trying to decide on a b series to get/boost

[ironman85]

I am in the market for a 88-91 CRX, just waiting to find a good buy in my area. i'm getting everything worked out currently as far as stages and the swap goes. done plenty of searching/reading but i would appriciate help figuring out which engine would be best for me. the rex would be my extra car, so down time isn't an issue, neither is daily drivability.

i plan to boost a few months after i do teh swap along with moderate cams, etc.


i have a h23 in my garage.....but because of size and some missing pieces i decided against it
b20 is out cause it has less potential for boost.

so i am looking at
1988-1991 JDM B16A
1992-1993 USDM B17A1
1990-1991 USDM non-VTEC B18A1


best as i can tell these 3 would be best for me. almost all are in my price range, low compression, cable tranny and/or OBD0


if u can post any info u know on these engines/personal experiance/potential for boost/weaknesses would be great.


but plz no "b16s are overrated" "my stock d16 pwned this b20 swapped crx" flamming/random statement crap. at least this isn't hondatech, so there shouldn't be much of that stuff anyways

[arodg25]

well my vote is for the b18a1. if your boosting you dont need vtec.

[FrodoGT]

Being a b16 owner im going to vote b18 for boost. If you want to do some very simple engine work you can make an ls/vtec setup that will make it very reliable, and have PLENTY of power. otherwise itll still have more torque than the rather undertorqued b16.

The b17 will be near impossible to find btw.

[CRXperiment]

Definitley B18a. Has the most potential for boost or a vtec setup. Basically the weaknesses of this motor is its stock connecting rods and rod bolts, both of which you should change for a turbo setup anyway. Its head is also weak in terms of flow which can be fixed by slapping on a B16 head. But right out of the box, you should have fun with the motor before saving up and doing any upgrades.

[FrodoGT]

I will say that my b16 is a tough little bugger though..I doubt I could kill it without boost.

[CRXperiment]

Originally Posted by FrodoGT

I will say that my b16 is a tough little bugger though

So are all other Honda engines.

[Tony]

Originally Posted by CRXperiment

So are all other Honda engines.

True, I raced a D16Z6 with bad rings all year and I swear it started running stronger toward the end of the year. It would smoke like a freight train until I hit the track and did one lap.

Oh yea, I would go for the B18 as well, shouldn't be that hard to find either.

[BLU CIVIC]

i say use the H23

[CRXperiment]

Originally Posted by BLU CIVIC

i say use the H23

Too many conversion/ wiring/ mounting/ fabrication/ and tranny issues, especially for someone who is new to swaps. Stick with either a B, like said above, or a turboed D.

[BLU CIVIC]

Originally Posted by CRXperiment

Too many conversion/ wiring/ mounting/ fabrication/ and tranny issues, especially for someone who is new to swaps. Stick with either a B, like said above, or a turboed D.

not ture anymore...mabey about 3 years ago

but to start out i'd build and boost the D first

[CRXperiment]

Originally Posted by ironman85

b20 is out cause it has less potential for boost.

I just noticed you said this and this is not entirely true. B20B's have low compression (like 8.8:1) and basically have the same head as an LS. They can be good candidates for turbo if you sleave them and build the bottom end a bit. You can use all the hardware and sensors from an obd0 b18a and throw it into a 4th gen. Just make sure you don't get a high comp B20z if you are looking to turbo.
http://www.ef-honda.com/ben/EFB20swap.php

[ironman85]

Originally Posted by CRXperiment

They can be good candidates for turbo if you sleave them and build the bottom end a bit.

would rather not have to sleave and build the bottom end before i could boost. i want to be able to trust my engine, and if i didn't build the b20 first, i wouldn't trust it. not out of experiance...but from ppl talking about it. maybe u can talk me into it lolol


and i want to mention this. u guys are much more helpful friendly then the ppl on hondatech. too many ricer nubs, or ppl who have dealt with teh nubs so long that they are bitter and mean. and just too much activity to get the help u need. this feels more like my home ( CB7tuner.com )

quick side question. seen several post about VTEC and boost kicking in at same time...and that VTEC is wasted then. any truth to this? i don't see how that could be right.
since the B18 i am looking at is non-VTEC would be helpful to know. looking over ls/vtec info incase it would be a good thing.

[CRXperiment]

Originally Posted by ironman85

and i want to mention this. u guys are much more helpful friendly then the ppl on hondatech.

Whats honda-tech?

Originally Posted by ironman85

quick side question. seen several post about VTEC and boost kicking in at same time...and that VTEC is wasted then. any truth to this? i don't see how that could be right.

Its good to have your VTEC crossover point different than when you spool.

[ironman85]

kk, so not that boost kills vtec(didn't think that sounded right), just need to have the power from them come at different times. got it

[BLU CIVIC]

if you're boosting, then you don't need Vtec...if you're going to use the D series, check out www.turbod16.com ...think that's right...don't bother joining and asking questions b/c they won't answer...very helpful information section