hi all . im new on posting on this site . i have a 97 ek hatch and im looking on doin a swap soon . what would you recomend me doin in this hatch b18a or b18b ? im looking to spend about $1500 . i guess a b18b cost $1500 for the full swap with mounts and everything . imnot exactly sure how much the b18a runs for , but i preatty sure its cheaper. am i better of goin with the b18a and get parts for the engine and make my bill come up to $1500 or should i just get the b18b and just have that for $1500 ? and if you recomend me goin with the b18a , what performance parts should i get in order for my bill to add up to $1500? hopefully i didnt confuse you guy's . please help me out . im new to this swapping thing .

 

go with the b18b1. but most importantly, seach.

 

B18B. Its newer, and if u get one the same year or newer than your car it will be a legal swap. Thats if u keep it OBD2 as well.

 

 

i like my b18a

 

Id go with b18b aswell.. You know it will have alot less miles in general

 

depending on where you live, you may have OBDII inspections, thus you have to go with an OBDII swap to stay legal. Also, the OBDII engine is an easier swap into your car. Just my two pennies

 

does the extra tourqe in the b18b make a big difference. for those who have done the swap?

 

Yes you will get a torque difference the B18 has a longer stroke. O yeah go with the B18B. Haven't done the swap personally but I know people in the shop who did LS vtec and loved it.

 

since your in cali definitely go with a b18b that's the same year or newer then your car. that way you can get it bar'd and not have to worry about getting hassled by the boys in blue.

 

i've had almost the same exact question for a while in short here is the answer.

It all depends on what you want.
Daily Driver = b18b. Why you say? becasue the useable torque in the 3000-6000 rpms. (but after that they die off pretty fast.

A b16 produces more torque from 6000 to 8400 (or where ever rev limit is). So ideally you would want this for track times.

In a drag the b18b will probably win given even drivers and weight becasue of the torque. But you can make a b18b a pretty good all motor engine and kill b16's.

Here is my future setup
b18b1
ported head, crower valve train
crower 403 cams, stock cam gears
jdm p30 pistons
stock lS rods
stock LS computer - no vafc or anything else of any kind
stock header
Cold Air intake

This will give the b18b around
145whp
and 124 torque

 

get the b18 swap, sell the b18b motor and use that moeny and some more cash and get a b20z