Best head for an LS/VTEC?

Ricochet · #1 08-20-2003, 09:37 AM

I did a search and didn't quite find an answer to this, and some websites with info listed on other threads are blocked here at work...

My buddy has an Integra GS (LS engine) and he wants an exhaust. I told him for just a little more money he could get a VTEC head, but I don't know which one would be the best between an Si, GSR, or whatever else would work better. Also what else is needed? Do you just bolt the new head on and plug in its ecu? The Si head doesn't sound good because I don't think the B18 exhaust mani bolts onto the Si head, or does it? Somebody help me out, thanks.

-Brian

carrrnuttt · #2 08-20-2003, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricochet

I did a search and didn't quite find an answer to this, and some websites with info listed on other threads are blocked here at work...

My buddy has an Integra GS (LS engine) and he wants an exhaust. I told him for just a little more money he could get a VTEC head, but I don't know which one would be the best between an Si, GSR, or whatever else would work better. Also what else is needed? Do you just bolt the new head on and plug in its ecu? The Si head doesn't sound good because I don't think the B18 exhaust mani bolts onto the Si head, or does it? Somebody help me out, thanks.

-Brian

Not too much into the technical aspect of it, beyond the fact that I know you'll have to tap oil-cooling lines into the LS block.

As far as general knowledge, the b16 heads are by far the better-breathing motors designed for higher RPMs than the b18 heads. I remember a Honda engineer being quoted as saying that the best Honda motor ever made (at the time) was the b16-VTEC series. I've seen tuners chuck their ITR heads for a mild P&P'd b16 head on their ITR blocks.

Ricochet · #3 08-20-2003, 10:29 AM

Cool, about how much would just the b16 head cost? I haven't really dug around yet but I want a good general idea before having him buy something. The only thing better than having a fast car is having friends with fast cars too

I want to see his car hooked up.

boosted331 · #4 08-20-2003, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carrrnuttt

Not too much into the technical aspect of it, beyond the fact that I know you'll have to tap oil-cooling lines into the LS block.

As far as general knowledge, the b16 heads are by far the better-breathing motors designed for higher RPMs than the b18 heads. I remember a Honda engineer being quoted as saying that the best Honda motor ever made (at the time) was the b16-VTEC series. I've seen tuners chuck their ITR heads for a mild P&P'd b16 head on their ITR blocks.

B16 heads flow marginally better than B18C1 heads in the mid range and top end, nothing worth going out and specifically finding a B16 head over. ITR heads are P&P'ed from the factory and would make more power than a B16 or B18C1 head, but it isn't worth the cost of buying one. Compression with a B18C1 head would be about 9.7:1, compression with B16/ITR head would be around 9.5:1.

Ricochet · #5 08-20-2003, 01:28 PM

How much hp/tq would he have with the B16A head bolted on?

redmanjd · #6 08-22-2003, 10:17 AM

go with the mother B18C5

Ricochet · #7 08-22-2003, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redmanjd

go with the mother B18C5

He doesn't have that kind of money...

KrNxRaCer00 · #8 08-22-2003, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redmanjd

go with the mother B18C5

u mean the head? cuz for the 1000th time on here i've said this, the b18c5 is head IS the b16 head. so there u go...it is, like carnutttt said, better flowing and more capable of rev'n higher.

TizziteyO · #9 08-23-2003, 12:46 AM

B16a is probably the best/cheapest way to go...best flow other than an R head

Ricochet · #10 08-23-2003, 12:16 PM

So how much power will an Si head add? I think the LS has about 140hp/124tq or something as is...

TizziteyO · #11 08-23-2003, 03:06 PM

The numbers Ive heard range from 170-190... i dont know how they can have such a broad range.. possibly differnt cams I dont know. There is more to do than just bolt on a head though. You need oil lines, pumps, water pumps and im sure some other odds and ends... things are never as cheap as they sound. If it was a matter of buying a $1000 block and bolting a $300 head to it everyone would have it.

b16hybridsol · #12 08-23-2003, 07:14 PM

b16 is pr;y the best money/power head. But something else to look at is the gsr head, it flows a little better than a b16 does in some spots, and it adds about .2 to your compression. If you have the money go type r because its basically like a built head from honda

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