need advice about motor swaps

[untamedcivic]

let me clarify something real quick. i DID read the article by rice-rocketeer and it seemed to be very informative. so no need to say,"go read an article about it". I have. but i want advice from people who know what they're talking about or have done so themselves. now let me explain my situation. I've been looking to do a swap into my 93 DX civic (as you know with a D15B7 motor). I've asked around and read alot about LS/VTEC head swaps etc. It seems to me that a 200hp w/ 160 lb torque H22 is the best bet. I do realize that it wouldn't be a smooth, easy switch. in rice rocketeer's article the only major disadvantages i noticed to doing that kind of a swap is the braking, suspension, and possible problems with oversteer (or understeer, i can't remember) due to the extra weight. from my mechanically uninclined vantage point, those things don't seem like a big deal. What I'm getting at is this: why spend the exact same amount of money for a b16a2 motor and tranny with considerably less hp and torque instead of just buying the H22? is it that much more trouble to install? is there some major adverse effect on the vehicle or normal drivability due to a swap like that? any help or referrals to a place where i can get answers is appreciated. thanks

[CivicSpoon]

It will cost more $ to put an h22 in your car than the b16a. You need special mounts, rear mount bracket (92-96 usdm prelude), axles. You also need to cut your tranny mount and drill a bigger hole, and cut a bigger hole for the shiftlinkage. The only thing "bad" about the swap is the understeer that you get from the way the motor sits (it has nothing to with weight). Get some good springs and shocks and that will help out quite a bit but you'll still get some understeer. But as long as you don't do SCCA or stuff like that then it won't be too bad. My buddy drives his every day, and just added a turbo to it a few months ago. Another minor problem is traction for launches, he's had the motor in for a year and a half now and still always spins his tires at the track (even with his LSD). But don't let the low price fool you, it will cost a G or 2 more to get it in. http://h22hybrid.20m.com is a good site for info on the swap. Site about axles to use: http://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=434668 More swap info: http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=650329

[untamedcivic]

just thought i'd mention that i'm gonna be gone for the next 2 weeks. so don't think i've forgotten about my thread