Nisif

I'm considering purchasing a 99' B16 head for a good price (complete top end, stock cams) for my Civic. I'm curious if the actual power gains will justify the cost if I keep my entire B18a bottom end stock, as it is now, or if I should consider throwing my money elsewhere for power gains.

I'd keep the revlimiter at 7300, where it is now, but have a better flowing head for around $550 including hardware (cost of new head gasket, swapping head studs, external oil line, etc. included).

The other option is to save up roughly $1100 for forged pistons, eagle rods and machine work and up the boost and retain the ls head.

My setup is in my sig below, motor's still pushing even compression across the board after 13,000+ miles on the setup (103k total on the motor). Just looking for your opinions, and possibly b4 and after dynos of vtec head swaps done on similar mild setups.

Nisif

Btw, if inclined to ask my power goals are (hasn't been on the dyno) shooting for 12's on street tires + some more highway pep... 60 fts are about 2.2

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Honestly the only reasons to go with a VTEC head with a bone-stock b18a/b bottom end would be to impress kids at car shows or your 'crew', or if your stock head has a few bent valves+leaky valve seals+bad dizzy+cracked IM. The non-vtec head can flow MUCH more power through it than the stock pistons can take.

You are far better off spending the money to build the bottom end first, as you can always boost more with the non-vtec head, then swap a vtec head on there once you need more power (as in 450+).