Hi from South Africa,
I need some advice regarding the block girdle found in the Integra B18C4/5, amongst others. Will it fit my B16A? I know it is a 3 cap girdle vs the 5 that can be bought aftermarket. I have had a few different opinions locally. One tuner told me that it would fit, but I would need the ITR bolts as well (10 of them, 2 types, split 6 & 4), & the shortened pickup. Another told me I would need all the above along with the ITR sump & windage tray? & that the girdle would need some machining. A third tuner told me it won't fit period. HELP!!!
I have to purchase these parts directly from Honda & if it were just the girdle, bolts & pickup, it would be fine, but the sump is more expensive than all those parts combined. The ITR was never introduced in SA, so these parts are not available used. Any advice? All this aside, will I even need it for my B16A turbo? I don't have sleeves, just block posting, Wiseco pistons & Eagle rods.

 

First and for most, how much boost or power are you trying to achieve?

 

I don't know what I can get out of a B16A6, but a very optimistic 450whp is where I would like to be. I was told that without sleeves, which is a VERY expensive mod in SA, I should not go beyond 350. Like I said before, I do have a posted block, which I expect will handle 1.5bar. I have a T3/T4 hybrid turbo. Around 9000 is where I plan to rev. Incidentally, I spoke to a Honda service centre mechanic, who modifies cars part time, & he said he has fitted the girdle into a B18B, modified the pickup & fitted the sump back in with enough clearance. He did have a Mugen sump that did not fit, so he used the standard sump. He also said that he believes that the US never received the B16A6, so it may not have been tried there??? The B18B & B16A6 sumps are the same though.

 

i wouldn't bother with a girdle on it.

 

OK, under your circumstances, I would probably not use the girdle, it's been proven that you don't need a girdle for the amount of power your looking at. I say with a proper build and tune you should have no problems reaching your goals. My only problem with the whole thing is the block posting, I just hope it doesn't become a reliability (leaking) issue.

 

This is where I am a bit confused. My understanding is that the girdle has little to do with the power generated by the motor, but rather the strengthening of the bottom end of the block to help prevent distortion, & thereby help to prevent bearings from collapsing & the crank distorting at a higher rpm. If I can rev to 9000 comfortably in a B16A turbo, then so be it, but from a power perspective, what is my motor actually capable of, considering what I have? It's difficult getting answers locally, because Hondas, whilst they may be popular, are not as popular as turbo VW's or Toyota twincams as a basis for modifying. There are no Honda tuners where I live. The guy I deal with is very good, but once again, has limited experience with modified Hondas.

Still though, if I decide to err on the side of caution, will the girdle fit & how?

What do you mean about leaking & reliability issues?