a c1 with lower comp and runnin 12psi isnt gonna be as much if it is at all higher hp than a c5 at 7psi.