i just recently bought an 88 Crx Dx and im planning to do a swap

I need some opinions...what do you think would be better??

The Sohc Vtec is a direct bolt in and extremely cheap swap
I was think of finding a z6 bottom with a y8 head
I kno i could do a complete sohc swap for under 1000

On the other hand Ive been hearing about B20 this B20 that
How much is involved in a B20 swap into an 88 dx?
Cost?
Reliability?

Ive seen b20b long blocks going for $799 @ http://www.hondamotorsonline.com

I know the b20b are not as impressive as the b20z but I could get the B and
drop in higher compression pistons and yield the same results.

Opinions anyone??

 

i have a 90 DX HB and im gonna do a B20 vtec. its gonna cost around $6k to do everything. it all depends on how much money and time you want to spend on it. basically, the more money and time you spend, the more you get out of it. i dont know what a built mini-me dynos at but a built b20 vtec puts 230hp to the ground.

 

I would highly recommend the B20. I just did a B20 swap into my 1988 Civic STD and I am VERY happy with the motor. I am running the motor basically stock (bolt-ons, P75 ECU, non-VTEC head). And even in this state of tune, it STILL kicks ***. A VTEC head would definitely greatly improve the package. But the motor is GREAT even without one. The torque is unbelievable. In fact, the car feels alot more like a bigger car with a large V6 or small V8 than it does an econobox with just a four cylinder engine. And peak power is similar to that of a B16A.

Now the SOHC VTEC engine is not bad. It is definitely MUCH cheaper than the B20. But if you try to get the kind of power from it that you can get from a B20, you will have definitely spent FAR more money than if you just did the B20 setup. Also, there is no way, I repeat NO WAY, you can get the kind of torque from a SOHC VTEC that you can get from a B20 allmotor. The B20 has the kind of torque that a supercharged SOHC VTEC has. Without the supercharger (and with the possibility of adding it in the future). So if I were you, I would definitely go B20.

The B20 is really not that difficult of a swap. There is actually little more involved than a simple B18A/B18B (to which it is closely related) swap. The only different thing you need to do is swap the intake manifold for a B18B intake manifold. But any B-transmission will bolt right up to it.

As for the actual B20 motor to get, this depends on your plans for the motor. If you are going to be running a basic B20 setup with a non-VTEC head for any period of time, I would suggest the 1998+ B20Z (or JDM B20B). This motor produces alot more power and torque due to its better cams and higher compression. On the other hand, the milder cams and lower compression of the earlier B20B would probably make it more suitable for forced induction. If you are going B20 VTEC right away, get whichever motor is cheaper, since neither the pistons nor cams will matter when everything is done.

 

B=POOP and D=GOOD see a trend?
Say no to extra cams.
Go with the Z6

 

ur a moron y would the itr and crt have dohc? sohc is no comparison to a dohc why does every top racer have a dohc non of em have a d16

matt u did teh b20 wut happened to teh b18? how does this motor compare to the b16 in the crx?

 

i did the d16z6 in my 91 crx dx, and i love it, and it didn't cost me an arm and a leg... if you are working on a budget sohc vtec, if you have unlimited funds b20... just plan on having about twice as much money on hand than you think the swap will cost

 

unlimited funds...hehe...sad but true! fully built and boosted b20/vtec is costing me around $14k

 

What happened to the B18B? Well, it is now sitting (taken apart for fitment) in nice, Rubbermaid containers from Wal-Mart in my bedroom closet. I was never really happy with this motor. I guess when I bought it, I blindly bought into the hype that the B18B is better than the B16A. It was not. It had only marginally more torque and not near the scream of the B16A. So ever since I got the motor running, I have been itching to do a B20 swap. And now that I have done my B20 swap, the B18B is where it belongs. Until maybe I decide to build an LS-VTEC for my CRX.

 

What is costing $6,000 for B20 swap?
Somthing like:
-$800 for a B20B longblock
-$500 for a B16a cable tranny
-$500 for a B16a Vtec head
-$500 for custom pistons with rings
-$600 for custom rods
-$500(estimate) for new bearings, gasket and such
-$250 for ECU

Maybe something like $4000-$4500 with everything
Are you including some aftermarket parts in the $6000?

I think when I do my B20Vtec build-up, I'm going to buy a 1st gen. B16a and then buy a B20B longblock b/c this way I will already have a B16a cable tranny and head and ECU. Then I can sell the B16a bottom-end.

 

you can spend 6k easily when you start getting into head work, stand alone, lsd, etc. it adds up quickly!

 

crvtec maybe in the future if i decide to go b20 but more interested in N/A b20Z no vtec....how much and how difficult is it to duplicate HX_Guy's set up would it be worth the amount i pay?

 

It sounds like you are interested in duplicting my setup. If you just go for a stock B20Z non-VTEC setup, the cost is not much more than a newer B18B swap. And it is MUCH more rewarding. I would go so far as to say that although a non-VTEC B20Z swap is not the cheapest swap, it is by far the best bang-for-the-buck swap.