AFJ

So long story short I came from mustangs, had a 2014 with over 700hp, and sold it.
Im changing careers (to military) and am taking a big paycut to do so.

I'm probably going to want something to tinker with, and from my understanding civics are mostly inexpensive to mod.

Car will likely be used for drag racing only.

What year/model with which motor should I look for to restore and build? Will probably go the turbo route if I decide to buy one (I'm no stranger to boost).

​​​​​​Only really interested in 2 door coupes or maybe some 2 door hatchbacks.

​​​​​​Thanks for any insight.
​​​

Full_Tilt

92-95 Civic hatch. Very light, and lots swap options.

You will be able to build a fast civic easily if youre used to dropping money on a new mustang. There is a reason my '11 GT is still pretty much stock.

AZ_CIVIC

iTrader: (1)

Well they get expensive depending on how fast you want to go. If you're going for a turbocharged platform I like the b-series GSR motors. Lots of parts and combinations can be purchased and are widely available just like mustang stuff.

AFJ

Alright cool, thanks for the response. And which year/model would that motor be found in?

b16a2Denis

I personally am doing a 1998 civic dx coupe you can dinf them for easy money. in the mean time im rebuilding a B16A2 thats found in a 1999-2001 civic SI. they are easy to find motors not many people want them because stock they arent the best swap but ill give you a look at what im looking at just to build the motor

Hondata s300 v3 - $495
Skunk 2 tuner cams stage 2 - $499.99
Skunk2 Alpha series valve springs and Ti retainers -$339.99
Skunk2 Intake manifold- $249.99
Skunk2 66mm Alpha throttle boddy- $128.99
Skunk2 4-2-1 headers- $411.99
ACL race main bearings- $78.32
ACL race rod bearings- $80.60
ACL thrust washer- 42.40
Top end kit- $190.89
Bottom end kit- $60.31

so in total your looking at $2638.47 (price before a bundle discount)
but the homies at realstreetperformance know their **** and i trust them with my all unless proven otherwise
plus i picked up camshaft gears and ARP head studs off of a buddy so i took that off of the total as well and im looking to buy pistons as well and that will set me back another like $800 dollars so something like $3500.00 just to build my motor. i strongly suggest that you consider what you really want to do and see how you really want to drive the car because once you go ***** deep your pretty much in it to win it from there. stuff gets addicting like crack!

Full_Tilt

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_B_engine

B20VtecVillain

2017 Civic Type R should fit the bill nicely.
If that's out of your realm though, I would suggest an "EG" 92-95 Civic hatchback or "EJ" 92-95 Coupe. These are going to be very light so it won't take huge power to make it quick and fun. A stock B18B engine can be had from JDM engine importers for like $400. A nicely geared S4C or S80 (B16/B18C) tranny will cost you another $600 or so. Add to that $250 for a decent clutch kit, $1500 for a decent t3/t4 hybrid turbo kit, $500 for fuel pump/injectors, $1000 for Hondata and the tuning cost. Add all this up and that's basically what it will cost for a turbo LS Civic (minus the cost of the chassis). This setup would be good for 280-300 HP and in a car weighing only 2300lbs or so that's easy 12's in the 1/4 mile with the highway pull of a new stock SS or GT Ponycar. If you want to up the ante a big, another ~$2500 will allow you to buy a better flowing VTEC head, LSV kit, and some Pistons/rods, and after all that you would be capable of 400+ HP and high 11's on the same other components. Low 11's or better and 500+ HP is only a bigger turbo and another $1000-1200 away if you want as well, providing you buy decent enough fuel pump and injectors the first time around. (I like the Quantum/AEM 340lph and ID 1000/2000 injectors personally) For a street B series my turbo of choice is the Garrett 3076r in the GTX billet wheel trim.

Bitch Puddin'

IMO OP should get a EK hatch B series.

Thank you for your service OP, GL w/ your military career. It's going to be an interesting 4 years.