maybe your friends engine was beaten on. I dunno
A b18b1 with a b16 or GSR trans will hang with a b16
The only advantage of the b16 is VTEC, i could do an LSVtec and I might, but right now I'm doing a turbo setup which a b16 has no competition against.
Either way, it's personal preference.
What does or did your b16 hatch run at the strip.