boost the zc or b16 or ?....please reply

[caminsc5]

ok, my work is laying off and i am getting a severance package, so all together i will have a few grand to spend. heres the question.

i have a 89 crx si w/ dohc zc.......should i take the money and boost the zc? (only had it a cpl months) or should i take the money and get a b16? or any other suggestions?

[Aaron91ef9]

The ZC would have more power than a b16a if it had a turbo, but there are other things you would have to consider in a ZC turbo. I have read that the ZC can only hold about 200 hp on the stock rods. It would acually be cheaper to go with the b16. Its all up to you, I think a turbo ZC would be nice, it would be original too.

[raceteamx]

ZC on boost is the way to go.
I have a ZC in my civic now and im about to boost it. Im just waiting on the manifold to come in. Im not a Vtec fan. A ZC with the right tranny will definitly smoke the B16. Trust me.

[caminsc5]

i wouldnt want to put a good bit of money into a turbo for the zc and then not be satisfied i guess. how does a ls/vtec sound? i wanna get the best bang for my buck (and be satisfied). i can do a "cheap" turbo later on for any swap i do

[Aaron91ef9]

You could do an ls/vtec, you would have to make sure it was built right. The ZC is a good engine, but has its limits, as does any engine. The b16 comes stock with 30 more horse than the ZC. A b16 is around 1500 for a good one and then you would have to buy some other stuff for the conversion. If you want the power now and plan on going with a turbo a little later, I would say b16. You will have more power to start with and you could add a turbo later and get more power than the ZC turbo. With the b16 you should be running in the 14s, with a few minor mods. Thats not too bad.

[91dx]

b18a boosted