Notices
Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000) EG/EH/EJ/EK/EM1 Discussion

Engine ideas for around $3500

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-23-2009, 09:19 PM
  #1  
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
 
fortillian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Engine ideas for around $3500

I have a 92 civic Hatchback SI. Im debating which was to go. I eventually want to boost. Question is to go B16, LS, or GSR. From what ive read LS respond great to boost, plus have a little more torque then the B16. I have a buddy selling a GSR i might be able to pickup everything for a swap including the tranny with a Phantom LSD and a ported head.Said to have around 125k miles. Bounce some ideas or thoughts at me please while I do some more research.
Old 05-23-2009, 09:22 PM
  #2  
Honda-Tech Member
 
IP RACING's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: ventura county, ca, united states
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

if youre on a budget go ls with a b16 tranny,pref with lsd then spend the rest on boost parts. ls engines are cheeap and plentiful blow it up and your good to go again with just a couple hundred bucks.
Old 05-23-2009, 09:25 PM
  #3  
Honda-Tech Member
 
batallic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Toronto, ontario, canada
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

since u want to boost LS with b16 tranny, if not then just gsr with b16 tranny, b16's are overrated
Old 05-23-2009, 09:45 PM
  #4  
Honda-Tech Member
iTrader: (1)
 
ecko_3420's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: diamond bar
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

b20...all the way..
Old 05-23-2009, 09:47 PM
  #5  
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
 
fortillian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

Originally Posted by IP RACING
if youre on a budget go ls with a b16 tranny,pref with lsd then spend the rest on boost parts. ls engines are cheeap and plentiful blow it up and your good to go again with just a couple hundred bucks.
I like that idea. Do you recommend spending the extra $$ and getting a low mile LS, or just pick something up relatively nice but higher miles on craigslist saving some money?
Old 05-23-2009, 10:04 PM
  #6  
Honda-Tech Member
 
TravisCadello's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

GSR!
Old 05-23-2009, 10:17 PM
  #7  
Honda-Tech Member
 
IP RACING's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: ventura county, ca, united states
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

I would recommend a low mileage jap LS. can be had for much much less than a gsr. hmotors has the B18B LS for 749 and hmotorsonline is the ****. always good stuff from those guys. Why spend an extra 500 too 1000 on a gsr when u can just get better parts forr an ls build and make more power reliably. I would only suggest the gsr iif Your bud is hooking you up with a sweat deal. if that money was mine I would get a jap ls $750 (low miles=reliable) find a good B16tranny with lsd for a grand or so. hopefully this budget doesnt include money for mounts and linkage.etc. IF it doesnt u have almost 2k to boost. thats plenty if you know how to pick your parts wisely.
Old 05-23-2009, 10:17 PM
  #8  
Junior Member
 
99JDMHATCH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Station in RI but from FL
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

Originally Posted by ecko_3420
b20...all the way..
wasting a post didnt mention anything about a b20.

On another note i would go with the ls on either buying the gsr tranny or the sticking with the b18b tranny. You dont want the b16 tranny on a turbo application. Also try driving 80 on the highway with a b16 you'll be at 5000 rpm burning alot of gas.. Just alot you have to take into concertation.
Old 05-23-2009, 11:09 PM
  #9  
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
 
fortillian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

Originally Posted by 99JDMHATCH
wasting a post didnt mention anything about a b20.

On another note i would go with the ls on either buying the gsr tranny or the sticking with the b18b tranny. You dont want the b16 tranny on a turbo application. Also try driving 80 on the highway with a b16 you'll be at 5000 rpm burning alot of gas.. Just alot you have to take into concertation.
This will be my DD, so I would like to get a decent 5th gear for highway use.
Old 05-23-2009, 11:12 PM
  #10  
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
 
fortillian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

Originally Posted by IP RACING
I would recommend a low mileage jap LS. can be had for much much less than a gsr. hmotors has the B18B LS for 749 and hmotorsonline is the ****. always good stuff from those guys. Why spend an extra 500 too 1000 on a gsr when u can just get better parts forr an ls build and make more power reliably. I would only suggest the gsr iif Your bud is hooking you up with a sweat deal. if that money was mine I would get a jap ls $750 (low miles=reliable) find a good B16tranny with lsd for a grand or so. hopefully this budget doesnt include money for mounts and linkage.etc. IF it doesnt u have almost 2k to boost. thats plenty if you know how to pick your parts wisely.
I could probably get the entire swap for like $1700 or so. And have all the parts needed for a complete swap except IM. But it does have ~125K miles, and has a ported head, so I am sure its been driven hard.
Old 05-23-2009, 11:23 PM
  #11  
Honda-Tech Member
 
turbo97coupe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: in the sticks, U S of A
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

Originally Posted by fortillian
I could probably get the entire swap for like $1700 or so. And have all the parts needed for a complete swap except IM. But it does have ~125K miles, and has a ported head, so I am sure its been driven hard.
get the gsr , as 1700 is cheap and i will sell you my spare gsr intake mani i have sitting here if you need it.

gsr's are way more reliable , gsr motors outperform a ls in every single way there is .there is nothing on a ls that comes close to comparing to a gsr.

i made 60whp more on the same turbo kit at the same psi on my gsr then i did on my LS

Last edited by turbo97coupe; 05-23-2009 at 11:46 PM.
Old 05-23-2009, 11:46 PM
  #12  
Junior Member
 
99JDMHATCH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Station in RI but from FL
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

Originally Posted by turbo97coupe
get the gsr , as 1700 is cheap and i will sell you my spare gsr intake mani i have sitting here if you need it.

this > = BS "Why spend an extra 500 too 1000 on a gsr when u can just get better parts forr an ls build and make more power reliably."

gsr's are way more reliable , gsr motors outperform a ls in every single way there is , revability,reliability,cfm the head flows ,vtec, better intake mani, better cams ,way more power then a ls , on the same turbo kit with the same psi . there is nothing on a ls that comes close to comparing to a gsr.

iam speaking from expierence ive had both boosted gsr , and LS. i made 60whp more on the same turbo kit at the same psi on my gsr then i did on my LS
very well put thats why i make 343 on a stock internal gsr. Also to add though i would recommend getting the gsr but with the mileage it has and the history of the motor i would say ls UNLESS you have the money to rebuild it in the near future.
Old 05-23-2009, 11:46 PM
  #13  
Honda-Tech Member
 
eksedan98's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

If you have an 92 hatch si and its your DAILY i would first try to worry about security man. Too many Hondas get stolen every week not tryin to change the subject or anything. By the way I think turbo97coupe is right GSR all the way.
Old 05-24-2009, 05:42 AM
  #14  
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
 
fortillian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

Originally Posted by eksedan98
If you have an 92 hatch si and its your DAILY i would first try to worry about security man. Too many Hondas get stolen every week not tryin to change the subject or anything. By the way I think turbo97coupe is right GSR all the way.
I have an Autopage RS1000, C3 GPS tracking, once i get an engine swap going ill wire in my stealth kill switch/s. May look into a Rovelco as well.
Old 05-24-2009, 06:01 AM
  #15  
Honda-Tech Member
 
Navy_CRX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Chesapeake, VA USA
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

Personaly id go b20/vtec pwjdm has a sale for b20 long blocks for 550. Throw on a b16 head and tranny. Because your on a budget ill mention holset turbos (look up the thread "holset users unite") lots of good info there.
Just my .02
Eddie
Old 05-24-2009, 06:18 AM
  #16  
B*a*n*n*e*d
 
VTECROAR96typeR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Midwest
Posts: 1,445
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

is the b16b good for boost?
Old 05-24-2009, 07:51 AM
  #17  
Honda-Tech Member
 
batallic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Toronto, ontario, canada
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

Originally Posted by fortillian
I have an Autopage RS1000, C3 GPS tracking, once i get an engine swap going ill wire in my stealth kill switch/s. May look into a Rovelco as well.
dont waste money on ravelco, ppl still get jacked with that, its just like a kill switch theres a few thread of that on here
Old 05-24-2009, 08:13 AM
  #18  
Honda-Tech Member
 
thumper64's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

If you have the money, I think the GSR would be best. It has a better rod to stroke ratio, VTEC, and you kinda should put lower compression pistons in to run much boost safely, so the mileage shouldn't be an issue, at least on the bottom end. Plus the VTEC head flows better than the LS to begin with.
That's just my 2 cents
Old 05-24-2009, 08:46 AM
  #19  
Honda-Tech Member
 
IP RACING's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: ventura county, ca, united states
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

like one of the posters said unless you are going to have money to rebuild the gsrr Id go ls. 125k for a motor that is going to be boosted will need a rebuild sooner than later.
Old 05-24-2009, 08:56 AM
  #20  
Junior Member
 
99JDMHATCH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Station in RI but from FL
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

^^^exactly correct. i would not recommend boosting the gsr untill you have built the block but that is alot of extra money. If it was me i would get the ls try to find a gsr head and cams and if moneys left over boost it.
Old 05-24-2009, 09:39 AM
  #21  
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
 
fortillian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

Originally Posted by 99JDMHATCH
^^^exactly correct. i would not recommend boosting the gsr untill you have built the block but that is alot of extra money. If it was me i would get the ls try to find a gsr head and cams and if moneys left over boost it.
I heard a few people say this. Would you still need an ls/vtec kit from GE when using an LS and GSR heard? Although $3500 is my budget for now, its just what im starting with. So if I dont boost it now, ill boost it later. So I would like to get something that will be reliable and a good platform to work on later.
Old 05-24-2009, 10:14 AM
  #22  
Team Purple
 
Maverick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Orange County
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

Originally Posted by ecko_3420
b20...all the way..
b20 are low comp. motor, better for boost if you're gonna go that way.
Old 05-24-2009, 11:38 AM
  #23  
Junior Member
 
EGhatchguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Spokane, WA, US
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

Originally Posted by maverick31210
b20 are low comp. motor, better for boost if you're gonna go that way.
maybe so but throw any worthwhile amount of boost at it and you will crack the cylinder walls. b20s unsleeved dont hold up to boost well at all
Old 05-24-2009, 12:03 PM
  #24  
Honda-Tech Member
 
blueg6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: 818 LA
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

Originally Posted by 99JDMHATCH
You dont want the b16 tranny on a turbo application. Also try driving 80 on the highway with a b16 you'll be at 5000 rpm burning alot of gas.. Just alot you have to take into concertation.
yuuuup. ls tranny = longer gear ratio? better for boost?
Old 05-24-2009, 12:32 PM
  #25  
Honda-Tech Member
 
IP RACING's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: ventura county, ca, united states
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Engine ideas for around $3500

if you are looking for a reliable DD then I really think thats your best option for the 3500. Do you really want to spend more than that on fixing up a 16 year old car. anyways buy a low mileage jap ls, B16 lsd tranny with a LS 5th gear for highway purposes. buy your mounts if needed. start collecting turbo parts. Unless you really want to say yea I have a gsr turbo or a lsvtecT you will be more than happy with a turbo ls and will happy with the money thats left.


Quick Reply: Engine ideas for around $3500



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 05:32 AM.