Hey guys. I posted this in the Integra forum last week. But is it worth it to go from an LS (b18) to a B20? i sold my truck so i had money to play with. I think im going to do Direct Port on the B20... will this be better than the LS? Just throwing around some ideas. thanks ahead of time.. lates

 

Even though i havn't done the swap yet personally, i think it would be a good upgrade. In my opinion, the integra is too heavy a car for mere 1.8L tork. Mind you, my integra is only the 1990 130 wimpy horse version.

The other neato thing on this engine is look how the tork curve just dies off after 5.5k. it's just begging for some cams or a vtec head to flatline it and put the hp off the chart. http://www.autocrossing.com/misc/dyn...0z-integra.gif

d

ps. make sure its not the 126 horse version yu get

 

I would look at getting a Vtec head for your LS. It may cost more in the long run but you'll be able to out run a b20 integra pretty easily.

 

and while you're at it, why don't you add some ITR cams, cam gears, high comp. pistons, a crank girdle and rev it up to 8.5k? http://www.autocrossing.com/misc/dynocharts/b20vtec.gif

hehe, Just kidding.

 

I just recently upgraded from a B18B (the better, 142HP 1994-1995 motor) to a B20Z in my 1988 Civic HB. And I can tell you that there is a WORLD of difference between these motors. MUCH more so than the mere 138cc increase in displacement would indicate. Of course, some of it is also likely the result of the 9.2:1 to 9.6:1 increase in compression. The bottom line is that I shaved .5 second and gained 3MPH in the quarter mile just by replacing my longblock. So I would say go for it. You will be glad you did. The job will not be even hard, as both motors are basically the same externally. It will be just a simple long block replacement. If fact, I always wonder why more LS owners don't do this swap.

And don't let anyone tell you it would be better just to slap a VTEC head on your B18. First of all, this is alot more work. And if you finally do decide to go VTEC, wouldn't you rather have it on a B20 than a B18? One more thing. If you are going to run a non-VTEC head for any period of time, go with the better B20Z (or JDM B20B) rather than the low compression USDM B20B.


[Modified by StorminMatt, 5:08 AM 3/14/2002]

 

Can anybody confirm 100% that the jdm b20b's ('96 and '97 especially) are forsure definately the same as the USDM b20z's? I've heard both on forums, and the engine suppliers have no idea.

d

 

From what I have heard, the JDM B20B uses much the same longblock as the USDM B20Z. The cams and compression are the same. BUT the JDM B20B uses the 'giraffe' style manifold (like the USDM B20B) rather than the 'box' style manifold (like the USDM B20Z). Also, according to another post here, the JDM B20B lacks the crankshaft speed fluctuation sensor (which both the USDM B20B and B20Z will have). This would be a concern if the car you are swapping the engine into is an OBDII car. If you swap in a JDM B20B, you will need to use a USDM oil pump cover.