B18 vs b20

what would you pick

  • b18

    Votes: 17 50.0%

  • b20

    Votes: 17 50.0%
  • Total voters
    34

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D

dietirish

New Member
ok so I've been looking around here the past couple of days and read a lot about the b18 and the b20 from the crv and I thought I had my mind made up but the more I read the more questions I have.

I'm wanting to swap one of these into my 97 HX in place of my d16.

I like the b20 but it seems like it would be more of a headache then the gain over the b18 is worth. (vtec issue, block strength, finding the block, price for parts that work, ect)

I'll be doing more research for a while just thought I start a thread to let people add their thoughts, I know there are a few out there with the same questions hope this can help us all.

Also yes price is a factor not a big one but if i can get similar results for a grand or two less ill keep that money in the bank
 
Specify what version of the B18 you're talking about here. All of the B20s are non-VTEC from the factory, so you'd have to swap a VTEC head onto the block in order to have 2-liter VTEC engine. The B18 however, is available in both VTEC (B18C) and non-VTEC forms (B18A/B). The non-VTEC B18s are essentially the same thing as the B20, just with smaller cylinders...
 
i have seen the LS/VTEC and it was extremely informative one of the reasons I really thought about the b20 in the first place but what kind of difference would i see between that and the b18 for around the same amount of money and time/effort

And I'm not really sold on there being a problem with the b20/Vtec but just enough ppl saying there is a problem to make me think twice.

And as to what b18 if im not mistaken the B18c is the one i want but ill check. I will admit i havent looked a lot at the 18 because i got into the 20.

aslo just wondering if the b20 will really give that much more power than the 18. I really dont want to sleeve the engine right away but would like to turbo it a small amount at first so i know thats more the b18. but i've heard ppl (mostly at the turner shop by my house) talk about how the b20 is so much better than the b18 is this really true is it worth extra money and time to find and build this.

I know there are a few out there that have done a b18 to b20 swap i guess what im asking is it really worth it? or could i get similar results for less money from the b18
 
Last edited:
Well, hmmmm, your questions are kind of vague.

If you're just talking stock for stock, then the B18C would be a better swap than a stock B20. You'll be faster right off the bat. If you're willing to invest some time and money into building a B20/VTEC though, then it can outperform a B18C for sure.

The only thing about the B20 though, is that you don't have the option of using stock Honda pistons to bump compression (like Type R pistons or whatever) because it's the only B-series engine that has 84mm cylinders. So if you want to up compression via internals, you'll have to go after-market.

You can boost on the B20's stock cylinder walls, people do it all the time. You just need to keep the boost relatively low and make sure it's tuned well. If you have huge power aspirations though, then you should probably look into after-market sleeves.

A B18C might be a better choice for you overall. They can hold a good amount of boost on stock sleeves and internals, plus no need to swap heads to get VTEC either...
 
see thats the thing I'm (at this point in time) planning on this being my project car for the long term having the car for at least 10 yrs and just keep building little by little, but if the b20 is going to benefit me that much after sleeves and higher boost then i guess that answers my question.
 
Blanco said:
All things even, more displacement will always equal more power. The B20 is a B18 with 84mm cylinders instead of 81mm cylinders, but they have the same 89mm stroke. So yes, using a B20 will give you more power.

You should start doing some research instead of relying so heavily on what other people say. :)
Click to expand...

Not meaning to just try and get a quick answer. just looked around and never really saw a thread that really let people talk and discuss what they have in there car or what they would rather have in their car. I know I'm not the only one who has ever thought about this so figured it would nice to let ppl discuss. (yes it did give me some useful info but I've read some other ppls thread that this might help too)

and ya i knew the b20 would give me more power but i really didnt know if it was going to be worth the pain in finding one, but in the long run i think it will be.

so thanks for everyone who replied but feel free to keep posting and vote on the poll (but please explain your vote below) just to have some good discussion
 
dietirish said:
and ya i knew the b20 would give me more power but i really didnt know if it was going to be worth the pain in finding one, but in the long run i think it will be.
Click to expand...

They're not really that horribly hard to find. I see them on all the engine importing sites, and I've seen them in junkyards too. I don't think you'll have a problem finding one...
 
George777 said:
Complete 92-00 Civic Owners Engine Swapping Guide - Hondahookup.com

Found lots of useful information in here...Explains the breakdown of ALL the engines and the Pro's and Con's of each...

I currently have a B20 in my car, and I love it. Torque is there, and with some more investment, whether it be forced induction or a head swap, I think I will ultimately be happier than I would have been if I went with a B18...

My .02
Click to expand...

That's a pretty solid link, but there is some mis-information in there, for example the article states that the B18C5 head is a GSR head with a factory P&P, that's just not true. It also states that the B20Z has "changed several head characteristics" when they are really the same head except for the P8R heads found on certain JDM B20's. Good info, but always take what you read with a grain of salt.

I'm in the process of planning a B20b swap w/ GSR tranny (LS 5th, ITR LSD), can't wait!
 
Well since you are not sure what you are doing yet (turbo, vtec, both) the stock specs on the motor vary depending on year.

Sure you would think the B20 is better than a B18 LS motor, but if you get a 1998 or older CRV motor it wont be.

According to Kelly Blue Book, the 98 only puts out 126hp & 133 tq vs the 140 hp & 127 tq of the LS motor.

But in 1999 the B20 went up to 146hp & 133tq
 
LSCRX said:
Well since you are not sure what you are doing yet (turbo, vtec, both) the stock specs on the motor vary depending on year.

Sure you would think the B20 is better than a B18 LS motor, but if you get a 1998 or older CRV motor it wont be.

According to Kelly Blue Book, the 98 only puts out 126hp & 133 tq vs the 140 hp & 127 tq of the LS motor.

But in 1999 the B20 went up to 146hp & 133tq
Click to expand...

The power output on the older style B20b's will increase once you put on LS or better intake and exhaust manifolds, and the torque will be better as well.
 
LSCRX said:
Well since you are not sure what you are doing yet (turbo, vtec, both) the stock specs on the motor vary depending on year.

Sure you would think the B20 is better than a B18 LS motor, but if you get a 1998 or older CRV motor it wont be.

According to Kelly Blue Book, the 98 only puts out 126hp & 133 tq vs the 140 hp & 127 tq of the LS motor.

But in 1999 the B20 went up to 146hp & 133tq
Click to expand...

It still has more torque than the LS motor, which is a consideration when it comes to Honda engines. That motor in particular is one of the few Honda 4 cylinders that makes more torque than horsepower...
 
BrutalB83 said:
It still has more torque than the LS motor, which is a consideration when it comes to Honda engines. That motor in particular is one of the few Honda 4 cylinders that makes more torque than horsepower...
Click to expand...

Yeah i agree. Torque is important, especailly when hondas already have low tq #s, but what would you rather have 14 more horses, or 5 more tq.......its a tough question.

But if he is going to mod it, the B20 will be the best in the end. who knows what he is going to do with it:confused:
 
LSCRX said:
Yeah i agree. Torque is important, especailly when hondas already have low tq #s, but what would you rather have 14 more horses, or 5 more tq.......its a tough question.

But if he is going to mod it, the B20 will be the best in the end. who knows what he is going to do with it:confused:
Click to expand...

Well, I suppose it depends on what you're wanting to do with it. If you're going to put a VTEC head on it anyway, then the B20B is a fine choice. If you're just looking to keep the motor as is, then you may want to look into an LS or the B20Z.

Keep in mind though that switching to an LS intake manifold and header will net you a few extra horsepower like IanB said...
 
MzGoOdWRENCh said:
bitch did i tell you to talk to me? b18b1 does not come vtec you think i'm fucking stupid yea people do swaps all the time for the heads but some don't know how to fucking do it so how bout you go fuck yourself and stop talking to me you don't know who the fuck i am and that's your personal opinion you stupid fuck
Click to expand...

haha, that made me laugh. You're such a moron.

But I don't even need to post here, everything has been covered.
 
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