91 integra ls engine swap advice needed

We may earn a small commission from affiliate links and paid advertisements. Terms

A

Accord/integra2501

New Member
hello everyone, new to the forums, been a lurker for a bit.
I just recently bought an integra 91 LS with a b18a1 engine in it. it has over 250k on the motor and is running, but barely. first real manual i have ever owned. but hey, for $200 i am not complaining.
here is what is wrong, it skips, backfires sometimes, and wont go above 65 MPH. the RPM wont even break 4.5k.

I think it is time for a new engine!

after reading many posts, i have established that it is OBD0 and i would have to get an engine from a 90-91 integra for a direct swap. going to check the scrapyard in the morning.
multiple questions:
1. would it be smart to drop a b18b1 instead of the b18a1 in there, or should i hunt down a new b18a1?
2. the shifter can wobble left to right quite a bit, even when in gear. is there a way to tighten it up, or do i just have to deal with it?
3. new to swapping, hear that VTECH is annoying. should i look at getting a B16?
4. have a friend who claims to have put a H22 in a 91 teg. and said it bolted up, is that possible?
5. my area has emissions, any tips to make this pass after engine swap? (cat?)
6. should i even bother with an engine swap or just pull and swap the head/valvetrain/IM/etc.
7. is a b18a1 a pretty standard engine? aka easy to find?
8. lastly, any tips on engine swapping since i am new.

Thanks for the useful info
 
Last edited:
k20a2 Engine For Sale. 6spd Transmission,motor Mounts, Axels, Everything Thats Needed To Do The Swap Will Be Sold With The Engine. Engine's Coming From A 2002 Acura Rsx-s, The Motor Has 33500km On It. But Has A Crower Stroker Kit Instaled 3000kms Ago. Engine Runs So Nice And Pulls Really Strong. Im Taking Offers Right Now, I Will Also Accept Trades. If Intrested Email Me At
kingpingin@hotmail.com
 
Accord/integra2501 said:
hello everyone, new to the forums, been a lurker for a bit.
I just recently bought an integra 91 LS with a b18a1 engine in it. it has over 250k on the motor and is running, but barely. first real manual i have ever owned. but hey, for $200 i am not complaining.
here is what is wrong, it skips, backfires sometimes, and wont go above 65 MPH. the RPM wont even break 4.5k.

I think it is time for a new engine!

after reading many posts, i have established that it is OBD0 and i would have to get an engine from a 90-91 integra for a direct swap. going to check the scrapyard in the morning.
multiple questions:
1. would it be smart to drop a b18b1 instead of the b18a1 in there, or should i hunt down a new b18a1?
2. the shifter can wobble left to right quite a bit, even when in gear. is there a way to tighten it up, or do i just have to deal with it?
3. new to swapping, hear that VTECH is annoying. should i look at getting a B16?
4. have a friend who claims to have put a H22 in a 91 teg. and said it bolted up, is that possible?
5. my area has emissions, any tips to make this pass after engine swap? (cat?)
6. should i even bother with an engine swap or just pull and swap the head/valvetrain/IM/etc.
7. is a b18a1 a pretty standard engine? aka easy to find?
8. lastly, any tips on engine swapping since i am new.

Thanks for the useful info
Click to expand...

I'll try to help as much as I can here...

1.) You can easily do a B18B if you want. Just use your B18A accessories and it will be a drop-in, bolt-up swap. In my opinion this is a good choice, because it's essentially the same engine, but newer and with a few more ponies.
2.) Not really sure on this one...
3.) It's actually "VTEC", not "VTECH," and what exactly do you mean annoying? Like hard to wire up? If you think VTEC is a bad thing, then you aren't going to want a B16 or an H22...
4.) Yes, it's very possible to put an H22 in your car. It's a little more complicated than a B-series swap though.
5.) Yes, keep a cat converter on it, and make sure the engine is running properly (e.g. no CELs). Also, some states have visual inspections as well. It's not technically legal to run a motor that's older than the chassis, so that's a consideration as well.
6.) It depends on what you want to accomplish with the car.
7.) Yes, it shouldn't be hard to find one.
8.) What exactly do you need to know?

204kingpingin said:
k20a2 Engine For Sale. 6spd Transmission,motor Mounts, Axels, Everything Thats Needed To Do The Swap Will Be Sold With The Engine. Engine's Coming From A 2002 Acura Rsx-s, The Motor Has 33500km On It. But Has A Crower Stroker Kit Instaled 3000kms Ago. Engine Runs So Nice And Pulls Really Strong. Im Taking Offers Right Now, I Will Also Accept Trades. If Intrested Email Me At
kingpingin@hotmail.com
Click to expand...

You're gonna end up banned if you keep spamming threads with your for sale junk...
 
i would pull the motor put it on a stand and tottally rebuild it... but thats what i would do... theres so many different ways u can go with this.. just think of ur time your gonna have and a budget and go from there
 
thanks for the advice.
i know that going vtec is just harder to wire up and you have to swap parts out like the ecu.
mainly what i want to do is get it running properly first, then build from there.
is it really worth rebuilding an engine with 250k on it? i mean, wouldn't that basically be me stripping to the block then replacing everything?
also, revised problem list.
upon startup in the morning, runs fine, maybe burns some oil. about 5-10 min later, sputters and skips hardcore. PCV valve leaks oil, gonna fix that tomm.
 
vtec is not that hard to wire up.. its simply... most people think on no if i go vtec im gonna have to change out the whole harness and all this crap.. no u dont.. all u gotta do is find the pin outs on ur ecu and run the 2 wires... EASY.... and get a vtec ecu which u can find them pretty easy.... depends on how good of shape the block is in... have a machinest inspect it.. have them do a pressure test... depends on how u wanna rebuild it.. if u wanna just do the rings, rod bearings and gaskets.. then there is no need to pull the motor u can do it with it in the car... but if u wanna go threw every single little thing then ya pull it.. pull it anyways decide what u wanna do then go from there... thats about the best advice i could give you
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top