LS Motor Swap...need your opinions...

[bennybenster]

I called him yesterday to ask how everything was going and he said that everything's fine and that it will be done today by noon. So I said cool...and I asked again what year the engine came out of and he said 90 this time and I made sure that he said it was a B18A1. I'm thinking he made a mistake the first time. But I'll make sure to check that it's indeed a B18. I just have to figure out where to look. I remember reading it on here but I have to research again. He seems like a pretty honest guy, that's why I'm giving him the benefit of a doubt that he made a mistake and that he's not trying to rip me off. I'll let you guys know more after I pick her up today.

[civicHBsi91]

b18's and the early teg d16's look alike but an easy way to tell is if you look at where the spark plug wires go on the vavle cover the d16 one is way deeper than the b18, if you ever see the two side by side you'll understand what i mean.

anyways congrat's on the swap!

[bennybenster]

Thanks man...again I'm really excited for 4pm to hit so that I can go over there and pick her up.

I see that you pretty much have the same setup as me and you're doing 14.7. I won't have the intake or the exhaust for at least a few months. I wanna get my car bar'd first. But I was hoping to hit 14's with this swap. I need to work on launching. I haven't been in the drag racing scene for quite some time. Well, 4pm can't come any sooner. I'll send an update again later.

[bambam89lx]

look where the tranny meets the block below the head, it should say B18a1 on it. Also, I wish you lived where I live, i put those motors in and have them running in a weekend for $300 plus i charge $100 for wiring (if its a dx). And, I could get you all the parts for the swap for about $1200.
Also, the S1 (90-93 teg ls tranny) isn't all that bad if you plan on going turbo. You have to figure out what you want to do first. If you plan on going turbo in the near future then you should keep the ls tranny. If you plan on going all motor then i would pick myself up a y1 (jdm 88-91 b16a tranny).

[kpsycho]

i got quoted for a b16 swap into an 89 crx only being 3100.

[bennybenster]

That's a pretty good price you got there bambam...too bad you're over there and I'm over here...that's ok...

But yeah, I'm gonna figure out what I'm gonna do as far as FI or NA but for now, I'll enjoy my stock setup. But I will give you guys a goal of mines and I would gladly appreciate any recommendations from anyone...

I'd like to run low 13's to high 12's on the 1/4 mile while staying CA smog legal. As far as HP goals, whatever it takes to reach the 1/4 mile goal. I would prefer NA but will gladly go FI as long as the car stays CA smog legal. If this isn't a realistic goal, then let me know and I'll have to set some other goal. But I have to start somewhere right?

[bennybenster]

Ok, another disappointment. Looks like it's gonna take a bit longer until I can pick it up. The motor that he got apperrently is running like crap. So he called the junk yard that he got it from and he's either gonna get another motor from them or will get it somewhere else. But he says hopefully Monday I can pick it up. At this point, I'm not gonna expect to pick it up until he says it's done. So I'll just wait patiently.

[bennybenster]

Alright, looks like today is the day I get to bring her home. The guy called me last night and told me that it was done. He got a 93 LS motor to replace the 90 LS motor that didn't run very good. So I'm happy about that 10 extra hp that i'm getting with the 93.

[bennybenster]

Ok, I've brought her home from the shop. She feels like a totally different car. Much more power and torque than the last engine. I'm pretty satisfied with the whole thing. I just have to go back one time for him to fine tune it.

The only thing about this is, there's so much vibration now than before. Is this normal? The guy from the shop said that he got the street mounts from hasport instead of the race. The car does have 240k+ on the chasis. Maybe it's just cause it's old. Well, someone tell me whether this is normal or not. Thanks.

[90civicracer]

Well I think the vibration is from the mounts. Even though they are "street" mounts they are still stiffer than the stock mouts we have, I believe. In essence you would be able to feel more vibration. Someone please correct me if I am wrong, I'm just trying to remember.

[optimuscivic]

Originally Posted by bennybenster

The only thing about this is, there's so much vibration now than before. Is this normal? The guy from the shop said that he got the street mounts from hasport instead of the race. The car does have 240k+ on the chasis. Maybe it's just cause it's old. Well, someone tell me whether this is normal or not. Thanks.

its pretty normal for a b series engine with polyurathane mounts. you'll get used to it.

[KoRnSaQ]

ya, we put a b18a1 with HCP poly mounts in my friends CRX, it vibrates quite a bit, but we got used to it, so im sure it wont take you long to get used to it either

[bennybenster]

cool...good to hear that this is normal and that there's nothing wrong with the car. I've been driving the car pretty hard since I got it...making sure that everything is good. It feels like a totally different car. I'm very happy with it.

Next step is to save up $$$ for a turbo set up. I've been reading all day about turbo'ing a B18A. Leaving it stock for now, the highest yet safest amount of boost is 12psi...right? Now, being in California and wanting to drive this on the streets, what kit would be best to use? I don't have enough knowledge to put together a custom kit but would a custom kit still be street legal?

[90civicracer]

I am not for sure but about 99.9% positive that a custom turbo kit WOULD NOT be legal in California.

[viridion]

I used the 2 side mounts from AZracemachine with very stiff poly mounts and a stock rear tranny mount and there's very little vibration.. doesn't even shake my rearview