GAINS: Cams -vs- Pistons

[Si2000 Vtec]

Alright, its beginning to sound like the pistons may be more trouble than they are worth... so my question is, what is the difference in gains from, say, CTR Cams and CTR pistons? Or, Skunk2 Cams and CTR pistons? Or should I drop this whole internal idea and get a Skunk2 Intake Manifold? IDEAS PLEASE!

[soul180]

i wouldn't mind hearing the answer to all this as well.... Si2000, why do you say pistons are more trouble than they're worth?

[kidrocket]

why would getting the manifold mean youd have to forget the others? its only like 330 bucks

[texan]

More importantly, what are your power goals for this engine, what is the intended use, how much will you have to spend total, and what mods have you done so far?

When it comes to building a motor up with aftermarket parts, you HAVE to have a plan before you start buying things. What's your plan?

[fritz_269]

Originally posted by texan
When it comes to building a motor up with aftermarket parts, you HAVE to have a plan before you start buying things. What's your plan?

This is absolutely true, and seems to be heavily lacking around here - all the parts must be designed to work together to produce good power. For instance, cams, pistons (compression ratio), and head porting must all be chosen to produce the maximum efficiency - if one component isn't set right, the whole assembly suffers. Even if you have top quality components, if they are not matched well to each other you will produce poor power, poor mileage, and have loads of reliabilty problems.

That being said, if you are only going to make ONE internal engine modification in your entire life: A set of mild performance cams is usually the way to go.

[Moppie]

Originally posted by fritz_269

A set of mild performance cams is usually the way to go.

And in your case Si2000 Vtec that is the best advice to take.

Get a good reliable shop to install them with some Adjustable cam gears, and get them properly tuned on a Dyno.
Forget about a new inlet manifold etc, but a CTR type 4-1 Extractor might help a little (for some reason the USDM B16a has a poor exhaust manifold design compared to JDM version)
You should feel a noticable gain, and a peak hp increase from 160 to around 175hp.

[soul180]

what kind of gains could be expected from a b18b with street cams, adjustable cam gears, CAI/h/e, type r pistons, ss valves, bronze valve guides?

[Moppie]

Originally posted by soul180
what kind of gains could be expected from a b18b with street cams, adjustable cam gears, CAI/h/e, type r pistons, ss valves, bronze valve guides?

I assume you mean a B18c? in which case you would basicly be building an almost Type-R engine, and so would have almost as much hp. (depending on your choice of "street" cam of course, you might get more)

If you are talking about a B18b, then gains around 15% could be expected, but then it depends largely on the type or cams you choose, and what the fuel delivery and ingnition limits are on the B18b ECU.

You might find for the money it would be cheaper to simply swap the B18b for a VTEC B18c.

[soul180]

i am tlaking aobut the b18b ls engine. Around my part of town, it definietly is not cheaper to do the swap. I am thinking of crower cams, as well i am going to get a str high flow fuel rail, aem fuel pressure regulator, probably stock injectors, unless they are inadequate. Thanks moppie!

[soul180]

sorry, also, i'm planning on getting 8mm spark wires, ngk (or the like) plugs. I hear it will be well worth it to upgrade to a msd ignition and modified distributor cap.

[fritz_269]

soul180 - AFAIK, There is no need for the ss valves, bronze valve guides, fuel rail, or 8mm wires or an ignition. You probably won't need an aftermarket FPR either. None of these things will give you more power, because none are inadequate in their stock form for a mild-cammed NA B18b with a stock redline.

Save the money - particularly on pulling the head and replacing the valves and guides for no reason.

Also, you might want to keep asking around to make sure you can run the type-R pistons on the pump gas available in your area. What will they make your static compression ratio?

[soul180]

one thing i should add is that i plan on doing a mild port and polish job on the head, does that make a difference?

[Si2000 Vtec]

Wow didn't think people were going to reply! They never do...

Anyway, current mods are: AEM CAI, DC 4-1 Header, Tenzo Axle-Back.

Plans: I'm going to buy the pistons. A friend of mine that is building an LSvtec is going to help me put them in. Eventually, I want to rebuild the valvetrain and get a new ECU to benefit from the higher revs.

The money I am dealing with right now: About $800. I'm picking up the pistons and rings new for $330. That leaves me with about $300 to play with after all my machine work is done for installing the pistons (shaving the rods, honing the cylinder walls). I was thinking maybe Skunk2 Intake manifold? Maybe an SAFC (don't see a need for VAFC)?

So what do you guys think?

[soul180]

are there different rods you could buy so you woulnd't have to shave them? also, what's honing the cylinder walls?

[94tegRS]

honing the cylindrs is that thing you put on the dril and it has like lots and lots of little balls trhat push against the cylinder wall and it spins and ypu go in and out, thats what leaves that 30 degre checkerbopard pattern in the cylinder walls. I have one bnut moine just has 3 long friction pads.


You can probably get a better explanation from someone else, but oi tried!