Need help with Integra LS

[spitfire19]

Hey everybody! I'm new at this import stuff and I have an integra ls. I was wondering if anyone could give me any info on the best way to make it fast. I wanted to get an engine first but don't know what fits and whats the best. I've heard of the ls/vtech but I don't want problems and would rather go with a gsr engine then the conversion cuz I heard they have problems. So if anyone could help out it would be great. Thanx!

[spitfire19]

I was also wondering if I could fit any Type R parts in it. Cuz if I could I want to make it a type R integra

[00tegra]

most type r parts will fit with a little effort. i have an 2000 ls. my first move was to complete the whole breathing system. it's usually the way to go. and if you want to get vtec that's always good, but you also need to get a ecu to go along with it. you can get a typr r engine and put it in. that's what a lot of people do. then you should also get the tranny. which is nice b/c it's 6 speed and has a lsd (limited slip differential). good luck!

[sameintheend01]

since when is it a 6 speed????

[spitfire19]

Well if I end up putting a Type R engine in and tranny what all do I need besides the engine and tranny? What is the engine called? How much do they usually cost? I found a GSR engine and transmission for $2500 with 30,000 miles on it. Is that a good price or should I try to get a Type R instead?

[scallywag]

$2,500 is a pretty fair price for a gsr swap. A type R will run you at least another 1k. What kind of budget do you have, and what are your power goals. If you stricktly want power, and you are on a budget you could always turbo your ls. Best bang for your buck. Also just to clear things up, ls/vtec are not bad mods, and can run just as long as any other motor, when done right. That is the key WHEN DONE RIGHT! the ones you hear about having problems usually occur when someone tries to cut corners, and does'nthave someone who knows what they are doing do it, then when it breaks, they blame it on the mod, not the fact that they were to cheap to have it done by a pro. Anyways that can be a road to take too. An ls/vtec turbo is a great choice, and can bring huge power gains, but again if done right! But if you do go gsr, or type r those are great swaps too. Between the two if you are planning on going forced induction, I would stick with the GSR, and if you want to go NA then go with the type R! Good luck, let us know which road you choose!

[scallywag]

oh the gsr is called b18c1, and the Type R is the b18c5, unless it is the j-spec motor then it will just be the b18c.

[spitfire19]

Ok I am a little confused on what to do. I think it would help if I told u guys what I want. I want my car to run atleast low 14's in the 1/4. I am on a tight bugdet so I can only afford about $300 a month for my car. I was soo happy to hear about the ls/vtech and thats why I got an ls. But I've done some research on it and have changed my mind cuz even if its done THE RIGHT WAY I can still have a problem. This is the website I got the info from if you would like to check it out. http://phatwhippincrx.20m.com/custom4.html
So what I want to do is get either a b16c1 or b16c5 and a turbo. I hope that would be enough. I bought the vtech head for my car but I think I'm gonna get my money back and get an engine, unless it really is a good idea. There is a guy out here that will charge me $400 to put it in my car and he does this a lot so he knows what hes doin. But if its true with the pistons from the website then I don't want to risk it.

[scallywag]

In reguards to your link, the reason honda didn't build a ls/vtec from the factory is because they ALREADY HAVE a vtec motor. That was a stupid point on whoever wrote the papers part. Also I have seen some pretty mean 500whp turbo ls/vtec's and to say that it is a fad is a pretty lame statment, concidering there are ones out there making those numbers. Also anytime you start modding your motor to squeeze horsepower out of it,it isn't going to last as long as stock! Ya so a ls/vtec won't last as long as a stock motor, neither will a turbo honda, or a really built N/A motor, that was another stupid point by the writer again. I have personally seen ls/vtec's that were done right last a long time, and are still running strong, even with hard driving. He does bring up the point of the R/S ration, and if you are really that worried about it you could get new rods and pistons that would fix that, which you would have to do anyways if you were planning on really building that thing. The fact of the matter is, the ls/vtec is a good mod, and has proven itself numerous times, some people just get all in a tissy because theirs broke because it wasn't put together right. For how much gains you get, it is pretty cheap! It is also fairly boost friendly, since you will still have a lower compression than a true vtec motor, so it will handle more boost with stock internals, than the vtec models. Either way you go would be good. But if you are looking for cost effective and are on a tight budget go ls/vtec. it is alot cheaper. And if you go with one of the two motoer you mentioned above which don't actually exist, but I know what you ment, it's b18c1, and b18c5, if you are going to turbo get the b18c1 gsr motor, the type R is better for N/A!

[spitfire19]

I wasn't sure if you could change the rods and pistons or not. But since I know you can I think I'm gonna stick with the ls/vtech then. Is there any other changes or adjustments I need to do for the conversion? I got all the parts and the e.c.u. chip. Thanks and I really appreciate your help.

[scallywag]

You don't have to swap out the rods and pistons, but if you have the money I would suggest doing it because you will already have the motor torn apart, so it would be easier to do then instead of later should you decide to do it. Also if you plan on going turbo rout, get forged pistons and rods, and that will make your crap alot stronger for boost, plus then you could get your R/S ratio good.I would also suggest getting a real strong headgasket to go with the mix. all that will help you boost your car quite a bit more.. If your goal is just getting into the 14's you really don't need new rods and pistons, but if you want to get faster, they are a good thing to have in there so you have the option of being able to run more boost, Anyway I hope that helps.

[spitfire19]

So how much do pistons and rods cost and what kind do I get? Also how much horse power should I be getting with the conversion?

[tsugsr]

Spitfire, you dont need to be making an LS/VTEC motor if you dont know how to spell it right.

[scallywag]

do some serches, there is probably some info on that around. I don't know what the best ones would be, but eagle make good forged rods I believe, and Crower makes some good pistons.
and just for the future it is VTEC not Vtech, vtech makes phones. alot of guys think it is fun for some reason to flame newbies for little mistakes like that, so just a little FYI.

[tsugsr]

little mistakes?? after they repeditly say vtech even after other posts have said vtec and its a mistake?? and when its printed correctly on the valve cover and back of GSR's and ITR's ??? i dont flame those who make one mistake, only those who make the same damn mistake over and over and over even after being told the correct way.