Here are the two options, what would you guys recommend.

B16A head, ITR outter valve springs, Portflow inner valve springs, Portflow retainers, Skunk2 Stage 1 cams, new valve seals, assembled and shipped: $1430

B18C5 head, new from Honda, stock: $1250 + shipping

What would you guys recommend, the older B16A head (possibly early JDM head or off a 1999 SI) with those mods or should I go for the brand new ITR head?

 

Depends on what your going to do...

I'm planning on a C5 swap into my 95 CX by March of next year, so I say C5 head.

Again, it depends on what your plans are for it...

 

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=99466

 

Jason are you swapping the engine out of your R? or getting a separate red-head?

 

Hehe...just making some plans for the CX

 

can you fit in that little car?

why are all you NC guys so big and tall?

 

IMO - Stock with a JUN II intake cam (little over other price ($200)). Or maybe a lite port before its installed.

You'll have to get a new Licence Plate now

 

Do you mean stock as in the stock B18C5 head? Could I use the JUN2 intake cam with the stock valvesprings/retainers?

 

I would go with the new head. That way you are getting a fresh head and
dont have to worry about any major problems. Also you can easily sell the
cams and other parts if you decide you want to go with something different.

 

Thats a good point sgT (about selling stuff)

The thing Im wondering about...
If I pick up a JDM B16A head, repalce the valvetrain, valve seals and do a light mill for straightness...would it be just as good as new? I can pick one up locally so I could inspect the valves as well.

The head would cost me $300 and then the valvetrain is $300 plus $40 to mill it slightly. I could use the stock B16A cams until I had money for some nicer aftermarket ones, but Id install the ne valvetrain from the begining.

 

I`d get the new head.

 

replace valvetrain? I assume you mean valves. Those alone will cost about 300.
Other things need to be taken into consideration like the condition of the rockers
and keepers/retainers. Those kind of things its hard to tell until you drop a valve.

 

Oh, by valvetrain I just meant the springs and retainers.

 

If I got the stock B18C5 head, what cams would I be able to use with the stock springs/retainers? Would the Skunk2 Stage 1 work? Or the JUN2/ITR combo?

 

i personally would buy the R head which I think also comes with camshafts for that price ??? sell the cams, upgrade the R valvetrain with the Portflow inner springs and Portflow Ti retainers. If you have money left over, order a set of 8 ITR Intake side outer valvesprings (they are gold color as opposed to the blue) and put those on the exhasut side. With that you can go with spec A and B Toda cams or JUN stage 3 cams... and rev the **** outta the head, my opinion.

Greg

 

Heh...if I have money left? I cant even afford what you just mentioned

 

From what I understand only the used heads have headwork done to them.

 

**** the new type r head! both heads are p30 cast, the only advantage id see to the r head is hte tiny pocket porting around the valves that honda does from the factory, hardly worth the extra cash. val you could do the same porting with a dremel tool in your garage. if you got the r head, i'd definalty see you swapping out the cams for something more aggresive. IMO id get the r head only if you had absolutly no plans for it. both heads with equal headwork will perform identical! have you considered reworking a gsr head? otherwise, get the b16head with skiunk2 setup and resurface it. who are you getting your oil line from?

 

Does the brand new new R head come w/ cams and valvetrain, valve cover, etc? At that price, I doubt it so you will need to spend a lot of extra money. If you're on a budget I'd say find a better deal on a B16A head and you may even have money left. B16A heads are abundant and can be found for super cheap, not the case w/ Type-R or even GSR heads.

 

I dont know who Im getting the oil lines from yet, or who is modyfing the head. Got any suggestions?

Also, about the mild porting on Type R heads. I have heard that is only true on the complete B18C5 engines. If you buy a bare head, then there is no porting whatsoever.
Anyone know more on that?

 

The new R head would be complete 9exceot for manifold and valve cover I believe)
It would have valves, springs,retainers and the cams.

 

why would you even consider that head? get a used b16 head. call beadle about the line.

 

Yes I did mean the B18 C5. and yes you can run the stock valvetrain even though retainers are suggested.

But B20Bastard makes some good points. It comes down to money. Your not going to be dissapointed with either.
Another advantage to the B16 head, is mental, you may be more willing to do drastic mods to it rather than "MESS" with a brand new B18C5 head.

Either way I'd skip the Junk2's and do a JUN II intake cam, After Mike K's experament Im all about the JUN IIs.

.02

OT: What up B20Bastard how's the weather up north.

 

The porting on Stock B18C5 is VERY MILD , not even really noteworthy you only main advantages are the throttle body and intake manifold. But if you plan on upgrading all that on the B16 head anyway ...Do that.

 

Get the B18C5 head!