nono, i didn't take it as a bad thing. i like someone w/ an arguement and an actual intelligent rebutle.
as for the b17 being the 1st VTEC motor in america, nope. the 1990 NSX rocked the V6 VTEC motor. hence, it was actually the 1st introduction of VTEC to the american world.
an ls/vtec is a much more aggressive approach to straight line racing, but i think its positives CAN out-weigh the negs. a stock ls vtec can be putting down 170-180 to the wheels, compared to 150-155 for the gsr (obdI gsr that is.)
i think we both can agree it isn't a motor that should be taken lightly, and most of the time, i'd suggest that a newbie stay away from it. it requires a lot more work, yes, and it MUST be kept up, or it will goto shit. but MOST turbo motors will not run to 80k. most will have an expectancy of around 40-50k (if driven hard.) if the ls/vtec was driven daily, it very easily could reach the 80k mark, if kept up and not beaten on constantly (which is true about stock motors as well.)
no, it IS not as reliable as a stock motor. no motor put together by us lowly honda-heads will EVER be as sturdy as the OEM ones. but i think ppl over-emphasize it's weakness. it can be a reliable motor, ppl jus need to realize that it isn't a normal motor from the factory and it won't take the abuse a stock one will.
i've seen ls/vtec swaps w/ an s80 tranny (b18c5,) for under 3k. thats a stronger motor AND stronger tranny for less than the gsr (numbers-wise, not talking about reliability)
the arguement about the ls/turbo being faster than the ls/vtec turbo really doesn't only pertain to the ls/vtec. w/ only 6k to spend, that ls motor would be faster than a b18c1 OR b18c5 turbo'd motor. the motor simply takes more money, but in the end, has greater potential than the ls/turbo ever could. i do agree if turbo is the route and money is an issue, a stock b18b1 motor is the way to go (i'll never argue that.)
the ls/vtec can be build to rev, simply takes time/money to do. its all about the build (just like reliability is.)
side note: i look at it through the same glasses...ITR com'n now, there's no other way to go
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