I was going to do a B20/VTEC setup but now I have some job instability. With telecom in the state it is right now I think I want to go a cheaper route. Would a B16 with some work be pretty fast? I am thinking about some CTR pistons and CTR cams. Maybe a little more to raise the compression like a thinner head gasket and a milled head. Is this good for some ooomph in a Civic Hatch?

 

if you really want oohmp i wont lie to you try and get a b18c. THe b18c will have 127 lbs of tq compared to the b16's 111 lbs... both are great motors but the bigger displacement wins... for a cheap route get a b18c with a hydro b16 tranny. that combo in your civic would be pretty mean

 

Yup... get a bigger displacement motor. Even when I was just B20 all motor, and my roommate was B16A all motor, my Civic was much faster off the line (obviously) and he still couldn't pull up on me when we were moving... in fact I'd be pulling away from him (I had a GSR tranny).

Just driving around in my car for awhile, then I jump into his... BIG DIFFERENCE in torque. Honestly, you can make a B16A fast with compression and cams, but off the line it'll always be a dawg. A guy I know runs a high compression B16A with Toda cams.... he runs consistent mid-low 13s in an EG coupe, but he says it feels slow off the line because of it's lack of torque. Get 1.8L or bigger if you want a motor with some pick up.