k20a or type r engine?

[96teg]

i own a 1996 acura integra LS and i'm considering swapping out my motor for a 2002 k20a (type-s) motor, or a b18 that comes in the integra type-r...which would be the better buy?

[CivicSpoon]

the k20 obviously, but it will be more expensive.

[96teg]

yeah i know, but is the extra 1000-1500 bucks worth the extra torque? because the type-r doesnt lack much more than 20hp to the k20. im lookin for the best bang for my buck. at first glance, i knew i wanted the k20 but now that i think about it, im not sure if its worth the $5000.

[CivicSpoon]

Personally I'd say no, and go with the Type R engine. It costs more to put the k-series in the car, because there are a lot more parts you have to buy to get it all to work. And with the $ you save, you can buy other parts to make the Type R faster than the K20. So based on cost and ease of the swap (and the fact that they're so close in hp and tq); I'd say the b18c is the best choice.

[kicker1_solo]

agreed, keep it B series, that will be a direct bolt in for ya

[rastilnmajere]

ok but i have heard that the k20a responds a heck of alot better to bolt on's
then say the type r. i see both sides of the arguement here personally i would go with k because i think 6 spd tranny would be sweetness.

[CivicSpoon]

I've heard that as well. But for the price vs power, the B18c takes it. The K-series isn't a straight swap like the b18c is, so you have to think about the price of those parts on top of the more $ you're paying for the Type-S engine. So from purely an economic standpoint, the extra 8tq from the Type-S really isn't worth the cost. But that's just my opinion, I'm a K-series Hater (I think they're highly overrated). Now an H22a on the other hand ...sorry off topic.

[gnushit]

i had a chance to buy a k20 (base engine) for $1,500 but i declined because after all the cost of converting the car, the cost would be over $5000 (not including labor). for show factor seeing a k20 in a teg is still sweet. for performance factor, stick with the b18c5 and spend the extra dough on mods (turbo?). oh yeah, rsx-s doesn't have lsd unlike the itr.

[96teg]

I think i'll just go with the b18c5, but how much do you think a turbo will cost me? probably 2500? and which setup do you think would respond best and give the best power gain

[dopenoze]

b18c5 turbo all the way.

[96teg]

will an H22a fit in my 96 integra because its a hell of a lot cheaper and puts out the same amount of power

[CivicSpoon]

Yes it will fit, but it's not cheaper. It will end up costing just as much (maybe slightly more) than the ITR swap. Like the K-series, it's not a direct bolt in swap. However, the parts to do the swap aren't as expensive as with the K-series.

[96teg]

alright. i'll just go with the itr swap then. Thanks for all the help guys.

[96teg]

which turbo setup do you think will work best with the itr motor?

[CivicSpoon]

You won't need that much boost to make good power, because the ITR has high compression (11.1:1). So don't go too big on the turbo. Be prepared to spend some $ on the highest octane gas possible or even race gas, and get a good engine management system and pro tune. But personally I would either go as small as possible if you're absolutely set on turboing it, or don't do it at all until you've done a TON of research (which you'll need to do anyways). There's a hell of a lot more to it that just getting a turbo and slapping it on, or you'll just blow it up on the first run.