What engine to build? Undecided..

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ChrisC

91 civic hb
To start I'd like to say hello to everyone here on Hondaswap.. Well because im a newby here lol. Ive been into doing build ups for quite sometime now, mostly on V8's. Latley the import scene has caught my attention, just something new and more challenging to learn. I picked a Honda mainly because I work at a Honda powersport dealership. I own a 1991 Civic HB with a stock D15B2 that I have completely rebuilt from the head to the bottom end. It runs like a champ but of course I want more lol. Ive been looking into some different engines to build and drop in like a D16A6, B16A1, B18B and so on..

I have a buddy whos selling his integra and I could pick it up for cheap. Just the thing is im undecided on if I should build and boost the B18 in the car or if I should be looking for another engine. I would do a GSR motor but theyre hard around here and I would end up paying a fortune for it.
I have a line on a complete B20A1(I'm pretty sure thats what it is). I would like to get as much torque as possible in this build. Like I have said im fairly new to the Honda scene, and some input on the pro's and con's of different motors from some others who have built turbo engines would be awesome. :confused:
P.S. I know the time and $$ that goes into doing this kind of build

Thanks guys, Chris
 
b18a/b boosted car make loads of power if built. They don't rev like a dohc vtec but can still make a butt load of power.
 
thanks for the info dtob. Ive done plently of reading but theres never been any comparisons between engines to build. Such as which can make the revs, stronger blocks, better heads ect..
 
Im not really looking for really high revs. Ive talked to a guy with a 300hp n/a, hb civic. readline at 10k. He told me he doesnt really make power until 6 - 6.5k. I would like to be making power in a lower rpm range around 4 - 4.5k and only reving to 7.5 - 8k. I would like to still have a streetable car.
 
The guy I know is running a CRV block with some v-tec head. Ignition upgrades, intake manifold, some really wired looking cold air, Honda s200 tuner is what I saw. When I saw the car he had his lap top sitting on the passenger seat. Im guessing hes a pretty serious builder.

Im looking to make good power if its possible 400-450 hp with my budget. On the motor my budget for just the motor is about 5k. I already have some parts and have good hookups for many other parts ill be needing.
 
Yeah he has a considerable amount more, I only said what I "saw" and yes this is a track car. I watched that car take off, looked like it had quite a bit of balls.

Yes, I want to build more of a race engine. But something still streetable. This wont be my daily driver more of a weekend warrior. I will be buying slicks for at the track and good street rubber. What times is your Z6 running on the quarter Blanco?
 
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Yeah that would work perfect. Is there any good 2-stage boost controllers out there that you know of?

You gotta hate those cement walls... Ive been lucky, havent had ant meetings with one yet haha. Thats shitty though Blanco, Is it totaled? A few of my buddies have hit some stuff and wrecked their cars pretty bad. But that mostly likely because their driving daytonas that handle like a grandmas car.
 
Yeah that would work perfect. Is there any good 2-stage boost controllers out there that you know of?

You gotta hate those cement walls... Ive been lucky, havent had ant meetings with one yet haha. Thats shitty though Blanco, Is it totaled? A few of my buddies have hit some stuff and wrecked their cars pretty bad. But that mostly likely because their driving daytonas that handle like a grandmas car.
As do most V8 cars now.

Drove my buddy's 96 Mustang GT about a month ago. Right after he finished the heads swap. Sure, he'll beat me in a straight line, but in the corners I'm fairly sure that I could beat him running behind a shopping cart with one leg. Seriously, corners I normally take at 55-60 in my Civic were 35-40 mph corners in the Stang. And tires squealed like crazy. Anyway, kinda off topic but good story nonetheless.
 
Man that blows.. So im guessing it isnt drivable at all? You should post a picture of it if you dont mind.
 
Oh yeah I bet, everything is prolly bent. do you need a front clip?
 
for the record, you originally mentioned possibly getting a b20a1. don't do it, it's not like the rest of the b-series family and you'll be really disappointed. make sure you're getting a b20b or b20z, which is what people on here will probably mean 90% of the time. the other 9%, they'll either be talking about the 3g prelude motor which is not the same w/ the b16/b18/b20b/z family of motors and the last 1% they'll mean the b20a from the 2g prelude/3g accord which is not the same as the 3g prelude b20a or the rest of the b-series family either.
 
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