Okay, so the LS is officially swapped and running like a champ in the old CRX. Other than an oil leak from the pan and a hellaciously squeaky alternator belt that will both get taken care of this weekend, the project is officially complete and a success.
Here's some details on the swap
https://hondaswap.com/hybrid-ed-ef-da/big-thanks-hondaswap-com-149125/
Disclaimer: This build was originally done just to prove to myself that I could do it. It was my first ever swap and first ever engine rebuild so I intentionally kept it simple with an obd-0 B18A into my CRX Si. Maximizing horsepower was not my original intention so please dont trash me for doing this and then wanting more power.
I've only put about 150 miles on the completely rebuilt motor so she is still getting broken-in, but I can tell already it's not going to satisfy my need for speed.
I've been askin around and everyone seems to have a different opinion about how to get the horsepower up. I really want some low-end torque to get this baby off the line quicker since most of my driving time will be spent on the street making higher-priced vehicles feel bad about getting beat by my little beater. Like any reasonable person I want to maximize my horsepower-to-dollars-spent ratio. Here are the apparent options:
1. Go LS-VTEC. Maybe $500-$600 to do this and an extra say 40-50hp. This was my original phase 2 for this project but people are saying reliability is a major problem with this option. Is it true? Or have people tried to cut corners and just paid the price for it?
2. Spray it. A nitrous kit is an easy option. Around the same price as the LSVTEC and 25-50hp depending on the kit, right? Reliability is another good question for this one.
3. "Dude, put a turbo on that thing." I am aware of some cheap turbo kits out there and hp could be increased significantly, but this seems like a major modification. Options 1 and 2 appear easier to accomplish. And the car already sounds like a wet fart going down the road (pretty much all 4-bangers do) I think a turbo will only make it worse.
4. A crap-load of bolt-ons. In other words, intake manifolds, headers, adjustable cam gears, the cams themselves, port-and-polish, etc. This could really start to add up and how much power would I gain? In the dollars spent vs. hp gains this one scores last.
5. Pull it out and throw in a K20. Or whatever other motor is the hot swap right now. Being an "experienced" swapper (if one swap makes me experienced) I feel much more confident about taking on a project like this one, but I just spent a heckuvalotta time and money getting where I am and pulling it out to start over would make me feel like I wasted my time. I'm just not gonna do it.
Okay HondaSwap, you guys got me into this.....what should I do next?
Paul
Here's some details on the swap
https://hondaswap.com/hybrid-ed-ef-da/big-thanks-hondaswap-com-149125/
Disclaimer: This build was originally done just to prove to myself that I could do it. It was my first ever swap and first ever engine rebuild so I intentionally kept it simple with an obd-0 B18A into my CRX Si. Maximizing horsepower was not my original intention so please dont trash me for doing this and then wanting more power.
I've only put about 150 miles on the completely rebuilt motor so she is still getting broken-in, but I can tell already it's not going to satisfy my need for speed.
I've been askin around and everyone seems to have a different opinion about how to get the horsepower up. I really want some low-end torque to get this baby off the line quicker since most of my driving time will be spent on the street making higher-priced vehicles feel bad about getting beat by my little beater. Like any reasonable person I want to maximize my horsepower-to-dollars-spent ratio. Here are the apparent options:
1. Go LS-VTEC. Maybe $500-$600 to do this and an extra say 40-50hp. This was my original phase 2 for this project but people are saying reliability is a major problem with this option. Is it true? Or have people tried to cut corners and just paid the price for it?
2. Spray it. A nitrous kit is an easy option. Around the same price as the LSVTEC and 25-50hp depending on the kit, right? Reliability is another good question for this one.
3. "Dude, put a turbo on that thing." I am aware of some cheap turbo kits out there and hp could be increased significantly, but this seems like a major modification. Options 1 and 2 appear easier to accomplish. And the car already sounds like a wet fart going down the road (pretty much all 4-bangers do) I think a turbo will only make it worse.
4. A crap-load of bolt-ons. In other words, intake manifolds, headers, adjustable cam gears, the cams themselves, port-and-polish, etc. This could really start to add up and how much power would I gain? In the dollars spent vs. hp gains this one scores last.
5. Pull it out and throw in a K20. Or whatever other motor is the hot swap right now. Being an "experienced" swapper (if one swap makes me experienced) I feel much more confident about taking on a project like this one, but I just spent a heckuvalotta time and money getting where I am and pulling it out to start over would make me feel like I wasted my time. I'm just not gonna do it.
Okay HondaSwap, you guys got me into this.....what should I do next?
Paul