Zappythebum

In my researching of B-Series and K-Series motors I have come to notice that building engines can be either extremely expensive (i.e having everything "professionally" done) to somewhat moderately inexpensive. Now, there is a fine line when it comes to fiscal responsibility and having **** tons of fun, this is why I am proposing the question how much does it take to have **** tons of fun while still pinching pennies, simply due to my own curiosities and to those who might also be in the same boat as I am (college student who enjoys tinkering with cars and doesn't have too much money to spend).

Now where this might not be extremely tech-related it does apply technically when breaking down builds in Dollar per HP ranges and comparing this to the setups from which they came. For instance, a K20A setup will have a large dollar tag with it considering it is the newest and almost the most demanded engine on the market today which will yield a high Dollar/HP ratio.
K24A2 TSX Long Block
HP=200
Price (Hmotorsonline)=$1900.00
Dollar/HP = $9.50

This is solely the engine itself, which does not include: header, exhaust, intake, ecu / tune, cams, valves / retainers, head pnp, crank balance and knife-edge, head milling (if needed), etc... I will be posting some common engine setups which I have seen often throughout H-T and comparing their Dollar/HP's to see which will give you the most bang for your buck. If anyone has something to add, please feel free to post a build and calculate the Dollar/HP for yourself! and for the sake of argument let's say the car this is on has a free-flowing exhaust installed already.

Now. Comprised of much research and reading on H-T I've come up with a build for a non-vtec B18B1 (LS) all-motor build which can put out a small Dollar/HP ratio
B18B1 94-01 Acura Integra LS:
B18B1 Longblock = $699.00 (Hmotorsonline.com)
11:1 CP P30 (B16 Pistons) = ~$60.00
Ported B18B1 Head (~$600-800)
Crower 403 cams ($300.00)
Crower Valvetrain ($300.00)
Skunk2 IM ($250.00)
Skunk2 Pro Series 68mm TB ($300.00)
Hytech header replica ($350.00)
Decent Intake ($75.00-150.00)
Tune (~$400.00)
Walbro fuel pump (~$80.00)
Knife-edge & Balanced Crank (~$400.00)

Total = $3814-$4029
Estimated HP (from research) = 195-205 HP All-Motor B18B1
Dollar/HP= $19.55-$19.65 (Low-end to High-end)

This is most of a complete engine build minus various miscellaneous things such as spark plugs, wires, battery, what have you. And comparatively cheaper than a K24A with the same amount of work put into it.

Comparatively,
K24A2 04-08 Acura TSX:
K24A2 Long Block = $1900.00 (Hmotorsonline.com)
RBC Intake Manifold (~$220.00)
Injen Intake (~$250.00)
Skunk2 Stage 2 Cams (~$650.00)
Eagle Rods (~$300.00)
Crower Springs & Retainers (~$500.00)
Overbored Accord TB (~$130.00)
RCREW header (~$700.00)
Knife-edge & Balanced Crank (~$400.00)
Tune (~$400)
No need for PNP

Total = $5450
Estimated HP (from research) = 250-275 HP All-Motor K24A2
Dollar/HP= $19.80-$21.80 (Low-end to High-end)

B18C1 94-01 Acura Integra GSR:
B18C1 Longblock = $1599.00 (Hmotorsonline.com)
Endyn "Rollerwave" Pistons 81mm 12:1 (~$500.00)
Ported B18C1 Head (~$600-800)
Skunk2 pro series cams (~$600.00)
Skunk2 valvetrain ($300.00)
Skunk2 IM ($250.00)
Skunk2 Pro Series 68mm TB ($300.00)
Hytech header replica ($350.00)
Decent Intake ($150.00-200.00)
Tune (~$400.00)
Knife-edge & Balanced Crank (~$400.00)
ITR Oil Pump (~$75)
Walbro Fuel pump (~$80.00)

Total = $4740-$4954
Estimated HP (from research) = 225-250 HP All-Motor B18C1
Dollar/HP= $19.81-$21.06 (Low-end to High-end)


Now in simply comparing these Dollar/HP ratios you can see that they are remarkably similar for the large price difference.
Dollar/HP
B18B1: $19.55-$19.65 (@$3814-$4029)
B18C1: $19.81-$21.06 (@$4740-$4954)
K24A2: $19.80-$21.80 (@$5450)

Which would conclude that for these different setups there is a $0.35-$2.15 price to be paid for each horsepower out of the K-Series motor compared to the little B-Series motor. Which might not seem like a ton but keep in mind these are rough estimates based on internet and forum research done by myself. However, when used precisely this Dollar/HP ratio can be useful in comparing which powerplant would be the most ergonomically sound for someone who wishes to fix up some sort of Honda-Challenge racer car or simply to have a quick street car.. w/e..

Now a lot of you might be saying.. "What about the turbo builds? Won't they have HELLAAAAAA low Dollar/HP ratios?!!?!" Yes. I will get to those given enough time and research, I'm trying to pump these out as quickly as I have free time to research but please feel free to post a Turbo build I'm sure a lot of people on here would love to see those numbers!!


I hope that this write-up of the Dollar/HP theory helps some of you to figure out where and how to use your money so that you get the most enjoyment out of the least amount of green


I will post up more builds when I get more free time

Zappythebum

Added B18C1 build for your consideration

Zappythebum

HAPPY HALLOWEEN errbody!

Zappythebum

H22 & Turbo'ed Builds soon to be added!

seeandbe

HAHAHAHAHAHA, nerd. =P

keepinitrehaal

Interesting

Zappythebum

so kind. lol

If anyone is interested in this I will add more, but i didn't recieve much interest from the forums when i originally posted. So if no interest I will let the thread die again