Hi everyone,

First off, I'd like to thank this wonderful online community. I have done what I believe to be an extensive amount of research, and have found almost all the answers I was looking for, right here!

So - the situation : I have a 1995 Civic EX Coupe (it's actually badged as an Si, seeing as I'm in Canada) with pretty much stock motor - it's got an AEM intake, nothing else - that, I believe, is starting to get tired at 270 000 km (about 170 000 miles?). The car is paid for, it's in relatively good shape, and it serves my needs, so I don't see myself getting rid of it for another 4-5 years, at least. But the mileage is starting to accumulate on that engine, and I simply wish I had more power.

I have been researching ways to boost my aging D16z6's power output, but with the mileage in the engine, I simply don't believe it's worth it. Maybe I'm wrong? But anyways, for my plans, I thought a B18B, with future turbocharging plans, might have been right on the money (quite literally, given the low price of those engines), but I have managed to source a B16A2, very close by, for quite a good price. Now, to avoid confusion, I call a B16A2 the engine that was in the Canadian 99-00 SiR, or your American Si.

I have thus researched this particular swap in the last few days, and I am offering here a checklist, of sorts. I would simply ask of all you experts to go over it and confirm I am not forgetting or overlooking anything of importance. I would like this process to be as painless, and as quick, as possible. I am aiming to do this over a weekend or two, so collecting all the parts that I’ll need (barring any unforeseen problems, of course), is a priority for me. I should also mention that I want to retain A/C and power steering.

Here goes:

1. Parts I’ll Need.

From the donor car :

- Motor;
- Transmission (*Note 1);
- Axles;
- Intake Manifold;
- Exhaust Manifold;
- A/C Unit;
- Alternator;
- Starter;
- Power Steering Pump;
- Shift Linkage;
- Distributor;
- Fuel Rail;
- Injectors;
- Sensors (*Note 2);
- Brackets/Mounts :
o Donor Car Front Transmission Bracket;
o 94-01 Integra 5-Speed Rear Engine Bracket;
o Donor Car Driver Side Mount (*Note 3);
o Stock EX Top Transmission Mount;
o 94-01 Integra Right Front Mount (*Note 4);
- Reprogrammed Chip for my P28 ECU (*Note 5);
- 1996-2001 Integra (OBDII) Engine Harness, preferably GS-R.

As far as I can tell, that’s it. Now, for the notes, and my questions :

Note 1 : Just to confirm, both transmissions (mind and the SiR’s) ARE hydraulic, correct?

Note 2 : Should I specify exactly what sensors I need? And if the answer is affirmative, what DO I specify?

Note 3 : There is conflicting info on this.

- From http://technet.ff-squad.com/hybrid.92-95.obd2.htm :

“94-01 integra driver side 3-post mount (if going B18B/C/C5)
Note: You can reuse your existing civic/delsol driver side dual-post mount if going OBD2 B16A (Emphasis mine);”

OR :

- From https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=550976 :

“For the timing cover side mount you will need to get the cast-iron bracket from any 1994-2001 Integra GS-R and also the aluminum mount as well. You can use the mount from a Del Sol VTEC as well, but not the 99-00 mount because it is totally different.”

So, what gives? I have to admit, the FF-Squad’s web site is the only place I’ve read that advocates using my stock EX mount, and more than a few threads on this forum state I have to use the Integra’s.

Note 4 : Again, from https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=550976 :

“The front mounting brackets need to be from an Integra 1004-2001, but if you want to keep A/C then get the A/C bracket for a Del Sol VTEC model. the actual mounts that bolt to the underside of the framerails need to be the stock Civic ones.”

But from http://technet.ff-squad.com/hybrid.92-95.obd2.htm :

“94-01 integra or 99-00 Si Coupe A/C bracket”

Is this contradictory? Or am I missing something?

Note 5 : I also do quite a bit of DIY audio and speaker building, so a bit a soldering doesn’t scare me…but, from https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=983454 :

“ECU: Use ecu that came with the Engine with proper wiring modifications. For those who do not wish to use OBDII ecu's. For the B16a2 Si motor use the JDM P30 Ecu. Other wise you may use a Chipped P28 with the Proper Programming.”

Again, my emphasis – but this is the ONLY place I’ve seen that says I can use a JDM ECU (or, for that matter, anything other than my P28 with a chip), and I haven’t been able to confirm this. What is this board’s consensus?

So that’s it for the required parts, I think. Am I forgetting anything obvious?

2. What I’ll Need To Do, Or Should Do, Before The Swap.

This is rather simple, I guess…the usual fare of water pump, timing belt, and clutch, right? Any blatant omissions? I haven’t fully researched whether or not I should replace the flywheel along with the clutch, so I won’t ask that yet, for fear of being flamed.

3. Wiring…

This I am not quite clear about yet, but I think some more research is in order. I would simply like to point out that on https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=550976 , scrolling down, we see the picture illustrating the mounts, and right below, there seems to be a picture for OBD1 wiring, but the link is broken! Is it the same as in https://honda-tech.com/zero...age=1 ?


Finally, I would just like to point out that I have read quite a few of those B16A2 vs. B18B threads… Given a choice, I would certainly go B18C, but it’s just too expensive. The B18B would be a great motor, I’m sure, but this one is newer, with far less mileage than most B18Bs around, and the price is definitely right. Plus, coming from a sport motorcycle background – two-strokes, no less!! -, I actually enjoy revving the **** out of an engine. I think the B16A2 would be great fun, and I do plan on turbocharging (way) down the road, but only lightly so, for reliability and driveability. I am also aware that a turbocharged B18B would be an awesome daily driver, but see comments above about the B16A2.

That’s it, folks – thanks for your time and patience! I hope this helps somebody else down the road.

 

well i must say this beats the average user's first post which usually goes like "I just got a honda, how do i make it do a 10 sec 1/4 mile with only I/H/E?"

Note 1: They are both hydro
Note 2: Knock Sensor... which you'll have to wire up.
Note 3: I think you can use your driver side mount but use b-series mounts for the rest. - atleast thats what i recall doing.
Note 4: Not Sure
Note 5: P30 and run a wire for the knock sensor

 

Well, i respect that you actually did some reasearch. You seem to have everything down. IMO, re-think the b18b...

1)That little b16 your looking at pretty much makes the same amount of torque as what your gonna pull out of the car. If you drive around a lot, i'd really recomend the b18b for torque reasons. The car will pull much better at lower engine speeds and pull you up those hills with minimal downshifts.

2) B1's are cheaper than the b16's and more reliable.

3) It comes OBD1, which makes all your probalems go away. Ecu and wiring harness plugs right in, integra axles/ brackets/ shiftlinkage/ shifter? and even exhaust will bolt right up. No hookng up vtec.

4) great turbo motor (and i am not biased because i have ls-t) and a lot of potential down the road, and you always have the option of vtec down the road.

5) Basic relaibility. (easy valve adjustments... kinda irrelavent, but cool)

6) Youll probably spend much less.

This has been argued a million times already... I dont want to start another, just my opinion. take it or leave it. good luck though

 

Well, looks like I'll go the B18B route anyhow, somebody was quicker than me on that B16A2 motor. Oh well...I've also got a line on a Integra LS write-off. It was T-boned. I think that would be a great idea, so I could have everything motor-related, plus brakes...maybe seats, off the top of my head....anything else?