Neptronix

So yeah.
I had my eye on a b18b swap and was going to save about $3k for it.
Just got a job that pays fairly major $, so i was thinking about getting the GSR motor instead.

After more research i've noticed that the LS and GSR motors have slightly different
displacements and it sounds like the LS has more torque down low ( which is what i want ).

My question is.. since i don't really want to budget for a K swap ( unless i can magically pay $5k or less for a complete K20A3 swap ).. would a LS/VTEC setup be worth my time and money?

If not.. is there something i should be thinking about that isn't as expensive as a k.. maybe a f series?

BTW H series is out of the question.

USDMCIVICHATCH

I hope you meant k20a2 cuz i wouldn't pay a dollar for an a3 swap, but anyway I would go for the gs-r over the ls-vtec cuz it is far more reliable in my opinion

Neptronix

I'm thinking k20a3 because i'm in california and it seems like it wouldn't be a hassle to legalize that. It's the first K series motor in the civic si, right?

I'm seeing a k20a2 changeover on hmotors for $4k which looks appealing but can it be smog legal.. that's the question!

USDMCIVICHATCH

the k20a3 came in the 02-05 civic Si and the 02-06 rsx base model it has 160 hp and is really slow and wouldn't be any harder to smog then a k20a2 which came in the 02-04 rsx type s and has 200 hp. since you are in Ca it would be very expensive to get bar'd (there are only maybe a handfull that are legal, such as that R-crew eg with the rsx gas tank, dasboard, and so on)

EGLUVN

well its just as easy to bar a k20a2. the restrictions on motor is that it has to be newer then the vehicle. as far as i know. im from oregon so im not really sure but im assuming. so i really dont see why the a2 and a3 would be any different to smog and bar

USDMCIVICHATCH

by the way check out k20a.org and you will see what is involved with the swap

smileycvc

You can get full K swaps for less than 5k all day.

Neptronix

Including the cost of labor?
Info pls. ;p

smileycvc

No I thought you were just asking about the motor. If you are smart about it you could probally get it done around 7k, but you will have to do most of the work yourself.

2000siturboR

yea a buddy of mine has a b20 vtec B16a head and it ******* rips. got good low end power as well as top end power and he plans on boosting soon. then it will be insane but my advice to you is go get a b20 block and a b16 head and start there. you get great bottem end power out of them.

instrument

if that's your car in your pic, i'd spend some of that money on new tail lights.

95ProjectEJ1

iTrader: (5)

GL trying to pass a K20 at the BAR ref. Search for a thread called "First Bar'd K20 in a EG" or something like that. For starters you need a complete junked RSX so you can tear out the fuel tank and complete fuel system.

I would go with B18b1. You will not pass BAR with LSvtec. You can go with a B18b1 w/ a CARB certified turbo kit or you can swap in a B18c1. All depends on what your goals are.

AWD Terror

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 95ProjectEJ1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I would go with B18b1. You will not pass BAR with LSvtec. You can go with a B18b1 w/ a CARB certified turbo kit or you can swap in a B18c1. All depends on what your goals are. </TD></TR></TABLE>

If you are planning to Boost, I'd go with the B18b1. Will have great torque and HP.

If you just want a quick swap, I'd go with the B18c1. Will still be fast without boost.

95ProjectEJ1

iTrader: (5)

Yup...

In CA you dont have many options for swaps. B20, LSvtec, H22 w/ H2B, and B16b are all pretty much out of the equation when it comes to BAR ref.

smileycvc

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 2000siturboR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yea a buddy of mine has a b20 vtec B16a head and it ******* rips. got good low end power as well as top end power and he plans on boosting soon. then it will be insane but my advice to you is go get a b20 block and a b16 head and start there. you get great bottem end power out of them.</TD></TR></TABLE>

B20 will never pass bar and the guy lives in cali. Also B20 bottem ends take some modification. I hope your friend knows that before he boost his.

Neptronix

Crap.
Looks like it's going to be a b18b *or* sell this puppy and get a used rsx / '01+ civic si.
A smog legal GSR swap kit looks like it would be way over the price of a b18b..

Freakin' emissions.

Neptronix

My tail lights have character. Shaddup

95ProjectEJ1

iTrader: (5)

Save money and stick with what you have. I have seen LS swaps go for way less than 3k. In fact I picked mine up complete with a B16 trans (everything needed minus the linkage) for 800.

EDIT: Here... a buy is selling a 2000 B18b1 complete in So Cal.

http://www.hondamarketplace.com/zerothread/2084762

Its newer than your car so it can be swapped and BAR'd

drtysohc

i'm so glad we don't have to deal with emissions here

I'd go with the GSR if you can afford it.

Neptronix

Hmm.. doesn't look too legit, dude.
I'm okay with paying more $$$ for some peace of mind, so the $2200 from hmotors doesn't seem too bad. It sounds like they test their **** before they ship it out, and i can physically drive over there and pick it up to

I don't have the skills or tools to swap engines / trans / mounts so i was looking into paying a local shop.. they are asking $1000. Seems a little steep. So i'm budgeting about $3500 unless i can find someone who knows their **** in San luis, ventura, or santa barbara.

Another random question: will expanding the diameter of my exhaust piping be neccessary for a b18b? ( i have an EX so it's at least 2in. ) is it gonna choke the engine?
If all i need is a higher flowing muffler i might just put that on now :]

smileycvc

Yeah you should probally go with 2.5 inch piping and a muffler.

Endo-land

You didnt mention LS/vtec in the other thread. I agree , definately do 2.5 in exhaust. Most tuner shops can do a mandrel bent for cheap.

Rad!

I'd go LSV, LSV's are ill if done right.
You should just look into to buying the parts piece by piece and building (having it built), you can probably get an LS block for $250-300, B16 Head for no more than $500, and B16 Tranny for like $600, thats like $1400 for the motor itself, then you can use the rest for misc parts like mounts, ems, ecu, bottom end work perhaps, etc etc... i wouldnt buy a complete ls swap if i planned on going lsv cause your pretty much gonna be throwing away the ls tranny and head.

Endo-land

I cant resist, Rad was my favorite movie as a kid until I got into skating. WAY COOL MAN.
Ls/V has been the plan for a couple years myself, just getting the last couple parts.

Neptronix

i'd go that route but i keep hearing it's not legal in california.

P.S. thanks all for the info, you've been really helpful.